The Final Four at a Glance

By Bruin Basketball Report

With the elimination of Memphis, Connecticut and Villanova over the weekend, for the first time since 1980, none of the No.1 seed teams will be playing in the Final Four.

The semifinal round of the Final Four has been set with No. 3 Florida playing Cinderella No. 11 George Mason in the first semifinal game; and No. 2 UCLA Bruins taking on the No. 4 LSU Tigers in the second semifinal game.

All four remaining teams advanced to the Final Four by playing stingy defense; and one should expect defensive battles to continue in the final games of the tournament.

UCLA held opponents to 41% field shooting from the floor including just 35% in the Oakland regional championship game, meanwhile, it's opponent in the semifinal game, LSU, held its four opponents in the tournament to just 33% shooting from the field.

Florida held Villanova to 24.7 percent shooting in the Minneapolis regional final, while its upcoming opponent, George Mason, held teams to just 39% in four games.

A glance at the Final Four teams to play in Indianapolis for the NCAA championship title.

Tentative Semifinal Game Start Times for April 1

No. 3 Florida vs. No. 11 George Mason 3:07 p.m. PT
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 4 LSU 5:47 p.m. PT


No. 2 UCLA Bruins (31-6), Pac-10

Road to Final Four
Def. No. 15 Belmont (78-44), Def. No. 10 Alabama (62-59), Def. No.3 Gonzaga (73-71), Def. No. 1. Memphis (50-45)

Probable Starters
F-Cedric Bozeman (Sr, 6'6, 205), F-Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Fr, 6'7, 225), C-Ryan Hollins (Sr, 7'0, 235), G-Jordan Farmar (So, 6'2, 180), G-Arron Afflalo (So, 6'5, 210)

Key Reserves
G-Darren Collison (Fr, 6'0, 155), C-Lorenzo Mata (So, 6'8, 235), F-Alfred Aboya (Fr, 6'8, 235), F-Michael Roll (Fr, 6'5, 205)

BBR View
Coach Ben Howland has the Bruins peaking at just the right time. A team known during the regular season as a guard-oriented team, UCLA has been getting outstanding contributions from it's post players, most notably senior Ryan Hollins. Hollins has averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the tournament and was recently named Most Outstanding Player of the Oakland Regional. The Bruins have been outrebounded over the last three games, and have been inconsistent from the free throw line - trends they must reverse if they expect to compete for the title this coming week. UCLA controlled the tempo against a very good and athletic Memphis team limiting them to a season low of 45 points in the contest.


No. 4 LSU Tigers (27-8) SEC W

Road to Final Four
Def. No. 13 Iona (80-64), No. 12 Texas A&M (58-57), No. 1 Duke (62-54), No. 2 Texas (70-60)

Probable Starters
F-Tyrus Thomas (Fr, 6'9, 215), F-Tasmin Mitchell (Fr, 6-7, 240), C-Glen Davis (So, 6'9, 310), G-Garrett Temple (Fr, 6'5, 180), G-Darrel Mitchell Sr, 5'11, 178)

Key Reserves
F-Darnell Lazare (Jr, 6'8, 240), G-Ben Voogd (Fr, 6'1, 175), F-Magnum Rolle (Fr, 6'10, 215)

BBR View
The Tigers have a formidable frontcourt. Center Glen "Big Baby" Davis (18.7 points, 9.8 rebounds) was the SEC Player of the Year, forward Tyrus Thomas (12.6 points, 9.3 rebounds) was the SEC Freshman of the Year, and Daniel Lazare (6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds). Fellow freshman Tasmin Mitchell (6-7, 240) has also been an instant-impact player. The Tigers have played strong defense during the tournmant and shut down two outstanding scorers in J.J. Reddick of Duke and LaMarcus Aldridge of Texas.


No. 3 Florida Gators (31-6), SEC E

Road to Final Four
Def. No. 14 S. Alabama (76-50), Def. No. 11 Milwaukee-Wisconson (82-60), No. 7 Georgetown (57-53), No. 1 Villanova (75-62)

Probable Starters
F-Corey Brewer (So, 6'8, 185), F-Al Horford (So, 6-9 242), C-Joakim Noah (So, 6'11, 227), G-Taurean Green (So, 6'0 177), Lee Humphrey (Jr, 6'2 192)

Key Reserves
F-Adrian Moss (Sr,6'9 247), G-Walter Hodge (Fr,6'0 170), F-Chris Richard (Jr, 6’8 255), David Huertas (Fr, 6’5 185)

BBR View
The Gators are an athletic and well-balanced team. A strong frontcourt is anchored by big man Joakim Noah (14 points, 64.1% FG, and 6.8 rebounds) and versatile wing Corey Brewer (12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds) . The team led the nation in field goal percentage shooting at 50.8% and also shoot exceptionally well from the three-points distance at 39.5% (14th best in the nation). Point guard Taurean Green (13.4 points , 4.8 assists) is solid at the point.


No. 11 George Mason Patriots (27-7), CAA

Road to Final Four
Def. No. 6 Michigan St. (75-65), Def. No. 3 North Carolina (65-60), No. 7 Wichita St. (63-55), No. 1 Connecticut (86-84)

Probable Starters
F-Folarin Campbell (So, 6'4, 200), F-Jai Lewis (Sr, 6'7, 275), F-Will Thomas (So, 6'7, 220), G-Tony Skinn (Sr, 6'1, 175), G-Lamar Butler (Sr, 6'2, 170)

Key Reserves
G-Gabe Norwood (Jr, 6'5 185), F-Sammy Hernandez (Fr, 6'5, 230)

BBR View
Patriots have two excellent low post scorers in Jai Lewis and Will Thomas, and guards who can shoot well from the outside. The team gets balanced scoring from its five starters who each average double-digits in scoring this season. Known as one of the stingiest defensive teams in the nation, they allow only 38.6% shooting from the field (9th best in the nation).


(BruinBasketballReport.com)