NCAA March Madness 2010: Butler Ends Murray State's Cinderella Shuffle

Despite getting minimal point production from its bench (three), the Horizon League champion Butler Bulldogs ended Murray State's Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament, by hanging on by the skin of its teeth, 54-52.

Butler guard Ronald Nored blazed toward the rack, sinking his shot, and drawing the foul in the most important possession of the game. Nored scored a game-high 15 points. Gordon Hayward added 12, Shelvin Mack finished with 11, and Willie Veasley contributed eight to the Bulldogs' offense.

And that was that for the Racers.

In a game that many felt was Murray State's to lose—the Racers did. After toppling fourth seeded Vanderbilt in the first round, B.J. Jenkins and company had all of Kentucky cheering for its "other" team in the tournament. 

Everyone has their underdog—the country is in love with the "Cinderellas" right about now, right? 

And why not?

The teams we don't expect to win that have success are a testament to the tournament's moniker of "March Madness," and indeed, it is maddening.

The Racers had a great run. No one gave them a chance to knock off Vandy—and they did it by the slimmest of margins, 66-65.

No long faces here: Murray State advanced past where most thought it would.

One thing is certain. Racer fans can look forward to the development of their phenomenal frosh, Isaiah Canaan. Canaan scored a team-high 14 points—off the bench.

The Racers made the Ohio Valley Conference proud, but the Butler Bulldogs, a perennially overlooked team, have something to prove.

Indianapolis' north-siders aren't just your garden variety mid-major. Butler is an actual "Cinderella" that can dance, and coach Brad Stevens' team came to cut a rug.

The Bulldogs have set themselves up for a date with Jordan Crawford (and his 20 points per game) and the high-flying Xavier Musketeer offense in the Sweet 16 (should Xavier beat Pitt).

Atlantic 10 vs. Horizon League in the Sweet 16? Stranger things have happened.

This year's March melee has shaped up to be one for the underdogs, overlooked and plain discounted.

Another bracket busted, another game to watch—that's why we love March.