VCU Rams @ Butler Bulldogs 2011 Final Four Free Pick

VCU Rams @ Butler Bulldogs 2011 Final Four Free Pick: My favorite stories are VCU and Butler, the two tiny programs with young coaches changing the make-up of college basketball, and I love it. Just like the rest of the world has been catching up to Team USA in the Olympic games, the smaller programs are catching up to the big-time schools in college basketball – and for the same reasons, team unity, craftiness, and knowledge of their schemes. Instead of being dominated by NBA-talent freshmen, both schools have their share of battle-tested upperclassmen. And as a coach, and one of the biggest fans of the game there is, I love it.

Both of the coaches in this game are great, and as Shaka Smart has his guys playing as good as anyone in the country. But for Butler to get here two seasons in a row, that’s a fine indication of how good Brad Stevens is. Rarely does any team make it to back-to-back Final Fours, but the fact that Stevens did it with Butler, when maybe his best player (Gordan Hayward) leaving after last season for the NBA, it’s flat out amazing.

However, I have to go with VCU in this one. They’ve been playing better basketball than anyone in the tournament, and one of these times Butler isn’t going to make that shot at the end to win the game. VCU continues to ride their hot streak on way to the NCAA Championship Game.

(11) VCU Rams (+2.5) @ (8) Butler Bulldogs (6:09 PM EST) (CBS)