Ken Davis

Selection Sunday is just days away. That means this is Championship Week and that always comes with the promise for high drama. This will close the mailbag for another season. Hope your team has a good March and thanks for your questions.

Q: What do you make of Villanova? The way they finished the Big East, I’m not sure if they can get back to the Final Four.
— Brian, Atlanta

A: I understand your concern, Brian. Villanova lost four of its last six games. But let’s look at those losses. All four were to Big East teams: Connecticut 84-75, at Pittsburgh 70-65, at Syracuse 95-77, West Virginia 68-66 (OT). I don’t think it’s surprising for a team to go through something like that, especially in its own conference. Conference teams know each other so well. They understand the system another coach runs, the tendencies of players and they scout the heck out of each other.

Road losses to Pittsburgh and Syracuse aren’t surprising. Pittsburgh wanted revenge for that Elite Eight loss last season. The margin against Syracuse was bigger than expected, but the Orange had that huge crowd and all the motivation on a day of upsets in college basketball. The two home losses are of more concern, but UConn was desperate, trying to keep NCAA hopes alive. West Virginia had been bounced around a bit before winning that overtime game and had something to prove.

Jay Wright is one of my favorite coaches. Scottie Reynolds has emerged as one of my all-time favorite stories in Big East history, and I’ve covered the league since 1981. But the Wildcats are constantly living on the edge.

Their game is focused on the play of a group of guards: Reynolds, Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, Reggie Redding and Maalik Wayns. They are great guards. But it is a unique system, so a lot will depend on the draw Villanova gets in the NCAA tournament. If an opponent can match Villanova’s guard play and has strong interior play, the Wildcats are in trouble. Honestly, I think they will have a very hard time returning to the Final Four — but I would never say it’s impossible. If the Wildcats are in a close game, they can find a way to win.

Reynolds came back to win a national championship and Villanova can start sharpening its game again Thursday in the Big East quarterfinals.

Q: People were ripping on Butler to start the season, but do you think they could go far in the NCAA tournament? They looked really good during conference play.
— Brad, Indianapolis

A: Brad from Indianapolis? No last name? Coach Brad Stevens? I doubt it. Can’t imagine Coach Stevens is concerned about what I think at this point in the season.

I love the Bulldogs and everything Butler basketball represents. Basketball should be played in places like Hinkle Fieldhouse. Stevens has done a terrific job preserving the tradition and history of the program. When I watch Butler play in Hinkle, I think of Bobby Plump, Milan High School and Hoosiers.

To say they looked really good in conference play is an understatement. Butler was 18-0 in the Horizon and I don’t care what conference you play in, that’s a great accomplishment. That said, the Horizon wasn’t that strong this season. Butler still dominated, but that’s all over. The Bulldogs are capable of taking their game to another level, and that’s what they’ve got to do. They haven’t lost since Dec. 22 at UAB. Butler’s other losses were to Minnesota, Clemson and Georgetown. They beat Ohio State 74-66 when the Buckeyes didn’t have Evan Turner. And there was that controversial win over Xavier.

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Gordon Hayward is a terrific player. He’s the kind of guy who can carry a team in the NCAA tournament. Butler is fundamentally sound and better equipped than any other mid-major to make a run in the tournament. Again, it’s all about the draw. Butler had its best team in 2007 but lost to Florida in the regional semifinals. That kind of thing could happen again.

Q: Hey Ken, it seems like nobody’s paying attention to Michigan State. How do you think Izzo’s boys are gonna do in the NCAA’s?
— Jeff Kerry, Port Huron, Mich.

A: I think it’s unwise to ever give up on a Tom Izzo team, Jeff. The man and his program have earned the ultimate respect in my book. My preseason Final Four prediction was Kansas, Texas, Purdue and Michigan State. I still see Kansas as the team to beat. Texas has had its problems but can still make a run in the tournament. Purdue is in a tough spot without Robbie Hummel. I don’t think the Boilermakers can go that far without him.

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Michigan State is a little like Villanova. The Spartans had that three-game losing streak to Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue. Then there was the big loss to Ohio State. That’s all about the Big Ten wars. No disgrace there. Any team with Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, Draymond Green and the rest of Izzo’s roster is in a good situation. Getting away from those Big Ten teams will give the Spartans a chance to breath again.

Michigan State should reach the Sweet 16. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Spartans in the Final Four. We will know more when we see the brackets Sunday.