Dominance

I predict right here, on my blog that nobody reads, the Bruins are going to improve their FG% and their FT% and run away with this game.

- Me, last night

They didn't do it with guard play as I predicted. They did it with their typical smothering defense, much improved offense and domination in the low blocks. That's right, they dominated "Big Baby" and Tyrus "Lottery" Thomas from the opening tap and never let up.

UCLA put on a clinic last night. Thomas was a total non-factor. "Big Baby" Davis played like a fat boy amongst world class athletes. At one point in the game, when LSU was down about 20 (that narrows it down), he was watching the jumbotron prior to a free throw, spotted himself and smiled. Who does this as his team is getting embarrassed in the National Semifinal? I would prefer he cried like Redick and Morrison. At least they cared.

Prior to the game I told my wife that "Big Baby" looked scared. They showed him a few different times and he looked like he was about to be led to the gallows. Turns out he was.

LSU was lucky to be in this game. They should have lost to Texas A&M. They won on the last second shot, then went on to beat Duke and Texas to become the favorite in the National Semifinal. I won't take anything away from them in those two victories, but let's remember UCLA didn't waltz in here by beating the sister's of the poor. No mention of that all week. Why? I have theories but that will wait until next season. Something about Duke and Texas being on ESPN all the time.

Anyway, what everyone conveniently forgot, and Dick Vitale apparently remembered after the game, was that defense wins championships. Keep in mind Dickie V picked LSU in this game, forgetting UCLA's defensive dominance of his buddy Caliapari's team only 6 days earlier. Or their frenetic 3 minutes of dominance at the end of the Gonzaga game where they held Gonzaga scoreless. They have been doing this all year. Nobody should be surprised.

UCLA plays defense. What is not to be forgotten is they can score too. They have talent top to bottom. They have the last 2 Pac-10 Rookies of the Year. They have 3 McDonald's All-Americans. They can play 10 guys and not really miss a beat. Everyone on that team has 1 thing in common - they buy into Howland's system and execute it to perfection. They all know their role and embrace it.

Alas, all anybody could talk about all week was how LSU was the team to beat. How LSU was stacked with future NBA players who were just too good to stop. That is true in theory, but this "ugly" team from the "weak" Pac-10 Conference showed the nation that team play and team defense is better than a roster full of future NBA players. Ask Jim Calhoun. I bet he agrees.

Finally, we complain all the time about how nobody plays defense. Watch the NBA. It's non-existent. UCLA is winning through tough play, good defense and timely offense. Why are all these columnists so down on the Bruins and their style of play? Do teams have to score 80 points per game and play no defense? You really can't have your cake and eat it to.

A look back and The "Man" and the "Not Man" of last night's game. Nothing earth-shattering here...

The Man
Mbah A Moute - Best post player in the game by a long shot. Heck, he was the best player on the court. He was too quick, too strong , too good for anybody on LSU to handle on either end. He is incredibly smart and sound player. I hate that he doesn't play for Arizona and hate that we'll have to play him 2-3 times next year.

Not The Man
Tie/Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas - They should be ashamed they didn't bother to show up. They will both leave early and LSU will not make the tourney next year. This was their chance and they phoned it in. Davis was a bit worse because he did play and was a total non-factor and didn't seem to care. He shoved Collision on a drive to the hoop with about 2 minutes to play to mercifully foul out.

What the columnists aren't saying but Packer and Nantz mentioned a bit last night. Big Baby is out of shape. You can't play at a high level when you are out of shape. Fat guys who have skill are a cute story, but when you play high caliber athletes like UCLA has your lack of conditioning will be exploited. Kudos to Howland for exposing Davis and his lack of conditioning.

X-Factor
Lorenzo Mata - If you watched the game you know this is true. He did nothing but come in and give GREAT energy, grab boards, block shots, draw fouls and generally get into the heads of the overmatched "Bayou Bengals". He did the dirty work and was a big reason the Bruins were able to dominate.

Final Prediction
UCLA 60
Florida 50

12th National Championship going to Westwood.