'Hoosiers' legend chimes in on Butler

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Hoosier basketball legend has his own take on the Butler men’s basketball team that has made history of its own by being the first Indiana team to make it to back-to-back Final Four games.

"I had bypass surgery in 1994," says Bobby Plump. "If they [Butler] keep winning like they are I'm going to have to go back in and get some operation done to my heart again."

In a nondescript office in Indianapolis, a legend lurks behind a desk. Bobby Plump, who put Milan over the top in a last-second shot in 1954, was part of a David vs. Goliath game that inspired the movie Hoosiers. Plump went on to start at Butler, and he's not so sure about the team being favorites Saturday against VCU.

"They've made them a 2 point favorite, I'd just assume they'd be an underdog," says Plump. "I think we'll be celebrating in Indy Monday night. I really believe that. Absolutely."

He says the final story of a run might go un-told for some time. The miracle run in 1954 was preceded by a near-championship in 1953 — the back-to-back runs raised expectations not only for players, but for students at Milan. He says that might be the long-term story at Butler.

"There were more that went to college out of my graduating class than the previous four years total," says Plump. "'53 and '54 raised the expectation of not just the players but the students. They said, 'You know, we might be able to do this.' That was really what the value of those two years were."