Trav's Thoughts

I think that this game is going to come down to the speed, quickness, and savvy play of the Texas backcourt against the size, strength, and physicality of the Memphis backcourt. The interior match ups will be important, but bigs need littles to get the ball to them. So I say that the winner will be the team with the set of guards that is able to control tempo, minimize turnovers, drive and penetrate, shoot well from the outside, and defend.

Memphis gets the early edge, utilizing their strength inside and size outside.

Then the Tigers become a bit careless, failing to block out and then making a lazy habit pass for a turnover. However I do like the patience Memphis is showing on the offensive end.

Texas is doing the things it needs to do with one notable exception...they aren't putting the ball in the basket, falling behind early by nine as Derek Rose hits his first four shots.

Augustine has been able to get out on the break for Texas, but the Longhorns still aren't able to score consistently.

Texas keeps trying to do the things that have been successful for them all season, but Memphis is well-prepared. The Longhorns need to adjust. Memphis looks very comfortable at this point in the game.

And now Texas is just in panic mode as they fall behind by 16 with about eight minutes to play.

Memphis has gotten a bit careless with the basketball, but they have made up for it with tremendous defensive intensity and Texas hasn't been able to take advantage. The Tigers have complete control of all aspects of the game at this point.

Memphis is bigger and stronger, and Texas has not found a way to exploit its quickness advantage on the perimeter. The Tigers are playing with poise.

And yet, Texas only trails by 11 at the half.

It's a simple formula for the Longhorns in the second half. Find a way to make shots. Smaller, quicker teams can beat bigger, stronger teams. But you have to execute and take advantage of every opportunity.

Texas comes out on fire, scoring the first six points of the second half to cut the lead to five.

Memphis quickly restores order and pushes the lead back to 12, as Texas is unable to make shots consistently.

Memphis has relentlessly utilized it's size and strength to counter everything Texas has tried. The Longhorns can't get off an uncontested shot, and they have been unable to make the tough pressured shot.

This is the best game I've seen Memphis play. The Tigers were poised and controlled. They showed none of the tendency toward sloppiness that they had earlier in the season. Texas went into a fouling strategy with about six minutes to play, and Memphis responded with excellent free throw shooting.

The Longhorns just couldn't keep the score close enough to put any kind of game pressure on the Tigers. Texas was really never competitive in the game.

Memphis played like champions and advanced relatively easily to the Final Four, where they will play UCLA.

That's three out of four #1 seeds in the Final Four. Now it's down to Kansas to complete the party of #1 seeds.

There you go Sugarbaby!