Bulldogs put bite on Cinderella, back in Sweet 16

MILWAUKEE — Butler coach Chris Holtmann had heard enough about Middle Tennessee State.

The Blue Raiders were a trendy midmajor pick this year to bust NCAA Tournament brackets, a role Butler once assumed with regularity.

This time, the Bulldogs played the role of college basketball Goliath, and they brought Middle Tennessee’s feel-good story to a close.

Kelan Martin scored 19 points, and Butler played smothering defense on Middle Tennessee’s versatile scorers in a 74-65 victory Saturday to advance to the regional semifinals. The Bulldogs (25-8) are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when they wrapped up back-to-back appearances in the national title game.

“I had a coach-friend send me a clip saying we weren’t good enough to beat Middle Tennessee. It absolutely burned me up,” Holtmann said. “There’s no question they were the trendy pick to beat us. We’re still here.”

Andrew Chrabascz added 15 points for fourth-seeded Butler, including a 3 with 3:25 left that snapped a 7-0 run for Middle Tennessee to get the lead to 62-56. The senior forward played an even more important role in helping to lead a sterling defensive effort for the Bulldogs.

Conference USA player of the year JaCorey Williams finished with 20 points, but had to work hard for nearly every bucket for No. 12 seed Middle Tennessee (31-5). Giddy Potts, who averaged almost 16 points, was held scoreless, going 0 of 8 from the field.

“We knew we (weren’t) going to the Sweet 16 without playing defense,” said Butler guard Kethan Savage, who defended Potts for much of the game.

NEXT: Butler vs. No. 1-seeded North Carolina or No. 8 Arkansas, Friday, Memphis, Tennessee.