"That's what you really want to have going into these tournaments in March, " coach Brad Stevens said.

WSJ: Atlantic 10 tournament hits big time in Big Apple

To be clear, this isn't some grand conspiracy hatched by Butler coach Brad Stevens from a hidden lair beneath Hinkle Fieldhouse.

WSJ: Butler: The School of Hard Blocks

"We do everything in the new school, if you would call it, " said Butler coach Brad Stevens, a 36-year-old devotee of advanced statistics.

WSJ: Ohio State, Butler, Wisconsin: The New Thing in College Basketball: Embracing the Old School

The Bulldogs closed it out by making four of six free throws the rest of the way to improve to 36-10 after a loss under coach Brad Stevens.

WSJ: Clarke has 22, No. 11 Butler tops Fordham 68-63

"The difference in the game was the level of pressure they put on us in the second half and certainly the shots they made, " Butler coach Brad Stevens said.

NPR: Blue And Marquette Show Butler The Door, 74-72

The UCLA coaching search threw up a few air-balls earlier this week, with failed overtures to Shaka Smart (VCU) and Brad Stevens (Butler) before scoring their man in Steve Alford (New Mexico).

FORBES: UCLA Lands Steve Alford, But Did Steve Alford Land One of America's Best Coaching Jobs?

The 50-year-old Marshall is in his sixth season at Wichita State, but he fits in well with the up-and-coming coaches who made their reputations through unlikely tournament success such as Butler's Brad Stevens or VCU's Shaka Smart.

NPR: Wichita State Upsets OSU 70-66 For Final Four Trip

Interest in college basketball is at its annual March zenith in the United States right now, so it seems appropriate to reflect for a few moments on a coach who models passion, accountability and collaboration, Butler University's Brad Stevens.

FORBES: Magazine Article