Cutting Down The Nets

HOUSTON WILL play host to a dogfight of national proportions tonight. The Bulldogs of Butler take on the Huskies of UConn in the finale of the March Madness college basketball tournament. Butler disposed of upstart VCU Saturday in one semifinal while red-hot UConn edged Kentucky in the other, setting the table for tonight's title tilt. Each team brings a remarkable feat into the curtain closer. Butler -- a mid-major -- has reached the title game two successive seasons. That is nearly unfathomable. UConn was picked to finish ninth in the Big East. After a so-so regular season in conference play, the Huskies ran off five wins to capture the Big East Tournament. Three weeks ago, no one would have picked this championship matchup. If you are not rooting for Butler tonight, then you must be a UConn fan. I am no Huskie fan, as their coach -- Jim Calhoun -- is an NCAA rules violator. He cheats. I am hoping the Butler does it tonight, but the Huskies' Kemba Walker will be the difference in a white-knuckler.