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The NCAA championship game has finally arrived after three weeks of upsets and exhilarating finishes. Tonight's conclusion of the 2011 NCAA tournament features the Connecticut Huskies and Butler Bulldogs.

One team is trying to return to their glory days of the past, while the other returns to the championship game looking for its first shot at glory. It is a game with many storylines.

But one certainly takes precedence over all of the rest. That is the Butler Bulldogs attempting to become the first non-power conference program to win the basketball national championship since UNLV more than two decades ago.

But it isn't just the Cinderella story of a small school looking to knock off another big boy. The underdog card has been played to death already. Sure, it would do a world of good for so many of the small schools in America across the NCAA sports community if the Bulldogs were able to cut down the nets tonight. But it isn't even about that tonight.

The bottom line is that the NCAA wants Butler to defeat Connecticut tonight.

Scratch that last notion.

They need them to win the championship game tonight.

There are quite a few reasons why it would be a good thing for Butler to win it all tonight, but Pat Forde of ESPN brings up the number one reason.

Forde points out, "These are troubling times for college sports fans. Auburn won the 2010 football national title while under NCAA investigation. The team it beat in the BCS Championship Game, Oregon, is currently under investigation. And the team Butler will oppose Monday night, Connecticut, was hit with sanctions in late February for major NCAA violations."

Jim Calhoun is suspended for part of next season, if he decides to return following this season. The school is also in hot water now that Nate Miles has reportedly decided to open up to the NCAA regarding all of the violations.

Look at what happened at UConn, Auburn and Oregon. Look at Texas A&M and LSU. Or what about North Carolina? The list goes on and on and there is no end in sight.

As entertaining as it would be for Congress to believe that they can get involved and fix the recruiting problems plaguing the NCAA, it will not fix the dark cloud that hovers over college sports.

The NCAA needs a program without any controversy to win a championship. They need a good story to be able to sell when they are looking to profit on their sports.

Forde says, "Think of the statement made if the Bulldogs can win a national title by recruiting smart, high-character, low-maintenance players. Think of the impact they could make by winning it all without operating in the so-called gray area, which in most instances is really the cheating-but-not-caught area.

"Think of the adrenaline shot college athletics would get from a champion that hasn't succumbed completely to the facilities and salaries arms race."

With all of that being said, the NCAA is rooting for a team to win tonight. It is hoping that the program with no black marks against it can help the NCAA clean up its image.

The NCAA is rooting for the Butler Bulldogs to win the 2011 NCAA championship.

The NCAA is not rooting for the underdog. In fact, they generally do not show any support or favoritism toward the underdog. They are a corporation in a way, which basically allows the "big boys" to have all of the advantages. But tonight, for one night only, the NCAA is rooting for the Cinderella story.

It is what the NCAA needs.

For more on tonight's big game, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor Matt Krummel, who takes a look at the 2011 NCAA National Championship: Breaking Down Butler and UConn.

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The NCAA championship game has finally arrived, and there is a lot more at stake than the 2011 NCAA national championship. Depending on the outcome, one team can make history, while the other can shape the future.

The Connecticut Huskies are looking to tie Duke for fifth with four national championships, while Jim Calhoun is looking to take home his third title. Kemba Walker is trying to take a team that missed the 2010 NCAA tournament to a national championship the following season.

But tonight isn't about UConn—you already knew that. The headline more or less gave it away.

The Butler Bulldogs can single-handedly change the future of the NCAA. All they have to do is defeat Connecticut tonight.

Butler reached this game last season as well, but fell a half-court three-pointer shy of cutting down the nets. This year, they are hoping that the outcome will be different. Many schools in Butler's situation are also hoping and rooting for a different outcome.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports says that Butler can do a world of good for many schools if they are able to topple the Huskies tonight.

Parrish points out, "But no school like Butler or one from a league like the Horizon has won a championship in the modern era, and it's been more than two decades since a program operating without the advantages provided by the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Big East, Pac-10 or SEC has cut nets on a Monday night in April.

"Consequently, most of us decided at some point that it's simply not possible anymore, that the gap between the haves and have-nots is too wide, that magical runs are fun to watch but they will always come up short. And yet for the second straight year, a private school based in Indianapolis with a little more than 4,000 students has an opportunity to smash that theory to pieces and take it off the table, forever and always."

Parrish also points out, "What's interesting is that practically everybody with similar tastes—TCU fans, Boise State fans, pretty much everybody except Connecticut fans—will be pulling for Butler, too, because the Bulldogs represent something much larger than themselves."

This will not be easy. Connecticut is not going to lie down for the Bulldogs tonight just so all of the non-power conference schools can gain some hope for the future. The game means too much. But if Butler can pull off one more upset, they could change the landscape of NCAA sports for the better. At least we could then hope for some more justice.

Parrish concludes, "It's not the Ohio State-Kansas matchup most projected three weeks ago, and it's not a game full of lottery picks and future NBA MVPs. But it is a game that could reshape the way people view college athletics and remove the word 'can't' from our vocabulary forever."

He is right. In fact, the ratings could actually suffer in a way without programs such as Ohio State, Kansas, Duke, North Carolina and UCLA. But for programs such as VCU, TCU, Boise State, San Diego State and many others, this could be the most important NCAA championship game in the history of the NCAA.

For more on Howard and the Bulldogs, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at the NCAA Championship Game 2011: 5 Keys to a Butler Victory.

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Jim Calhoun will look to lead the Connecticut Huskies to their third national championship under his guidance as they take on the Butler Bulldogs in tonight's NCAA championship game. But regardless of whether or not the Huskies win, will the UConn legend be coaching his last game in Houston tonight?

Calhoun is 68 years old and has battled health issues over the past few years. He is in the middle of an investigation regarding recruiting violations involving Nate Miles, and it has already been announced that the legendary coach will be suspended for part of next season—that is, if he decides to return.

He has done it all at the college level, and there is certainly nothing left to prove. With that being said, will the stubborn coach know enough when it is time to call it quits?

Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports reports that is never that easy, at least when it comes to the UConn basketball leader.

Doyel says, "Let's point out that Calhoun turns 69 next month. That he has battled cancer three times, and has missed games in 2008, '09 and '10 because of stress. That he fell off a bike in June 2009 and broke five ribs. He's an old man with grandkids he rarely sees, and he's on top.

"But if he comes back next season, he'll be on bottom—because he has been suspended for the Huskies' first three Big East games after the NCAA ruled Calhoun hadn't created within his program an atmosphere of compliance."

But like I already said, things are never as simple as they first appear when it comes to the coaching career of Calhoun.

Doyel also noted, "Nothing about the man is easy. He's stubborn, competitive and combative. Assuming UConn beats Butler on Monday night, everyone will tell him it's time to retire. Which probably increases the odds that he won't. You don't tell Calhoun what to do.

"Remember that time in 2009, when a camera-loving political activist wanted to know how Calhoun could happily cash his checks for $1.6 million in a year when the state economy was in the garbage can? The activist couldn't even finish his question before Calhoun bellowed, 'Not a dime back!'"

One thing is certain. Win or lose tonight, Calhoun will make no immediate announcement. He will sit back and enjoy some time with his family, while awaiting the news of whether or not his star player, Kemba Walker, will declare himself eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft.

He will also await further word from the NCAA after they speak with Miles to see if there will be a more severe punishment against him and his program.

Then, and only then, will Calhoun make his decision.

And whatever everyone believes it will be, you can bet smart money on the exact opposite. That is just the type of person and coach that Calhoun has come to be known as throughout his career.

For more on Calhoun and his Huskies in tonight's title contest, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at the NCAA Championship Game 2011: 5 Keys to a UConn Victory.

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The UConn basketball program has had a lot of ups and downs over the last couple of years. They missed the 2010 NCAA tournament, then did not even fare well in the NIT tournament.

They rebounded in a huge way this season, however, as they now find themselves in the 2011 NCAA championship game against the Butler Bulldogs. But while they may reach a huge high tonight, it could all come crashing down on them very soon afterward.

Not only could they lose Kemba Walker to the NBA, but Jim Calhoun could also retire. Partly because of age and health concerns, but also because Calhoun is at the center of yet another NCAA scandal. While Calhoun may be currently undecided about his future, former recruit Nate Miles could make his call a little easier, depending on what he tells the NCAA Rules and Infractions Committee.

According to Adam Wojnarowski and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports, "Miles was provided with lodging, transportation, restaurant meals and representation by Josh Nochimson—a professional sports agent and former UConn student manager—between 2006 and 2008, according to multiple sources. As a representative of UConn’s athletic interests, Nochimson was prohibited by NCAA rules from having contact with Miles and from providing him with anything of value."

Originally, Miles was not willing to talk, but reportedly, he has changed his mind.

Yahoo! also reported that Calhoun "declared Miles had 'as much basketball ability' as any recruit he ever signed. Made 16 phone calls with Nochimson, including a three-minute, 58-second call the week Miles was to make one of his campus visits."

Yet although Miles is allegedly ready to talk, his word may not carry as much merit and meaning as one would originally think.

Pete Thamel of The New York Times says, "Miles, for many, is less than a fully credible character. He was kicked out of UConn before playing a game, and well before the scandal involving his recruitment became public. He said, after interviews with The New York Times, that he would demand to be paid for any other media interviews. And Miles’s admissions about taking cash from an agent conflict with a sworn statement he gave the NCAA."

Whether or not Miles is the most stand-up person, his testimony will likely slap further penalties on the Huskies' basketball program, thus hurting their chances to compete for another national championship any time soon.

For more on recruiting issues plaguing the NCAA, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Correspondent Rob Kelley, who takes a humorous and sarcastic look at Congress Loves Sports: So Why Don't They Try to Fix NCAA Recruiting?

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Shelvin Mack will be playing in his second consecutive NCAA championship game tonight when his Butler Bulldogs take on the Connecticut Huskies. Mack is the emotional leader and one of the top scorers on his team, but the junior is undecided as far as whether or not he will return for his senior season at Butler.

Mack can play at the amateur level. That much is true. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he is at Butler playing in the Horizon League. He could play—and play well—in any conference in America. Mack faces a lot of comparisons and smiliarities to one of his opponents tonight in Kemba Walker.

Andy Katz of ESPN says that "both are at the very least mid-first-round NBA draft picks if they choose to declare by April 24."

Both players, who competed as teammates on the USA Select Team at the FIBA World Championships in Turkey, also see the similarities.

According to Katz, "There are a lot of similarities," Mack said of the pair. "He does a great job of making his teammates better. A few games this year, he had a chance to take the game-winning shot, but he passed it off to someone else. I do the same thing. It's just the right basketball play." 

Katz also reported that Walker saw the same, and talked about what impressed him about Mack.

"Just his ability to make shots," Walker said of Mack. "He makes tough shots all the time that are really hard to guard. He makes shots where you're playing great defense, but he just has better offense. I definitely saw that, playing against the USA team and I think that's what makes Shelvin so good."

But does that make Mack a solid pro prospect?

I agree that if he leaves after this season, he will be a late first-round pick. What he has done for Butler will earn him at least that much.

But while some see Mack as a lottery pick, I'm not sure his future will resemble where he was selected. I know it is like comparing apples and oranges, but when is the last time you heard Gordon Hayward's name mentioned at the NBA level? How many of you can even remember where he is playing?

Mack is a different player, and he draws many comparisons to Walker at the collegiate level. But at the next level, I could not name too many executives who would rather have Mack than Walker.

For more on tonight's big matchup and a retrospective on other shining moments, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look back at the 2011 NCAA Final Four: Top 10 Shining Moments in Championship Game History.

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The NCAA championship game is all set between the Connecticut Huskies and Butler Bulldogs. Jim Calhoun is looking to win his third national championship at UConn, while Brad Stevens is looking to avenge last season's two-point loss in the championship game to the Duke Blue Devils.

Once again, CBS has full coverage of all the action of the night, starting with the pregame beginning at 9:00 PM. The actual opening tip is scheduled for 9:23 PM, and you can stay tuned for the postgame festivities, including the trophy presentation, as well as the traditional One Shining Moment montage to conclude the 2011 NCAA tournament.

Jim Nantz will call the game along with Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr. Tracy Wolfson is expected to serve as the broadcaster on the court. 

The studio show will take place before the game and at halftime, with Greg Gumbel leading the way with Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Seth Davis and Kenny Smith. 

If you cannot watch the game, or would prefer to watch with the mute button on, Westwood One will have the live radio broadcast. Kevin Lugler, John Thompson and Bill Raftery will have the on-air call.

This championship will conclude a historical tournament. It was the first ever NCAA tournament to feature no No. 1 or No. 2 seeds in the Final Four. It was also the largest NCAA tournament of all time, with 68 teams to start. 

But for the Huskies and Bulldogs, history is of no concern. All they care bout is being able to cut down the nets after the final buzzer sounds.

Unfortunately, only one will be able to live their own One Shining Moment.

For more on tonight's big matchup and a retrospective on other shining moments, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look back at the 2011 NCAA Final Four: Top 10 Shining Moments in Championship Game History.

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Matt Howard is leading the Butler Bulldogs against the Connecticut Huskies in tonight's 2011 NCAA championship game. It is his second consecutive trip to the title game, but what will the future hold for the senior from Connersville, Indiana?

Howard will enter the 2011 NBA Draft and hope to land somewhere in the first round. His strong inside play on both ends of the floor has certainly gotten him noticed. While they may not always be pretty or easy, Howard's numbers continue to speak for themselves. He can bang around inside, crash the boards and post up against good defenders. 

At least, that is all true at the collegiate level.

Howard is an undersized power forward, yet he does not have enough athletic ability and agility to be a small forward at the NBA level. If he remains one of those dreaded "tweeners," then finding a home could be difficult.

But you cannot overlook the hustle that Howard shows in each and every game. He scraps, claws, fights and battles for every loose ball. He sets picks that will knock your teeth out if you are not paying attention. He goes after the offensive players in an attempt to discourage from driving at him the next play.

You have to admire all of that on so many levels.

But what type of professional can Howard be if everything falls into place? He is in the perfect situation for a player of his caliber, and the system he plays in is further proof.

You have to be tough to play at Butler. You also have to be tough to play in the NBA (just ask the Miami Heat how things have been going so far this season). Howard exemplifies that attribute.

Mike Freeman of CBS Sports says that Howard can certainly be physical enough to advance to the next level.

Freeman pointed out, "One good example of Butler's physical style (and pushing that envelope) actually came in the championship game last year when Matt Howard set a brutal pick on Duke's Kyle Singler which was so hard Singler's molars went back in time."

Howard plays with a physical prowess that is nearly unmatched at the collegiate level. But is it to cover up a lack of athleticism necessary to play at the next level? That question will not be answered until October.

For more on Howard and the Bulldogs, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at the NCAA Championship Game 2011: 5 Keys to a Butler Victory.

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Kemba Walker is looking to bring the NCAA national championship back to Storrs, Connecticut, as he leads his Huskies against the Butler Bulldogs tonight. While Walker is playing for the title, he may also be playing for a better projection for the 2011 NBA Draft.

Then again, maybe he has already decided that he is going to declare himself eligible for the draft, regardless of what happens tonight. But playing a solid all-around game en route to cutting down the nets as national champs could help Walker move up the draft boards of teams everywhere even more.

Walker is completing his junior season. He is one of the best players in the country, and has been throughout the majority of the season. And to that end, no one player has been more clutch this season than Walker.

He hit game-winners against Texas and Villanova in the regular season, carried the Huskies on his back for five wins in five days in the Big East Conference Tournament, and has now brought UConn to within one win of capturing a national championship.

Simply put, he has been incredible this season, and will probably enter the draft in June. But is it a foregone conclusion?

Of course not. Nothing is a guarantee. Not in basketball and not in life. But if Walker does win it all tonight, is there any possible reason why he would not leave the Huskies for the NBA?

Seth Davis of SI.com says that UConn will defeat Butler tonight, and Walker will be the biggest reason for that outcome.

"Kemba Walker isn't just a mega talent," says Davis. "He's the best leader who has played in this tournament since Michigan State's Mateen Cleaves. The bottom line is, Walker is a winner, and he doesn't mind if he has to win ugly. Because when you're the last team standing on Monday night, everything is beautiful."

Davis is correct. Walker is that good. And if certain players do return for their sophomore, junior and senior seasons, Walker could elevate himself to a top-five pick, depending on how things play out tonight. Nothing short of an injury could keep him in school after this game.

Knock on wood.

For more on the championship game tonight, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor Matt Stein, who previews the NCAA Championship Game 2011: Can Kemba Walker Carry UConn to Victory?

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Shelvin Mack has led the Butler Bulldogs to their second consecutive NCAA championship game. As improbable of a run the Bulldogs are on, it may be equally as improbable that Mack is still not as well known to college basketball fans in comparison to players who receive more attention.

Mack is the point guard for the team that has advanced to the NCAA tournament championship for the second straight season. He has not accomplished this feat for Duke, or North Carolina, or Kentucky or UCLA. He has done it at Butler.

Not exactly a traditional powerhouse.

Mack is an offensive catalyst for the Bulldogs. Gordon Hayward got the credit last season. Matt Howard receives the attention this season. While both are very deserving, Mack often gets overlooked.

But not by his opponents and teammates.

Mack teamed with college stars including his opponent tonight, Kemba Walker, as well as Duke guard Nolan Smith, against the USA national team that competed in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey last summer. Walker certainly is aware of the type of player Mack is on the floor.

Andy Katz of ESPN reported: "I put him right up there," Walker said of Mack. "He doesn't get the recognition that myself and Nolan and Jimmer [Fredette] and us got, but his team is playing in the national championship game. What more can you say? He's a great player and he definitely deserves a lot of attention."

Katz says that "Mack has indeed emerged again, proving to be the player that he was a year ago in leading Butler to the national title game with Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard. He's done it again this tournament with 30 points against Pitt, 27 against Florida and 24 against VCU."

Mack has been the consummate professional. Actually, with all of the violations and rules being ignored by so many programs nowadays, I guess I should rephrase that sentence. He has been the ultimate amateur, I suppose.

He shows up every game and leaves it all on the court. He doesn't complain about calls. He doesn't let the media attention that other players receive get to him because he plays in the Horizon League. He just shows up and wills his team to victory.

If Mack can continue to play the way he is capable of, Butler has a chance to defeat Connecticut tonight. But if Walker and his Huskies can get the better of his former teammate, it will be Mack who continues to fly under the radar.

That is, until he reaches the NBA next season or in two years and lets everyone know just how much game he has on the court.

For more on Howard and the Bulldogs, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at the NCAA Championship Game 2011: 5 Keys to a Butler Victory.

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UConn is looking to capture its third national championship tonight under head coach Jim Calhoun. They are banking on Kemba Walker to achieve that accomplishment, but will this be the last time we see both of those men leading the Huskies in the NCAA tournament?

Connecticut will be the favorites over the Butler Bulldogs in Houston tonight, and with good cause. Walker is one of the best players in the country, and he has demonstrated that for the last couple of months. While other players may walk away with more hardware this year, make no mistake about the fact that Walker could take home two most important awards after tonight.

Walker could easily leave Houston as a national champion and Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA tournament.

Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger and Brandon Knight do not have any of those accolades. Tell me that each of them would not trade situations with Walker right about now.

But while Walker could certainly declare for the 2011 NBA Draft after his junior season concludes tonight, he may not be the only Huskies star to leave Storrs within the next couple of months.

Much has been said when it comes to the future of Calhoun. Between his age, his health and his looming suspension, Calhoun could decide to walk away after tonight, regardless of the final outcome. It may be the best thing to do, both for him and the school.

I know that will not be a popular sentiment amongst Huskies fans, but it is not one without merit. The NCAA is likely to go a bit easier if Calhoun does retire, and it is not yet known what types of penalties they could be looking at down the road. 

Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports says that many factors could help Calhoun decide his future.

"Again, let's make this as easy as possible," says Doyel. "Let's point out that Calhoun turns 69 next month. That he has battled cancer three times, and has missed games in 2008, '09 and '10 because of stress. That he fell off a bike in June 2009 and broke five ribs. He's an old man with grandkids he rarely sees, and he's on top.

"But if he comes back next season, he'll be on bottom—because he has been suspended for the Huskies' first three Big East games after the NCAA ruled Calhoun hadn't created within his program an atmosphere of compliance."

I have no idea if Calhoun is considering retirement after tonight's game. I would assume that many things will factor into his decision. 

First, if Walker does leave as expected, would Calhoun follow him out the door? He has become very close with his star point guard, so he may not want to rebuild this program again, especially if sanctions are brought against the school.

Second, would winning tonight push him closer to retiring? Would he only go out on top, or leave if he feels this is the best he can do for the foreseeable future?

Finally, how is his health? He should start spending more time taking care of himself and spending time with his family. Is that time now?

No one knows what will happen. Personally, if the Huskies win tonight, I see Walker entering the NBA draft and Calhoun stepping down. If they lose, then all bets are off, at least in my opinion.

For more on tonight's big game, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor Matt Krummel, who takes a look at the 2011 NCAA National Championship: Breaking Down Butler and UConn.

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Brad Stevens is leading the Butler Bulldogs in tonight's 2011 NCAA championship game. It is his and Butler's second consecutive appearance in the finals, although they came up two points shy of cutting down the nets in last season's tournament title game.

He is looking for a different ending to this Cinderella story when the buzzer sounds tonight. Oddly enough, that could come right around midnight.

Stevens has led the improbable run of the Bulldogs two straight seasons. He is one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country, and many people figure that he is as good as gone following the 2011 NCAA championship game.

They figure wrong.

Why in the world would Stevens leave now? It wouldn't make any sense. Where do these people have him going? 

Would Stevens consider leaving Butler for North Carolina State? Why would he possibly make that move? To go play against North Carolina and Duke a couple of times each season? Please.

Where else? Miami? Would Stevens leave Butler to head down to Coral Gables to coach the Hurricanes? Seriously.

Perhaps, Stevens would leave Butler for UNLV. He could try and get the Runnin' Rebels back to their glory days of two decades ago. Would he leave the Bulldogs to replace Lon Kruger in Vegas? Really?

Stevens is not going anywhere, and there is no sane reason why he would right now. The time is not right at all. Neither are the openings.

Stevens turned down the Oregon Ducks last season, and he could have had all the money he wanted and practice in a top-notch facility. He also could have coached on the ugliest court in the nation, but that is another article for another day. But he said no.

Of course he said no! It was Oregon. They are not exactly known as a basketball powerhouse. Why leave a great program at Butler for the Ducks? Clearly, money is not the deciding factor for Stevens, which is refreshing to see nowadays.

Stevens should only consider leaving if a perennial contender comes calling. Dana O'Neil of ESPN was talking about Butler athletic director Barry Collier and his chances to retain Stevens. 

O'Neil reported that Collier quipped, "It's going to take a school capable of going to back-to-back-to-back national championship games to take him away."

Hmmm.

Isn't that Butler already? Obviously, Collier was humorously getting at exactly that point.

O'Neil also reported that Stevens was quoted as saying, "You hear people say all the time, 'The grass is greener somewhere else,'" Stevens said. "Well, I think the grass is very green at Butler. Certainly there can be green grass at other places. You understand that. You see people go through it. You see sometimes it works out for people and sometimes it doesn't. But like I've said many times, we're happy."

Stevens is very content at Butler, as well as he should be—at least for the time being. He would be insane to leave the program after the season. It just wouldn't make sense.

Now, if certain high-profile jobs happened to become vacant for any reason later this month or over the next couple of seasons, that would be another story. I don't have any inside information, so this is purely hypothetical, but what if Mike Krzyzewski finally left Duke and took over behind the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers? Or if Jim Calhoun does in fact retire at Connecticut?

If those types of programs were to find themselves in need of a great coach, then Stevens would be insane not to jump ship.

But again, that is in the future of hypothetical situations. For now, Butler is his ideal situation.

For more on the Bulldogs and their head coach, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at Butler and the NCAA Tournament: 10 Reasons Brad Stevens Will Be the Next Coach K.

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The Butler Bulldogs are looking to tie the 1985 Villanova Wildcats as the lowest seed (No. 8) to ever win an NCAA tournament championship. They can accomplish that feat tonight with a victory over the Connecticut Huskies.

But while they would both be the lowest seeds to ever cut down the nets, does anyone truly see the Bulldogs as equally as big of underdogs as the Wildcats were when they knocked off the Georgetown Hoyas back in 1985?

A few things make it unlikely that any team will win a national championship and be considered as big of an underdog as Villanova was back then, including Butler if they are to come up victorious tonight against Connecticut.

First, Butler is playing a No. 3 seed Huskies team, and one that was unlikely to even reach the Final Four when the tournament pairings were announced. The Wildcats knocked off the best team in the country when they defeated the Hoyas.

Second, Butler has been here before, although they came up two points shy in last season's title game against the Duke Blue Devils. They were seeded lower this year following the departure of Gordon Hayward to the NBA, but it cannot come as a complete shock that they have advanced to this point once again.

Brad Stevens knows how to get the most out of this team, and he has proven it in consecutive seasons.

Also, when Villanova won it all, Ed Pinckney was their best player, and never generated much buzz as far as a NBA prospect. He was a serviceable player at the next level, but not exactly one who opponents feared when the Wildcats took on bigger and better teams.

Butler had Hayward last season, and Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack both have first-round potential written all over them.

J.P. Giglio of the Charlotte News-Observer reported that Villanova may have been the ultimate underdog to win the NCAA championship game.

Giglio wrote that "Villanova, a No. 8 seed, began its title run with a 19-10 record. The Wildcats finished fourth in the Big East, at 0-7, behind the No. 1 (Georgetown), No. 3 (St. John's) and No. 15 (Syracuse) teams in the country. They didn't win the regular season or the conference tournament."

So while Butler is a great Cinderella story and one who many people will be rooting for tonight, they are not the same as the team that won it all in 1985.

Simply put, the 2011 Butler Bulldogs are not the 1985 Villanova Wildcats.

For more on tonight's big matchup and a retrospective on other shining moments, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look back at the 2011 NCAA Final Four: Top 10 Shining Moments in Championship Game History.

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Matt Howard has battled this season to get the Butler Bulldogs back to the NCAA championship game. It may be nearly as improbable as their run last year, but Howard is a main reason for their continued success.

But while Howard seems to get his numbers in each and every game, I'm not sure if there was ever a more effective player in the NCAA tournament who got his numbers in an uglier way.

Don't take that as me insulting Howard. It is not necessarily meant in that way. He battles and fights and scraps for every ball. He constantly gets fouled, but he will not get nearly as many calls as other players in his position.

But it doesn't matter how it gets done, as long as he and his Bulldogs continue to come out victorious.

So far, that has been just the case.

But can Howard get Butler past the Connecticut Huskies in tonight's NCAA championship game? Granted, this is not a typical Jim Calhoun team, as they do not have any prominent shot blockers. Normally, you do not dare to go inside against UConn, but this year is different.

They play small ball, which is actually right up the alley of the Bulldogs.

This may not be a pretty game. Ones involving Butler rarely are, at least as of late. But Butler is not built upon looks. They are the underdog who has to fight, scrap and claw their way to victory against "bigger and better" teams.

And if Howard can get it done on both ends of the floor, then there is a chance, at least, that Butler can match the 1985 Villanova Wildcats as the lowest seed (No. 8) to win a national championship.

For more on Howard and the Bulldogs, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Doug Brodess, who takes a look at the NCAA Championship Game 2011: 5 Keys to a Butler Victory.

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Harrison Barnes has made no official announcement concerning his future plans, but there are reports surfacing today that the freshman phenom will return to North Carolina for his sophomore season with the Tar Heels.

Marty Tirrell, who hosts the radio show The Mouth of the Midwest for ESPN 1700 in Iowa, tweeted that Barnes is returning to North Carolina for his sophomore season, and that an announcement will be made official on Tuesday.

Tirrell tweeted, "Harrison Barnes commits to 'work left to be done' at NC Tells family and friends wants and feel Heels can move forward and ' win a title'. "

While it is unknown how much stock can be put into Tirrell's tweets, he was the first one to break the news that Barnes would attend UNC when the signings were still being announced across the country.

Jonathan Jones of The Daily Tar Heel reported that Barnes' mother, Shirley, said, "He has goals and I think he wants to fulfill those goals." Granted, we do not know if those goals include winning a national championship or entering the NBA draft. One could certainly outweigh the other.

Barnes was the first freshman ever to be named an AP preseason All-American. He finished the season as ACC Rookie of the Year, averaging 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 42.3 percent shooting.

He had ridiculously high goals placed upon him, especially as a freshman, and he did very well to handle the pressure. With that being said, I still feel as if he should return to the Heels to polish his all around game. He is not quite ready to make the jump to the NBA, and I fear that he could wind up like Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright, who both left Carolina after one season to go pro, but things have not exactly panned out for either one as of yet.

Barnes is not alone at North Carolina. John Henson and Tyler Zeller are also in the news as potential first-round draft picks. Henson could be a lottery pick because of his wingspan and shot blocking ability, while Zeller shows promise as a power forward.

But both should certainly return for at least one more season and preferably bulk up for next season. They cannot play at the next level if they do not get more physical inside.

As of now, it is just speculation, but it would certainly be in Barnes' best interests to return for another season. If his teammates can do the same, along with the freshmen coming to the Tar Heels next semester, the 2011-2012 season could be a very special one in Chapel Hill.

But it all starts with No. 40 and the decision he makes about his future.

For more on the North Carolina Tar Heels and Barnes' potential scenarios, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor David Martin, who takes a look at the NBA Draft 2011: Why All Three North Carolina Draft Prospects Will Return in 2012.

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Kemba Walker has been leading the Connecticut Huskies the entire season, and the results could not have been more positive. But after tonight, will he be leaving the Huskies to jump to the next level?

Walker will undoubtedly take home the Most Outstanding Player award if UConn is fortunate enough to come out on top in the 2011 NCAA championship game. He is also likely to enter the NBA draft following tonight's finale.

But will that decision be based solely on whether or not the Huskies win it all tonight?

If Connecticut is victorious, and Walker does have another excellent showing, you would have to figure that he is as good as gone. He will have done it all at the collegiate level, and there would be nothing left for him to prove. I know that people always say that winning another national championship is always something to prove, but that generally works more against the player than for them.

Take Kyle Singler of the Duke Blue Devils, for example. Singler led Duke to a national championship last season, but decided that he would return for his senior season and look to make it consecutive titles.

Had he come out last year, he was a projected lottery pick. This year, Duke did not even advance to the Elite Eight, and Singler may not even get drafted in the first round in June. Financially, he would have been better off coming out last season.

Therefore, could Walker wind up in a similar situation? He is a projected lottery pick if he declares himself eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft. If he leads Connecticut tonight, he could find himself in the top 10. 

But what if he returns to school for his senior season? Sure, he could win back-to-back titles at Connecticut. It is a possibility, although it will depend on what some of the other highly touted underclassmen decide to do about playing next season. 

But maybe the Huskies do not win it all next season. Maybe they take a step backward and suffer some injuries. Maybe Walker even gets injured at some point. Maybe he doesn't suffer an injury, but he struggles. Maybe better players declare for the draft next season than this one. Maybe new rules make it impossible for players to resist coming out early next season.

It is a lot of maybe situations, but as we know, anything can happen.

In my opinion, Walker will—and should—go pro after tonight's game, regardless of the outcome. While Eric Angevine of CBS Sports says that the team will be fine due to their young talent, he sees Walker making the same decision I do shortly after the buzzer sounds in Houston.

"But Kemba Walker will leave Storrs," Angevine says. "The clock is ticking, and right around midnight on Monday could be the start of a new chapter for Walker and for the school he's called home for the past three seasons. It will be an occasion for sadness and reflection for the Huskies, but not a time to panic."

Walker needs to do what is best for him and his family. He has done everything within his power to help his Huskies family. Now, he will help them win a national championship before he decides to call the NBA his new home.

For more on the championship game tonight, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor Matt Stein, who previews the NCAA Championship Game 2011: Can Kemba Walker Carry UConn to Victory?