| Duke - Always too soft. Always not good enough down low. These are the recent stigmas attached to a Blue Devil program that has struggled to enjoy March success over the past decade. This year, though, things seem to be different. They are still paced by a three-headed monster of Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith, all of whom prefer the perimeter to the grit of the paint, but they are not in this all by themselves. In addition to the 6-10 Plumlee brothers, Coach K has seen the recent emergence of big guys Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas. It was a bit of a surprise that they were the #1 seed in the South, which should keep them pretty close to home.
PLAYER TO WATCH: The 3-pronged attack all average at least 17 each and about 40% from behind the arc, but the senior Scheyer might be the difference if the Dookies desire a Final Four run. He is a scorer first, but has developed into quite a point guard, doling out 5 assists a night.
KEY WINS: While the road losses at Maryland, Wisconsin, Georgetown and Georgia Tech aren’t encouraging, the Blue Devils did sweep Clemson and have neutral site wins over UConn and an astonishing 35-point win at Madison Square Garden over a top-flight team in Gonzaga. Wins over bubble tourney teams in Charlotte (a 42-point drubbing) and Arizona State help matters.
Butler - Aside from a rocky two-week stretch over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Bulldogs have enjoyed an extremely successful season. Currently owners of a 20-game winning, the Bulldogs have been even more brutish in the Horizon League than usual. Junior Gordon Hayward is a flat-out stud that can shoot the rock, rebound and make plays from his 6-9 frame. Hayward is flanked by inside guys Matt Howard and Willie Veasley doing the dirty work, while Shelvin Mack has turned into a complete point guard. Don’t be fooled by their middle-school-looking coach, Brad Stephens. Despite his youth and appearance, the kid can coach, period.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Hayward is a star in the making (or maybe already there) as he has enjoyed both collegiate and international success. A player that was barely 6-feet as a high school recruit, Hayward has sprouted up and become one of the most complete players in the nation.
KEY WINS: Despite three neutral site losses (Georgetown, Minnesota, Clemson), Butler does have home wins against Ohio State, Siena and Xavier to go along with a win at Northwestern.
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