UConn Alone on Top

It was about as ugly as it gets. But someone had to come out on top in last night's 2011 NCAA Men's College Basketball National Championship, and the UConn Huskies rose to the occasion, knocking off the Butler Bulldogs.  It was the third championship for coach Jim Calhoun, just the fifth coach to do so. He joined the elite company of John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Mike Krzyzewski, and Bob Knight.  At 68, Calhoun is the oldest coach to ever win a national championship.

Butler certainly had the heart, hustle and defense required to win the final game, but they simply could not make shots. Brad Stevens' team shot a championship record-low 18.8% from the field in the 53-41 loss. They made only three, yes, three two-point field goals in the whole entire game. For the night they shot a miserable 12-64, including 9-33 from beyond the arc. Some of Butler's shooting woes should certainly be credited to the stifling defense from the Huskies, but it was also just an off night. Butler center Andrew Smith repeatedly missed easy layups, as well as star and future pro guard Shelvin Mack. Matt Howard could not find his stroke either, shooting just 1-13, the only make coming from beyond.

Coming in, Butler supposedly had the edge on the bench. However, the reserve unit had all of two points on the night, courtesy of two made free throws from former starter Ronald Nored. Aside from the shooting, though, Butler really did not play that awfully. They only turned the ball over six times and forced eleven. However, a key point in the game would be the rebounding battle, which was won by UConn, 51-40. Butler played exceptional defense until the end neared, when they switched into the zone for one of the first ever times. This was them basically holding up the white flag, and was an attempt to speed up the game as a desperation attempt.

Kemba Walker by no means played his best game on the biggest stage, but what he did was enough. He went without an assist on the night, but scored sixteen and pulled down nine boards. Jeremy Lamb was the X-factor for UConn, being able to shoot over the shorter Butler D using his long frame, and frequently contest Butler shot attempts. The freshman finished with twelve points. Big man Alex Oriakhi outplayed Matt Howard, recording the only double-double for either side, with eleven points and eleven boards.

Going into halftime Butler appeared to have most of the momentum after a tough three at the buzzer for Shelvin Mack. Though they led just 22-19, they looked in great shape heading into the second half. Supposedly the six field goals they had scored was just a fluke, and in the second half both teams would come out more sure-handed. But it was not to be. Butler would have a streak of 13:26 with only one made field goal, and again have just six for the second half as well. Their woeful shooting doomed them in their chance at redemption, coming oh-so-close (a bounce on a Gordon Hayward time-expiring shot, in fact) just a year ago. While Connecticut rejoices, Brad Stevens and Butler ponder what could have been, while aspiring for yet another opportunity to pull down the net this coming season.