Quick Impressions on Butler's Win

1) Brilliant move by Tom Izzo getting a free timeout with 5.5 seconds left in the game. He had just one timeout left and wanted to save it, so he bitched to the refs about the clock starting early. It didn't and the refs stupidly put the clock back to 5.8 seconds. And then Brad Stevens had his players smartly intentionally foul the Spartans, then crash the boards on the intentionally missed second free throw (as the Bulldogs had done all game long), get the rebound and protect the win. Both coaches showed why they are among the best in their profession in this beautifully fought but poorly played game.

2) Michigan State got only 6 offensive rebounds to Butler's 10. Izzo wants to win the board battle every game and this is where Butler won it; by protecting the defensive glass.

3) Michigan State's ballhandling was poor and the team turned it over 16 times to Butler's 7. Despite outshooting Butler percentage wise 42 to 30, the turnovers and free throw discrepancy (MSU committed their 7th foul about halfway through the second half; Butler wasn't great from the line but good enough) had a lot to do with the Butler win.

4) How the fuck does Jim Nantz, with about a minute left in the game, not know WHAT THE DAMN SCORE IS? He idiotically said the game was tied when Butler held a one point lead. It was our impression that Nantz and Kellogg were brutal tonight. Not that we want Billy Packer back anytime soon but these guys did not cover themselves in glory. Kellogg has turned into quite the sycophant, letting the President win their HORSE game and then not criticizing when required during game action. He has been quite the disappointment as lead color man for CBS NCAA action. Where's Len Elmore when you need him? And Nantz seems to have lost his fastball at an early age. He just doesn't seem to have a lot of passion for the game. Hey Jim: we know your heart is already in Augusta, but put some effort into it, would ya?