Butler can't help but feel proud despite loss

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Butler fans couldn't help but feel proud of their Bulldogs despite the outcome of Monday night's championship game.

The Bulldogs fought the Duke Blue Devils all the way to the end but lost 61-59 after a last second shot bounced off the rim.

Butler fan Chris Strong found the loss tough to swallow.

"It was a great game but the best team didn't win tonight," said Strong.

Strong did however feel good about the team's chances next year.

"You got all the guys coming back. We just need another big man," he said.

"They've got to be ranked in the top five next season, definitely," added Butler fan Ryan Roberts.

Mike Zafirovski is the father of Duke forward Todd Zafirovski. Mike said the game was a little too close for comfort.

"It was a gutsy call to miss the second free throw at the end. It almost came to haunt us," Zafirovski said in reference to Gordon Hayward's last second shot.

Zafirovski said what made the Blue Devils so potent in the post season was team chemistry and dedicated seniors.

One Bulldogs fan leaning against a cement block outside Lucas Oil Stadium summed it up.

"They played their hearts out. I'm not surprised, just proud," he said.