NBA News 2011: Oriakhi’s lifts UConn

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The Huskies held Butler to 12 field goals—the second-fewest in title game history—and just two points in the paint while blocking 10 shots and altering numerous others. The Bulldogs set a record for futility, making just 19 percent of their shots.

“I definitely think we got in their head,” said Oriakhi, who shook off first-half foul trouble to finish with 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. “They were second-guessing shots they were taking and if we didn’t block it we were able to alter it. I definitely think it frustrated them and we got them out of their comfort zone.”

It certainly looked that way.

The hulking 6-foot-9 Oriakhi and the rest of UConn’s muscular and long front line disrupted Butler’s timing and shook the Bulldogs’ confidence.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201104040129

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NBA News 2011: Butler back to national title game

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“We’re not going to settle on just getting back,” said Zach Hahn, who came up big off the bench in Butler’s 70-62 victory over VCU on Saturday night that gave the Bulldogs a do-over and ended the warm-and-fuzzy story of this year’s NCAA men’s tournament.

“I remember the sour taste it left in my mouth last year, and I just think this group, we’re here now and we have a chance. That’s all you can ask.”

Shelvin Mack scored 24 points, Hahn scored all eight of his points during a 90-second span in the second half that gave Butler control of the game for good and the Bulldogs shut down hot-shooting VCU with their trademark unforgiving defense. The eighth-seeded Bulldogs (28-9) will face Connecticut on Monday night, the lowest-seeded team to play for the national title since Villanova won it as a No. 8 seed in 1985.

“We’ve just got to be one shot better than last year,” coach Brad Stevens said.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201104020067

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