The most valuable player — without question — is Butler’s Shelvin Mack. With 18 out of his 25 points scored in the second half Mack was on fire. His performanced helped the 5th seed bury 12th seed UTEP. Now don’t get my wrong Butler [29-4] did their job with good ball movement, executed screens perfectly, and rained in the three but it was Mack’s stunning 7-of-9 trifectas that pushed Butler to win in the second half.
Out of the second half Mack hit four 3s right off the bat — removing the 6 point deficit to a 6 point lead. Mack finished the game with seven 3-pointers and 25 points. Mack said after the game that his teammates did a good job getting him the ball when he was open. “My job was to make shots when I have a chance — Our defense did a good job making stops.”
Butler coach Brad Stevens said when you hit 12 3-pointers in a half — “you’ve got to feel pretty good where you’re headed.”
Butler faces 13th seed Murray St Saturday — tipoff at 2:20 p.m. CST.