Butler was constantly good in the Horizon. However I don't think they would have been invited to the BE had they not had that run under Stevens. I think it's a little unfair to call it "lightning strikes." Stevens went out and recruited two NBA players to Butler in Mack and Hayward, and another high level player in Howard, and obviously is a very good coach.

Without that little run at the exact right time, I think they may have looked more at a Dayton or St. Louis.