Connect Four

8 Butler vs 11 Virginia Commonwealth, 6:09 PM ET, CBS

For the first time in NCAA history, not a single one or two seeded team will be competing in the Final Four. The Bulldogs and the Rams kick off the round of four in a game that, regardless of outcome, will go down in history. As the unpredictable, captivating tournament reaches its final stages, either an eighth or eleventh seed will be battling it out against the winner of UConn-Kentucky. To make it all the way to Houston, both Butler and VCU shocked the world of college basketball as they stormed through each round, each win more surprising than the last. VCU stunned Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Kansas (they were also required to play a First Four game to secure a spot in the tournament).  Butler, runner-up in last year's tournament, conquered Old Dominion, Pitt, Wisconsin and Florida. This game will undoubtedly be an exciting one; both teams’ players have consistently pulled through in defining moments and both teams’ coaches bring a fresh youthful spirit to the court.

Starting Lineups

Butler: Andrew Smith (C), Matt Howard (F), Ronald Nored (G), Shawn Vanzant (G), Shelvin Mack (G)

VCU: DJ Haley (C), Jamie Skeen (F), Joey Rodriguez (G), Bradford Burgess (G), Ed Nixon (G)

Player to Watch: Brandon Rozzell, G, VCU

If you don’t know the big boys on the court by now, you don’t care much for college basketball.  Rozzell, though not a stater, brings big points off the bench. The VCU senior has been on fire with his three-point shooting throughout this tournament.  He made 6-of-10 against Georgetown, finishing the game with 26 points. He drained three three’s during the second half against Florida State, and four three’s during the first half against Kansas. His enthusiasm and confidence on the court is captivating.

In my Bracket: VCU

This is going to be one hell of a great basketball game.  In the end, it’s going to come down to the way Butler can defend the Rams outstanding 3-point shooting.  On the road to the Final Four, VCU has hit 43 percent of their 3-point shots.  In other words, they have hit 65 of 146 attempts. Although their 3-point shooting was a little under 36 percent during the regular season, the Rams have not faltered on this NCAA run: 9-of-24 against USC, 12-of-25 against Georgetown, 8-of-21 against Purdue, 12-of-26 against Florida State, and 12-of-25 against Kansas.  The Bulldogs definitely have the advantage in experience, making it to the championship game last year and losing to Duke by a mere basket.  During the regular season, Butler only allowed opponents to make 32% of three-point shots. Throughout this tournament, that statistic has only improved. Give me VCU in a memorable one.

-Oritt Blum