The top seed in the Southwest Regional meets last year’s Cinderella in one of the more intriguing Third Round matchups in the 2011 NCAA Tournament Bracket: No. 1 Pittsburgh takes on No. 8 Butler on Saturday, in a game that we can see — thanks to our updated 2011 NCAA Tournament schedule — will tip from Washington, D.C. on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Eastern.
NCAA Bracket 2011: No. 1 Pittsburgh Vs. No. 8 Butler
Pittsburgh rolled over UNC Asheville in its Second Round game, burying the Bulldogs on the boards by compiling a 44-24 advantage in rebounding. Ashton Gibbs continued a late season hot streak by sinking six threes and pouring in 26 points to lead all scorers. The inside-outside combination Gibbs and forwards Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee can create could be very hard for Butler to handle.
Meanwhile, the Horizon League champions are looking to follow their magnificent 2010 run with a huge Third Round upset. The Bulldogs needed a buzzer-beating tip-in from Matt Howard to top Old Dominion, but kept pace with the rugged Colonials on the boards. If they can do the same against a Pitt team that can do even more damage on second chances, Brad Stevens’ squad might pull another upset.
Star Watch: Butler’s Shelvin Mack won’t be asked to do all the defending on Gibbs — stopper Ronald Nored will presumably draw that assignment — but he may have to keep up with the Panthers star in the points column. Mack had 15 points against Old Dominion; that might not be enough to get to the Sweet Sixteen.
Prediction: The undermanned Bulldogs summon some of the resolve that has gotten them a 6-1 NCAA Tournament record since 2010, but can’t quite get over the hump against a Pitt team with much more talent in a 61-54 rock fight..
More Reading: SB Nation’s Pittsburgh blog Cardiac Hill has plenty on the Panthers, while has more San Diego State insights, while SB Nation Indiana is your spot for Butler fan reactions news.
Need help picking your bracket? Check out SB Nation’s full 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket predictions, picking every game of March Madness, or our region by region breakdowns for the East Region, West Region, Southeast Region, and Southwest Region.
Did your team miss the 2011 NCAA Tournament? We have you covered: check out the 2011 NIT bracket.
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