I am writing this after returning from seeing Butler's mens basketball team defeat Miami of Ohio in the first round of the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). It was an exhilarating one-point victory. A great game. But then again, every game at Hinkle Fieldhouse is great.

The cavernous Fieldhouse is a cathedral in a hoops-crazed state. They might build a fancy facility downtown, but they can't reverse time and make it 80 years old. The love goes on and in in Hinkle. Even a rare Bulldog loss is a joy in this historical ambience.

The Bulldogs have fashioned themselves into a mid-major powerhouse over the last couple of decades. It has become a common occurrence to find the Dawgs playing post-season basketball.

The Dawgs play as a unit better than any college team I have ever seen. I am not aware of any recent McDonald's All-Americans playing at Butler. I am aware that very good players looking for a very good education are playing right next door. Their cohesiveness and hard work make them great at what they do.

This squeaky clean, top notch, high-class operation is run by coach Todd Lickliter. He comes from a long line of calm, cool, collected, yet passionate Butler coaches. I had the good fortune of meeting coach Lickliter at Moe and Johnny's (formerly The Bulldog) a couple of years ago. When I saw him I could tell by his eyes that he was a good person. This was confirmed when I spoke with him. He spoke with the confident humility I would expect from the leader of a high-class mid-major power.

Next season the ball keeps bouncing at Hinkle. At $5 for general admission, I think that it is one of the best ways in town to get bang for the buck.