NCAA Championship a dog fight between Bulldogs, Huskies

Matt Howard and Kemba Walker have made collegiate careers out of making buzzer-beating shots, and one may make a another for the NCAA Title.

Who wins in a battle between an American Bulldog and a Siberian Husky?

The breeds are so similar in profile it is difficult to choose.

Huskies are tough, compact working dogs outside and gentle family dogs inside. They have been bred for centuries to pull sleds extraordinary distances in extreme, wintery weather, a tribute to their speed, brawn and work ethic.

American Bulldogs are gritty, loyal protectors to its master and equally caring toward nonthreatening individuals. But strike the bulldog as dangerous and it will be vigilant, ready to guard its master with its athletic, powerful frame.

There is no clear winner here, so maybe there is a more appropriate question to be asked.

Who wins in a pick-up game between the Bulldogs’ Matt Howard and the Huskies’ Kemba Walker?

Walker, a First Team All-American, is the embodiment of an elite college basketball player. A team leader, he hits buzzer-beating jumpers regularly, and it is no secret he is the Huskies’ first option to take the last shot down by one, two or three.

He can also create open looks for teammates and dish the ball well. Hit or miss, he will rebound five a game with a small 6’1’’ frame.

When opponents call him the most difficult competitor to play against in the game they are preaching to the choir.

Howard, a two-time Academic All-American, came inches from hoisting his first NCAA Tournament Championship trophy one year ago against Duke. As teammate Gordon Hayward’s shot bounced off the rim harmlessly away from the net Howard stumbled to midcourt, fell on his back and resolute he would be back.

Here he is, again, competing for a National Title.

Howard is not known for putting colossal amounts of points on the stat sheet, but is the ultimate team player, rebounding and playing tremendous defense.

If the Bulldogs need him to score, though, he can do it. His shooting percentage is greater than Walker’s all over the floor, even from three-point range.

In a sense, this is an odd contest between David and Goliath, because Goliath, (Walker), gives up over half a foot to David, (Howard).

If these two did meet one-on-one the last player to shoot would likely win, but there is no way to determine who would get the ball last.

That leaves us with one question.

Who wins tonight, the Butler Bulldogs or the Connecticut Huskies?

Each team has experienced equally low lows and high highs.

Butler only earned a ticket into the tournament because they earned the Horizon League Tournament Championship against the little-known Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers, a team they lost to twice in conference play.

Butler also lost to the likes of Valparaiso, (who?), and Youngstown State during the regular season.

On the other hand, Connecticut finished ninth in its conference in the regular season and nearly lost to Wichita State.

Obviously, the Bulldogs and Huskies have had high highs as they meet for the National Title. Each team won its Conference Tournament Championship to solidify their bid into the Big Dance.

Butler, led by Howard and Shelvin Mack, defeated Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Florida and Virginia Commonwealth en route to the Last Dance.

Connecticut, led by Walker and Alex Oriakhi, defeated Bucknell, Cincinnati, San Diego State, Arizona and Kentucky to meet their final dance partner, Butler.

Again, it is nearly impossible to choose.

The Huskies can go to Walker first, Lamb second and Oriakhi third for points.

The Bulldogs can go to Howard or Mack for points, but this is where Butler has a weakness.

Connecticut has more scoring options and, thus, more scoring prowess than Butler.

Still, each team is a glutton for buzzer-beating shots. The Huskies won their last two games by a combined three points, while the Bulldogs won three of its NCAA Tournament games by three points or less.

So there is only one truly suitable answer to all three of our questions.

The canine who shoots the ball last will win his team the game.