Bulldogs Can Win NCAA National TItle Game This Time

Butler was just a shot away from the NCAA Men's Basketball title last year. This year, the Bulldogs are back with their unforgiving defense once again bringing them back to the national title game in Houston, Texas. Standing in their way are the UConn Huskies.

Connecticut may have the talent in prolific scorer Kemba Walker. Walker has averaged over 23 points per game. He has also shown maturity in his shot selection and leadership by involving more team play. His average of almost eight assists per game shows that Walker trusts his rookie teammates Shabazz Napier, Roscoe Smith and Jeremy Lamb. On April 4, 2011 at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Walker would need more of his leadership skills against the Bulldogs defense.

UConn head coach Jim Calhoun may have the edge over the 34-year old Brad Stevens. Calhoun has two NCAA titles to his belt while Stevens has yet to earn one. However, Stevens has shown in the past that his calm demeanor has worked wonders for Butler. 

Expect Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack to step up on the offensive end against Connecticut. Howard is also expected to hit the glass for every rebound play as each possession matters in a crucial game like this. Ronald Nored will have his hands full hounding Walker on defense.

Butler has a shot at winning the title if they can limit Walker and UConn's highly touted freshmen. They have been in the same situation before and this time they may not need a last-second shot to earn their title.

Los Angeles Lakers Do Not Need Carmelo Anthony

Recent news about a potential trade between the Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets have surfaced. Following the failed trade talks between Denver and the New Jersey Nets, the Nuggets were left with the New York Knicks. However, the Knicks were no longer willing to give up too much for 'Melo. The Nuggets were caught in a bind and could not easily get rid of Anthony.

Here comes the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets can take Bynum but recent reports say that Jim Buss who has been essentially head of basketball operation being the son of owner Jerry Buss would not let go of his prized big man. The younger Buss has been responsible for drafting Bynum and he still sees the young player as part of the Lakers' future.

The Lakers do not need another prolific scorer in 'Melo. They already have enough scoring sock with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and company. What they need is a defensive threat in like Bynum. While the Lakers belong to the top offensive teams in the NBA, they have struggled on the defensive end.

Anthony may prove to be an asset in scoring but he is not known to be a great defender. He may even struggle adjusting to the Lakers' triangle offense and rotating the Lakers frontline would be a problem for coach Phil Jackson with Anthony, Artest and Odom possibly contesting for one position.

For the short-term, it would not be beneficial for the Lakers. For the long-term, they may stand to gain when Kobe's game has dramatically declined and the Lakers need a younger guy to take over the game. For now, the 'Melo trade talks with the Lakers only seem to be a ploy to gain more leverage in a trade with the Knicks.

The Knicks were willing to let go of Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry who has an expiring contract. This will surely not fly with the Nuggets who want something more valuable to the team in the short and long term. Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields and a few draft picks may do it for the Knicks... or perhaps they already know what Denver is trying to gain from reportedly exploring a trade with the LA Lakers.