Basketball Betting: Duke holds off Butler in dramatic NCAA final

In the closest NCAA Championship contest in over two decades, the Duke Blue Devils put an end to the title hopes of the game Butler Bulldogs on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. While most of the 70,000 fans in attendance were rooting for the hometown underdogs, Duke was able to win its fourth NCAA crown in the last 20 years. Final Four recap The Final Four opened up with a national semi-finals matchup between Butler and Michigan State last Saturday. Both clubs were fifth seeds. While the Spartans were in the Final Four for the sixth time in the last 12 years, the Bulldogs were in the Final Four for the first time. Still, Butler entered the game as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 126. The Spartans were without top scorer Kalin Lucas due to an injury. In a defensive struggle, Butler narrowly covered in a 52-50 victory for its 25th straight win. In the other semi-finals battle, Duke was installed as a 2.5-point choice over West Virginia with a total of 130.5. The Blue Devils were the only top seed to reach the Final Four while the Mountaineers were a two seed. Duke pulled away in the second half in a 78-57 rout to reach the title game. Butler covers in title game Despite its impressive run, the Bulldogs were a 6.5-point underdog in the championship game to Duke. The total was set at 127.5. While Duke led for most of the game, the Blue Devils could never pull away from the Bulldogs. Duke's biggest lead of the game was just six points. Trailing 60-55 with two minutes to play, Butler scored the next four points to pull within a point with just under a minute to go. After stopping Duke on its next possession, Butler's Gordon Hayward missed a potential game-winning jumper with four seconds to play. Duke grabbed the rebound and made one of two free throws to take a two-point lead. Hayward almost banked in a half-court heave at the buzzer to finish off Butler's improbable run. Both clubs should be contenders again in the 2010-11 campaign. While Duke will have to replace three senior starters, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith are expected to return for their senior years in 2010-11. In addition, there is a talented freshmen class that will be on board next season. Butler's only key personnel loss heading into next year is senior forward Willie Veasley (10 ppg.).