Wednesday, April 6, 2011

One more thing about sports-this article approaches sports from an interesting angle. Read the article and discuss what makes it interesting, and if you think it is better than the typical advance/cover story. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=dw-wetzel_final_four_butler_goes_down_its_way_040511

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64 comments:

  1. DesireeApril 7, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I think it's cool that all of the people on the team, including the staff of the team, got up and were there for each other, even though they lost and were upset. It was like the all knew how much they needed each other at the time.

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  2. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Meredith Walsh:
    This article is interesting because it's not just about the game and how they played. Its about how much the team gets along and how they care about eachother. You usually don't hear that in sports stories.

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  3. Tyler KelleherApril 7, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I agree with Desiree. Those people are like family and family helps family members through some rough time

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  4. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    I think that the reason this story was different was because it was not a very competitive article. Most sports articles that are about losing teams look at it from a competitive aspet, but because Butler had basically choked, a new angle was used. I have actually never seen an article like that, where almost the whole article surrounded the locker room, and not the outcome of the game. It was very interesting to see the change in mindset that the plaers had coming out of the locker room. The entire team cared for one another, which is rare because, from my experience, when a team is losing a lot of fingers are pointed and arguments ensue.

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  5. JohnApril 7, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    It is really unfortunate that Butler has been a cinderella story two straight years and has made it to the finals, and then lost. Especially the fact that they did not play up to the standards that they had played for the course of the tournament. You should wonder what would have been the outcome if they played up to their full potentioal.

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  6. MichaelSApril 7, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I think the part that makes this story so interesting was the fact that they covered the emotions of the losing team and the reactions from them. They all came together after a tough loss and didn't try to point the blame at anyone.

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  7. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    I do not think this article is better than a typical cover story, because it takes the games from another angle. I think it is a good article, but I do not think it is better than any other cover story. However, it did seem like something out of a movie.

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  8. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    John, this probably means that they choke under pressure.

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  9. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Butler was lucky to even be in the finals. they ruined my bracket. all i have to say is KARMA.

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  10. Tyler KelleherApril 7, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    I think this article is great. I'm not a huge fan of sports in general. But I know that if you make it to the finales of any Pay per-view or superbowl thing that is an accomplish. To see these people and how much they care about each other and comfort one antoher just show the bond that these people have with one another

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  11. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Meredith Walsh:
    I do think that this is better than another cover story because it shows more emotion than any other cover story. Usually the people would say like "this person did really bad, missed all their shots". But this time it isn't really talking about the game and how bad and good the players did.

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  12. TygeApril 7, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    I believe it is better then a regular cover story just because it was the national championship with an underdog team in it. When I say that I mean that the article had much more attention because the spotlight was brighter. I think that the data and analysis in the article was nothing special but again this game is the biggest basketball game of the year. I found it interesting though how the reporter found his way into the locker room or got to talk to a player who told him about what happened after the game. Those emotions really show how much these players worked hard all year and have persrverd through evertyhing people sai dthey could not do. Butler is a very small small school compared to some of the powerhouses that they went up against. They almost remind me (Just by results definitely not as a team) but like the early 1990's Michigan Wolverines when they had Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jawun Howard, Jimmy King, and Rick Jackson. The combination of Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, and Ronald Nored was just not enough to take on Alex Oriahki, Kemba Walker, and Jeremy Lamb. This story was intrugeing though and it appeals to a huge college crowd.

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  13. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    I do however congratulate Butler on their run throughout this year and last years tournament.

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  14. MichaelSApril 7, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    The other thing is that they didn't care about the game and they cared about each other. They knew that basketball is just a game and that life is way more important than just one game.

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  15. alecApril 7, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    This is a great article becasue it shows how much these kids cared and how much they put into this effort to make it there. It is also intresting as Ryan said that most articles have a competitive edge and this is one that is just about how these kids are feeling.

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  16. Tyler KelleherApril 7, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. XinruiApril 7, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    This article is different because it focuses on the players and how they helped one another. Usually, sports articles are about the outcomes of a game.

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  18. Rose TracyApril 7, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    As I was reading this article, I said to marissa that this is the kind of sports article that I can actually read without going fuzzy eyes and actually find interesting. This is because it talks about the emotions and the passion that the players have for the game and how teamsmanship is what it's about.

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  19. XinruiApril 7, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I agree with Tyge, there was a lot of emotion displayed throughout the article.

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  20. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Meredith Walsh:
    I agree with Alec. It talks about how they put their best effort to make it there and still managed to stay a team.

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  21. XinruiApril 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I agree with Rose, this sports article was actually interesting to read. Most sports articles bore me.

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  22. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Tyler a march madness brackett is a big deal to a lot of people. People even submit their bracketts to websites to try and win a lot of money.

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  23. Rose TracyApril 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I agree with sully. Of course the players were upset about the game, but they were more upset that this was their last time playing together as a team & a family.

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  24. MichaelSApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Butler was a huge underdog just at the beginning of the tournament and so the fact that they made it to the championship was surprising. The other surprising thing was that this was the second year in a row that they have done this. Butler made it to the championship last year too.

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  25. TygeApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Chris how can you say that it is luck for a team to be in the finals. They worked their butts off these past two years and have earned their right to be in the national championship game against teams like Duke and Connecticut. I love to root for the underdog and I cheered them on once they reached the elite 8. I have never been a huge Butler follower but I know who they are now and I know they can be good. I give a lot of credit also to coach Brad Stevens for being such a well prepared coach. Rick Pitino said he has never ever seen a coach as calm, cool, and collective as Brad Stevens is.

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  26. JohnApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I thought it was very classy that they butler players and staff were there for eachother after this devistating loss, the second in two years for returning players. Sports players sometimes do unsportsmanlike things after losses but they did not.

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  27. alecApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Thsi really does stink for these kids because they had two cinderellla stories back to back and both years they fail to win it all. I cant imagine how these kids feel. They came into this game being the runner up last year and they were expected to not go very far being ranked as a 8 seed.

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  28. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I agree with sully, the team focused on being together and not the result of the basketball game.

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  29. MichaelaApril 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    This article is interesting because it talks about sports in a interesting way, that you dont always see. Its almost a behind the scenes look at a closely knitted team. In fact, basketball is hardly even mentioned in the article. The article focuses on the relationship amongst the teammates and how they're a family and thats why its such a good article.

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  30. Rose TracyApril 7, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I agree with alec as well. It's important that although they messed up the game, & may have even gotten mad @ themselves, not once did they point fingers & go around blaming others for their loss.

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  31. Jessica SalvadoreApril 7, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I think that this is better than a regular cover story because, it shows emotion. Every word showed a different emotion and that is very important. Other cover stories, do not have emotion and depth like this.

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  32. alecApril 7, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I agree with john becaseu usually guys would call someone out but these guys stuck together and did not do anything to eachother.

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  33. XinruiApril 7, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I agree with Ryan, even though this article was written in another angle, I don't find it any better.

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  34. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I bet that was an awkward after game speech. #ThatSawkard.

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  35. marissaApril 7, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I really like the angle of this article, because it is extremely different, and it holds a persons attention for even the people who aren't interested in sports. It was more than just the game, it was about the team and the bond a team builds. This article showed true sportsmanship because that is truly what the games are about, not just about winning and stuff, but about playing and working together as a team and making the best of it, and most of all being there for eachother when you need it. A team should create a bond this tight, and it's good that they are all close and are there for eachother and dont get mad or blame or point the finger at certain people when they lose a game. This is what makes a team, when they are truly there for one another no matter the score or the win or lose.

    There for, i do think it's better than the average cover story because it shows extreme amounts of emotion and has the power to really get to you and make you want to read further into it, even if you're not a sports fan. The writer found a way to target all different readers and viewers, rather than just sports fanatics themselves.

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  36. DesireeApril 7, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Im not a really big sports fan either, but i think that this is better cover story because it tells you about the game from an emotional level instead of a "sports talk" story. Most of the time I cant read cover stories in sports, its like a whole different language to me. Its cool to see that this article has a unique quality in it.

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  37. Jessica SalvadoreApril 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Even though, they were beating themselves up for not winning, I thought that it was amazing that they all tried to make each other feel better about themselves and the game.

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  38. ShounakApril 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I think this article is interesting because it is somewhat of a sad story. A good team worked hard and made it to the finals but simply got unlucky. Both the players and fans of Butler must be extremely upset

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  39. TygeApril 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    This is not twitter chris. it's a blogspot, please save those comments for a later time.

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  40. MichaelaApril 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I agree with Rose, this article is one of the few sports articles i can actually read without being extremely bored and confused. This is because it doesnt focus on basketball or statistics it talks about something that is actually interesting. The team wasn't upset that they lost they were upset that this was there last time playing together and how they acted in the locker room showed that they really care about one another.

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  41. jerzypApril 7, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I think what makes this so interesting is the point of view the writer takes. It brings out different emotions. Usually the losing team is never covered like this.

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  42. marissaApril 7, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I agree with alec and john because usually guys wouldn't be the type to express their emotions like that or hug eachother and stuff but they did, nor did they call anyone out for blame or faults, they didn't let their ego's get to them, which makes it interesting to me.

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  43. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I agree with Tyge. The other comment was very random.

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  44. JohnApril 7, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Butler had a completly horendous game playing shooting eighteen percent with six baskets total per half. It is interesting how the game was not a blowout even with this horrible play by butler. If they played even below average they still could have won the game.

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  45. SebastianApril 7, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I think what makes this story interesting is that it's focused on the loser rather than the winner

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  46. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    John, I think you are not taking into account how well UConn did this season.

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  47. SebastianApril 7, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    I LIKE Chris' comment. It must have been awkward back in the locker room.

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  48. MichaelaApril 7, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I also agree with everyone else that said it was important that they didnt point fingers and start blaming people for the loss. That right there shows they are actually a team. Many players after losing a game start pointing fingers and find something wrong with what everyone else did but they had a good reaction to their loss and took it very maturely.

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  49. jerzypApril 7, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Michaela that's a good point. It's more about the story of the team not about the game itself. It has a good feel to it with real emotion rather than numbers.

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  50. ShounakApril 7, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    What makes the whole thing even more upsetting is that this is second year in a row that Butler did this

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  51. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Butler had a great season but nothing could compare, because UCON is always on that #Winning status.

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  52. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Zach, of course it was awkward, college senior were crying! That's a great morale boost for the newcomers on the team.

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  53. Jessica SalvadoreApril 7, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    The story really puts a emphasis on the important things in life which are family and friends and not always winning.

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  54. SebastianApril 7, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Most sports articles give the numbers of the game but this article told you how the team felt about the loss and how they were there for each other

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  55. SebastianApril 7, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Ryan, I detect sarcasm in your post...

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  56. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    I do not think the article would have been as good if it wasn't about Butler. They had lost two championship games in a row, being the underdog twice. If it was the same perspective on how the Steelers lost the Superbowl, it would not have been as good because they didn't go to the Superbowl the previous year and lose as an underdog.

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  57. D.LambertApril 7, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    This game was very important to basketball viewers all over the U.S. UCONN beat Butler because they had the support of Devin Lambert. I feel as though Tyge was wrong for routing for Butler because they did terrible. Both teams were at a low performance wise, but UCONN reigned supreme.

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  58. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Zach, it is just weird to be a newcomer on the team, make it to the championship, have a bad game, and have your hardened veteran teammates crying their eyes out in front of you. That would bring the entire team spirit down.

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  59. Ryan CApril 7, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I agree with Devin, both teams were having bad games, but UConn still won.

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  60. marissaApril 7, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I dont think the locker room was awkward CHRIS, it think it was sentimental

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  61. jerzypApril 7, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Ryan is right, its become a nightmare for these guys. Even just losing the state championship for hockey last year will forever haunt me a little bit, even if we don't make it there again. Twice in a row is just awful, especially to look back upon in the future.

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  62. D.LambertApril 7, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    It is understandable that Butler's players were crying, because they beat all odds to make it to the final.

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  63. ShounakApril 7, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I agree with Michaela and Jerzy. Although the team was upset and crying they didn't blame any specific person

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  64. TygeApril 7, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    The cover story definitely made sense and it was interesting for sure but I think the reason for it being so good ws the hype of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game. I mean I do give the journalist credit but he is no better than Adam Schefter or Tim Kurkjian for example. (Mr. Schefter is a reliable reporter for ESPN on the NFL and Mr. Kurkjian is a renowned reporter for ESPN on the MLB). I think that for a Cinderella story type of team like Butler to make it two years in a row and to go through the toughest teams in the most rigorous basketball tournament in the country, is quite impressive. Another underdog team that you could compare Butler to is the 1966 Texas Western team led by Coach Don Haskins. (Texas Western is now currently called University of Texas El - Paso or UTEP). They also were a small school and won the championship in 1966 against a heavily favored Kentucky team led by Point Guard K.C. Jones and Hall of Fame Coach Adolph Rupp. This article just relates to other events in basketball history and has a huge basketball fan, I pay attention to how much importance these events have to the sport. It was great to see Butler have it's run, hopefully the same excitement can be brought to us fans in future tournaments of NCAA basketball.

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