NCAA final: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59, for fourth title

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Butler had the adorable Bulldog mascot, the type-casted good-guy players and a Hollywood script written to the final scene.

But the NCAA championship game isn’t a movie and sometimes the quarterback gets the girl, the rich guy wins the lottery and Duke gets the victory.

The Blue Devils staved off what would have been an epic upset by beating underdog Butler, 61-59, on Monday night in the NCAA championship game in Lucas Oil Stadium and added to its already illustrious legacy. By earning its fourth national title, Duke cemented itself and Coach Mike Krzyzewski into the small and elite best-ever category of programs and coaches.

It certainly wasn’t easy, though, as Butler played -- as they like to call it -- The Butler Way for 40 minutes.

Ultimately, though, Duke was Duke.

While Duke has celebrated under reigning confetti many times before, don’t think that this one didn’t mean something to the Blue Devils. Yes, they were favored, but few thought Duke would live to see the title game.

Many didn’t even think the Blue Devils deserved a No. 1 seeding in the South Regional.

But there they stood in Indianapolis as victors, ending the storybook tale that Butler had captivated basketball fans everywhere with through the tournament.

-- Shannon Ryan

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