Final Four — UCLA

UCLA
Bruins

2007-08 Record: 35–3 (16–2 Pac-10)

Head Coach: Ben Howland (3rd Final Four)

After leading Pittsburgh to consecutive Sweet 16 appearances in 2002 and 2003, Howland took over at UCLA, where he proceeded to miss the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and exit after the first round in 2005. Since then, Howland’s Bruins have gone to the Final Four three consecutive seasons — losing to eventual champion Florida in the national title game in 2006 and in the semifinal in 2007. UCLA fans are hoping the 18th all-time Final Four appearance results in the school’s 12th national title now that the Gators’ Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer are in the NBA.

Star: Kevin Love, Freshman, Center

No stranger to stardom, Love’s father is former Lakers forward Stan Love and his uncle is Beach Boys founding member Mike Love. The 19-year-old Kevin is following is their footsteps by carrying the Bruins to the Final Four on his wide shoulders — averaging 21.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.3 blocked shots and 2.5 assists per game along the way. Although only a freshman, Love has one of the most advanced all-around games in the country — highlighted by his fullcourt outlet or inbounds passes, which start fast breaks and often lead to layups or dunks at the other end.

Co-Stars: Darren Collison, Junior, Guard; Josh Shipp, Junior, Guard

As good as Love is, UCLA cannot force him to be a one-man team and still expect to beat Memphis. The Bruins other top options have been no-shows during stretches of this year’s NCAA Tournament, with Collison fouling out against Western Kentucky and Shipp going scoreless against Texas A&M. In fact, Shipp is averaging half as many points in the Tournament as he did during the regular season — 6.3 compared to 12.3 — and must find his shot soon if UCLA hopes to contend for a national title.

Supporting Cast: Russell Westbrook, So., Guard; Luc R. Mbah a Moute, Jr., Forward

Ideally, athletic defender Westbrook would focus his attention on stopping Memphis star point guard Derrick Rose. But that may leave a mismatch on Chris Douglas-Roberts, who is the Tigers’ leading scorer. As a result, Collison will have to do better than Texas’ D.J. Augustin did vs. Rose, while Westbrook covers the hot-hand or attempts to lockdown one of the two. Mbah a Moute is a perfect role player who does a little bit of everything. Defense and rebounding will be his top priorities against an athletic Memphis team, however.

Bench: Lorenzo Mata-Real, Senior, Center; Alfred Aboya, Junior, Forward

Mata-Real, Aboya and sophomore forward James Keefe will have their hands full against the ferocious Tigers frontline in the Final Four. None will be counted on offensively, but the 15 fouls between the three forwards could come in handy against a terrible free-throw shooting Memphis team.

Road to San Antonio: Anaheim, Calif., to Phoenix, Ariz.

First Round – (16) Mississippi Valley State (70–29)
Second Round – (8) Texas A&M (51–49)
Sweet 16 – (12) Western Kentucky (88–78)
Elite Eight – (3) Xavier (76–57)

Quote:

“We’ve been runner-up and semifinalist. Now we need the other thing.”

— Kevin Love, referring to UCLA’s losses to Florida in the 2006 national title game and 2007 Final Four. The “other thing” that’s missing is a national championship.