 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida -- The first team to go to consecutive Final Fours since... yesterday, when UCLA clinched the same distinction.
So the Pac-10 is now the Pac-1, as Oregon has gone down. The Ducks couldn't handle the Gators, as Lee Humphrey went off for 7 three-pointers. The Gators are plenty tough when their Guards DON'T shoot lights out, but when they're in the zone, the Gators can't be beat. Of course you could say that about lots of teams -- when your perimeter guys are on fire, you can beat anyone. In fact, that's exactly how the Ducks got to the Elite Eight in the first place. But they died while getting a taste of their own medicine... and it was bitter.
Speaking of living and dying by the same sword, North Carolina decapitated sc by holding them without a bucket for 8:12. Yesterday, the Tarheels went scoreless for 8:14 in their Overtime loss to Georgetown. They lost a late lead, they bricked a wide open look at the regulation buzzer, and they gave up 10 straight at the start of O.T. to eliminate themselves from the Tourney.
So it's #2 UCLA vs. #1 Florida, after #1 Ohio State vs. #2 Georgetown. This is considered one of the most solid Final Four groups in decades, with the Title up for grabs. Florida is Favored over UCLA by 3, while the Ohio State/G-Town game is pick 'em. And for what it's worth, Steve Lavin and Rick Majerus predict that the Hoyas will beat the Bruins in the NCAA Final.
One of the reasons cited for preferring UCLA is that the game is a "Revenge Game." That means that since Florida whipped UCLA in last season's Final, the Bruins will be hungrier this time, with something to prove. Well, that's going to HAVE to be true, because on paper, the Gators still have the talent edge, whether Humphrey is hitting or not.
However, the Gators have plenty to be worried about. They can be a sloppy team, so UCLA's vaunted Defense could create massive amounts of turnovers, and points off turnovers. The Bruins may not be as athletic, but they ARE more disciplined. Since Defense wins Championships, and since Defense never has a night off, while even an AWESOME Offense can have a stone-cold night, you have to realize that UCLA could actually be about to go to Back-to-Back Championships, with a chance to win their 100th overall NCAA Title.
But don't get ahead of yourselves: Remember last year? The Gators Travelled a dozen times during that Title game, without getting whistled for it. Those "quick first steps" were really just Rule Violations, that the Refs were afraid to call. If this year's Refs watched those tapes, maybe they'll correct the mistake this time around. Another 12 turnovers would be all the Bruins need to march on to the Final.
Below are some more Noah/Florida photos from last year's Final Four, and, as promised, some more Cheer shots from Saturday Night in San Jose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
