Butler: Just Another "George Mason"?

I was asked by a friend if perhaps Butler was just another mid-major that got "lucky" like George Mason, didn't end up winning the whole thing and were remembered as just a "Cinderella" from that particular year.

Now while part of it may be true, (George Mason ended up losing to eventual champion Florida in the Final Four, which also happened to be in Indianapolis) there is good reason to believe that Butler just might be in the mix of things for some time.

Even with Avery Jukes and Willie Veasley graduating, the Bulldogs might still have that "star" power with them in 2011. If Butler can get Gordon Hayward to return, he would be joined by pretty much the same team in Forward Matt Howard and Guards Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored. Throw in freshman-to-be Khyle Marshall (Davie, FL) and the Bulldogs could have a pretty scary squad next year. Plus, you never know which bench players could step up and ignite a squad which has 0 McDonald's All-American's but still manages to beat the toughest of opponents.

Butler also has one of the hottest coaches in the country right now in Brad Stevens. He has a career coaching record of 89-15 in only 3 seasons. If he decides to stick around for a while, you might just see that "0" next to "McDonald's All-American's" change. Heck, if Isiah "Thompson" (FIU AD mispronounced Isiah Thomas's name during press conference) can go for a 7-25 season and still manage to recruit players like Dominique Ferguson, I think Stevens could do some damage in the Hoosier state.

Now, because of Butlers run being so deep this year, while most teams with coaching vacancies have been in the process of looking to hire a new one, Butler might have been able to relax for a little. But according to The Indianapolis Star, "Butler cant afford to award Stevens, or anyone else, a $1 million salary package," the Indianapolis Star reported almost exactly one year ago. "What it can do is extend his contract, which the university announced today. After extending his pact a year ago through 2014-15, another season has been added, through 2015-16." Oregon is reportedly seeking to hire Stevens, with Eugene Register-Guard columnist George Schroeder saying "All indications are the Ducks are going after Brad Stevens -- which would be a very good hire."

With the coaching matter aside, remember that Butler is also in the Horizon league, respectfully, where they went 18-0 this year, 49-5 since Stevens's arrival. Not to bring down the level of competition, but the Horizon League is NO ACC or Big East, but they still have some quality teams in there to keep Butler awake along with a Non-Conference schedule that will probably be interesting to see next year.

While they might not make it to the championship (who was saying the same thing last year at this time?) , Butler is DEFINITELY going to be a team to keep a close eye on come next year, not just a school that will be remembered forever as "Butler from 2009".