Duke was completely favored by the public for the 2010 NCAA Championship Tournament, with point spreads, money lines, and all other bets rising over the course of Sunday night. Although Duke was so highly favored, they almost didn’t win.

The buzzer sounded as the last shot of the game, coming from Gordon Hayward, was up in the air. Every single person in the stadium and at home was holding their breath and just waiting…waiting to see if the shot would swish through the hoop or if it would bounce of the rim and not make it in.

Although the arc was good, the ball bounced off the backboard and rammed into the front of the win and dropped to the floor rather than swishing through the net. Everyone thought it was going to make it in and so did Hayward. He hoped and prayed that the shot would make it, claiming him and his team a NCAA title, but it didn’t. If there had of just been a little bit less power behind the ball, it may have made it in. There was no sweet fairy tale ending for Butler. Duke claimed the NCAA title in the end.

Regardless of the fact that the Bulldogs didn’t win, Butler played the hardest that they have ever played in the tournament last night and that makes them a winner as well. Butler had decided that they were going to play their hardest and not give this championship title to Duke. If Duke wanted it bad enough, they were going to have to play harder than ever because Butler intended to make certain of that. They played hard and didn’t let up but in the end, Duke did come out with the title.

Both teams, overall, won something last night. Duke won their fourth NCAA championship title – they earned it and deserved it after the game last night. Alternatively, Butler has gained respect of many people from the way they played last night and after last night, Butler may start being a favorite among many sports bettors.

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