The NCAA's men's basketball championship game will be played Monday evening in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, In. In what's being billed as a David and Goliath matchup, little known Butler University will take on powerhouse Duke.
However, many of the athletes are competing for a higher prize.
It was the Butler Bulldogs vs. the Michigan State Spartans and the Mountaineers of West Virginia vs. the Duke Blue Devils all trying to stake their claim to play in the championship game. In the end, Butler and Duke prevailed. And those two teams will battle it out Monday night for the NCAA Championship.
But with all the pressure on each team to win, some of the players from each team realize there is more to life than winning a basketball game.
"I'm playing for an audience of one," said West Virginia forward Da'Sean Butler. "He's given the talent and the people around me to be successful. And honestly He's helped me just with my lifestyle and everything."
"I got it last year and it means His blood," West Virginia forward Dan Jennings. "And it means covered in the blood of Jesus. He means everything to me."
"If you play for Him and play for the right reasons then there's really nothing to be worried about," said Butler forward Gordon Hayward. "There's no pressure on us, and definitely no pressure on me. Just go out and play the game that I love and um, just try to glorify His name."
"I hope that they see Jesus in me," said Butler guard Ronald Nored. "I really do. I hope they see a guy who's having fun and who's loving life and who's extremely blessed to be in this opportunity. He's everything. I think my I handle myself with the team you know I sacrifice myself for this team because that's what He did for everyone else."
"He means a lot," said duke guard. "That's why I play the game because God gave me this ability to go out and play basketball and so I try to maximize it to the most. And give Him the glory in everything I do. Basketball is only one part of my life a small part. But that's temporary and a relationship with Jesus Christ will last you forever."