2017 NCAA Tournament: Bulter vs. Winthrop preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Michael Foy | Mar 15, 2017

Feb 22, 2017; Villanova, PA, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Kelan Martin (30) and center Nate Fowler (51) and forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) and guard Tyler Lewis (1) and guard Kethan Savage (11) take at the court in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at The Pavilion. The Butler Bulldogs won 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

On Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Tournament, the Winthrop Eagles take on the Butler Bulldogs.

TV Schedule: Thursday, Mar. 16, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Arena: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is an interesting match-up and many people are choosing this as their trendy pick in which a 13-seed upsets a 4-seed. Here is a preview of what to expect when the Winthrop Eagles take on the Butler Bulldogs in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Normally, I would say you were crazy to pick against Butler in March. They are an experienced, well-coached team, and they aren’t new to March Madness success by any means. There is something about this Winthrop team, which is roughly 5-foot-7, that could make that pick more enticing and make the game more intriguing.

Butler has been a great team all year and is no longer considered a Cinderella based on their tournament success year in and year out. Butler is one of those teams that is truly capable of beating any team they face, while simultaneously is also capable of losing to any team. To make matters worse, the Bulldogs are somewhat limping into this game, coming in with two straight losses.

Winthrop is a very good basketball team, led by their 5-foot-7 senior point guard Keon Johnson. Johnson has been as hot as any player entering the tournament, averaging 29.3 points in his last three games and knocking down 14-29 (48%) of his three-point shots. If the Big South Conference Player of the Year stays this hot, he will make it in an interesting game.

Winthrop will make this game competitive. Anyone who has seen peak Butler basketball knows this team could blow them away. However, Butler isn’t playing their best basketball as of late. If this game is close, don’t be surprised.

All that being said, I think Butler is a great team, and they will find a way to pull out the victory. But if Winthrop, and their stud point guard, get hot from beyond the arc, they may pull this one off.

Prediction: Butler 80, Winthrop 72

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