VCU Basketball Makes Historic Final Four Appearance, But Can the Rams Keep Things Rolling Against Butler?
As the final whistle sounded in Sunday's first Elite Eight contest, the Virginia Commonwealth Rams celebrated the biggest win in the program's history. They had just done what many thought was unthinkable: they'd taken down the Kansas Jayhawks, the Southwest's top seed, never trailing in the second half, and secured the first Final Four berth in the program's history.
What made the feat even more remarkable was the fact that just two weeks earlier, when the brackets were announced, many pundits blasted the NCAA Selection Committee for even including the Rams in the tournament at all.
Needless to say, after an improbable run of five wins, including all four games of the actual tournament against higher seeded teams, those critics have been silenced.
Now, the Rams find themselves in a position to make even more history for this suddenly successful program, which has seen its Cinderella bids fall short in years past. With a win over fellow mid-major attendee Butler, VCU will be playing for a national title.
But can the Rams continue their run of torrid play? Few teams have been as hot shooting the ball this tournament, and few can match the Rams' perimeter attack. Forwards Bradford Burgess and Jamie Skeen create all kinds of matchup problems, while guards Joey Rodriguez and Brandon Rozell can light it up at a moments' notice.
But, this is a veteran Butler team who has been to this stage of the tournament before. They're not the least bit starstruck by the Final Four, and they have a pair of dangerous scorers of their own, in guard Shelvin Mack and forward Matt Howard. The Bulldogs are a tenacious defensive team who have the range to lock down the Rams snipers and close down in the paint while their offense is potent enough to score on the Rams' full-court press (something Kansas seemed downright flummoxed by).
In the end, VCU's improbable run from a play-in game to the Final Four is one of the best stories in recent memory in the dance. The Rams have etched their names alongside such legendary Cinderellas as 2006's George Mason squad, last season's Butler squad, and the early years of Gonzaga's mid-major dominance.
But, facing a foe who knows how to slow their high-octane attack, their Cinderella story should come to an end in the semifinals. The Bulldogs look like a team on a mission, and Mack has been unstoppable all tournament long.
Look for Butler to bring an end to VCU's tournament run.
Final Score: Butler 70, VCU 68.
For more March Madness, check out NBA Draft 2011: Which March Madness Stars Will Declare for the Draft?
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