It was a rather uninspiring, anticlimactic finish to the men’s college basketball season, but the University of Connecticut Huskies prevailed in Monday night’s title game, defeating the Butler Bulldogs 53-41.
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| Butler Coach Brad Stevens, Photo Credit Brad J Ward, via Wikimedia Commons |
The victory marked coach Jim Calhoun’s third title while at Connecticut. When looking at the finality of the season, many people will point to Calhoun, the play of junior guard Kemba Walker, who had a season to remember from start to finish, and the ugly offensive performances on both sides during the championship game (combined 31-121, 26% FG shooting). But I take something completely different out of this NCAA tournament.
Both Butler and Virginia Commonwealth (who lost to the Bulldogs in the national semifinals) proved once again that college basketball has become a sport where David can compete on an equal level with Goliath. Butler went to the championship game two years in a row, something that rarely happens in any major sport, particularly as a mid-major. And the main reason: the smaller colleges almost always have very good players who could more than likely play for bigger schools, but in a far smaller role. Those players grow together, rarely leave early for the riches of the NBA and in many cases, play with a huge chip on their shoulders.
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| 2006 Final Four, Photo Credit: Stepshep, via Wikimedia Commons |
Players like Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack wouldn’t start for programs like Duke, Connecticut, Kentucky and Kansas. But while their talent may not be equal to players at these “big-name” programs, their heart and work ethic usually far exceeds what other talented players exhibit. In many cases, they know this is their opportunity, as they may never make it to the next level. The same can be said for other “cinderella” teams in the past like Gonzaga, George Mason and even bigger programs that pulled monumental upsets (think Villanova and NC State in the 80’s). While many of these teams had terrific players, some who made it to the NBA, their main characteristic was having a team that had been together for a few years, had grown together through the ups and downs and played together, as one, as a team.
A lot of the bigger schools recruit the best high school players who are only at the university for one year, with the sole purpose of getting ready for the NBA draft. Can you imagine Kentucky, who made the Final Four, but could have had John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson on this year’s squad? The list goes on and on like this each year. I am not criticizing these players for leaving early at all. They are just doing what the system allows for and have every right to make a good, solid living, doing something they love. But this “one-and-done” mentality has left openings for the smaller schools to catch up, at least a little bit.
Along with getting to know some great players for these smaller schools, we have also been introduced to some amazing coaches who get very little recognition. Coaches like Mark Few, Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart have become household names who have battled and defeated Goliath, giving hope to other schools in the process.
Will a mid-major win the NCAA Title in the next decade? It wouldn’t shock me as that’s the way things are trending. As difficult as it was to watch the title game, it’s always good to see “the underdogs” have a chance; because that’s what they, along with all college athletes deserve, a chance to compete with the best and be called #1 at the end of the year.
