Butler finds help from 2 surprising freshmen

Butler guard Ronald Nored answers a question during a media availability in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the NCAA college basketball team’s home court, in Indianapolis, Monday, March 28, 2011. The team will depart Wednesday for Houston and face VCU in Saturday’s national semifinal game.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press

1 of 8

Butler’s Khyle Marshall (23) battles for a rebound with teammate Butler’s Matt Howard, Florida’s Alex Tyus (23), and Erik Murphy during overtimeof the NCAA Southeast regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in New Orleans. Butler won 74-71 to advance to the Final Four.

David J. Phillip, Associated Press

2 of 8

Butler head coach Brad Stevens smiles as he surrounded by members of the media during a media availability in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the NCAA college basketball team’s home court, in Indianapolis, Monday, March 28, 2011. The team will depart Wednesday for Houston and face VCU in Saturday’s national semifinal game.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press

3 of 8

Butler’s Khyle Marshall (23) celebrates as the bench erupts after overtime of the NCAA Southeast regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in New Orleans. Butler won 74-71 to advance to the Final Four.

Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

4 of 8

Butler’s Khyle Marshall reacts with Ronald Nored after Marshall made a basket during overtime of the NCAA Southeast regional college basketball championship game against Florida Saturday, March 26, 2011, in New Orleans.

Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

5 of 8

Butler forward Matt Howard answers a question during a media availability in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the NCAA college basketball team’s home court, in Indianapolis, Monday, March 28, 2011. The team will depart Wednesday for Houston and face VCU in Saturday’s national semifinal game.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press

6 of 8

Butler’s Khyle Marshall dunks past Florida’s Erik Murphy during the NCAA Southeast regional college basketball championship game Saturday, March 26, 2011, in New Orleans. Butler won 74-71 to advance to the Final Four.

Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

7 of 8

Butler head coach Brad Stevens answers a question during a media availability in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the NCAA college basketball team’s home court, Monday, March 28, 2011, in Indianapolis. The team will depart Wednesday for Houston and face VCU in Saturday’s national semifinal game.

Michael Conroy, Associated Press

8 of 8

INDIANAPOLIS — Khyle Marshall and Crishawn Hopkins have found a way to help Butler this postseason.

Just play their game.

Without the two freshmen, there's a good chance the Bulldogs might not be preparing to play Virginia Commonwealth in Saturday night's national semifinal.

Marshall's ability to grab rebounds and score on putbacks coupled with Hopkins' ability to take defenders off the dribble were key reasons Butler rallied from an 11-point, second-half deficit to upset second-seeded Florida last weekend.

Now, suddenly, the little-used Hopkins and Marshall, who is still learning the system, are getting almost as much attention as Butler's older starters.

Next Up In Sports

Who is new Runnin’ Ute Keba Keita and how is Utah’s 2022-23 roster shaping up?

The Pac-12 and SEC commissioners will be bringing NIL issues to lawmakers

High school girls golf: 3A region recaps, Richfield, Morgan, Union and Judge Memorial claim region titles

High school boys soccer: 3A/2A second round recap from Wednesday’s games

It reportedly won’t be long until the Mountain West Conference eliminates divisions

Change may be on the way for the transfer portal and college football recruiting