Final Four - UCLA vs Memphis
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2008 by Travis Cody inI read one of the more inane leads to a story about the game today.
Should be easy to tell who wins the UCLA-Memphis game. Just look at the scoreboard.
Uhm...duh! OK, I understand what the writer was trying to convey. His point? If Memphis plays its normal up tempo high scoring style, getting the score into the 80's, then they'll likely win.
But come on! You'd be able to tell who wins any game by looking at the scoreboard and seeing which team had more points!
Most writing about sports is like this though. Pundits state the obvious and sports fans nod sagely in agreement or shake fists vehemently in protest. It's all part of the fun.



UCLA has been able to run its offense effectively. They have gotten back well in defensive transition


The Bruins haven't been able to handle the size of the Tigers' big back court. Chris Douglas-Roberts has been able to get any shot he wants, and Derek Rose has penetrated effectively.
UCLA trails by a point at the under 12 minute time out. This is a really good game so far, as I expected.

Memphis is up by five at the under eight minute time out. UCLA has already used two of its times out to slow the tempo and get itself back under control. Not having those times out late in the game could be a factor.
The Tigers are tightening the screws, defending the pick and roll much better than they did earlier in the game. In fact, all the things that UCLA was doing well early are being taken away. Not only has Memphis played bigger and stronger since the under eight minute break, but they seem quicker too.

The one thing the Bruins haven't been able to do is defend against Rose. He's going wherever he wants on the floor and UCLA can't match up with him. If they switch defenders, then Douglas-Roberts takes over. The Bruins just don't have enough size in the back court, and they don't have a quickness advantage either.
Memphis has the lead by three at halftime.

UCLA is making so many small mistakes, very similar to the kinds of mistakes that both Michigan State and Texas made. I think UCLA has a good game plan, but it isn't being executed consistently and a lot of that has to do with the way Memphis is playing defense.
Memphis had the lead up in double digits, but UCLA has scrapped to cut it back to seven at the under 16 minute time out.

And now UCLA is trying to be more physical with the Memphis guards, resulting in a bit of foul trouble for the Bruins.

At the under eight minute time out, Memphis is up by 10 and the UCLA point guard just picked up his fourth foul.
Memphis is in control. The Tigers have an 11 point lead with less than three minutes to play, and UCLA shows no signs that it can make any kind of run. The Bruins will start fouling, and we'll see if Memphis can continue to shoot well from the foul line.
I appreciate Memphis after this game much more than I have all season. The Tigers are focused on the goal, and most of the chaos has gone out of their game. They controlled UCLA in this game and will play for the national championship on Monday. If they win, they will have a record of 38-1. No other college program has ever won 38 games in a season.
Congratulations to UCLA on an excellent season.
haauu.....buffing my nails on my shirt over here! One down and one to go!!
(I feel the need to root for Kansas...lol)