Elite Eight: Butler Bulldogs (8) vs. Florida Gators (2) Sat. March 26, 2011 4:30 p.m. EST

The Florida Gators (2) came into the 2011 NCAA Tournament flying relatively under the radar as they were able to snag the second seed in the Southwest Region. With Jimmer Fredette and the BYU Cougars (3) getting all the attention, head coach Billy Donovan was able to motivate his boys and lead them to the Elite Eight with an impressive win over the Cougars.

Now that the Florida Gators (2) have been able to defy the odds and go relatively unnoticed, they may be on the verge on facing their first real challenge in the form of the Butler Bulldogs (8). Last season the Bulldogs were able to do the impossible and be college basketball’s Cinderella story by paving their way all the way to the National Championship game to take on Coach K’s Duke Blue Devils.

Even though the Butler Bulldogs (8) were heavily underdogs coming into that championship game against arguably a superior team and college basketball program, the Bulldogs were able to hang tough and take the Blue Devils down to the wire. Unfortunately, even though they made a brilliant effort and NBA bound forward Gordon Haywood almost hit a half-court shot at the buzzer in the second half, the Bulldogs fell to the Blue Devils and left empty handed.

Despite losing arguably their best player to the NBA before this season in the form of Gordon Haywood, the Butler Bulldogs (8) have been able to defy the odds once again as they have made it to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season.

Coming into this Elite Eight showdown, the Butler Bulldogs (8) will be underdogs once again the Florida Gators (2) are -4 point favorites. Even though they are underdogs, I believe Butler (8) will come out on top.

Take the Bulldogs at +4 from either of these two top rated online sportsbooks:

DSI Diamond Sportsbook:
Spread: Butler Bulldogs +4 & Florida Gators -4
Moneyline: Butler Bulldogs +160 & Florida Gators -190
Over/Under: Butler Bulldogs 110 Florida Gators 110 under (133)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Butler Bulldogs +4 & Florida Gators -4
Moneyline: Butler Bulldogs +160 & Florida Gators -190
Over/Under: Butler Bulldogs 110 Florida Gators 110 under (133)

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