Elite 8: (2) Kansas State vs. (5) Butler

• reclegend22

  

  If Duke can't, I hope Butler wins it all.
  
  Love this team and the confidence they play with. These boys are players.
• Heretic

  

  Right now, I'm hoping beyond hope to get more moments of Frank Martin's locker room at halftime. The dude made saying "silly and selfish" feel like the mafia kiss of death, so the way this half has gone for them could lead to him decapitating a puppy with his bare hands to make an impression on the team.
• Non

  

  27-20
  
  Butler in the lead
• Non

  

  Butler seems to have the rabbit's foot.
  
  But they're playing hard, they're smart and a well-coached team so maybe it's just good things coming to them.
• Mulva

  

  Heretic wrote: Right now, I'm hoping beyond hope to get more moments of Frank Martin's locker room at halftime. The dude made saying "silly and selfish" feel like the mafia kiss of death, so the way this half has gone for them could lead to him decapitating a puppy with his bare hands to make an impression on the team.

  I thought he sounded ridiculous saying that. Didn't fit him at all. I highly doubt he uses words like "silly" when the cameras aren't around.
• Non

  

  Howard is a more advanced version of Brian Cardinal
  
  Howard more offensive moves, Cardinal a far better rebounder but similarly gangly and falling on the floor a lot
• Non

  

  Hayward for 3
  
  34-26 Butler
  
  16 minutes left
• ZombieKiller

  this really is a horrible game
• Non

  

  both teams under 36 percent
  
  K-State right at 30
• friendfromlowry

  I watch a lot of Butler. They really suck the life out of teams (and excitement out of games) with their slow-down style. They'll generally waste 20ish seconds of the clock before finding a three-pointer. They also play great defense.
  I think they'll win today, but eventually they'll run into a team with too much athleticism (Kentucky, Tennessee, etc)
  
  Butler's also getting all of the calls.
• Non

  

  How did Butler get Hayward?
  
  I'm surprised a kid like that with the height and versatility.
• ZombieKiller

  Non wrote: I swear Martin seems like somebody out of pro wrestling. One of those old managers of the bad guys.

  this
• Laley23

  

  Non wrote: How did Butler get Hayward?
  
  I'm surprised a kid like that with the height and versatility.

  He was like a 6-0/6-1 PG in HS. Grew to 6-9 end of his SR year.
• Non

  

  That makes sense. Late bloomer.
• friendfromlowry

  Where was the foul?? Looks like Howard had his shot blocked and then fell down.
• reclegend22

  

  As I've said before, I actually think Butler's throwback style is fun to watch -- perhaps because it has that refreshing effect since not many teams play that way.
  
  This is completely random (especially for those won't know who this is), but Hayward reminds me of an elite Bubba Walther. He is so damn smooth. This kid would be welcomed at Duke, or just about anywhere else.
• Laley23

  

  Non wrote: That makes sense. Late bloomer.

  ESPN.com columnist Pat Forde called him "The guy who learned how to play like a guard but now has the size of a power forward"—was largely the result of his father's misconception about his future growth.[2]
  
  His father, Gordon Sr., is 5'10" (1.78 m), as is his mother. Believing that Gordon Jr. was destined to be short, his father, according to Forde, "continually pushed his son to develop a guard's skill set." To the surprise of everyone in his family, including a twin sister who ended up 5'9" (1.75 m), Gordon Jr. reached 6 feet (1.83 m), taller than his parents, before starting high school; grew 8 inches (20 cm) in high school to reach 6'8" (2.03 m); and added another inch while at Butler.[2]
• SportsAndLady

  

  Bubba Walther, man I haven't heard that name in a while lol
  
  He's actually playing in Holland right now.
• Non

  

  He looks like a 12-year-old in the face. Like a kid that would be pitching in the LLWS.
• Laley23

  

  Pullen is really struggling. Starting to force some shot.
• Non

  

  K-State putting together a little run
  
  still down eight
• Non

  

  Pullen with 3
  
  still 10 minutes left
• Laley23

  

  Non wrote: Pullen with 3
  
  still 10 minutes left

  Hes got 4 right?
• Laley23

  

  Terrible offensive execution by K State today. This is pathetic. Just standing around and hoisting 3s or goign 1 on 1
• reclegend22

  

  SportsAndLady wrote:He's actually playing in Holland right now.

  Really. I had no idea he was playing professionally. But I guess you don't hear too much about ex-Moeller/Zips when their careers are finished. Haha. You know if he's doing well?
  
  My friends and I always used to pick a favorite player down at state, and rep that player hard the whole weekend. In '03, I believe, Walther went crazy against Josh Duncan and St. X, draining Larry Birds from 40 all over the place. He was fun to watch.