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SEASON 7

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Epilogue, The Ninth: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Memories

So We Meet Again

Rte. 139 - End of the Line

Hanging On

A Championship in Pictures

This Time of Year

Dotson Leads Ducks to the Sweet Sixteen

Grizzlies Overwhelmed by Orangemen

Empire

Challenge 11: Final Four Memories

By George, UConn is Dead

Butler and Us

Donning the Black and Gold

Challenge 10: Tourney Memories

The Madness of the Horizon League

The Rare Ivy League Conference Tournament

MAC Madness

Anything Can Happen in the MAAC

Challenge 9: Shock The Neighborhood

A Youthful Surprise

From Worst to First

Peers and Seers

Game 7-102: NCAA Southeast Region Final
March 27, 2011 5:01 pm ET by Kyle Whelliston

[8] Butler Bulldogs vs. [2] Florida Gators

March 26, 2011 4:20 pm
New Orleans, LA
BBState Stats/Recap



It started with a crazy idea. Since VCU and Butler were in the Elite Eight, with the sites just 550 miles away and nine hours from each other in San Antonio and New Orleans, why not go to both? After VCU's presser ended at around 12:30 am Central time on Saturday morning, we saddled up and drove all night across east Texas and the entirety of Louisiana, slept three hours and got a truck stop shower -- true old-school TMM travel. What we saw at the Big Easy, we will never forget. Here, 140 characters at a time, is how it unfolded.

@midmajority Game Tweets

15:00 This is happening. http://plixi.com/p/87091887
15:54 RT @lukewinn: Just ran into @midmajority, who drove all night from San Antonio to do a VCU-Butler doubleheader. He's going back to SA tmrw. That's hustle.
15:55 RT @bubbaprog: Before @midmajority, I cared about these games b/c of a bet. Now I know real people for whom these games are everything, & it's so much more
15:56 Just saw @goodmanonfox backstage here in NO. He doesn't believe we drove because I look so fresh and clean. #swag
16:08Game No. 7-102: [8] Butler vs. [2] Florida. NCAA Southeast Region final at New Orleans. They're ready. Are you? http://plixi.com/p/87108694
16:11 Before we begin today, I'd like to address these persistent media rumors that Florida fans eat babies and shoot kittens for sport. All true.
16:17 Butler is 26-9 (13-5 HL). 2010: National Runner-Up. Now: W12 streak. Beat Old Dominion, Pitt, Wisconsin to make it to this Regional Final.
16:18 Florida: 29-7 (13-3 SEC). Beat UCSB, UCLA and BYU to get here. Fatal flaws: bad defense, can't shoot 3's, slow for no reason.
16:19 FLA starters: Boynton, Walker, Tyus, Parsons, Macklin. BUTL starters: Mack, Vanzant, Stigall, Smith, Howard. #youareinformed.
16:20 Not much of a crowd. http://plixi.com/p/87111436
16:21 For those elsewhere, New Orleans Arena is not the Superdome, nor is it super or domelike. It is old and slightly musty. Lots of character.
16:23 7th in SEC. Can't hit FT's either. RT @adamjyoung @midmajority You think UF can't shoot 3s? Have you watched any games besides the tourney?
16:24 Do I know you? RT @Ryan_Molnar: @midmajority I know we've had our differences but SA to NO and back again is phenomenal work. Safe travels.
16:24 #BLAPP RT @adamamin: @midmajority each of those empty seats represents one New Orleans hangover.
16:25 Save some for us! RT @VCUPav: http://t.co/4ikryrs - @Midmajority #orchata4mids
16:26 Dawgs. http://plixi.com/p/87112971
16:28 I see you, @Ron5Robot.
16:31 Big sign in section 111: "More Than A Cinderella Story." Cinderella was a girl. This team has no female members.
16:32 Underway. The Final Four is 40 (or so) minutes away. Alex Tyus opens scoring for Florida, but Mack answers wih a #superhoop. 3-2 BUTL.
16:33 Mack another 3! And a swished j! Florida bigger, wider, stronger, but down 8-4 to Shelvin Mack at 17:14 1H.
16:35 Butler is attempting to be the first-ever participant in the #ALLCAPSGAME to make the Final Four the same year.
16:35 RT @goldengrizzGP: Proud to be a member of the @midmajority, and glad Kyle's there to narrate the story. Go Dawgs! #AOUEOU
16:40 Florida pulls even at 15:05. Dude behind us yelling "Gator bait!" on repeat. There's no cheering on press row, but strangling? No rules.
16:43 Ronald Nored loses himself in the Florida bench and can't seem to find his way out. A metaphor for a somewhat forgettable season for him.
16:44 FLA 14 BUTL 10 at 12:23 1H. The first #sup54hoop attempt from Howard lips out. Also: Macklin is freaking gigantic. FYI.
16:48 That Butler has made it this far without the step-forward season expected of Mack is phenomenal. Turned in an identical sheet to last year.
16:50 With the general largeness of Florida, protecting Howard is crucial. Early foul, tentative start, on bench now. Smith being swallowed up.
16:52 14-11 FLA, end of 1Q. Howard back in for Smith, but he's got his hands in pockets on D. Would be ugly if Mack were not in takeover mode.
16:56 FLA 23 BUTL 15. Mack goes C2C and boinks a puppy on the last trip. "Bulldogs" and "in sync" in the same tweet seems wrong, but they're not.
16:57 Full agree. RT @TypoDC: @midmajority Butler does not appear to have an answer of any sort for Macklin. This is a problem.
16:58 Butler has faced plenty of big front lines in elimination situations over the past 13 months. Has not looked as helpless as this.
17:01 Glue Sticks (Howard/Smith) are both in, but look tiny next to Parsons and Macklin. On paper, there's no weight difference. In reality?
17:03 Vanzant slices in for two, and the Butler fans stand up. They want to cheer, for anything anything anything. FLA 25 BUTL 20 at 5:07 1H.
17:04 Just as BUTL builds momentum, Mack goes down on the floor in front of us. Gets up gingerly. Need him 100%. FLA 25-22.
17:06 But as Mack rests his cramps and crimps, Hahn nails a #superhoop to pull Butler to within two. 27-25 at 3:22 1H.
17:08 Four-panel sign goes up in the Butler section at MTO4: "You're Our Boy Blue." Is this an ELO reference? Probably not.
17:10 Mack (11p), with a heavily taped ankle, back in. As in other similar games, Butler gets what they need. Like two Hahn 3's.
17:13 Marshall with a #DUNX, but Macklin sky hooks over him on the other end. Macklin has 15 of Gators' 31; one PF. Could feed him all night.
17:14 You are here. http://plixi.com/p/87124933
17:15 The headline so far has been Florida's overwhelming size advantage. Got bigger: Howard with two fouls. FLA 31 BUTL 27 1:55 1H.
17:17 Smith tries so so hard but he is a soph who rode bench as a froshhh. Overwhelmed right now. Steps under the basket.
17:18 Butler University, Shelvin Mack's back is wide and strong and sturdy. Mount it, ride it as you would a surfboard. 14 of Bulldogs' 30.
17:20 Khyle Marshall is the future, no? That #dunx earlier, then that strong putback to close the gap to 33-32. Halftime in New Orleans.
17:24 Tempo-free HT is brought to you by who? BLAPP. Florida: 33 points in 29 possessions (1.13). Butler: 32 points in 30 trips (1.06).
17:28 New Orleans is the Big Easy. On your next visit, take a trip down BLAPP Street. Balconies and beads? Try lager, fruit juice & grain alcohol.
17:29 Disclaimer: BLAPP is not the cure for the Louisiana Blues, it's the cause of the Bayou Bends.
17:31 Backstage. http://plixi.com/p/87129060
17:38 RT @PsyMar: @midmajority Like Klingon gagh, BLAPP is best consumed live.
17:38 BLAPP is an 8.0 earthquake and a tsunami combined. RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority Have you tried making a BLAPP Hurricane?
17:39 Always. RT @polarscribe: @midmajority Are there blue curtains?
17:40 RT @DavidWoods007: Butler radio analyst Nick Gardner said Florida is playing zone, then switching to man late in shot clock. Clever maneuver.
17:41 Howard overcooks a #sup54hoop attempt to start the second half. 33-32 Florida.
17:42 Hits the next try though. Butler goes up, 35-33 at 18:38 2H.
17:43 There's a game-in-a-nutshell possession: Howard and Smith fight for a d-reb, Macklin goes up over and tips it home. Butler still up by 2.
17:52 Alex Tyus with a pair of #dunx to put Florida up 43-39. Macklin on the bench, but froshhh Patric Young seems just as big and wide.
17:56 In 2010, when Butler came up against a huge guy, they'd increase energy and win w/ guts. They didn't let Smith off the bench until K-State.
17:58 FLA 43 BUTL 40 13:02 2H. Butler doing a much better job this half sealing off the paint and disallowing second chances.
17:59 Marshall 1/2 FT, and Butler is having a horrible time making those. Half (6/12). On the other end, Tyus and Boynton heating up. FLA by 7.
18:01 FLA 47 BUTL 40 11:33 2H. Macklin remains on the bench, looming. Florida's taken the momentum with speed and energy.
18:02 I would not bet a cat, but I think she's a blonde. RT @VCUPav: @midmajority FLA Title R representation as strong in person as on tv?
18:04 Butler offense so so so sloppy right now. Clean catches and releases a memory. Florida D constantly switching on the fly, confounding them.
18:06 Butler one gut-punch run from being in real trouble. Florida quicker, faster, better. Need to sack up and get back to the Non-Negotiables.
18:07 FLA 49 BUTL 40 End 3Q. Body language sucks, too. Hands on hips. Nored rolling his eyes. C'mon, guys.
18:07 This could get away from Butler, right here.
18:10 Howard +1 (miss), Howard goes back to the line on next trip (miss), but there's a tipback. All evens out, right?
18:11 Missed free throws, missed threes. 20 #superhoop attempts gone bad for Butler. Gators by 9 at 7:37 2H.
18:13 Substitutions have taken on a science-lab feel. RT @DavidWoods007: Stevens getting a bit desperate. Inserts freshman Chrishawn Hopkins.
18:13 RT @chanford24: @midmajority Before this wraps up, just wanted to say thanks to you for making the trip to NO. Hope things improve in the final minutes.
18:15 Vanzant blocked, but Howard putback. Down 7 at 7:00. Hopkins rewards Stevens' confidence with a #superhoop. Down 4. Here they come again.
18:18 They believe in each other, they believe in their coach, and their fans believe in them. Doesn't matter what we say over here on the row.
18:19 Boynton a laying off a 100 mph runback. That's a shot to the heart. But Vanzant replies. 55-52 Florida at 5:28 2H.
18:20 FLA's Patric Young, who's been quiet scoring-wise but a big pest, hits two FT's. 57-52, 5:19 2H.
18:22 Smith 1/2 FT. Dawgs' free throw horror show continues. Ball flies OOB on other end. BUTL players: "It was off me." "No, it was off me."
18:25 Mack cuts it to two. 3:34 2H. Florida empty.
18:26 Mack actually went through people to make that layup. No cutting, he went THROUGH dudes. Tied at 57. 2:42 2H.
18:27 As with most of these Butler elimination games in 2010 and 2011, you have to ask at this point, "How are they even in this?"
18:28 RT @Bobfrueh: @midmajority Here we go
18:29 RT @TomOestreich: ALL CAPS THE REST OF THIS #BUTLER GAME IN HONOR OF @midmajority. Go Dawgs!
18:30 Danger. Macklin reemerges, backs Smith down a 15-foot alley of nightmares and #dunx it. 1:34 2H, Florida by 3.
18:31 Mack at the line: make, make. Free throws! 60-59 FLA 1:22 2H.
18:32 Critical trip. Mack grabs a board, Butler burns clock.
18:33 Stevens calls time at :33, nine on the shot clock. 60-59 Gators. He's up against the mind of a two-time National Champion head coach.
18:33 However this ends up, I'm glad we came.
18:35 Howard drives, goes to the line. Donovan calls time out first. Excruciating tension and pressure in New Orleans.
18:37 Howard shooting. MAKE, MISS.
18:37 Tied at 60. Shot clock off. FLorida holding for winning shot.
18:37 And they don't get it. Overtime.
18:39 We continue on. http://plixi.com/p/87145710
18:40 RT @JoelLamp: @midmajority same play UF ran at end of regulation vs @JUDolphins and the same result - OT
18:42 Smith fouls out. Macklin on the edge with four. Florida pulls out in front, 61-60. 4:38 OT.
18:44 Marshall a third-chance layup, and he'll go to the line. 3:33 OT, 64-62 Butler.
19:05 Gus Johnson just gave Brad Stevens his lineup card and they shook hands. midmajority: Gus Johnson just gave Brad Stevens his lineup card and they shook hands.
18:48 Butler shot 8/30 from 3 in regulation, 10/20 from the line. And they're still playing.
18:49 BUTL 65 FLA 64 2:43 OT. Butler will get plenty of chances at the line here. Half won't cut it.
18:50 Nored 2/2 FT. @Ron5Robot's head spins around happily.
18:51 Florida ties it up at 67. Two minutes left in OT. More free throws. With the pressure of recent statistics upon him, Nored goes make, make.
18:53 Erving Walker bangs a #superhoop. So does Shelvin Mack. 1:13 in OT. Butler up 72-70.
18:55 Walker 1/2 FT for Florida. 1:00 remaining. All fans, even the non-affiliateds, up on their feet. Butler up 72-71.
18:57 Mack airmails a three. Bad shot, bad time. Florida gets into the front court, Donovan calls TO. :29.2, shot clock off, BUTL 72-71
18:58 Here we go. Miss. Tie-up. Butler has the arrow. :13.9.
18:58 [RLU ALERT] Butler 74, Florida 71 | http://tmm7.me/g5h @RedLineUpsets
18:59 :10.6 when the foul comes. Mack at the line. MAKE, MAKE.
19:00 Butler up 74-71, nine seconds away from the Final Four.
19:01 They did it.
19:02 Butler is going to be standing on this in a minute. http://plixi.com/p/87150965
19:03 http://plixi.com/p/87151156
19:03 http://plixi.com/p/87151319
19:04 http://plixi.com/p/87151412
19:05 http://plixi.com/p/87151997
19:08 http://plixi.com/p/87152488
19:08 http://plixi.com/p/87152668
19:09 This. http://plixi.com/p/87152923
19:13 And this. @Ron5Robot http://plixi.com/p/87153893
19:15 Slice. http://plixi.com/p/87154416
19:16 http://plixi.com/p/87154554
19:19 RT @JeremyGuy_MAC: Wow! Congrats to the Butler Bulldogs on making it to the Final Four! They continue to make a name for Mid-Majors everywhere! @midmajority
19:19 RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority I hope you like Houston this time of year. The Epilogue waits another week!! YES!!!
19:19 RT @pbyrnett: I'm as excited for Butler's win as I was sad for Duke's loss. Maybe just glad @midmajority needs to find a couch in Houston! #howwillitend
19:20 RT @crseger: @midmajority Maybe it always ends in a loss, BUT NOT TONIGHT! #godawgs
19:20 RT @mjpettinato: Butler is back in the Final Four! The @midmajority season continues, and the circle will not close for at least another week. #midswin
19:20 RT @gidalkaiser: Butler going back. @midmajority going back. This season lives on for all the redliners. DON'T. EVER. GIVE. UP.
19:20 RT @danblock2: #Butler!!!!! #AOUEOU!!!!! @midmajority
19:20 RT @MatMikesell: @midmajority lightning does strike twice. Butler back to the Final Four
19:20 Oh, I'm right here!! :) RT @mindpinball: Somewhere @midmajority smiles...with GOOD reason.
19:20 RT @shephayes: Any year the @midmajority makes it to the Final Four is a good year.
19:21 Me. I couldn't hold it in. RT @DouglasAngle: Question: who was louder during the end Gus or @midmajority ?
19:21 Though they try to kill it! RT @j_kits: BUTLER BULLDOGS! @midmajority lives for another week! Season 7 will not die.
19:21 RT @jasonbartel: BACK TO BACK FINAL FOURS FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS!!! I LOVE YOU COLLEGE BASKETBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @midmajority @REDLINEUPSETS
19:21 RT @Nyghtewynd: The mids are going BACK to the Final Four. Get used to it, world. #godawgs @midmajority
19:21 RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority Tom Bodett just called. Leave the light on for #Butler! Bulldogs win!!!
19:22 RT @gidalkaiser: I LOVE @midmajority I LOVE BUTLER
19:22 RT @Giantandre: @midmajority ONE MORE WEEK >>>ONE MORE WEEK ....ONE MORE WEEK
19:22 RT @bubbaprog: DON'T YOU TOUCH THAT NUMBER @midmajority
19:22 RT @MattNorlander: @midmajority SEE YOU IN HOUSTON, BEEYOTCH.
19:22 RT @peteraxtman: So glad there will be another week of @midmajority. #GoDawgs
19:22 Me too. RT @thrashsoundly: @midmajority You missed out on this celebration last year. I'm glad you made it this time.
19:23 RT @orzelc: Butler!! Congrats to the Bulldogs, and all the @midmajority.
19:25 I love everybody and everything eight now. http://plixi.com/p/87156624
19:25 RT @dcbradley: @midmajority There have been many, many games, but that was the most meaningful to me. That was for the 2000 and 2007 Butler teams.
19:25 RT @rosslancaster: @midmajority I said it last year when Butler made it to the Final Four and I'll say it again: HOW GOOD IS THIS?!
19:26 RT @bracketblogCBB: @midmajority surely hoping that this year, Butler is able to pull the NC off. Almost all of America is rooting for you, Butler!
19:26 RT @SkywayChicago: @midmajority You better get used to Texas! You're stuck there a while longer. Get: Cowboy Hat. Boots. Tofu BBQ. "Don't Mess W/ Butler" shirt
19:26 RT @MattZemek_CFN: @midmajority I'd congratulate you, but you have to get back to San Antonio in 18 hours. #GameFace #Focus&Finish :-) Seriously, big congrats!
19:26 RT @Parth81: @midmajority You just saw Butler help extend the streak of tourney teams losing 2 days after an overtime game. Now go see VCU end it!
19:33 Will explain better later, but if anyone has airmiles to spare (enough for a Prov-Hou RT), please contact us. http://theform.midmajority.com
19:36 RT @jfreeze13: As a Gator alum I'm bummed but as a redline guy (Campbell alum) @midmajority timeline makes me smile.
19:36 RT @skyvan: @brendanloy @ballybasketball @midmajority Bally is the luckiest ball in America
19:40 A few of you have mentioned it, but this might make up for both 2000 and 2007. #redlinevengeance #bestservedwithbeignets
19:44 RT @polarscribe: Last night, @midmajority decided to pull the #sa2no2sa double-feature. Only one question: Great decision or greatest decision?
19:45 Thanks! We'll be there! RT @ChloeDenmark @midmajority Coming back to San Antone now? If so be safe, and hopefully see you at lunch time!
19:45 RT @raphiellej: Safe travels to @midmajority on the road back to San Antonio. I'm sure you're happy to make that trek too.
19:46 Hour or two. All I had to eat today is 3 spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. RT @Nyghtewynd @midmajority How long until you're back in the car?
19:47 Thank you sir! Great work this NCAAT as usual! RT @Dobber_BtB_SBN @midmajority Have a safe trip back to San Antonio!
19:49 An imbalance that must be corrected. RT @sarah_black Hey, @midmajority: I love you. Like, almost as much as the Bulldogs.
19:50 Why do you think Butler is winning these games? RT @thehemogoblin @midmajority Is the one on the left Title R compliant?
19:51 This is not-for-profit. But the other part, yes. RT @nyc_dude @midmajority Last 2 seasons been more rewarding personally or professionally?
19:52 Quick tweetstack to explain our complicated reality: we've had this rental car for a month, and need to get it back to Providence by Thu.
19:52 If we don't return the car after 30 days, they're going to report it stolen. So we're driving back to Rhode Island this week.
19:53 So we need a ticket from Providence to Houston, preferably RT leaving Thu/Fri and returning Tue. If anyone can help, let us know.
19:54 Also, we have a set date for Epilogue, The Seventh. Tuesday, April 5, either way.
20:01 One-way fee is far more expensive than a short-advance plane ticket. RT @mjpettinato @midmajority won't let you return it to a TX location?
20:02 I will listen to nothing but Danny Elfman as I drive. RT @defiantlydutch @midmajority: Good luck with the remake of Midnight Run!
20:03 No, thank you for reading! RT @Max_Koenig @midmajority just want to say thanks. 140 chars is too short to show my appreciation/affection.
20:04 RT @NECsports: Congrats to fellow mid-major @ButlerMBB & @HorizonLeague for advancing to a second straight #FinalFour. The Bulldogs have found the formula.
20:08 RT @meekshall18: @midmajority Still finding it hard to get up for UCONN/AZ after watching the Butler do it!
20:09 We have had this Mazda 3 since 3/2, all thru Champ Fortnight (22 games, 2 overnight drives), Dayton, Cle, Chi and SA/NO. It is a hero.
20:10 So the least we can do is return this car, on time, to its rightful place: Providence Airport. With an extra 7,000 miles on it.
20:13 NO Arena is weird. http://plixi.com/p/87168316
20:18 Goodbye New Orleans. http://plixi.com/p/87169532
20:21 Final NOLA moment of Butler zen: me & university prexy Bobby Fong locked in, trying to get out of the building. http://plixi.com/p/87169969
20:24 @calebandnoahsda That's immensely doable.
20:25 RT @mwmiller20: @midmajority He's leaving to become President at Ursinus. Don't let him out of the building!
20:28 @kevinheaslip You still have my number? Got nothing to do but drive for a while.
20:30 Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Dawgs? http://plixi.com/p/87172264

Boxscore

BUTLER 74, at FLORIDA 71
03/26/2011

BUTLER 27-9 (13-5) -- D. Hanson 6-18 0-0 16; S. Mack 8-20 7-11 27; M. Howard 5-12 3-6 14; S. Vanzant 3-9 0-0 7; A. Smith 1-2 1-2 3; R. Nored 0-2 4-4 4; K. Marshall 4-6 2-4 10; Z. Hahn 2-5 0-0 6; C. Stigall 0-3 0-0 0; G. Butcher 0-0 0-0 0; C. Hopkins 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 24-60 17-27 74.
FLORIDA 29-8 (13-3) -- C. Parsons 2-9 0-0 5; A. Tyus 6-12 2-2 14; K. Boynton 5-9 6-7 17; E. Walker 1-10 5-6 8; V. Macklin 11-14 3-5 25; P. Young 0-2 2-2 2; S. Wilbekin 0-1 0-0 0; E. Murphy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-57 18-22 71.

Three-point goals: BUTL 9-33 (Z. Hahn 2-5; M. Howard 1-6; S. Vanzant 1-3; S. Mack 4-13; R. Nored 0-2; C. Stigall 0-3; C. Hopkins 1-1), FLA 3-14 (C. Parsons 1-3; E. Walker 1-7; K. Boynton 1-3; S. Wilbekin 0-1); Rebounds: BUTL 36 (A. Smith 8), FLA 33 (A. Tyus 10); Assists: BUTL 8 (S. Mack 4), FLA 10 (E. Walker 4); Total Fouls -- BUTL 20, FLA 24; Fouled Out: BUTL-A. Smith; FLA-None.