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Blue II pampered in Houston

VIDEO | Smith is in it to win it, Bulldogs prep for Final Four game

What do you think about the Bulldogs’ match up against VCU? We’ve done our homework and gathered the dish on our Ram opponents. Here’s what we’re up against:

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Blue II pampered in Houston

VIDEO | Smith is in it to win it, Bulldogs prep for Final Four game

Photos by Maria Porter
Video by Elyssa Garfinkle

The Butler men’s basketball team is not the most sought after for photo opportunities here in Houston.

Butler’s live mascot, Butler Blue II, is hands down the most popular person, or rather, mammal in the “Space City.”

But you’d think he was a person if you were in his presence. The way he is spoken to and the way he is treated to some of the finer things in life makes the personification all that much more believable.

FoxSports.com reinforced that perception earlier today when their “College Experiment” show filmed a segment with Blue and a female getting massages and sharing a martini together.

The martini, sipped at the Intercontinental Hotel, was named in the bulldog’s honor, and naturally contained blueberries.

During the shoot, Blue regularly stood up to try to eat from his food bowl, or got tired and put his head down to nap.

Michael Kaltenmark, Blue’s handler and “father,” spoke to him much like a parent would.

“Blue, stay. You know better,” Kaltenmark said a few times. An occasional “C’mon, Blue,” slipped out as well.

Just call it tough love from a loving father.

“I love this job,” Kaltenmark said behind the scenes of the shoot. “I’d like to keep as long as they’ll let me.”

Blue is in Houston for his second consecutive Final Four, which has brought about a higher degree of normalcy for players, students and fans accustomed to having Blue present at games in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

After two weekends of NCAA tournament play without Blue alongside the Butler team, all is right with the world, or at least Houston.

The Bulldogs and Rams both may have young and powerful head basketball coaches, but the schools couldn’t be more different. And, sure, while we might have one national championship appearance on them, VCU’s drive and skills on the court make them a key opponent that’s still up for the big win. Click and drag the chart to see how else we compare:

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FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE: Bulldogs vs. Rams

PHOTO GALLERY | Bulldogs in great frame of mind during Friday practice

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Will Butler outweigh VCU’s advantages?

Bulldogs silence doubters

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Will Butler outweigh VCU’s advantages?

Bulldogs silence doubters

Senior forward Matt Howard’s hometown of Connersville, Ind., is sponsoring the Howard family’s travel to Houston.

The town raised $13,000 to help ensure the family of 12 would be complete in Texas.

“I think everyone but one of my brothers [is here],” Howard said. “His wife is pregnant and due here pretty soon, so he needs to be with her. It all means quite a bit to me—that so many of my brothers, sisters, mom and dad were able to come down and that people were able to help them get here.”

The Howard clan departs for Houston tonight. Around the same time, a bus of Dawg Pound members will arrive to join the sporadic waves of other Butler fans traveling independently.

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Will Butler outweigh VCU’s advantages?

Bulldogs silence doubters

Story by Steven Peek
Photos by Maria Porter

The Butler men’s basketball team seemed comfortable and focused today on the eve of their national semifinal game against No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth.

The No. 8 seed Bulldogs (27-9) spent their 50-minute practice in rhythm and unfazed by the bright lights or open space of Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Some of that was due to the experience from last year’s Final Four in Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium. Some is also due to a schedule similar to last weekend’s in New Orleans, where the Bulldogs also practiced at a nearby university prior to the on-site practice.

But senior forward Matt Howard said performance on the hardwood is more important than the space around it or the routine prior to suiting up.

“At some point, it’s about execution and really doesn’t matter if you’ve been here before or not,” he said. “You’re still going to have to make plays and execute the game plan.”

Still, senior guard Shawn Vanzant said the Bulldogs’ tournament appearances the last two years have been a blessing.

“A lot of people have played Division I basketball and didn’t get a chance to make the tournament, let alone make it to the Final Four two years in a row,” he said. “But I always felt we had a chance to be special.

“I always thought we could make it this far.”

Senior guard Zach Hahn agreed.

“I used to tell Matt [Howard], who I have always been good friends with and played AAU ball with, ‘Come to Butler and we’ll do something special,’” Hahn said.

Butler’s opponent is perhaps even more special—in terms of history—than making it to consecutive Final Fours.

The Rams (28-11) finished with an 11-7 record in the Colonial Athletic Association and were one of the last four teams given an at-large bid into the field of 68.

Both considered mid-majors, Butler and VCU will be playing for the right to play No. 3 seed Connecticut or No. 4 seed Kentucky—both schools from one of the country’s six major conferences.

The difference between the two teams lies within their strengths and tempos.

VCU is strong in transition and along the perimeter, thanks to senior guard Joey Rodriguez. Butler is stronger in a half-court offense with methodical play calling, thanks to the poise of junior guard Shelvin Mack.

VCU thrives on energetic play, exemplified by VCU head coach Shaka Smart taking charges and diving for loose balls during practice. Butler thrives on calculations and playing the percentages, symbolized by the in-game teamwork of Butler’s coaching staff.

Butler head coach Brad Stevens kept his glasses securely on during the open practice, taking no charges and leaving the physical activity to the players and managerial staff.

Stevens continues to assure everyone that he’s not been sought out for any eye wear endorsements and that wearing glasses is a matter of necessity.

“You’re always somewhat superstitious as a coach, but the reason I’m wearing the glasses is so I can see,” Stevens said. “I’ve found I’m a better coach when I can see than when I can’t.”

The Bulldogs and Rams face off in the first national semifinal, which is set to tip at 6:09 p.m. ET.