The overwhelming feeling among the UConn Huskies is that they will prevail tonight and be crowned national champions.
After beating Kentucky on Saturday there was little time to celebrate. The focus immediately shifted to Butler.
“The coaches do a great job of just keeping us level-headed,” senior Donnell Beverly said. “We didn’t come all the way down to Houston to just win in the semis. The coaches have seen a lot of Butler and we’ve seen their run throughout the tournament.”
The Huskies momentum is palpable. Based off their play during the last month players feel as if they can’t lose.
“I see us for the win,” freshman forward Tyler Olander said. “It’s going to be a good game, but I can’t see us losing the way we’ve been playing.”
The Huskies know they are in for a dogfight with Butler. The Bulldogs have more senior experience, and were the runner-ups last season. Nonetheless UConn’s confidence is steadfast.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point,” junior point guard Kemba Walker said. “All of our hard work is paying off, but it’s going to be a tough game against Butler. They were here last season. Experience may play a factor, but I think if we play the way we’ve been playing throughout this whole tournament we’ll be fine.”
UConn head coach Jim Calhoun was asked if it would be positive for college basketball if a team from a mid-major conference such as Butler were to ever win the big dance. He said it would be, as long as it’s not today.
“I think starting in 2012 or 2013 it’d be a wonderful idea,” Calhoun said.
Tonight’s game tips off at 8:23 p.m. at Reliant Stadium, and will be televised on CBS.
-John Brannen
