Rested Raiders need to beat Butler

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 1:11 AM Friday, February 5, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders are safely tucked away in their motel beds this morning, about 10 miles from where they’ll find out just how good they are Saturday night.

Thursday was another of what is becoming a typical Horizon League game for them — close and undecided into the final minute.

But the Raiders won — on the road — defeating Valparaiso 75-71 to claim second place in the league by themselves. After the game, they headed south to Indy, about 2 1/2 hours away. Better to rest where you’re going to play than at a place you’ve already won.

“It doesn’t really mean anything,” WSU coach Brad Brownell said of moving into second. “There are a lot of games to play.”

He’s right. The Raiders are 8-4 in league play and really have no chance of catching Butler for the regular-season championship; Butler is 12-0. But that second seed is important. The second seed gets two byes into the HL tournament semifinals, and there are several teams stacked up behind the Raiders who have a chance.

About the only teams that don’t have a chance to finish second are Loyola of Chicago, Youngstown State and Illinois-Chicago.

That makes Saturday’s game extra important for the Raiders, who would have to win the HL tournament to secure an NCAA tournament bid.

To win at Butler would show it could be done, and give the Raiders, who are on a four-game winning streak, a good push toward that goal.

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mr obvious, that is about the goofiest comment to a katz article i have ever read. congratulations.

keithfromxenia
12:50 PM, 2/5/2010

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Dang, Marc, you are so smart. Raiders need to beat Butler. Great observation. How did you come up with this conclusion? I figured WSU just needed to lose to Buttler

Mr Obvious
9:19 AM, 2/5/2010

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