Two worlds collide: IU versus Butler

One team has bared the blunt of two of its’ worst seasons in program history. The other has put its’ university on the map with back-to-back NCAA Tournament Championship appearances.

While IU (5-0) and Butler (3-2) have had different paths in the past two years, their paths will collide at 7 p.m. on Sunday night at Assembly Hall in the Hoosier  Invitational finale.

“They play hard, that is the best thing they do,” IU freshman Cody Zeller said.  “They have a bunch of Indiana guys that know how to play. Obviously, the last two years they have made it to the national championship game so this is going to be a tough game for us.”

Zeller, who leads IU in scoring with 14.6 points per game, will likely be matched up against Butler big man Andrew Smith, who also leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 12.6 points per game.

IU Coach Tom Crean said the responsibility of containing Smith will not fall solely on the freshman.

“Andrew Smith presents a number of challenges and as a team we have to do a good job of not letting him get comfortable,” Crean said.

Though Butler has been known in years past for its’ guard play with guys like Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack, IU junior forward Derek Elston said the   Bulldogs’ frontcourt has been critical for them this season.

“What impresses me the most is their willingness to have three guys go to the board every time,” Elston said. “Each time we have watched film on them, no matter what shot goes up, even if it’s on a fastbreak, there are always three people trailing the play and three people ready to rebound.

“I think what we have to do is keep Andrew Smith off the boards and keep a couple of their more physical players off the boards.”

Another thing IU saw watching Butler’s film was common opponents. Due to the round-robin style of the Hoosier Invitational and both teams taking a  non-conference trip to Evansville, Butler has squared off with four of IU’s five opponents this season, posting a 3-1 record in those games.

The 3-2 start for the Bulldogs is the same one they got off to in their National Championship runner-up season a year ago.

“Their veteran guys have experienced winning at the highest level and have done a great job of transferring their experiences to their younger players,” Crean said. “They play very well together. They execute their offense and they cut hard.  Defensively, they will get into you and make you work for everything you get.”

IU currently ranks first in the country in field goal percentage at 55.4 percent and is
ranked 10th nationally at 87 points per game. The Bulldogs on the other hand, are allowing just north of 60 points per game.

On Sunday night, something will have to give.

“Right now, we are pretty set on taking it one game at a time,” Elston said. “Our steady flow has been good. We take each game seriously and we are not going to try to do anything differently. We are going to get out and play our game and I think that’s what we need to keep doing – play our game. We need to let the game come to us and not force anything and I think we will be OK.”