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NIT Preview: Butler @ Miami

Unlike the other MAC NIT game where Temple and Akron were complete opposites, Butler and Miami match-up well against each other. Butler averages 69 points per game, while Miami averages around 64 points per game. Both teams average about 15 assists per game, and both teams rely on three main players. The match-ups say that this may end up being the best Opening Round NIT Game this year.

#7 Miami vs. #8 Butler

Miami comes into this game as the only MAC team playing a home NIT game. Miami relies heavily on leading scorer William Hatcher (14.5 points per game), and leading rebounder Nathan Peavy, however the team MVP may be Tim Pollitz. Pollitz is second on the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Pollitz missed three games due to injury this season, and in those games Miami went 0-3. If Miami wants to advance in the NIT, Hatcher, Peavy, and Politz need big games. The Redhawk’s movement becomes stagnant on offense at times, so Miami needs to remember to keep the ball moving. Look out for the inside-outside two man game between Hatcher and Peavy.

Miami’s Keys to Victory

1. Defend the Perimeter
2. Ball Movement
3. Keep the 3 amigo’s on the floor

The only common opponent Butler and Miami had this year was Kent State. Miami lost to Kent by 7 twice, and Butler lost at Kent by 4. This is just another one of the many similarities between the two teams.

Butler’s Keys to Victory

1. Make the 3’s
2. Wear down Hatcher
3. Make someone other then Hatcher, Peavy, and Pollitz beat you.

Butler is coming off a 16 point loss at the hand of the UW-Milwaukee Panthers in the Horizon League Championship Game. It is no secret what Butler’s game plan will be Tuesday night. Shoot 3’s early, and shoot them often. They have been doing it all year, and they won’t stop now. In the Horizon League Championship they shot 27 threes and made 11. Butler struggles on defense at times, which is evident by the 87 points they gave up to UW-Milwaukee, but Miami’s style plays right into their hands. Miami is not the team UW-Milwaukee is, and they not a major threat to score in bunches.

Final Thoughts
This game is going to come down to one thing; is Butler making their threes. If the threes are falling, I don’t think Miami will be able to score with Butler, but if they don’t fall look for Miami to get the win. Miami would be wise to go straight up man to man pressure defense for all 40 minutes.

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