Blue Collar Basketball

If you are a fan of blue collar basketball, tonight’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen game between Butler and Wisconsin is your kind of contest.

This game should be an interesting one, but ugly. If you are looking for style points, you better switch to the ABC program “Dancing with the Stars.”

Wisconsin is the favorite as the No. 4 seed. Badger basketball features tough defense and patient offense (better know as pass, pass, pass the ball, then shoot). Coach Bo Ryan just knows how to win. Point guard Jordan Taylor and post guy Jon Leuer are Wisconsin’s top players.

Butler came on the scene last year with a championship game appearance. The Bulldogs were thought to be down this season, but look at them now. The upset win over No. 1 seed Pittsburgh raised the national presence again. Like Wisconsin, Butler plays solid defense and finds enough offense. Guard Shelvin Mack and forward Matt Howard can provide the offense. Coach Brad Stevens national coach stock has risen in the last couple years, but the guy that looks like a college professor says he is happy at Butler.

Because both teams preach defense, this game could be decided on which team gets hot on the offensive end.

But regardless, prepare for that grinder game. This one won’t make many highlight reels. Trust me.