Athletic Archives

Leslie Picks Wolfpack

2010-04-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

One of the last remaining unsigned recruits in the nation finally decided to stay in his hometown and play for Sidney Lowe and the NC State Wolfpack. Link to story below:

Click Here to see full story.

Hoosiers...Part 2

2010-03-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

Six remain in the NCAA Tournament, with two teams already having punched their tickets to the Final Four. Though West Virginia beat the mighty Kentucky Wildcats and John Wall, all the attention tonight goes to the Butler Bulldogs and Gordon Hayward. George Mason in 2006 was a cinderella story that most people knew would end, but Butler is much different. This team is talented and very capable of beating any team left in the field. Hayward finished with 22 points tonight and it seemed like he had just as many big plays down the stretch as he did points. Hayward commented on the movie Hoosiers and the similarity of it and his own team's season.

"I can't tell you how many times I've watched that movie," said Hayward, a native of Brownsburg, Ind. "I lost count. Growing up in Indiana, I have watched it so many times. But I definitely love that movie."

Congratulations are in order for the Butler Bulldogs for making the Final Four. They will now play in a much bigger arena than their normal Hinkle Field House, much like Hickory High in Hoosiers. I think there is more in store for this talented bunch. I just wonder if Coach Stevens will take his players out on the court at Lucas Oil Stadium and measure the height of the basket to bring them all back to reality.

Brackets Paired Down to Eight

2010-03-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

The clock struck midnight for the two legititmate cinderellas left in the field last night as Northern Iowa and St. Mary's said goodbye. This tournament has been a rollercoaster of upsets and buzzer beaters and, though they have been ranked all year, Butler is the only true mid major remaining. Butler has had sustained success over the last few years, but the are now in the uncharted waters of the Elite Eight. As I'm writing this they are leading Kansas State by 6 with 4:10 left in the first half. Butler would be an amazing story as they are fighting to play in a Final Four hosted by their hometown, Indianapolis.

I can not be the only person with visions of Hickory High and Jimmy Chitwood running through my head as I'm watching this game. I keep waiting for Brad Stevens to scream "Run the picket fence at them!" Hoosiers is the best basketball movie ever made, (Sorry Blue Chips, although Shaq's portrayal of Neon Bedou? should have won an Oscar) and Butler reaching the Final Four in Indianapolis would be equally impressive.

So, enjoy the rest of the weekend as eight will finally become four. We are only nine days away from the best week of the year, Final Four and Masters week. Jim Nance is the luckiest man on the planet.

2010 NCAA Bracket Released

2010-03-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

The bracket for the 2010 NCAA Tournament has been announced.

Click Here to view the bracket!