B/R Talks To Gordon Hayward on 2011 5-Seeds, Butler and Kyle Singler

Here's Part 2 to our interview with former Butler Bulldog and mid-major hero, Gordon Hayward.

He's the player who fired the half-court shot at the final buzzer of the 2010 NCAA championship game that would have created the most incredible "One Shining Moment" in college basketball history.

For this year's NCAA tournament, Hayward is teaming with Subway in "Meatball Madness." To honor his Butler team making the title game as a No. 5 seed last year, if a No. 5 seed wins it all this year, Hayward has pledged to buy the $5 foot-long meatball-pepperoni sub for 5,555 fans.

Let's jump in and hear what Gordon has to say about this year's No. 5 seeds, the 2011 Butler Bulldogs and Duke Blue Devil Kyle Singler.

GH: "Arizona has had a great season. They have played better than most people expected. Even though they lost the Pac-10 tournament, they should be ready to play in the opening round."

"Memphis has a good young coach (Josh Pastner) who played and coached at Arizona. He will be hungry for this one."

"I like Arizona in a close one."

GH: "West Virginia is always a tough, physical team that is on you from the very beginning of the game. Bob Huggins coaches that way, and his teams compete."

(Interview took place before the UAB versus Clemson play-in game): "Whether it is UAB or Clemson. Both teams play very hard and physical too. We lost (by one) to Clemson last year. They can play."

"Should be a good game, but Huggins has a lot of tournament experience. I'm goin' with West Virginia." 

GH: "John Jenkins (pictured) is a great shooter, a great scorer (led the SEC in scoring average). Vanderbilt is balanced and plays as a team. I like that."

"Richmond is another good defensive team."

"Vanderbilt wins."

GH: "Kansas State is very long and athletic. Jacob Pullen wins you games down the stretch. He's as good as anyone with the ball in his hands at the end of the game."

"Utah State is good, but Kansas State has Pullen. Kansas State wins."

B/R: So you're picking all four No. 5 seeds to win? There's always upsets, right?

GH: "I think those teams are going to win. Hey, I'm pulling for the fives (laughter)."

B/R: So, which of the No. 5-seed teams do you think has the best chance to go the farthest? Which team has the best chance to make it to the Final Four?

GH: (without hesitating) "Kansas State. We played them in the tournament last year. They were ranked high at the beginning of the season (No. 3). They've gotten it together at the end. Pullen can do it."

B/R: Do you think that they can make it to the Final Four?

GH: "If a team gets hot, anything can happen."

GH: "Butler has another great team this year. They're hot at the right time of the season (they've won their last nine games in a row)."

"Lots of players who were a part of last year's team—Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored—they've been there before. They know what it takes."

B/R: How will they match up against Old Dominion?

GH: "Old Dominion is a very good team. They've won a lot of games (27-6 record). But, Butler can do it."

B/R: If Butler beats ODU, then they will most likely face Pitt. How will they do against them?

GH: "Pitt would be a tough game. They have size. They have a talented front-court."

B/R: Prediction?

GH: "Anything can happen in the tournament. We had to beat Kansas State, Michigan State and Syracuse last year. We were underdogs."

GH: "I guess, Kyle Singler from Duke."

"He can go either inside or outside. He can handle the ball. He can play different positions and guard different positions. Played against him last year in the championship game. He's good."

B/R: Which of the top college players do you think will do the best in the NBA?

GH: "It's a different game. Some of the guys who dominate at the college level are average in the NBA. Some guys get drafted or end up on teams where they fit well, where there's a need for your skills and things work out...so, I don't have a prediction about that."

Note: Part 3 of this interview will be posted tomorrow with Gordon's comments on this year's No. 1 seeds, the Final Four, and his transition from college star to NBA rookie.

Bring on the No. 5 seeds...and the meatball subs!