MASTERS UPDATE: ALL TIGER, ALL THE TIME

To no one's surprise (at least, no one who follows golf), Tiger Woods has reappeared as pretty much the same golfer he was before he had that little run in with a golf club, a tree, his wife and approximately two dozen mistresses one of which (we won't stoop to mention, Joslyn James) is performing at the Pink Pony in Atlanta wearing a green jacket and little else.

So the media crush and focus on Tiger during this year's Masters was an easy call.

Having said that, WTEM Sportstalk ESPN 980 in Washington yesterday sunk to a new low. The station, owned by Dan Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting, thought it appropriate (and, perhaps necessary) to give live updates from the Masters during their broadcast of the Orioles home opener yesterday at Camden Yards.

With score tied 5-5 in the seventh inning, WTEM gave us a "Masters update." We didn't write it down as were safely operating a motor vehicle, but it went something like this.

Tiger Woods is two under for the day and six under for the tournament. We'll have more Masters updates throughout the weekend.

Then a few minutes later they did it again and the anchor said the exact same thing.

No mention of the leaders, no Westwood, no Poulter, no what was happening to first round leader Bad Back Boom Boom - nothing.

Just Tiger.

Luckily, they will keep us posted on events at the Augusta National Tiger Woods Invitational as needed...

Ridiculous.

(Editor's Note: Dear Mr. Snyder, that's some bunk-ass journalism right there. It's a little like saying in a Redskin's update: Donovan McNabb has been traded to an NFC East team, more updates throughout the weekend...)

(Illustration by Mike Lukovich/Atlanta Journal Constitution)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

MOVE OVER UCONN WOMEN. Speaking of impressive distaff winning streaks...

Champion race mare Zenyatta, winner of last year’s Breeders Cup Classic, showed up in Little Rock yesterday for the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap Gr.I. The purse for the race would have been $5 million had 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra been in the starting gate as well, but that’s another story.

Zenyatta broke from said gate leisurely and trailed the field the first time past the stands and through the clubhouse turn. She reeled them in at the 5/8ths pole, swooped around the turn and stormed down the stretch for her 16th straight win.

As usual, she made it look easy.

(Photo by Danny Johnson/Associated Press)

THE SKY OF THE TIGER

Of course, the elders of Augusta National control all that happens within the hallowed grounds, and needless to say they were on high alert yesterday to be sure freedom of speech was held in check a la Fed Ex Field last season when Mr. Snyder temporarily banned offensive(?) banners and tee-shirts.

Straight up, no cell phones are allowed and banners and signs have never been allowed at major golf tournaments. So that took care of that potential “distraction.”

One clever soul did manage to spill a big pile of red ball markers that read: "Tiger, Text Me!" between the first green and the second tee box.

Of course, off the grounds of Augusta National and, most notably, above the grounds were completely open for expression.

Outside the entrance to Magnolia Lane, a man stood with a sandwich board outside a jewelry store. The sign said: "Pulled a Tiger? Let Us Smooth It Over For You!"

But the best came from the air, where two pilots flew over pulling banners that said "Tiger Did You Mean Bootyism?" and "Sex Addict? Yeah, Sure, Me Too!"

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, there is more to come. A Toledo, Ohio, ad agency that handled the arrangements of the flyover won’t disclose who commissioned the add, but they did make it clear there were more on the way.

“Keep your eyes open,” Jim Miller of Air America Ariel Ads told the AJC. “They get better and better.”

The plane circled over the golf club even though the Federal Aviation Administration has issued an “advisory,” asking aircraft to stay at least two miles away from the golf club during play.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jim Griffin said the law enforcement agency had no authority over the plane and he didn’t know if any laws were violated. Because “it’s up in the air and we don’t deal with federal law.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I didn't even realize Elin had her pilot's license.”

– Rick Reilly, ESPN columnist.

To read his entire column, click here.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Duke and North Carolina’s Hamburger Helpers trade barbs…North Carolina recruit Reggie Bullock says Duke's Andre Dawkins can't guard him.

Duke recruit Kyrie Irving heaps sarcastic praise on the 2009-10 North Carolina team for its inspiring efforts late in the season.

All in all, some pretty funny stuff.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

BEER, IT’S NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE. But it’s still good first thing in the morning.

Here, at least one fan imbibes while Tiger Woods plays a shot from the pine needles on the first hole (approx 10:45 a.m.) during the second round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia.

(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

WOODS' NEW NIKE ADD IS...WELL...KINDA WEIRD

This new Nike ad that aired briefly on ESPN and The Golf Channel features the voice of Tiger's deceased father Earl...

Gotta admit, it's been a big week for "things that make you go hmmm(?)"

WAKE FOREST FIRES GAUDIO

Citing a pattern of poor late-season finishes and a 1-5 record in the postseason, Wake Forest fired men’s basketball coach Dino Gaudio citing late season swoons and poor performances in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

Gaudio, 53, went 61-31 in three seasons but just 1-5 in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and had four years remaining on his contract.

The timing of the decision, almost three weeks after the season ended and six months after Gaudio received a contract extension, left the Wake players, and recruits, in shock.

With the loss of three senior starters and sophomore Al-Farouq Aminu from a team that went 20-11, the Deacons are in for a rebuilding year in 2010-11.

This season, Wake started 8-3 in the ACC but lost four of the final five regular-season games and then lost in the first round of the ACC tournament to Miami.

Gaudio, who went 27-21 in the ACC, did lead the Deacs to a first-round win over Texas in the NCAA tournament this season, but lost to Kentucky by 30 points in the second round.

In 2008-09, the Deacs reached No. 1 in the country in late January but the season ended with double-digit, upset losses in both the ACC and NCAA tournaments. Cleveland State, a No. 13 seed, beat a Wake team with two first-round NBA picks 84-69 in 2009 NCAA tournament.

Gaudio, an assistant at Wake for seven years, became the head coach after Skip Prosser's death from a heart attack. Gaudio's promotion kept together what was considered one of the top recruiting classes in the country, with Aminu as the centerpiece, and offered the program a measure of stability.

CORNELL COACH HEADED TO BOSTON COLLEGE

After thrusting Cornell into the national spotlight with three straight Ivy League titles and a trip to the Sweet 16, Steve Donahue is ready to take on the best basketball league in the country – the ACC.

The former Cornell coach was introduced at Boston College on Wednesday after inking a six-year deal.

Taking over a program that has struggled to compete with the four pro sports teams in town—and even the college hockey team on campus—Donahue dressed his children in BC gear and did his best to fire up the crowd at an on-campus pep rally.

Donahue led the Big Red to a 29-5 record this season—the most wins in Ivy history—and the school’s first ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 in 59 years. Cornell, which had never won an NCAA game, beat favored Temple and Wisconsin to become the first Ivy team to reach the Sweet 16 in more than three decades; they lost to No. 1-seeded Kentucky 62-45 in the East Regional semifinals.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

In what has to be the height of absurdity in the “one-and-done” era of college basketball, four – count ‘em – FOUR Kentucky Wildcat freshman have declared for the NBA draft. A fifth, junior Patrick Patterson, is also headed to pro ball.

Led by super frosh All-Americans John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, freshman guard Eric Bledsoe, freshman center Daniel Orton and Patterson (#54) are all leaving leaving Lexington.

Wall and Cousins are expected to be among the first few players selected after leading the Wildcats to a remarkable turnaround season in coach John Calipari’s first year on the job.

Kentucky went 35-3 this season—Calipari’s first as Wildcats coach— winning the Southeastern Conference regular season and conference tournament titles before falling to West Virginia in the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament.

Players have until May 8 to change their minds, as long as they don’t hire agents. It’s highly unlikely any of the five players will come back for another season with the Wildcats.
Certainly not Wall, who was the SEC player of the year after averaging 16.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds while becoming a highlight-reel staple for his breathtaking play in the open floor. His 241 assists set a Kentucky single-season record.

Wall is a good bet to be the first pick in the draft.

Patterson, a junior, could have gone to the NBA last spring but opted to stick around to expand his game in Calipari’s “dribble-drive” offense while also finishing his degree. He averaged a career-low 14.3 points but became a better shooter and fit in with his less-experienced teammates.

If they all leave, it leaves Calipari with a rebuilding project on par with the one he inherited a year ago. The departure of Wall and company combined with the graduation of Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson and Mark Krebs leaves Kentucky with just five players returning next year, only three of whom played significant minutes this season.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

HAPPY CAMPER. JJ Redick #7 of the Orlando Magic takes the ball to the basket against JaVale McGee #34 of the Washington Wizards during the game on April 7, 2010 at Amway Arena in Orlando. Redick, no doubt, has been delighted by his alma mater’s recent NCAA championship.

(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Here he discusses same.

DUKE v. BUTLER: NOT AS PRETTY AS CURRENTLY ADVERTISED

If you follow the media closely, you might be inclined to believe that Monday night’s Duke/Butler game was one of the greatest NCAA finals ever played.

While there is plenty of the “game for the ages” talk going around, one could suggest such glorifications are the result of a rare close finish in the Big Dance finale as opposed to the extraordinary quality of the game.

As fun and exciting as “Hoosiers Almost: The Sequel” was, it has to be noted that upon further examination this instant classic has some blemishes.

Yes, it had the perfect movie script story with mid-major darling Butler riding in on a 25-game winning streak. The Bulldogs from the Midwest with the fresh-faced kids and even fresher-faced coach, by way of DePauw and Eli Lily, taking on an east coast basketball dynasty was the perfect set up for an epic battle. Maybe even an incredible upset David v. Goliath proportions. All stuff the media and fans love.

While the game was certainly more entertaining than last year’s UNC beat down of Michigan State, the “game for the ages” and “instant classic” tags deserve a second look.

Of greatest note is the simple fact that for most of the second half of this game, neither team could score a field goal.

Regardless of whether it was nerves, fatigue or just bad shooting, Butler went over 7 ½ minutes in the second half without a field goal. That would have been the point where Duke (had they been shooting as well as they had in previous games) would typically have broken open the game.

The problem plagued Butler in both Final Four games, prompting coach Brad Stevens to tell David Letterman, "We'd never been to a Final Four, so I didn't realize they'd put a lid on the basket for 10 minutes in the second half."

But, although they led most of the second half, the Blue Devils couldn’t pull away. Instead, Duke scored exactly two field goals in the final ten minutes of the game keeping things interesting. With all due respect to both teams, that’s a little ugly…

Fact is, Duke’s poor shooting kept the game close and set up the last second shot that would have punctuated CBS newly buggered-up version of One Shining Moment. Duke was 5-17 from behind the arc (just 29.4%) and they shot an uncharacteristic 62.5% from the charity stripe going 10-16.

Duke also had 12 turnovers compared to Butler’s seven. Of course, a bunch of ACC teams would be happy with either number (just ask Ol’ Roy).

Just to keep the “Duke gets all the calls” crowd at bay, the Bulldogs shot two more free throws (18).

When the shouting dies down and the superlatives return to normal, this clearly was a wonderful basketball game replete with great stories. That said, let’s not rush it into the Hall of Fame just yet.

DUKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: HOW THEY DID IT

VERSATILITY: Coach Mike Kʂɨˈʐɛ(f)ski and Duke got throttled by an bigger, stronger (and ultimately incredibly inconsistent) Georgetown team earlier in the season and subsequently changed their style of play. It was most noticeable against Purdue and Baylor when Duke utilized a slashing/penetration game to loosen up defenses that have shut down their traditional run and shoot style in previous tournaments.

Duke still runs a motion offense, but Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer driving to the basket and the emergence of Brian Zoubek as a force near the basket made a big difference. Like it or not, that's good coaching.

Smith has already announced he will return for his senior season, while Singler said post game he had “no idea” about his future.

EXPERIENCE: Like the North Carolina team that won last year with two juniors and two seniors making up the core of the team, this Duke team featured three seniors (Zoubek, Thomas and Scheyer) and two juniors (Singler and Smith). Say what you want about Kentucky’s fancy freshmen or any of the other spectacular one-and-done players out there, but ultimately they were all in the same place come Monday night – at home watching.

Keep an eye on Butler next year as the Bulldogs are a young team compared to the Duke squad that vanquished them in championship game. Monday night, the little-school-that- damn-near-could sent out Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward, Willie Veasley, Shelvin Mack and Ron Nored. Veasley is a senior, Matt Howard is a junior and Hayward, Mack and Nored on sophomores.

SECOND CHANCE POINTS: Like the Tar Heels last year, the Blue Devils made some serious hay on offensive rebounds. It wasn’t that they so greatly outnumbered their opponents, it was what they did with them that counted.

At tournament’s end, Duke had a huge second chance points margin and it was most noticeable in what ended up being a blowout in the Final Four against West Virginia. Unlike many teams, Duke’s big men don’t always go straight back up with the put back when they grab an offensive rebound.

On many occasions, they turn and fire a quick pass to a guard waiting to fire off a three-pointer. In most of their games in the tournament, Scheyer, Smith and Singler turned those offensive rebounds into three-point-plays. Those were back-breakers for the Blue Devils’ opponents.

SCHEYER ACCIDENTLALY TWEETS HIS PHONE NUMBER

Evidently, Jon “Crazy Face” Scheyer was excited about winning the 2010 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball National Championship causing him to set himself up for a deluge of phone calls and texts.

Scheyer, tweeted his cell phone number within an hour after the end of the game urging fans to “Hollerrrr at me!!!” Needless to say, they did.

A mere twenty-four (Jack Bauer) minutes later, he followed up with:

"Ok my fault... Holler at me over twitter... Stop texting that number pleaseeee"

Sources tell T.A.H. that calls to the number Scheyer listed result in a voice mailbox is full message. If it's truly Scheyer's number (and not him playing a joke on Duke Nation), he’s going to have to get a new number.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

Evidently, Tiger Woods still can’t put down that pesky cell phone that has caused him so much trouble of late.

This shot was taken during Tuesday’s practice round. Woods claims he was video Mark O’Meara putting stroke. O’Meara claimed he had a loop in it and his buddy Tiger was trying to help him figure it out.

While cell phones are prohibited at The Masters, the players are allowed to use video recording devices during practice.
It doesn’t matter if we believe him, the question is does Elin believe him…???

PART TWO: THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

Evidently, the wooing of Butler’s coach Brad Stevens got off to a good start last night and his first offer was high – really high.

CBS’s David Letterman offered the Bulldogs now quite famous baby-faced coach “his salary” to coach his alma mater Ball State. Letterman reportedly makes $31 million a year…

PART THREE: THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

Ron Bradley has been named Clemson's interim head coach according to Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. Bradley has been Clemson's top assistant over the last seven seasons, all under Purnell.

“Interim” – what the hell does that mean? The A.D. said they were going to conduct a “national search” and there were “no guarantees.”

Gee, thanks for the temporary new job…

To watch Phillip’s press conference yesterday, click here.

OLIVER PURNELL ALREADY LOOKS WORRIED

Just one day removed from Clemson, new Depaul head coach Oliver Purnell already looks worried (either that or simply made uncomfortable by the weird looking mascot).

It seems fair to note that the Blue Demons shot 308-529 or 58.2% from the free throw line last season as opposed to Purnell’s Tigers who shot 432-654 or 66.1%…

No wonder he looks worried.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Time lapse of Duke homecoming...

To see the video, click here.

To see the photo gallery, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

FIRST PITCHER. President Barack Obama waves to the crowd after he threw out the first pitch before the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on Opening Day at Nationals Park on April 5, 2010 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

FIRST TO FEAT. After racking up an amazing (in several ways) 12 first half points, the UConn women’s basketball team rallied for their second consecutive undefeated season – an NCAA first.

The Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the national championship trophy after a 53-47 win against the Stanford Cardinal during the NCAA Women's Final Four Championship game at the Alamodome on April 6, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.

It was UConn’s 78th straight victory and second undefeated season in a row. UCLA still holds the record with 88 consecutive wins.

The 12 first half points were an all-time low for Connecticut and a record low for an NCAA championship game.

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

FIRST BOLD MOVE. Mike Shanahan, head coach of the Washington Redskins presents Donovan McNabb(notes) with his new jersey during a press conference on April 6, 2010 at Redskin Park in Ashburn, Virginia.

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 4

FINAL BLOW. For those of you who were devastated that Gordon Hayward's desperation half-court heave rattled off the rim at the end of Monday night's NCAA title game and gave Duke a national championship, this picture of Matt Howard flattening Kyle Singler on the game's final play may help heal the wound.

(Photo courtesy of The Dagger)

PURNELL LEAVING CLEMSON

Clemson coach Oliver Purnell, 56, will be introduced today at a 1:30 p.m. news conference as the new coach of DePaul.

Purnell has been successful at Clemson, where he turned around the once-struggling ACC program the last seven seasons, going 138-90, including 21-11 this season. However, Tiger fans are quick to point out that Purnell is 0-7 in the NCAA tournament.

Purnell also was successful at Dayton before leaving for Clemson. He has coached at Old Dominion and Radford as well.

He is expected to sign a long term deal of seven years worth an estimated $15 million.

"DOWN YEAR" IN ACC NETS ANOTHER NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

What media and fans have consistently called a sub-par season for the ACC, has ended...with another NCAA Championship - the league's fifth since 2001.

(Do the math, that's five (Duke, Maryland, UNC, UNC, Duke) of the last ten so don't try to tell us how the Big East or any other conference is better.)

Duke's big three shook off a poor shooting performance (for them) and a second half scoring drought (two field goals in the last 7:58 of the game) to hold off plucky, Hoosieresque mid-major darling Butler 61-59 to capture Coach Mike Kʂɨˈʐɛ(f)ski's fourth national championship.

Kyle Singler scored 19 points, Jon Scheyer added 15 and Nolan Smith 13. All three made the all-tournament team, and Singler was selected the most outstanding player at the Final Four. Brain Zoubek also made a number of key plays.

More later.

LAS VEGAS ODDS MAKERS LIKE DUKE

Odds makers in Vegas have installed Duke as a -6.5 point favorite for tonight’s game. In many places, that has now crept up to -7.5.

Tonight, CBS, 9:21 pm.

If you need more, start here via Yahoo! Sports

*Megargee: Butler built on young stars
*King: Defying stereotypes
*Fox: Massimino still in love
*Ahern: Hayward puts Butler on the brink
*Fox: No a bad choice after all
*Huguenin: Title game matchup
*Megargee: Future stars await turn
*Title game fearless forecast
*Ahern: First look at the NCAA title game
*Wetzel: Bulldogs bring the 'D'
*King: Duke makes a statement
*Fox: NCAA tourney anniversaries
*Wetzel: Stevens' own pyramid of success
*King: Butler's senior moment
*Ahern: Season changes for Summers

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO…

Hmmm…

You can score a pair (or a Psycho-T tee shirt) at http://www.dookflops.com/.

DEAR MR. SNYDER

Dear Mr. Snyder:

How ‘bout those Redskins?

FIRST, Shanahan, NOW Donovan McNabb.

WTF?

(Sidebar: Dear Mr. Reid: Who the hell trades a six-time all-pro quarterback who’s thrown 200 touchdown passes for a second round draft pick and a future pick to be determined? Really? Who? What is the likelihood the Eagles will draft an all-pro player with the Skins’ old 37th pick, never mind an all-pro quarterback?)

Evidently, the new coach wanted an experienced ALL-PRO quarterback who knows the West Coast offense, and, clearly, the success of oldster Brett Favre in Minnesota was not LOST on either Shanahan or GM Allen.

At least two guys at the Washington Post have STRONG opinions on the move. Mike Wise says the Skins are delusional and this is the same-old-same-old – recycling older talent in hopes of becoming an instant contender.

On the other hand, Michael Wilbon, thinks it’s a perfect fit.

Here at T.A.H., we aren't SURE how we feel about it, but we HOPE it works.

Sincerely,
Your Loyal Fan

P.S. Remember when all the hub-bub settles down, you still NEED an offensive line. Don’t believe us? Just ask Jason Campbell (as he’s leaving town – McNabb starter, Grossman back-up. Say what you will, but both have played [and lost] in the Super Bowl.)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

GENERATION GAP. It’s not that Mike Kʂɨˈʐɛ(f)ski is old (63), it’s just that Brad Stevens looks so young (33).

Here, the Butler University head coach and Coach K talk before a television interview about their teams meeting in the NCAA men's Final Four championship college basketball game in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4, 2010.

(AP Photo)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

FLASHBACK. In a tournament best remembered for Duke's improbable Regional Final win over Kentucky thanks to Christian Laettner's last-second turn-around jumper, Duke reached the Final Four as the lone No. 1 seed still alive.

Coach Kʂɨˈʐɛ(f)ski's team cruised to victories over Indiana and Michigan to win their second straight national title. Bobby Hurley was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, while Laettner led the tournament in scoring.

(Photo by Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

ONE BIG BULLDOG BUTT. Larry and Mary Tropea of Charlottesville, Va. take a picture of the Bulldog mascot statue on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 4, 2010.

For reasons unknown to T.A.H., Larry is rooting for Duke while his wife Mary is rooting for Butler.

(AP Photo)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 4

FREAK SHOW. The media circus that used to be called The Masters gets underway today with a Tiger Woods news conference. Look for lots of questions and very little (if any) new information…not that we need anymore info, mind you.

Here, A guard closes the gate to Magnolia Lane along Washington Road in front of Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia.

The tournament is April 8-11.

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America)

DUKE SAVES BEST FOR NEXT TO LAST

DUKE 78, West Virginia 57 – Back in the depths of the deep dark winter when an inconsistent Georgetown team was beating the Duke Blue Devils like a red-headed step child, it was hard to imagine this team improving enough to make it to the NCAA Championship game.

Yet, that is exactly what these Blue Devils have done. No longer a one trick run-and-shoot pony, Duke has figured out how to play bigger and tougher while slashing to the basket to balance out their traditionally good jump shooting.

Jon “Crazy Face” Scheyer scored 23 points, Kyle “Twilitght” Singler scored 21 points and Nolan Smith added 9 points and six assists for the Devils(34-5). Brian Zoubek, all 7-foot-1 of him, clogged up the middle along with 6-10 brothers Mason and Miles Plumlee. Zoubek finished with 10 rebounds, five on the offensive glass.

The Mountaineers were struggling to keep up with Duke who was dominating the glass while shooting 52.7 percent and committing just five turnovers. Then with 8:59 left, Mountaineers' star Da'Sean Butler injured his left knee and was carried off the court.

Game over.

Butler, a 17-point-per-game scorer, finished with 10 points, and was held to a mere basket in the first half while the Blue Devils were building their lead to as many as 13.

Wellington Smith led the Mountaineers with 12 points.

Singler, coming off an 0-for-10 performance in the regional victory over Baylor, went 8 for 16. Scheyer, who was 1 for 11 in a win over Cal the first weekend, went 7 for 13.

To read more, click here.

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

THE BULTER DID IT! Delvon Roe #10 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot against Andrew Smith #44 of the Butler Bulldogs during the National Semifinal game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship on April 3, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Bulldogs enter the Final riding a 25-game winning streak.

(Photo by Chris Steppig/NCAA Photos-Pool/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

THE OTHER BUTLER. Da'Sean Butler #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers holds his knee after crashing into Brian Zoubek #55 of the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during the National Semifinal game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 3, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Butler left the game after the play with a knee injury.