Sports Radio Interviews

Brad Stevens: “Our guys won’t be fooled by the fact that supposedly we’re a higher seed, especially because everyone’s picking against us anyway”

About ten years ago, Butler was one of the most prominent Cinderella stories in the NCAA Tournament.  They were the team that was ranked number 11, number 12, or even number 13 and looking for the glass slipper.  Now, they are the team with the bulls-eye on their back as they have become a mid-major powerhouse in the Horizon League.  This season Butler finished the year at 28-4 and captured the Horizon League Championship once again.  For their effort, the Bulldogs earned a number five seed in the NCAA Tournament and a tough, tough first round matchup.  Despite finishing the season with just four losses, the committee didn’t do Butler any favors with their first round matchup against UTEP.  UTEP finished the year 26-6 and have four players that average in double figures, including Louisville transfer, Derrick Caracter.  The tables have turned and the Bulldogs better watch out because the Miners are loaded with talent and are looking to try and be this year’s Cinderella.

Brad Stevens joined 1070 the Fan in Indianapolis to talk about what stands out to him when looking at UTEP on film, who UTEP reminds him of, and also talks about the fact that a number of people around the country are already picking against his team.

On whether or not he knows Tony Barbie, the Head Coach at UTEP:

“He was older than I was.  I didn’t even know him until we got into coaching.  Got a great deal of respect for him and boy oh boy has he loaded that squad up.  They are good.”

On what he sees on film from UTEP:

“Well I watch tape and the first thing I look for is where the NBA scouts are sitting and how many of them are there.  What I see are three pros and a bunch of other guys that can really play.  I think certainly it starts with (Randy) Culpepper, what he’s done, and his ability to put the ball in the basket.  He’s an electrifying guard that can score.  I told our guys if you let him get an angle or get any space, you’re gonna end up on the front of the UTEP media guide next year.  He’s just one of those guys; he’s just dynamic in his abilities.  Then you know they’ve got (Arnett) Moultrie, who played on the under 19 team with Gordon (Hayward) and Shelvin (Mack), who’s 6’ 11 and plays the floor.  He’s got great length and great feet for a guy his size.  Then (Derrick) Caracter, shoot Caracter was right there with (Greg) Oden coming out of high school as the two most talked about big guys in high school a few years ago.  Went to Louisville and has kinda found a second chance.  He has absolutely dominated that league.  We’ll have our hands full with all those guys.  They’ve got five other guys that can play a lot of places and can play anywhere in the country.  He’s done a great job loading them up, he can coach, and when you get to the tournament you’re gonna play good teams and good coaches.”

On who UTEP reminds him of:

“I think they’re a combination of a few teams.  They beat UAB twice so they obviously figured out something that we couldn’t figure out when we played them earlier this year.  They also play a little bit like Minnesota on the defensive end of the floor.  They’ll mix in some traps, they’ll mix in some presses, some run and jumps and those kinds of things.  They do a good job trying to keep you off balance in that regard and they have the athletes to do that.”

On his teams focus heading into the tournament:

“They’re not gonna have any trouble getting their attention.  I really believe this.  I didn’t even know who was next to us until later on last night when somebody asked me.  Right when I saw UTEP I walked straight to my back room in my house and printed out the stats that I needed to print out so that I could get a feel for them.  I think that you put three through fourteen in a hat and shake it up and they’re all gonna come out pretty much looking the same.  Anybody can win on any given night.  Our guys won’t be fooled by the fact that supposedly we’re a higher seed, especially because everyone’s picking against us anyway.”

On whether or not they have a problem with the destination of their first round game:

“(Joking) With all do respect to Milwaukee, I’ve spent about 30 days of my life in coaching there because they’ve hosted the tournament three times.  I actually was not wanting to go to Milwaukee.  I might’ve been the only one.  No, it’s so exciting to be a part of it, it’s so neat to be a part of it.  Even though the travel just hits you all at once, they’ll tell you I don’t really spend a lot of time thinking about it, we’ve got other people that do that, but there’s something exhilarating about hey here you go, let’s roll.  This is where you play and this is where you go and it’s really an exciting time.  Guys play and guys that really love to compete, love the concept of this is it.  It’s one and done and this is your chance to do something special, advance, and all those things.  Our guys are looking forward to it.  I don’t think they care where they sent us.”

Listen to Brad Stevens on 1070 the Fan in Indy with Dan Dakich here

Tags: 1070 The Fan, 2010 NCAA Tournament, Brad Stevens, Butler Bulldogs, College Basketball, Dan Dakich, Horizon League