UTEP vs Butler NCAA Bracket Picks 2010: Looking for a 21st consecutive victory, the red-hot (5) Butler Bulldogs [-2] will try to keep things going in their first round matchup against sports betting odds underdog (12) UTEP Miners [+2]. This terrific Wrest Region showdown is set to commence today at 5 PM ET live from the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California. Today, Miners head coach Tony Barbee leads his team towards what he hopes is the start of another long win streak against the favorite Bulldogs.
UTEP has it 16-game win streak snapped by Houston in the Conference USA Championship game. According to NCAA Bracket Picks 2010 experts at SPORTSBETTING.com, UTEP and Butler are expected to combine and score an OVER/UNDER total of 129½ points.
“I’ve always had a great affinity for that program,” Barbee said. “My parents used to take me to the games a lot. They recruited me out of high school. All the recent success they’ve had, it’s been fun to watch. … It’s neat to be playing against them, but it doesn’t affect my guys. They don’t get into all of that. Maybe I should show them ‘Hoosiers.”’
For Butler, coming into this NCAA Bracket 2010 as the 5th seed, matches the school’s highest seeding ever. This is in part thanks to the nation’s longest winning streak and a perfect run through the Horizon League. “We’ve grown to the point where most of the games we play, especially in league play, you’ve got a target on your back every game,” junior forward Matt Howard said. “It’s hard to fly under the radar when your name is in the Top 25.”
