Kelan Martin scored 19 points, and Butler limited Middle Tennessee's athletic scorers with smothering defense in a 74-65 victory Saturday night to advance to the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.
The Bulldogs (25-8) are going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when they wrapped up back-to-back appearances in the national title game.
Andrew Chrabascz added 15 points for fourth-seeded Butler, including a 3 with 3:25 left that snapped a 7-0 run for Middle Tennessee to get the lead back to 62-56.
The senior forward played an even more important role in leading a sterling defensive effort for the Bulldogs.
Conference USA player of the year JaCorey Williams finished with 20 points, but had to work hard for nearly every bucket for No. 12 seed Middle Tennessee (31-5).
Giddy Potts, who averaged nearly 16 points a game this year, was held scoreless, going 0 of 8 from the field.
Fans came together to cheer on their Blue Raiders. They filled Toot’s in Murfreesboro to watch the game against the Butler Bulldogs.
For many who didn't make the trip to Milwaukee for the game, it was a popular spot to hang out.
With a chance to get to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history on the line, many fans said it was a game they didn't want to miss. Unfortunately, Middle Tennessee came up short, but the fans said they still cheered as loud as they could!
