Duke-Butler rematch in the works

Butler, which fell one halfcourt shot shy of upsetting Duke in the NCAA championship game Monday night, might get another crack at the Blue Devils next season.

About a month ago, Butler was one of many schools approached by event organizers at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., for a neutral-site game against the Blue Devils, according to Duke senior associate athletics director Mike Cragg.

Cragg said Butler is one of several schools still interested in the meeting, and event organizers approached them again about scheduling Duke this week.

Butler coach Brad Stevens told The Associated Press on Friday that the schools are talking about dates to see if they can work out a rematch. Butler, the underdog from the Horizon League, was edged by the Blue Devils, 61-59, in Monday's thriller.

Duke escaped with the win when Butler forward Gordon Hayward's halfcourt shot at the buzzer hit the backboard and rim before falling out.