Larry Bird can't lose.
On one hand, he feels a strong connection to the Butler Bulldogs, the little team that could facing mighty Duke in tonight's NCAA championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
They remind Bird a bit of his Indiana State team that matched up against a much bigger program much deeper in talent when it lost to Michigan State in the fabled 1979 title game.
"It's been pretty exciting," Bird said of Butler's run. "I don't think anybody expected them to get there but they're there and they've got a great opportunity to win and they've got a nice team and they're well-coached so I think it's anybody's game.
"(Mid-majors) play a schedule a little different than most major-college teams but it really doesn't matter. If you have the talent, you have a good team and you stick together and give yourself an opportunity to win, maybe you'll get a lucky bounce of the ball, which (Indiana State) didn't a couple of times. But it's a good experience for these kids and it's something they'll never forget."
On the other hand, he has three former Blue Devils on his Pacers roster – Mike Dunleavy, Dahntay Jones and Josh McRoberts – and that's not a coincidence.
"(Duke players) play as a team. They all can defend," said Bird. "Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) expects a lot out of his players. They're great on the court and off the court. It's just a great program.
"Butler's proven over the last 15-20 years that they've got something special going over there. It's very good to see both teams in the finals."
As Bird sees it, the real winner in tonight's game will be college basketball because of the way both Butler and Duke represent the sport.
"I just wish 'em good luck," Bird said. "I know Coach K and his team and have been good friends with him for a long time. He was one of our assistant coaches with the '92 Dream Team.
"We sit on the outside and watch them and sort of live and die with each shot but to have two fine coaches and two fine teams in the finals like this, it's great for college basketball."
O'Brien also appreciates NCAA matchup
Jim O'Brien also will watch tonight's game closely and isn't ruling out the possibility of a Butler upset.
"I think they're both playing at a really high level," he said. "Clearly, Duke looked terrific (Friday) night but I think Butler's defense is going to make it more difficult for Duke to score than (against West Virginia).
O'Brien knows whereof he speaks. He coached in two title games as Rick Pitino's top assistant at Kentucky, winning in 1996 and losing (to Arizona in the RCA Dome) in 1997.
He has an appreciation for both programs.
"(They both) play hard, tough-nosed, unselfish, they execute," he said. "They're a lot of fun. This has been a great NCAA Tournament to watch."
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