Butler team capsule

Butler (28-4)

COACH: Brad Stevens, three years at Butler, third year in NCAA Tournament

HOW THEY GOT IN: Automatic bid (Horizon)

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN: Butler has advanced beyond the first round in four of its last five trips to the NCAA Tournament, including Sweet Sixteen appearances in 2003 and 2007. To get past UTEP, the regular-season Conference USA champion and winner of 16 of its last 17, the Bulldogs must counter the Miners' superior strength and size inside. Louisville transfer Derrick Caracter (6-9, 275) shoots 55.6 percent from the field and averages 13.8 points and 8.0 rebounds and Arnett Moultrie (6-11, 235) averages 10.1 points and 6.8 boards. In non-conference play, Butler had trouble stopping Georgetown center Greg Monroe (24 points, 15 rebounds) and Clemson forward Trevor Booker (12 points, eight rebounds, two blocks).

GO-TO GUYS: Sophomore swingman Gordon Hayward (6-9, 207) has 12 double-doubles, including five of his last six games. He was named 2009-10 Horizon League Player of the Year, taking the title away from his teammate, junior forward Matt Howard (6-8, 230). Sophomore guard Shelvin Mack (6-3, 215) joined them on the all-conference first team, while sophomore guard Ronald Nored (6-0, 174) was named co-Defensive Player of the Year. Senior swingman Willie Veasley (6-3, 206), who has won more games (113) than anyone in school history, joined Nored on the All-Defensive Team. Sixth man Zach Hahn (6-1, 176), a junior, is a career 41.4 percent shooter from behind the arc.

THEY'LL KEEP WINNING IF: During the 20-game winning streak, Howard is shooting 54.5 percent (79-for-145) and Hayward is at 52.0 percent (89-for-171).When they sink at least nine 3-point field goals, the Bulldogs have won 22 straight games and are 39-1 under head coach Brad Stevens. This season, they are 21-1 when leading at halftime, 22-1 when outrebounding their opponents and 23-1 when hitting more free throws than their opponents. Butler is 16-1 when scoring at least 70 points and 0-3 when they give up 70 or more (losses to Georgetown, Clemson and Minnesota).

STRENGTHS: Playing basketball the "Butler way" means playing smart, hard-nosed defense, hustling for loose balls, making the extra pass and taking high-percentage shots and open 3-pointers. The Bulldogs led the Horizon League in scoring defense (58.8 points per game), scoring margin (plus-13.2), field-goal percentage (48.0), field-goal percentage defense (40.2) and rebound margin (plus-5.9), finished second in assists (13.7 per game) and ranked third in steals (6.6) and free-throw percentage (75.3).

WEAKNESSES: The 3-point shooting hasn't been up to the school's usual high standards this year, with the Bulldogs shooting worse than 30 percent in 12 games. Turnovers have also been an uncharacteristic concern, with Butler recording more turnovers than assists in seven of its last 10 contests. Howard has been plagued with foul trouble, fouling out nine times this season, and the bench isn't particularly deep. Another alarming note: Butler is 1-3 on neutral courts.