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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 7-104: NCAA National Semifinal
April 2, 2011 9:52 pm ET by Kyle Whelliston

Virginia Commonwealth Rams vs. Butler Bulldogs

April 2, 2011 6:09 pm
Houston, TX
BBState Stats/Recap

VCU from the Colonial, Butler from the Horizon League. Bulldogs and Rams. Black and gold against @ButlerBlue2. It was nothing less than the unprecedented, unbelievable Mid-Major National Championship. There are many retellings of this, and there will be more as time goes by, but we're proud to unspool the narrative as it happened, for posterity's tender sake. From our second-row seat with our two lucky talismans for each team, here's how the entire afternoon and evening played out in words and pictures -- from a completely empty Reliant Stadium, to Final Four prep, to the game itself, and Butler's triumphant return to Monday night.

@midmajority Game Tweets

13:09 RT @shephayes: The time has come. @midmajority http://yfrog.com/h2nwp
13:09 Dawg van. http://plixi.com/p/88939470
13:10 Ram van. http://plixi.com/p/88939694
13:29 Don't it, though. http://plixi.com/p/88944607
13:33 Circular AYG bracket. http://plixi.com/p/88945811
13:35 VCU swag. http://plixi.com/p/88946332
13:36 Butler merch. http://plixi.com/p/88946716
13:37 Obviously, we're early. http://plixi.com/p/88946965
13:39 Announcer command center. #nerd http://plixi.com/p/88947389
13:42 This is happening. http://plixi.com/p/88948155
13:49 We run this room. @ballybasketball http://plixi.com/p/88950102
13:50 Does it feel real yet, Hoops Nation? http://plixi.com/p/88950487
13:59 Media seating. Wars have been fought over this. Egos have died. http://plixi.com/p/88952833
14:02 RT @ursinussid: @midmajority Just make sure your drink is in a Powerade cup. I think at this level, they throw you in jail if you don't.
14:03 Having everything in official cups makes it that much easier to smuggle in BLAPP. @ursinussid
14:14 Jersey popping? In 2011? REALLY? http://plixi.com/p/88956880
14:16 RT @PantherU: I cant believe it. I want nothing more than "it didnt end in a loss" tohappen RT @midmajority This is happening. http://plixi.com/p/88948155
14:17 RT @FansEyeView: Now that is a surreal and beautiful sight. RT @midmajority: This is happening. http://plixi.com/p/88948155
14:25 Booth prep. http://plixi.com/p/88959623
14:30 Flag drill. http://plixi.com/p/88961013
14:31 RT @RiceSportMgmt: The Horizon League (Butler's conference) placed a half-page ad in newspaper today of bulldog in astronaut gear http://plixi.com/p/88916657
14:33 Final Four interpretive dance! Or camera tests. #eitherone http://plixi.com/p/88961757
14:36 Behind the Madness. http://plixi.com/p/88962328
14:38 What's cushioning YOUR ass? http://plixi.com/p/88962980
14:39 Nnnnot really. RT @chickenbaconran: @midmajority mid do you do football? i'd love to see your pics at big football games
14:43 RT @ballybasketball: I'm at the Fynal For Ballz! And I'm comfy! http://plixi.com/p/88964198
14:50 Since weve added 500+ folks in the past hour: Hi, I'm Kyle, that's Bally, we watch teams like VCU & Butler all year. This is special for us.
14:53 #LOL RT @ThisLeadenPaul @midmajority Like you always say, "No-one reads the site anymore!". #ASFWTF
14:54 RT @TitanReg: @midmajority TitanReg representing Detroit, the HL, and rooting for Butler. Lets go BU and GO Horizon League!!!
14:55 Oh yeah, we've got a website too. It's got "philosophy" on it.
14:58 Star time!! http://plixi.com/p/88968124
15:01 There's "nature's bounty," then there's this. #fatpeopleareeasiertocontrol http://plixi.com/p/88968979
15:29 RT @gordonhayward: So our flight to sac is the same time as the butler game #sweet
15:30 Awww, thanks! RT @BigWestMBB If you peeps aren't following @midmajority, start now! Great mid-major hoops coverage.
15:31 "Life's... goooood." #gus RT @skyvan @midmajority What's the view from your, err Bally's, seat?
15:31 RT @JeremyGuy_MAC: @midmajority Tonight...Mid-Majors are on display for the entire world to see. Monday...we take over the world!
15:35 Under three hours until game time. I think they're opening the main gates soon.
15:36 Backstage. Pretzels can't get past the Checkpoint. RT @mjpettinato @midmajority How do Frito-Lay (Pepsi) snacks sneak through NCAA firewall?
15:43 They're here! #RamNation http://plixi.com/p/88979489
15:47 VCU Ram Nation is definitely in the house. http://plixi.com/p/88980367
15:48 The "Ram pen." http://plixi.com/p/88980568
15:58 The Dawg Pound! http://plixi.com/p/88983109
15:59 This bone's for @ButlerBlue2. http://plixi.com/p/88983326
16:03 RT @spharticus: @midmajority underdog teams, underdog tweeters. #winning
16:10 2 talismans on the row with us. VCU heart pin from @VCUPav; embroidered Dawg that @chanford24 gave us in 2010. http://plixi.com/p/88986187
16:14 RT @PantherU: @midmajority kills me to see the dawg pound there when we had 3500 at the HLeague title game. But I've put it aside. #MidMajorsUnite
16:14 RT @TitanReg: @PantherU @midmajority Hang in there U. Our day may come soon. We are both on the right track. Keep the faith, but today we have to go BU
16:36 Mat and Michael from vcuramnation.com. #swag http://plixi.com/p/88992746
17:04 Down to an hour before game time. There is definitely something resembling "tension" in the air now.
17:15 RT @FunkyColdLaura: @midmajority I'm putting my #Valpo loyalties aside to cheer for #Butler! Horizon League love! Mid-majors, represent! #noloveforhaters
17:31 Power outage. RT @Mazz35: Who is @midmajority taking in tonight's 1st game? 8-seeded #Butler from #Horizon or 11-seeded #VCU from #CAA?!
17:32 I'm harder. RT @Big_Thurman: Maybe next year @CBSSports can substitute @midmajority for Charles Barkley. He is hard to watch.
17:32 Nope! This is all 100% real. RT @RPShanahan: @midmajority I'm in Sec 128 Row 29 Seat 10........am I dreaming? #VCU
17:37 Good question. http://plixi.com/p/89007898
17:37 VCU: Cinderella wears horns. http://plixi.com/p/89008053
17:38 Nooooooooooooo @ButlerBlue2!! We've been through this! @ballybasketball is not a snack! http://plixi.com/p/89008285
17:39 Peace is achieved. @ButlerBlue2 @midmajority @ballybasketball http://plixi.com/p/89008545
17:40 Ram riot. http://plixi.com/p/89008690
17:42 RT @EdLassX: Guacos, horchata, and team-color BLAPP, oh my! It's almost time for the @MidMajority Championship Game, @bmckim. http://flic.kr/p/9vofRj
17:43 He'd eat that too. It looks like a bone. RT @maxwasserman: @midmajority Would they let you put the bow tie on the dog?
17:47 Once again, Corporate Champion cell coverage is already saturated inside Reliant Stadium ("Searching..."). Well played, AT&T.
17:49Game No. 7-104: VCU vs. Butler. National Semifinal (a/k/a Mid-Major National Championship), at Houston, TX. You lived to see this day.
17:51 Southwest No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth (28-11) has the following list of victims: USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State, Kansas.
17:52 Southeast No. 8 Butler (27-9) defeated Old Dominion, Pitt, Wisconsin and Florida to make their second consecutive F4. #youareinformed
17:52 Get in here! RT @VCUPav: Almost inside. . .
17:56 RT @devyanks90: For 273 teams and 25 conferences, this is the Championship game. Let today's first winner be the NCAA one. cc: @midmajority
17:58 The student sections in the Sheep Pens have been here for three hours. Both sides rabid and nuts.
18:00 PA: "The program is about to begin."
18:08 The dog is on the floor! The dog is on the floor! @ButlerBlue2 http://plixi.com/p/89015493
18:11 RT @donpot: Changing the TVs in the Busch Stadium press box over to basketball is a lot easier than you think. #AOUEOU @midmajority http://t.co/FDt14wy
18:13 We are underway in a sea of flashbulbs. 71K people watching a mid-major game.
18:14 Mack scores first on a #superhoop. BUTL 3 VCU 0 19:15 1H.
18:16 BUTL 5 VCU 0. VCU's missed their first four shots of the game. Rims are very tight.
18:17 Burgess finally connects from the corner on VCU's sixth shot, and Skeen drains one too. VCU 6 BUTL 5 16:45 1H.
18:17 RT @thrashsoundly: @midmajority Plus millions at home. #midswin
18:18 VCU's slow start is over, and they have plenty of energy to press. 9-5 Rams, Mack as all 5 of Butler's points.
18:21 VCU 11-7 14:57 1H. End-to-end action now. Butler's key is to stop Rams' newfound 3-ability... not so good so far. VCU 3/7 from there.
18:23 VCU and the 3 in the NCAAT surprised everyone, not just you. In CAA play, they made 33.9% of them, 9th best in the league.
18:25 During the MTO, the Ram Band played... sounded great over here on the other end. Cheerleaders brought captions for the "go to war" song.
18:26 VCU's D impressive too, swallowing up Mack out there on the perim. Didn't do that in the regular ssn either. 37.9% 3FG allowed, 10th in CAA.
18:27 RT @johngasaway: VCU's tournament D's been as good if not better than their offense. And right now you can tell.
18:29 Howard 2 FT - 15-9 VCU, 12:38 1H. Butler shooting 3/11 from the floor, 1/7 from 3. No. 54 will have to assume a lot of this load.
18:31 Probably not the first one to say this, but this is Butler 2010 defensive intensity from VCU 2011. Getting to the man, shutting down.
18:33 Tied at 15. Butler on an 8-0 run over 2:57, starting to run and go for bunnies & putbacks instead of #superhoops. Dawgs: 10 2nd chance pts.
18:33 RT @VCUPav: Students yall better uncross your arms and start goin crazy. LEGOOOOO!
18:36 RT @goldengrizzGP: Butler watch party at Hinkle. These fans love their dawgs. @midmajority http://twitpic.com/4g953i
18:39 Do you like offense? Sorry. Teams a combined 11-for-36 to start the game. VCU 17-15 7:50 1H. Rams: 8 pts off 4 BUTL turnovers.
18:42 Total Package leading the VCU Ram Band through some standards during the MTO. Gold Rush Dancers are here too, of course.
18:44 VCU back up by 5. Butler Formula collapses when they don't win the turnover battle. Shooting 25% (5/20), VCU: 1 TO. Need the extra chances.
18:45 They're on the other side of the floor :( RT @jagroop_: @midmajority twitpic please
18:46 Brad Stevens chews out Andrew Smith after a missed defensive assignment. Seems to yell more with the glasses. True? False?
18:49 With the raised court, Stevens/Smith pacing the floor alone. Now, Stevens has gone to the corner stool, like Coach K did last year.
18:50 RT @Ron5Robot: MONSTER BLOCK SVZ
18:52 BUTL 25 VCU 24 3:58 1H. MTO. Thrills, spills, #blox, and lots of D. Stevens imploring his team to drive.
18:56 Lots of telecom fun down here. The monitors are Matrix-scrambled, wireless spotty, 3G goes in and out, stats late. AT&T baby!!!
19:03 Big sequence for Butler; Marshall layup (6p), turnover on inbound, Howard fouled. Now it's Dawgs by 4.
19:04 BUTL 27 VCU 26 2:59 1H. After the Kansas game, I don't doubt that VCU has the energy to keep this pressing up all evening.
19:07 End of the first half, Butler up 34-28. Big Dawg stop on a no-timeout sequence to close the chapter.
19:09 Small twinge of chill when Hahn put up that halfcourter at the end there. Saw Hayward's from roughly the same perspective.
19:11 It's a question of ability. How many teams can do 40 Minutes of Heck in the first place!? RT @CAAZone: That was a week ago, Kyle!
19:12 Tempo-free HT is brought to you by BLAPP. Yes, BLAPP. VCU: 28 points in 33 possessions (.84). Butler: 34 points in 31 trips (1.09).
19:13 Enjoying the Final 4? Try the Final 3 of BLAPP. Lager, fruit juice and grain alcohol. Two, one... blackout. That's what we call BLAPP math.
19:15 Disclaimer: BLAPP Town is not an official NCAA Final Four-sanctioned destination.
19:16 Seeing comments about the "low" noise level at Reliant. 1. It's a football stadium, and 2. Kentucky fans bought all the extra tickets.
19:17 Stripped his way through college. A legend. RT @AirHej: @midmajority is there a better band leader than Total Package?
19:19 RT @VCUPav: You can be the difference maker who gets your team going. #Rowdy101
19:23 Another thing: Lucas Oil is definitely steeper/cozier than Reliant. Nosebleeds here are in a different area code.
19:26 True. Reliant Stadium is not an IndyGo stop. #budgetcuts RT @shoverbj @midmajority last year 70000 butler fans, this year there's a lot less
19:28 For those not near a TV, the second half begins.
19:28 He is not here. RT @joshcantor91786: @midmajority Doc Nix from George Mason is a far better band leader-and musician.
19:29 #demolitioncheckincuz RT @tmiller2462: @midmajority According to CBS' aerial shot, no.
19:31 Burgess shoots VCU's 5th and 6th FTs of the game, splits them. Butler: 13 attempts. Missed layups: BUTL 5 VCU 3.
19:33 Reddic pops from the top, VCU takes the lead back at 35-34 at 16:50 2H. Butler hasn't scored yet this half.
19:37 Howard #blox leads to a scrambly trip that ends up with a timeout, then a Howard flying layup. All took 5 min with the extended time outs.
19:38 Purgatory. RT @Boylanca: Wondering if this game is hell or heaven for @midmajority
19:38 RT @rpr3: @midmajority I'm packing to move but kept my #Bally out for ocassion #MidMajorNationalChampionship
19:41 And so Butler leads 36-35. Mack, Vanzant, Nored, Marshall with 2 PFs each. Turnovers: BUTL 9 (13 Ram pts) VCU 7 (9 Dawg pts).
19:42 VCU 38 BUTL 36 15:13 2H. Mack's played two minutes this half until Hahn came in for him. #1 leads Butler with 13 points.
19:44 BUTL 39 VCU 38 13:46 2H after Hahn sinks a #superhoop. C'mon, guys, nobody's read Dante here?
19:44 RT @Ron5Robot: Ow, your metal rods are showing @bunored5
19:45 Mack back in, but so is Hahn, who sinks another 3 and puts Butler back up 42-41.
19:46 Row chatter: "If I ran into Zach Hahn in a hotel lobby, I'd never think he was a good ballplayer. I'd figure him to be a chemistry geek."
19:47 And just like that, Hahn puts in an up-and-under. Eight quick points for the chemistry geek! BUTL 44 VCU 43 11:53 2H.
19:49 This is a lot of these fans' first look at the VCU cheerleader who walks on her hands from end to end and back. "WHOAA" "Are you kiddin me?"
19:51 RT @billpotter_hl: Zach Hahn had 9 points all tournament. Has 8 tonight. Go figure.
19:53 Mack #superhoops, and it's Butler by 4 nearing the end of 3Q. 47-43. Dawgs: 34% shooting, -2 turnovers, but owning the glass.
19:54 For Butler, Smith pulls a Smith. Blown layup, stumbles on his own shoelace. Gets a gentlemanly handshake from Stevens as he exits.
19:56 Too much Mack. Three, steal, layup. 7/10 shooting, 5/6 from 3, 21 of Butler's 52. If there's an NBA next year, he's likely an NBA player.
19:56 RT @DavidWoods007: Shelvin Mack channeling his inner Glen Rice.
19:56 RT @Ron5Robot: Mack must have received a 4G upgrade at halftime.
19:57 VCU, go quietly? Nuh uh, baby. Skeen bangs inside, draws Howard 4th foul. #54 goes to the bench. BUTL 52 VCU 47 9:16 2H.
19:58 Mack: absolute and total takeover.
20:00 J-Rod bomb rims out. Butler only up by 4 at 7:36 2H, held back by VCU paint attack (24 pts) and pure black & gold balls.
20:01 Vanzant j, Theus answer. Far too close to call at 6:00 2H.
20:03 If Mack leaves, and Stevens takes the '12 post-Howard team to the Four, he deserves enough money to hire Coach K to shine his shoes, hourly.
20:07 BUTL 58 VCU 52 4:40 2H. You got the game you were promised and expecting. Now, an ending you will likely not forget.
20:08 Howard checking back in with four, Marshall departs. Solid, solid game for the froshhh: team-high 9 boards.
20:10 Smith accidentally stops Skeen by putting his hand in the right place. And Vanzant with a corner 3!! Huge, huge, huge.
20:10 BUTL 61 VCU 54 2:58 2H. The 3's have stopped falling for the Rams: 2/9 in the second half.
20:12 Make that 3 of 10. Skeen gets a 3+1, FT coming. BUTL 61 VCU 57 2:32 2H.
20:14 That's also Nored's fourth, matching Howard. Four Rams with 3. Ram band sings, "You don't wanna go to wa-ar..." Fans look confident.
20:15 RT @DavidWoods007: Getting tense again, huh?
20:16 Skeen misses the extra, but Butler pulls an empty. 1:48 to go in the Mid-Major NC Game.
20:17 VCU empty. And a Howard putback makes it 63-57 Butler. 47.3.
20:18 VCU on the ropes. Down 6, 47.3, Howard at the line. Make, make. VCU on the canvas.
20:20 BUTL 65 VCU 57 :35.7 2H. Vanzant on the line; make, make. The Bulldogs will play for the National Championship Monday.
20:22 The season ends here for VCU. We've been so fortunate to follow the Commonwealth from Dayton to Chicago to San Antonio to here. What a run.
20:23 The Rams know they're beaten. It's gutting to see them walk back to their bench, their heads down, done for. That feeling will fade.
20:25 VCU 69 BUTL 59 at :20.4 2H. Foul-line formalities from here on out. Ram fans give their team a standing ovation.
20:26 Burgess a 3. The Rams go from First Four to Final Four, but the Bulldogs are back in the National Championship game.
20:26 RT @solidblue94: @midmajority As a #CAA fan, slightly disappointed, but in the end, the better overall team is going to rep for the mids. Can't complain.
20:26 RT @B0inae: @midmajority Incredible run.. Great game, VCU has a ton of heart. I hate seeng either team lose. Yet, both are winners regardless of outcome
20:26 RT @TweetsbyVamosi: #VCU thanks for bringing attention to @midmajority programs and continue succes plus keeping Shaka. #Butler legit program goodluck Monday
20:28 RT @rorymcgrath: One of the most incredible sports stories I have ever witnessed; Butler in the national championship game 2 straight years. @midmajority
20:28 RT @gidalkaiser: Butler in BACK-2-BACK NCAA championship games. For a reason. Unbelievable, yes. Improbable, yes. For real? Heck yeah. #AOUEOU @midmajority
20:29 Final score of the Mid-Major National Championship game: Butler 70 VCU 62.
20:39 Butler getting some fan love. http://plixi.com/p/89039492
20:39 High 5! http://plixi.com/p/89039661
20:40 Let the big guy have some. http://plixi.com/p/89039876
20:41 RT @dcbradley: @midmajority Thank you, sir. Thank you, VCU. Thank you, Butler. I'm absolutely drained.
20:41 RT @polarscribe: For the second consecutive year, on Monday we will all be Bulldogs again, and Bulldogs ever do or die. @midmajority
20:41 Happy Butler. http://plixi.com/p/89040116
20:42 RT @mccook2002: @midmajority Really enjoy following your tweets. Happy for the @midmajority and happy for #Butler. Maybe it doesn't end in a loss in 2011.
20:42 They won! http://plixi.com/p/89040456
20:45 RT @joedimino: Good luck Monday @midmajority congrats on a great year either way! RT @midmajority: Happy Butler. http://plixi.com/p/89040116
20:48 CBS. http://plixi.com/p/89041861
20:48 On the other side. http://plixi.com/p/89042055
20:50 Time to close ranks. http://plixi.com/p/89042351
20:51 Skeen disagrees. "No, I'm not going to root for a team that just beat us." This feeling will fade once the accomplishment is fully realized.
20:52 Smart: "We outplayed five BCS teams in the NCAA Tournament. If you have a good program and a senior-laden team, you have a chance to win."
20:54 Smart: "We took the foot off the gas. I don't have an explanation for it, I'll have to watch the tape."
20:56 Smart: "Butler's going to play the way they play. We always want to get to our pace... but we missed too many easy shots around the basket."
21:03 Smart is asked if this is a once-in-a-lifetime run. Replies, "You don't know me very well."
21:07 Stevens: "VCU's run was inspiring... and to us as well."

Boxscore

BUTLER 70, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH 62
04/02/2011

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH 28-12 (12-6) -- J. Rodriguez 1-8 0-0 3; B. Burgess 4-10 3-4 15; J. Skeen 10-17 4-7 27; B. Rozzell 1-5 0-0 2; E. Nixon 1-5 0-0 2; D. Theus 1-3 0-0 2; T. Veal 2-4 0-0 4; J. Reddic 2-3 0-0 4; R. Brandenberg 0-2 1-2 1; D. Haley 1-1 0-0 2; T. Daniels 0-0 0-0 0; D. Hinton 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-58 8-13 62.
BUTLER 28-9 (13-5) -- S. Vanzant 3-11 4-4 11; M. Howard 3-10 11-12 17; S. Mack 8-11 3-6 24; R. Nored 0-5 0-1 0; K. Marshall 3-8 0-1 6; A. Smith 1-5 2-2 4; Z. Hahn 3-6 0-0 8; C. Stigall 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 21-59 20-26 70.

Three-point goals: VCU 8-22 (J. Skeen 3-4; E. Nixon 0-3; J. Rodriguez 1-5; B. Rozzell 0-3; B. Burgess 4-7), BUTL 8-23 (Z. Hahn 2-5; M. Howard 0-5; S. Vanzant 1-3; S. Mack 5-6; R. Nored 0-1; C. Stigall 0-3); Rebounds: VCU 30 (B. Burgess 9), BUTL 46 (K. Marshall 9); Assists: VCU 17 (J. Rodriguez 8), BUTL 8 (M. Howard 2); Total Fouls -- VCU 24, BUTL 16; Fouled Out: VCU-None; BUTL-None.