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Former Xavier and Virginia coach Pete Gillen, a New York native and CBS College Sports Network analyst, shares more of his March Madness thoughts and predictions with The Post. As told to Steve Serby.
Our new national champion will be . . . Butler.
They’re the ’69 Knicks of college basketball. They know how to play, they have a great feel for the game, they do all the clever little things that help you win. They get loose-ball rebounds, they tap it to each other, they dive on the floor for loose balls, a lot of things that don’t show up in the boxscore. Their coach [Brad Stevens] is like a movie director with a great feel, like Steven Spielberg.
I’m tired of picking against ‘em. When it looked like I was going to get all four in (Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Ohio State), I thought I was Carnac the Magnificent. I thought I was a soothsayer. Now I feel like Joey Bag-a-donuts.
National semifinals
Butler over VCU
Butler’s got the two best guys on the court, Matt Howard inside and Shelvin Mack on the perimeter, and they’ve got great role players. VCU’s going to press ’em, but that’s going to play into Butler’s hands — they can handle the ball really well.
VCU’s been red hot from 3. Chuck Daly always said, “Shooting covers up for a multitude of sins.” But also you live by the 3, you die by the 3. Butler can go small as well as big — they’ll defend the 3. And Butler’s very physical. They’re going to bang ‘em around and not give ‘em as much space as Kansas did. I think Howard can guard Jamie Skeen.
If Brad Stevens is Spielberg, [VCU coach] Shaka Smart is Denzel Washington. He’s a movie star right now, he’s big-time. Both these guys can relate to the kids. They know their language, they know their music. They’re both brilliant communicators.
VCU wants a quicker pace. Butler’s going to pick their spots and the two best players on the court are going to take control.
Prediction: Butler 68, VCU 66
Kentucky over UConn
Josh Harrellson is the unsung hero for Kentucky. He looks like a bull in a china shop, he doesn’t look like a basketball player. Connecticut’s a great shot-blocking team and a very good rebounding team, but I think he’s the best big guy left in the tournament. He’ll cause some foul trouble [for UConn].
Big Shot Brandon Knight’s got ice water in his veins. He reminds me a little bit of Brandon Roy — they both can knock down 3s, they’re like riverboat gamblers, they never show their emotions, tremendous poise. Connecticut better get a net — they’re not gonna be able to bag him. Shabazz Napier can give him a little bit of trouble. You don’t want Kemba Walker getting in foul trouble. Knight’s gonna get 22.
Walker’s gonna get his, say 28 points. He reminds me of Tiny Archibald, but he’s a better shooter. He’s quick as a cat and can get wherever he wants to go. I think they can slow him down. Knight will play him decently. I think DeAndre Liggins can slow Jeremy Lamb down a little bit. Kentucky has a lot of wings. Kentucky has five guys who can score in double figures. They’ve got more balance.
The coaches are Terminators, two hard-nosed coaches. Two longtime rivals when [John] Calipari was at UMass. Both will be screaming at every call — the referees better wear earmuffs. Both of ’em are not exactly shrinking violets.
Calipari is probably the best recruiter in the country. He loves being on Broadway. The bigger the stage, the better. You’re more important than the governor, the senator. You’re the pride of the Common-wealth of Kentucky.
[Jim] Calhoun (two national championships) wants to catch [Duke’s Mike] Krzyzewski (four national championships). Some guys, you can’t get ’em to quit. Nothing’s gonna stop him.
Prediction: Kentucky 78, UConn 77
Harrellson tips in a shot at the buzzer.
National title game
Butler over Kentucky
Butler’s been on the big stage. They’ve proven they win the close games. The coach has the demeanor of a heart surgeon. Calipari’s gonna be foaming, his team might get a bit disoriented.
Harrellson’s going to have trouble going out on the perimeter to play Matt Howard. Harrellson’s going to try to beat him up. Howard will flop for a charge, dive on the floor — he’s too cagey for him. Shelvin Mack is too strong and physical for the Kentucky kids. [Butler forward] Khyle Marshall can come off the bench and guard [Terrence] Jones.
The Connecticut game will be such an emotional, heavyweight fight that it’s going to wear Kentucky down a little bit.
Butler will control the pace of the game and pick apart Kentucky with their ball-screen offense. I don’t think Kentucky’s quite as deep — they have more talent, but they have youth in spots, and they don’t run as smoothly as these guys. Butler is more versatile and cohesive. These guys find a way somehow.
Prediction: Butler 64, Kentucky 63
Matt Howard’s going to step out and hit a 3 with about 20 seconds to go. Kentucky comes down and they rush up a shot by Liggins. It goes in and out, Shelvin Mack gets the rebound, and it’s history.