Serving notice: Has Butler outgrown the glass slipper?

Up until last year, Butler’s best performance in the NCAA tournament was a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in 2003 and 2007.  Then came last year when as a 5^th seed, the Bulldogs captured the hearts of a nation by making it all the way to the Championship game, only to fall short.

For the second year in a row, Butler will be back in the Final Four.  Their road wasn’t any easier this season.  They were an 8^th seed and squeaked past Old Dominion, then Pittsburgh in their first two games.  They took care of Wisconsin, and showed some mental toughness; overcoming a pair of 10 point deficits against Florida in the regional finals.  Different year, but the hustle is still the same.

The 2000 North Carolina team and the 1985 Villanova championship team were both 8^th seeds.  Other than that, 8-seeds don’t usually get that far.  Okay, so occasionally, they might knock off a 1-seed; but the Sweet 16 is, more often that not, where the fairy tale ends.  They’re not always a lock to make the regional final, let alone the Final Four.  Yet somehow, Butler found a way to do it.

In the 1990’s, Gonzaga was the darling everyone rooted for.  They eventually outgrew the glass slipper and have almost always not made it to the second weekend of play.  Nowadays, they are EXPECTED to make the tournament; regardless of whether or not they dominate the West Coast Conference (which they often do).  Are we going to expect the same with Butler?

Stevens' profile is only getting better by the day.

The Bulldogs have seen Gonzaga, matched and even exceeded the bar set by those Bulldogs.  Last year was seemed like that “once in a lifetime” deal, but they’re not quite done yet.  With the exception of Gordon Hayward and Willie Veasly, the core from last year’s team (Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored) are still holding it down.  Brad Stevens is also making a name for himself as one of the better young coaches in America.  It won’t be long before his name is on every athletic director’s shortlist.

Butler may or may not be able to maintain this kind of performance in seasons to come.  What we do know is that they won’t be taking anyone by surprise.