SALT LAKE CITY – Butler became the latest mid-major team to knock off a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
Willie Veasley scored five of his 13 points during Butler’s 11-0 run down the stretch, and the Bulldogs rallied to upset No. 1 seed Syracuse 63-59 on Thursday night in the West Regional semifinals.
The fifth-seeded Bulldogs (31-4) fought through Syracuse’s vaunted zone defense and kept the Orange (30-5) from getting their fast break going most of the night.
Now, Butler is one win from going home to Indianapolis for the school’s first Final Four.
Gordon Hayward scored 17 points and started the celebration while dribbling out the clock after the Bulldogs forced Syracuse into its 18th turnover.