BUTLER ADVANCES TO TITLE GAME

All week, the Final Four has been a homecoming celebration of Butler basketball. Playing about six miles from its campus, the Bulldogs’ first appearance at the event has drawn comparisons with the movie “Hoosiers,” part of which was filmed in their famed Hinkle Fieldhouse. After all, fifth-seeded Butler’s magical run here has been the ultimate fairy tale for the tiny private liberal arts university of 4,438 students that is part of the Horizon League. And with the Bulldogs 52-50 victory against fifth-seeded Michigan State on Saturday in the N.C.A.A. tournament’s national semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium, their celebration in this circular basketball-crazed city will continue for at least two more days. “We’re just excited,” said Hayward, who had a bloody lip after the game. “We’ve talked about the next game all year.” Butler (33-4), which has now won 25 consecutive games, next plays in Monday’s national championship game against the winner of Saturday night’s game between top-seeded Duke (33-5) and second-seeded West Virginia (31-6). Butler could be the lowest seed to win a national title since Kansas did it as No. 6 seed in 1988. Michigan State had been seeking a second straight trip to the national title game, where it lost to North Carolina last season. The loss came on the 10th anniversary of the Spartans’ victory in the 2000 national championship game against Florida. A lackluster second half — Butler had only one field goal in the final 12:18 — culminated in a tense final minute. Two free throws by Draymond Green with 56.3 seconds left cut Butler’s lead to 50-49. Afterward, Butler ran the shot clock down before Nored missed a driving layup over two Michigan State defenders with 26 seconds left. Michigan State then called timeout with 23 seconds left. After the timeout, Green got the ball in the post against Hayward, who blocked his shot with about 8 seconds left. Butler corralled the ball and Nored was fouled with 6.1 seconds left. (NY Times) In other news, the Twins opened up Target Field.