Butler going undefeated?

[chuckywang]

Looking at the rest of their schedule, it's a real possibility. I know it's not likely, but it's not preposterous either. The hardest games that they have left are at Indiana State and home against Purdue: two tough, but winnable games.

I've always wondered what kind of seed a true mid-major team (no NBA talent) would get in the tourney should they go undefeated by playing a mediocre non-conference schedule with a couple of upsets sprinkled in (not that Butler has a mediocre OOC schedule, but just theoretically), and then beating up in a weak conference.

So if Butler does go undefeated, what sort of seed would you expect?

[DawgieStyle]

Looking at the rest of their schedule, it's a real possibility. I know it's not likely, but it's not preposterous either. The hardest games that they have left are at Indiana State and home against Purdue: two tough, but winnable games.

I've always wondered what kind of seed a true mid-major team (no NBA talent) would get in the tourney should they go undefeated by playing a mediocre non-conference schedule with a couple of upsets sprinkled in (not that Butler has a mediocre OOC schedule, but just theoretically), and then beating up in a weak conference.

So if Butler does go undefeated, what sort of seed would you expect?

i think you are selling the rest of the horizon league a bit short....

[chuckywang]

Perhaps, but considering what Boise State is doing in football, I was wondering what would happen if the same thing happened in basketball.

[BEARNUT]

i think you are selling the rest of the horizon league a bit short....

Dawg's right...you don't sneak up on conference foes who have played you at the least two times last season. The rest of the conference coaches has come up with a trick or two to keep themselves in the conference race this year. Butler will be due a bad shooting night once or twice this season.

[rjl]

It took Butler 2 overtimes to beat Kent State on Saturday, and although it was just the day after their Gonzaga game, it's a good indication Butler could get beat.

If their season progresses as well as it started, they could be likened to the GW team last year.... although in a lower profile conference.

[cufan]

Didn't Bradley go undefeated in the regular season when Hawkins was there? I think they were something like a 6 seed.

[smacktalkermsu]

Perhaps, but considering what Boise State is doing in football, I was wondering what would happen if the same thing happened in basketball.

But i'm about 90% sure that Oklahoma or Nebraska will wax them in the Fiesta bowl. The physicality will really start to wear on them by halftime, and the fact that both OU and NU will be able to run 3+ running backs at them.

[DUBulldog]

Didn't Bradley go undefeated in the regular season when Hawkins was there? I think they were something like a 6 seed.

I think they were underfeated in the conference that season, but not undefeated overall. I'm pretty sure they finished the season at 32-3.

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

Looking at the rest of their schedule, it's a real possibility. I know it's not likely, but it's not preposterous either. The hardest games that they have left are at Indiana State and home against Purdue: two tough, but winnable games.



They're also a home team in the Bracket Buster, which means that they could very possibly end up playing one of Bradley/UNI/SIU.

I'll be VERY surprised to see them (or any team) make the Dance undefeated. If Butler does manage it, they'll probably be "rewarded" with a 6 or 7 seed.

[BMull10]

Not a chance. Butler is good but they're not that good. Not to mention that Loyola has one of the best players in the nation and our a pretty solid squad. And as already mentioned Butler still has the bracket buster which can quite possibly be a valley team and if not it would probaby be Winthrop.

[DoubleJayAlum]

I'm still holding out hope that either Ill St or Evansville (hell, or both :grin:) will step up and beat them. I don't care if Butler goes undefeated after that as it will only help our conference RPI :grin:.

I love the idea that such a win over a small school program could have as big of an impact on our conference RPI as a win over some BCS schools. :banana:

[SycamoreFanatic]

Just for information, Butler was picked for 6th place in the Horizon conference by their fellow brethren before the first shot was taken this year. Go figure ...........................................

:sycamores:

[Canevision]

A team that relies that much on the three point shot, and limits possessions the way they do, will undoubtedly have a bad shooting night and lose at least once.

Butler could lose in the bracket buster if they play someone really good as well.

[goshoxgo]

Looking at the rest of their schedule, it's a real possibility. I know it's not likely, but it's not preposterous either. The hardest games that they have left are at Indiana State and home against Purdue: two tough, but winnable games.

I've always wondered what kind of seed a true mid-major team (no NBA talent) would get in the tourney should they go undefeated by playing a mediocre non-conference schedule with a couple of upsets sprinkled in (not that Butler has a mediocre OOC schedule, but just theoretically), and then beating up in a weak conference.

So if Butler does go undefeated, what sort of seed would you expect?

Butler had a hot weekend, come back around feb. Thanks:valley:

[btisu22]

Living here in Indiana, I get to watch quite a few Butler games. They will lose a couple of Horizon games. My bets would be at UW-M or at Detroit. While they don't have long losing steaks at those places, they seem to have their hands full their. And remember, when you get into the OOC rivalry games or conference games, you get teams that see you more than once ever 5-10 years or just once ever. Indiana State plays Butler every year and won in Hinkle last year on a buzzer beater.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

It won't happen, but if it did, Butler would get a 2 seed.

[jdoolsiu]

Two words: Loyola. Chicago.

They won't win. Mark it!

I'll be there at the Gentile Center if Butler is ranked.

But, you are correct, they can get up to 25 wins with the correct play.

[Bradleyfan]

i think you are selling the rest of the horizon league a bit short....

The Horizon League is a good league, but outside of Butler and Loyola, they seem weak this year, as everyone else is under .500 OOC. Therefore, Butler's RPI will take a hit once conference play starts. But if last year is an indication, hopefully their RPI won't mean as much when it comes to tournament seeding.

:braves: :valley: