Butler did it, and so did Duke. After 2004, Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils reached the Final Four and will be in Monday’s finals. MK’s job as coach of USA basketball team did not come in the way of steering this college team to the top.
This was a comprehensive victory over West Virginia. You expected Duke to win, but not with such a margin (78-57). The strategy looked simple – WV is a “tough” team, and Duke played physical. Successful 3-pointers and well-orchestrated offense did the rest. If you remember, two years ago, WV, seeded 7, poked fun at the Blue Devils after defeating them. WV was now at the receiving end.
In the first semi-finals Butler did short work of Michigan State. Their path to the final was particularly gruelling. And they’ve had a 25-game winning streak, so how do you call them “underdogs” against Duke? “I think they’re one of the best teams in the country,” said MK. “I think Cinderella would be if someone had eight or nine losses and pulled some upsets. They’ve beaten Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State tonight. I don’t really consider them Cinderella.”

The game was virtually over when Da’Sean Butler fell and apparently injured his left leg. Could have been a foul, but nothing came of of MK’s complaint. Except, Butler did not come back.

So on to Monday night’s game.

Is anyone betting on Butler?