Another first tonight for Hinkle Fieldhouse – one of college basketball’s grand palaces
Butler did the near impossible tonight. The Bulldogs out-executed and out-toughed Villanova.
In his postgame press conference tonight, Butler coach Chris Holtmann said, “Players win games. Players win games. Players win games.” Yes they do – and yes they did.
It had to happen eventually. Villanova’s reputation for grinding out wins possession by possession is well-earned, but tonight they didn’t have the same level of tenacity or crispness needed to beat a very good team on their own court.
So Butler got the 66-58 win in front of 10,000 Butler fanatics who were in fine form themselves. “I’ve never heard Hinkle louder,” said Holtmann.
Not sure why it’s so much fun to watch this Butler team compete – a combination of history, culture, generosity, and grit, I suppose.
Butler had all that tonight, and they needed every bit of it. The difference in this game can’t be found on the stat sheet, although Butler out-rebounded the Wildcats by nine. Both teams took 51 shots. Butler made every one of their 15 free throws while Villanova cashed on 14 of 17.
Click here to follow Kent on Twitter
This game was about staying between your man and the bucket, rebounding with two hands, and making the extra pass. Tonight was a fundamental basketball ground war, and Butler did everything it needed to as they pulled away late, while Villanova blinked and blinked and blinked after taking a four-point lead with 9:06 to play.
People will talk about this game, but not for long because this game is just what Butler has become as a member of the Big East. Sure it’s the first time Butler has ever beaten a #1 team at Hinkle – at least the first time since the Earth cooled or voters cast ballots ranking college basketball teams – but this game is likely the first that one of the Big East’s best takes a very good team to task for not matching the Bulldogs level of fight and precision.
Click here for a $1 comprehensive dental exam done by the best dentist in Indiana – Dr. Mike O’Neil at Today’s Dentistry
Great night at Hinkle. Hopefully, the first of many like it.
Kent Sterling hosts the fastest growing sportstalk show in Indianapolis on CBS Sports 1430 every weekday from 3p-7p, and writes about Indiana sports at kentsterling.com.
“Butler did the near impossible tonight. ”
I did not find that to surprising or impossible. If people have been following this team since the Barry Collier years, it should not be to much of a shock.
“Not sure why it’s so much fun to watch this Butler team compete – a combination of history, culture, generosity, and grit, I suppose.”
See above. This team has been a treat to watch for quite some time. They have been building and showcasing this brand of basketball for quite awhile. Should be no “supposing” about it. Take off the IU cream and crimson blinders. God forbid there is another successful basketball team in the state besides the HOO HOO HOOSIERS.
If you are looking for Indiana basketball(nothing to do with IU) look at Butler. That’s were is being played, not in gods country,Bloomington.
Butler basketball has got this state by the balls.
Tough pill to swallow IU faithful. Who is the little brother now?!?!?!?
The nearly impossible part wasn’t in beating Villanova, but in wearing them down and causing them to make mental mistakes that are most unlike them.