VCU Rams (11) vs. Butler Bulldogs (8) Sat. April 2, 2011 6:09 p.m. EST

Coming into the Final Four this weekend, the most anticipated matchup will be without a doubt the Kentucky Wildcats (4) going up against the UConn Huskies (3). With that being said a lot of attention and hype will be directed at the late game, but the first game could prove to be epic as two of this season’s biggest underdogs in the Butler Bulldogs (8) and the VCU Rams (11) will go head-to-head for a chance to advance to the National Championship game.

Even though this is not unfamiliar territory for the Butler Bulldogs (8) as they were able to make it all the way to the national championship game last season and take the eventual NCAA champion Duke Blue Devils the distance in that game, this matchup will be much different as the VCU Rams (11) have been as resilient as any team in college basketball history in the NCAA Tournament and having never say die attitude which might lead them always the National Championship game.

There is no question that the Butler Bulldogs (8) run to the final four for second straight consecutive season has been impressive to say the least, but it would be hard to argue that the VCU Rams (11) aren’t by far the better team as they have faced stiffer competition throughout the 2011 NCAA Tournament and have been able to beat most of their opponents by 10 or more points, including the number one seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite Eight.

In my opinion, I don’t see the VCU Rams (11) losing until possibly the National Championship game as they should get past the Butler Bulldogs (8) in the Final Four. This will be a tight game for the majority of the contest as the Bulldogs are pretty resilient, but in the end I believe the Cinderella story will continue for the Rams.

Take the Rams at +2.5.

The online sportsbook odds for this matchup are:

Diamond Sportsbook:
Spread: VCU Rams +2.5 & Butler Bulldogs -2.5
Moneyline: VCU Rams +125 & Butler Bulldogs -145
Over/Under: VCU Rams 110 Butler Bulldogs 110 under (141)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: VCU Rams +2.5 & Butler Bulldogs -2.5
Moneyline: VCU Rams +125 & Butler Bulldogs -145
Over/Under: VCU Rams 110 Butler Bulldogs 110 under (141)

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