B/R Talks To Gordon Hayward on 2011 1-Seeds, the Final Four and the NBA
Here's the third and final part to our interview with former Butler Bulldog and mid-major hero, Gordon Hayward.
He's the player who fired the half-court shot at the final buzzer of the 2010 NCAA championship game that would have created the most incredible "One Shining Moment" in college basketball history.
For this year's NCAA tournament, Hayward is teaming with Subway in "Meatball Madness." To honor his Butler team making the title game as a No. 5 seed last year, if a No. 5 seed wins it all this year, Hayward has pledged to buy the $5 foot-long meatball-pepperoni sub for 5,555 fans.
Let's jump in one more time and hear what Gordon has to say about this year's No. 1 seeds, the Final Four and his transition from college star to NBA rookie.
On This Year's 1-Seeds
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GH: All four (of this year's No. 1's—Ohio State, Duke, Kansas and Pitt) are great teams.
Talented. Deep. Well-coached.
Some of the best players in the country.
Sullinger. Singler. Smith. The Morris brothers.
B/R: Is there anything that sets one of these a part from the others?
GH: Not really. They're each different but I don't think that I can break down the specifics.
B/R: That's honest.
On the 2011 Final Four
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B/R: Who do you think will make up this year's Final Four in Houston?
GH: Can't really make much of a prediction.
Ohio State has Sullinger inside. Diebler is an amazing shooter.
And the guy that may be the most important is Lighty (David Lighty, 6'5" senior wing). He came in with Oden and Conley and that recruiting class (2006). He makes a lot of things happen on offense and he is a lock-down defender.
Duke has a lot of players back from last year, and they were the best team that I have played against. They are so well-coached. They play hard all the time. They never take a possession off.
Because of that they put pressure on you both on offense and defense.
And the Duke players have tournament experience, and that means something. They've been there.
On the Transition from College Star to NBA Rookie
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B/R: What are the biggest differences between playing ball in college and in the NBA?
GH: The biggest difference is mental. It's such an investment. You go from where you're the guy and the ball is run through you and you get a lot of shots. To the NBA, where everyone was a star and you learn from the sidelines. Mentally, it's been a big adjustment.
B/R: Which one of your teammates on the Utah Jazz do you learn the most from?
GH: Raja Bell (11th year in the league) is a professional. He's a hard worker. Very focused. Intense on defense. Great shooter...Just being able to watch him prepare for games and practices helps me.
B/R: What has been the most difficult aspect of this season?
GH: Going through the season, we were having some ups and downs. Some success. And then Coach Sloan retired and we traded an NBA All-Star point guard (Deron Williams).
So, we got a new coach and lots of new players on the team. That's a lot to blend all at once. But, we're doing all right.
B/R: What are you doing to deal with the challenges and opportunities that come from all of that change?
GH: I'm trying to get better every day. I watch film. Watch my teammates. You just control what you can control, and that's focusing on doing what you can do.
B/R: Thanks Gordon for taking time to talk with us here at BleacherReport.com.
GH: You're welcome...Bring on the 5-seeds!
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