Bracket Projection: Butler

After a one-year hiatus, the Butler Bulldogs, featuring one of the younger teams of the Brad Stevens era and fresh off their first year as a member of the Atlantic 10, are back in the 2013 NCAA tournament. Can Butler play like the Bulldogs of old and get to Atlanta, or will they get tripped up before they can make another deep run?

ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.

Lunardi's Logic

I thought the Bulldogs would struggle a bit more in the Atlantic 10, but only Saint Louis really had their number. Butler was outstanding against everyone else in a deep, deep league, and they'll make another leap next season to the new Big East. In the meantime, I'm putting the Bulldogs in another Sweet 16 with wins over Bucknell and Marquette (even though I never got that trip to Hinkle!).

TOURNEY PROFILE

Best wins: Indiana, Gonzaga, Marquette, North Carolina

Worst losses: at Xavier, Charlotte, Saint Louis, at VCU

To read the complete tournament guide preview for the Butler Bulldogs, including if they have the talent for another magical run, plus to gain access to all of ESPN Insider's NCAA tournament coverage, sign up today.

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