Memphis and UCLA will go at it later on this evening at 9:05 ET to see who goes to the Final Four. Memphis already beat UCLA once this year in the NIT Season Tip-Off on November 23 in New York by a final score of 88-80. UCLA is coming off a stunning victory over Gonzaga where they scored the last 11 points off the game to beat the 'Zaga 83-81. Memphis took out the 13-seeded Bradley Braves 80-64 to get here. So who do you all think will win this one tonight?
This is really Memphis' first real competition. I'm hoping UCLA, but I think its going to go down to the wire.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">This is really Memphis' first real competition. I'm hoping UCLA, but I think its going to go down to the wire.</div> I totally agree with you Iam hoping for UCLA and this game will go to the wire.
IM going with Memphis. I love the way they play and I think they're too athletic for UCLA so they have a big advantage. Jordan Farmar VS Darius Washington Jr. is going to be a great battle, I really like both of those guys but overall I like Memphis better, so Im leaning towards them.
I think UCLA wins this. It will be interesting how Memphis steps up to their 1st true challenge of the tourney.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Memphis and UCLA will go at it later on this evening at 9:05 ET to see who goes to the Final Four. Memphis already beat UCLA once this year in the NIT Season Tip-Off on November 23 in New York by a final score of 88-80.</div> Don't forget that these are two completely different teams than when they first met though. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in particular has really come into his own since they last met, where he only made one field goal and turned it over four times. UCLA also has the edge of experience. Memphis is pretty much all freshman and sophomores who are enjoying their first ever tournament appearance. You could wind up seeing that youth and inexperience come out tonight, much like what happened to the Tarheels against George Mason. I'm not going to predict this one though, because my mind tells me Memphis will win, yet I can never bring myself to pick Memphis to make the Final Four.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't forget that these are two completely different teams than when they first met though. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in particular has really come into his own since they last met, where he only made one field goal and turned it over four times. UCLA also has the edge of experience. Memphis is pretty much all freshman and sophomores who are enjoying their first ever tournament appearance. You could wind up seeing that youth and inexperience come out tonight, much like what happened to the Tarheels against George Mason. I'm not going to predict this one though, because my mind tells me Memphis will win, yet I can never bring myself to pick Memphis to make the Final Four. </div> I really think UCLA will get Memphis this time around. They are coming off an emotional vicory where they came back and stunned the 'Zags...so their confidence has to be sky high right now. If Afflalo and Farmar control the tempo of the game and don't allow the Tigers to run, then they should be in fine shape, IMO. I'm afraid UCLA don't really have an answer for Memphis' athletic wing players, but I do think UCLA has the edge in the paint and in the backcourt. UCLA will do enough on defense to take out the high-scoring Memphis Tigers 83-78!
I'm going with UCLA. They're a bunch of scrappers. It may turn into a run and gun game. All the games since the first round have come down to the wire. I have tomorrow off, the game can go into all the overtimes it wants!
The game should be a blowout by now, but UCLA has missed 11 free throws and still lead by 7 at halftime. Memphis is shooting abysmal 27% from the floor and has yet to hit a three(0-9). Bozeman has done one hell of a job on Carney holding him to 1-7 from the field and only 2 points. The big fella Ryan Hollins has been solid for the Bruins in the paint with 9 points...but has shot 1-7 from the free throw line. Memphis may have to slow it down...because UCLA is doing a nice job getting down the court and setting up their half-court defense...
The Tiger's lack of basketball IQ is really being exploited in this game. UCLA's guards keep penetrating towards the basket, which forces the Tiger's center to come over and help, which in turn leaves no one guarding UCLA's big guy to clean up the rebound, and that's led to a big offensive rebounding advantage in the second half for the Bruins. The Tigers also took themselves out of the game with frustration fouls and by fastbreaking before having complete control of the ball. They've just got no patience whatsoever. This is why I've been saying all season long that Memphis is not a Final Four team. To make it to that level, you've usually got to have perceptive coaches and players, something Memphis lacks completely.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting gocelts34:</div><div class="quote_post">Can some one hit me up with a score, theres no available TV in the house.</div> UCLA won 50-45 and advances to the Final Four. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Afflalo, UCLA clamp down on Memphis, stamp Final Four ticket OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The most storied program in college basketball is back in the Final Four. Arron Afflalo, coach Ben Howland and the rest of the Bruins have returned UCLA to the lofty level of its glory years. Afflalo scored 15 points and shut down Memphis leading scorer Rodney Carney, helping No. 2 seed UCLA defeat the top-seeded Tigers 50-45 Saturday and earn a trip to Indianapolis for its first Final Four appearance since the school's 1995 NCAA championship.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=264000015
UCLA is going to be dangerous in the Final Four no doubt because of their defense. The last two games they have made a name for themselves on the defensive side of things, frustrating the other team. I REALLY want to see a UConn-UCLA matchup in the National Championship game. Farmar against Marcus Williams, Afflalo against Rudy Gay. If UConn would win that game it would have to be in the post by Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong.
