Butler: 1st Mid-Major Final In The Modern Era (1985). Does This Change Anything?

[GGGG]

Good call Crimson except for the fact that we simply didnt turn it over against any type of d. I watch every single game Butler has played this year with the exception of a couple Horizon games in the regular season because they clearly over matched everyone. I do agree that Butler would have to guard Gordon though. Nored strives off locking down on that big forward/wing play and frusterating him. We dont have the kind of player for him to be after. We will never know but i am very confident we would have beat them.

After watching our game against Washington, I am fairly confident that we wouldn't beat them.  Seriously, we do not play defense nearly as good as Butler does.  And I saw about half of Butler's games this year...a number of them in person.

[4everwarriors]

Wasn't UNLV from a mid-major conference when they dominated in the 80's and 90's under the Shark?

As others have mentioned, Butler has recruited very well and definitely has NBA type talent. Just compare Marquette's roster this year versus Butler's.

I'm thinking they were an independent.

[jesmu84]

Butler was only the second mid-major to make the final four (George Mason in 2006) and the first to make the final game in the modern era (since the field went to 64 in 1985).

If they win on Monday, does this change anything?  

Does it accelerate the move to expand the tourney to 96?

If the BCS Football schools want to split with the NCAA does a possible Butler win "complicate" their efforts to start their own BCS basketball championship?

Supporters of the expansion might use Butler as an example of why to expand, as it MIGHT allow more mid-majors in (or just more BCS teams).  But the smaller schools not seeded in the top 32 will have to play more games and likely be more worn down before playing teams like Syracuse, Kansas, Duke, etc and their chances to go far in the tournament will be decreased. I, for one, do not want expansion and think it's a terrible, terrible idea.

[GGGG]

I'm thinking they were an independent.

Nope.  They were a member of the Big West.  They left the Big West to join the WAC...and then split when the Mountain West was formed.

[4everwarriors]

Nope.  They were a member of the Big West.  They left the Big West to join the WAC...and then split when the Mountain West was formed.

In 1977, UNLV played as an independent and reached the Final Four along with MU, UNC, and UNCC. In 1987, UNLV was a member of the Big West Conference as a FF participant.

[CrimsonNCrean]

UNLV has to be considered the "original" little guy...  JMO

[Norm]

Dick Vitale noted tonight that the last non-BCS conference team to win the title was UNLV. He did also question whether they could be considered a mid-major though...

[Skitch]

UMass also made the final four out of the A10 in the mid 90's (96 I think). Although that was later vacated.

Did Louisville make it when they were still in C-USA or were they in the BE by then?

[77ncaachamps]

The only thing it changes is the temperature of Tom Crean's coaching seat.

[Wade4Life]

98 Utah, lost to Kentucky.

And no Memphis doesn't count.

[GGGG]

In 1977, UNLV played as an independent and reached the Final Four along with MU, UNC, and UNCC. In 1987, UNLV was a member of the Big West Conference as a FF participant.

Well, in all fairness, you said "80s and 90s."

[ChicosBailBonds]

They play in a mid major conference but they are not a midmajor team

[jimmyrizzle]

They play in a mid major conference but they are not a midmajor team

Would you have said that in November?

[Nukem2]

Would you have said that in November?

I think he would have as Butler has had excellent NCAA success in recent years and was a Top 10-12 team pre-season.  They are much like Gonzaga.  Very good/talented team playin in a mid-major conference.  Remeber Butler swept its Horizon league regular season schedule and won the conference tourney. 

[jimmyrizzle]

I think he would have as Butler has had excellent NCAA success in recent years and was a Top 10-12 team pre-season.  They are much like Gonzaga.  Very good/talented team playin in a mid-major conference.  Remeber Butler swept its Horizon league regular season schedule and won the conference tourney.

Fair enough.

Still: Barry Collier needs to get them out the H League at some point.

[Brewtown Andy]

Did Louisville make it when they were still in C-USA or were they in the BE by then?

I believe Louisville made the Final Four in the last season we were in C-USA.

[GGGG]

Fair enough.

Still: Barry Collier needs to get them out the H League at some point.

Maybe the Missouri Valley, but otherwise they are a nice fit in the Horizon.

[DawsonCreekFillanderer]

The only thing it changes is the temperature of Tom Crean's coaching seat.

Tanned Tommy's arse crack has to be white hot with the success of Butler. Throw in Brad Stevens' sterling character, his quiet dignity, focus upon team rather than self, IU heritage, authentic Indiana roots, decency, honesty, and compassion and you have a compelling case for a coaching change at I x 4. One has to wonder how Tommy is sleeping these days. Not even Mike Maddux, Mike McCarthy, Tony LaRussa, or a whole passel of Harbaughs can save his butt this time. I hope he hears about Brad Stevens getting the IU job from the ESPN scroll.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Would you have said that in November?

Considering they were ranked in the top 10 in the pre-season in one poll and 11th in the other....yes, I would have said that.  Gonzaga is no different, they play in a mid-major conference but they are not mid-major.

Conversely, there are some teams that play in a high major league but play like mid majors (Northwestern has been that way for most of their existence, though not of late). 

Don't be fooled by the league someone plays in.  Was UNLV mid-major when they were dominating the country despite playing in the Big West conference?  Of course not.

Aloha