Butler vs. UConn: First five minutes

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Time to settle the madness; Jim Nantz says tipoff.

And UConn’s Tyler Olander gets the first basket and first rebound.

Butler’s Chase Stigall gets the first three-pointer.

It looks like the strategy is emerging already. Connecticut going inside early and often, and maybe getting away with a few over-the-backs here and there.

But if the Bulldogs are supposed to be less awestruck because they’ve been here before, not so much. Shelvin Mack missed a layup.

At the first TV timeout, Butler is one-for-11 shooting from the field; Connecticut, two for nine. Huskies are leading, 4-3. This is certainly the pace Charles Barkley said would work for Butler.

Matt Howard’s three could be big, opening up things inside, Butler takes a 6-4 lead but Alex Oriakhi goes inside and then Niels Giffey, too, for the Huskies. So, UConn up, 8-6, after the first five minutes.

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-- Diane Pucin