Men's Basketball

Former 4-star guard Offutt could join Hoosiers’ roster

By Jordan Cohen · Thursday, April 22,2010 10:32 p.m.

In less than two days, IU lost two of its top recruiting targets, forwards Cody Larson and Will Yeguete, to Florida. While IU is still in pursuit of an additional big man for the 2010 recruiting class, it has an opportunity to add a former four-star guard in the coming weeks — as a walk-on.

NCAA tourney expanding to 68 teams

Thursday, April 22,2010 12:37 p.m.

The NCAA is on the verge of expanding the men's basketball tournament from 65 to 68 teams beginning next year and has a new, $10.8 billion TV deal that will allow it to show every game live.

Time has come for one-and-done change

By Frank Therber · Wednesday, April 21,2010 10:33 p.m.

Right now, as the NFL continues to undergo major reformation with Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NBA is still putting off fixing its major problem.

IU hires Colorado's McClain as assistant coach

By Jordan Cohen · Wednesday, April 21,2010 7:49 p.m.

Confirming speculation from early this week, Steve McClain, former Colorado associate head basketball coach, has been hired to fill the vacant assistant coaching position on Tom Crean’s staff.

Loss doesn’t deter Butler celebration

Tuesday, April 6,2010 11:32 p.m.

The only thing missing was a championship trophy. Less than 24 hours after Gordon Hayward’s buzzer-beating shot bounced off the rim, Butler and its fans — new and old — partied inside Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday as if the Bulldogs had won the national title.

Duke’s ‘big 3’ combine for 47 points

By Joedy McCreary · Tuesday, April 6,2010 1:22 a.m.

Duke’s “Big Three” weren’t going to be denied the championship they so desperately craved. The Blue Devils held on to beat Butler 61-59 Monday night for their first national title since 2001, and once again, their three stars did most of the heavy lifting.

Despite second-half struggles, Butler had chances to win 1st national title

By Sean Morrison · Tuesday, April 6,2010 1:20 a.m.

As Butler’s sophomore forward Gordon Hayward walked away from the scene behind him, Duke players diving on top of each other in a pile just feet from where he missed a last-second shot, he knew his team’s historic Final Four run was over.Of course, a 61-59 loss for his Bulldogs was not the way he’d wanted it to end. “I hate losing,” Hayward said. “It’s one of the worst feelings that I have — losing. When I look back on it, I think it’s going to motivate me.”

The Butler Way is the right way

By Frank Therber · Tuesday, April 6,2010 1:18 a.m.

It was a season of magic, defiance, and continuous winning — dating all the way back to last December — that came to an end with a 61-59 loss to Duke at Monday night’s national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. And at one time, it almost seemed like a step-for-step reenactment of “Hoosiers” would take place for national championship.

If NCAA becomes a business, athletes should get a cut

By Frank Therber · Tuesday, April 6,2010 1:11 a.m.

The 2010 NCAA Tournament will be remembered for one thing: defying the odds. From the Butler Bulldogs’ magical run to Indianapolis to Northern Iowa finishing off overall No. 1 seed Kansas, it was the year that showed it can be done without agents, zillion-dollar facilities or endless budgets.

Senior center, fan favorite Tijan Jobe going back home

By Sean Morrison · Monday, April 5,2010 12:10 a.m.

In 2004, Tijan Jobe came to the United States to play basketball, leaving behind his family in pursuit of his dream.

Big name, big stage doesn’t faze Stevens

Monday, April 5,2010 12:08 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s safe to say that Butler head coach Brad Stevens doesn’t represent the stereotypical NCAA championship game coach.

After injuries, Duke’s Zoubek playing with purpose

Monday, April 5,2010 12:05 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — At 7 feet 1 inches tall and with a wide frame capable of backing down any player in the nation, Duke senior center Brian Zoubek comes across as a tough person. But on Sunday afternoon, the Haddonfield, N.J., native explained how the journey to this point in his career — a starter and major contributor to a team in the NCAA Championship game — has been a long, emotional struggle.

Butler faithful packed Hinkle for Final Four madness

By Drew Allen · Sunday, April 4,2010 11:27 p.m.

“You’ve been waiting forever to play in this game! Who’s gonna win tonight?” “WE ARE!” “Are you a Bulldog?” “Hell yeah, Butler!”

There are more media members at the Final Four, but not from print

By Zina Kumok · Sunday, April 4,2010 4:39 p.m.

The financial strains of the newspaper industry have led to a noticeable decline in print reporters attending this year’s Final Four, according to several veteran basketball writers — a trend that also was seen at last fall’s World Series, this year’s Super Bowl and February’s Winter Olympic Games.

Indy having no problem choosing between Duke and Butler

Sunday, April 4,2010 12:18 p.m.

While there aren’t many guarantees for Monday night, there are some good bets. One is that Butler fans will likely outnumber Duke fans exponentially, setting up an even fiercer home-court advantage than the one the hometown Bulldogs enjoyed Saturday.

From prolific scorers to bench leaders, seniors leave final mark in Indianapolis

Friday, April 2,2010 12 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — As a senior, Butler’s Nick Rodgers scored six of the team’s 2,374 points. He made one start for the Bulldogs and averages 1.2 minutes per game. And although this walk-on guard from Noblesville, Ind. has grabbed no rebounds this year and hasn’t attempted a free throw, Bulldogs starter Ronald Nored said Rodgers is just as much a part of the team’s historic Final Four run as anyone else.

The life of a student-athlete in the Final Four

Thursday, April 1,2010 11:55 p.m.

Forgive Gordon Hayward for daydreaming. Twenty-four hours before the biggest game of his life, the Butler star will be sitting in a lecture hall instead of a locker room.

If history repeats, major impact awaits Butler community off court

Thursday, April 1,2010 11:48 p.m.

Participating in the NCAA tournament is nothing new for Butler, having appeared nine times with two prior Sweet Sixteen trips.

Butler rally at Indy Monument Circle draws thousands of fans

Wednesday, March 31,2010 11:54 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s not unusual to see downtown Indianapolis awash in blue, hosting a sea of sports fans. But when fans flocked to Monument Circle for a pep rally Wednesday afternoon, they weren’t decked in blue for the Colts, but for the Final Four-bound Butler Bulldogs.

NCAA cites IUPUI for major infractions

By AP Reports · Tuesday, March 30,2010 8:16 p.m.

The NCAA said Tuesday that IUPUI allowed erroneous eligibility certification for 97 student-athletes from the 2003-04 through 2006-07 years, demonstrating a lack of institutional control and a failure to monitor by the university.