With UCLA's recent win in the elite eight they have now successfully made the Final Four for three straight years. UCLA will play Memphis, the number one seed from the Midwest, who comes into the Final Four with only one loss and winning their last two games by double digits.
Just taking a quick glance at the game you'd have to give the upper hand to Memphis on paper. They have the better winning percentage, have finished games off better, and have more length, talent and depth at the skill positions. My answer to that is not so fast my un-educated basketball fans. College basketball is not played on paper. It's a game that's played with passion for 40 minutes on the hardwood. It's played with skill and smarts, it's played with talent and brains. Ben Howland and the UCLA Bruins have played that style of game for a very long time. If UCLA plays the basketball that they've played for the majority of they year, the grind it out and get in your face on defense, they will beat the Tigers and advance to their second Final Four in three years.
What the Bruins must to do win. - the first few will be obvious, things that must be done in basketball at every level but if the Bruins can successfully do all of these you can book em for the championship game.
1. Play Defense - something the Bruins have done all year. The do a great job doubling in the post and rotating to the players closet to the ball and basket. They also do a superb job hedging off screens and defending the ball. Just play D like you did all year and you'll be fine.
2. Take Care of the Ball and take good/high percentage shots - Do not force things and do not rush shots. Shoot the three's when they're there but please don't force them. The Bruins have the best low post player in college basketball in Kevin Love. They must get him the ball early and often. Get him in a great rhythm and the more he touches the ball the more attention he will get. Doubling Love will just allow him to show off his uncanny passing skills and allow many opportunities for offensive rebounds which the Bruins do very well. Mbah Moute, Westbrook and Shipp all are great finishers and have noses for loose balls. We must be all over the loose balls. Note to Shipp, please shoot when you have an open shot. You have the ability to go 5 for 8.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Lions Defensive Off Season News
Since I last wrote, the Lions have made several moves in free agency. Nothing stands out as a serious move in order to contend for the NFC championship however they have signed guys in areas of need.
In the secondary, the Lions, resigned CB's Travis Fisher and Keith Smith along with signing CB's Brian Kelly, from Tampa and and Dwight Smith from Minnesota. The trade of Shaun Rogers for a draft pick and Leigh Bodden has solved our #1 corner spot for now but left the DT position with no depth. Brian Kelly and Travis Fisher will contend for the #2 and 3 spots with Dwight Smith and Keith Smith looking to hold down the backup safety and corner spots. The Lions also signed special teamer Kalvin Pearson who last played and led the Bucs special teams in tackles. Unless the lions choose a CB with their first draft pick I think the Lions secondary is set for the start of training camp.
In the area of the front seven the Lions added depth at DT by signing veteran Chuck Darby from Seattle. We need help at both DE and DT still.
At the LB position the Lions let Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman sign with Denver and Tampa respectively. Neither lived up to their potential and best of luck to them in the future. No new signings or acquisitions yet at LB however much help is needed here in free agency and the draft.
Current Depth Chart
CB's 1. Leigh Bodden 2. Brian Kelly 3. Travis Fisher 4. Keith Smith 5. Dwight Smith
Safety's 1. Daniel Bullocks 2. Gerald Alexander 3. Dwight Smith 4. Kalvin Pearson
LB's 1. Ernie Sims 2. Paris Lenon 3. Alex Lewis 4. Anthony Canon 5. Buster Davis
DE's 1. DeWayne White 2. Jared Devries 3. Alama-Francis 4. Claude Harriot
DT's 1. Cory Redding 2. Shaun Cody 3. Chuck Darby
Going into the April Draft we need a lot of help on defense. Our secondary is actually the least suspect position right now and that's the complete opposite of where we were in January. Our front seven is extremely thin and inexperienced. If we want to contend in 2008 we need to add talent and depth at all 7 positions.
Look for the Lions to go after a LB, DE or OT in the first round of the NFL draft in April. My current pick is LB Dan Connor from Penn State.
In the secondary, the Lions, resigned CB's Travis Fisher and Keith Smith along with signing CB's Brian Kelly, from Tampa and and Dwight Smith from Minnesota. The trade of Shaun Rogers for a draft pick and Leigh Bodden has solved our #1 corner spot for now but left the DT position with no depth. Brian Kelly and Travis Fisher will contend for the #2 and 3 spots with Dwight Smith and Keith Smith looking to hold down the backup safety and corner spots. The Lions also signed special teamer Kalvin Pearson who last played and led the Bucs special teams in tackles. Unless the lions choose a CB with their first draft pick I think the Lions secondary is set for the start of training camp.
In the area of the front seven the Lions added depth at DT by signing veteran Chuck Darby from Seattle. We need help at both DE and DT still.
At the LB position the Lions let Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman sign with Denver and Tampa respectively. Neither lived up to their potential and best of luck to them in the future. No new signings or acquisitions yet at LB however much help is needed here in free agency and the draft.
Current Depth Chart
CB's 1. Leigh Bodden 2. Brian Kelly 3. Travis Fisher 4. Keith Smith 5. Dwight Smith
Safety's 1. Daniel Bullocks 2. Gerald Alexander 3. Dwight Smith 4. Kalvin Pearson
LB's 1. Ernie Sims 2. Paris Lenon 3. Alex Lewis 4. Anthony Canon 5. Buster Davis
DE's 1. DeWayne White 2. Jared Devries 3. Alama-Francis 4. Claude Harriot
DT's 1. Cory Redding 2. Shaun Cody 3. Chuck Darby
Going into the April Draft we need a lot of help on defense. Our secondary is actually the least suspect position right now and that's the complete opposite of where we were in January. Our front seven is extremely thin and inexperienced. If we want to contend in 2008 we need to add talent and depth at all 7 positions.
Look for the Lions to go after a LB, DE or OT in the first round of the NFL draft in April. My current pick is LB Dan Connor from Penn State.
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