1-on-1 Final 4 fun

Associated Press

UCLA vs. MEMPHIS

GETTING THERE

After an easy opening-round win over Mississippi Valley State, UCLA wasn’t very impressive until dismantling Xavier in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four for the third straight year. The Bruins beat Texas A&M in the second round in yet another game where they benefited from a controversial officiating decision, as they did in a couple of key games at the end of the regular season. Then they lost all but four points of a 21-point halftime lead in the win over Western Kentucky.

Memphis had a close win in the second round over Mississippi State but otherwise the Tigers have been as dominant as a one-loss team should be.

THE COACHES

Ben Howland’s first two trips to the Final Four ended with losses to Florida and like the others, this one was centered on defense.

John Calipari led Massachusetts to the Final Four in 1996. This is his first Final Four appearance with Memphis after falling one game short the last two seasons.

THE PLAYERS

While freshman Kevin Love and his old style have drawn most of the attention, junior point guard Darren Collison has remained the glue on both ends of the floor. Junior forward Josh Shipp has struggled with his shooting during the tournament (8-for-27).

For Memphis, it’s also been a freshman in the starring role as Derrick Rose averaged 20.5 points and 6.0 assists in the four games. Memphis’ balanced offense also gets 17.5 points per game from Chris Douglas-Roberts.

HISTORY

UCLA extended its own record with its 18th Final Four appearance and the Bruins have won the title a record 11 times, the last in 1995.

This is Memphis’ third Final Four appearance. Its first, in 1973, ended with an 87-66 loss to UCLA.

The teams had four common opponents this season (Michigan State, Texas, Southern Cal, Arizona). UCLA went 5-2 against them, losing to Texas and Southern Cal. Memphis beat all four.

KANSAS VS. NORTH CAROLINA

GETTING THERE

North Carolina was the No. 1 of the No. 1s and the Tar Heels played that way throughout, with the 10-point win over Louisville in the East Regional final their closest game.

Kansas was impressive in its first three games, then became the first team to find a way to beat Davidson and star guard Stephen Curry. It may be the Jayhawks’ defense against Curry on the final possession of the Midwest Regional final that becomes their signature moment of the tournament.

THE COACHES

North Carolina’s Roy Williams is making his sixth trip to the Final Four, tied for fourth-highest all-time. Williams led the Tar Heels to the national championship in 2005.

Bill Self took Tulsa and Illinois to one regional final each. This one with Kansas becomes his first appearance at a Final Four.

THE PLAYERS

Tar Heels center Tyler Hansbrough averaged 21.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in the tournament, including 28 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Louisville. Ty Lawson, who missed seven games with a sprained ankle, is starting to show the speed and open-court presence that was the staple of the offense before he got hurt.

Brandon Rush would have left for the NBA except for a knee injury that forced him to return and he leads the Jayhawks in scoring (13.1). Up front it’s Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson both averaging about 12 points and six rebounds.

HISTORY

North Carolina’s 17 Final Fours are second only to UCLA and the Tar Heels have won the title four times, which trails only UCLA, Kentucky and Indiana.

Kansas is in the Final Four for the 13th time, tied for fourth on the all-time list, and the Jayhawks have won it all twice, the last in 1988.

The teams had three common opponents this season (Georgia Tech, Boston College, Davidson) with North Carolina going 4-0 and Kansas 3-0.