By Travis Bremner
Staff Writer

We started at 347 teams, selected 65; they played down to the Final Four where now we’re down to two with one team to eliminate.
Duke and Butler play for the national championship tonight in men’s college basketball.

Storyline: It’s a David vs. Goliath matchup no doubt, but Butler is no Cinderella story, they’re a perennial ‘mid-major’ power and haven’t lost since December 22nd. Duke is the preverbal road team with Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis being just a few miles from Butler University’s campus.

Matchups: If Butler forward/center Matt Howard, a game time decision, isn’t able to play it will be even more difficult for the Bulldogs to keep Duke’s big, physical front court off the boards. Offensive rebounds will be key in this game, if Duke gets them – they win. Butler’s offense will need more production than it got against Michigan State in the semifinal game, 52 points will not be enough against the Blue Devils.

Prediction: There’s a reason Butler only 31% against Michigan State, and it wasn’t the Spartans defense. The Bulldogs haven’t shot the ball well since their first round game against UTEP. Duke is the most efficient offensive team in the country and they put on a clinic against West Virginia. I think the Blue Devils lead most of the game, Butler tries to make a run but Duke salts away the game with free throws. Duke wins, 68-60.