by Rick Gagliano | 3/23/06

Preview: (13) Bradley (22-10) vs. (1) Memphis (32-3)
Oakland Regional Semi-final, 7:27 p. m. ET Favorite: Memphis -6

Memphis matches Duke with the best record of the remaining teams, and they may be the best-kept non-secret in college basketball. Led by senior Rodney Carney (17.4 ppg) and sophomore Joey Dorsey (7.5 rpg), John Calipari's squad has met every challenge all season and thus far in the tourney.

Their only losses were to Duke, Texas and Conference USA runner-up UAB, and they must be feeling a little lucky having had the 4 and 5 seeds - Pitt and Kansas - knocked off by the feisty Bradley Braves of the Missouri Valley Conference.

While Memphis appears overpowering on the surface, this Bradley squad has faced better competition than have the Tigers, who knocked off Oral Roberts in the first round and Bucknell in the 2nd, both by identical 16-point margins.

So, Memphis really hasn't been tested. Expect that to change tonight.

Bradley is clicking in every aspect of the game. In the first round against Kansas they hit 11-21 three-pointers and went to the charity stripe 32 times, converting on 20. Against Pitt, they were only 2 of 6 from 3-point range, but again went to the free throw line with remarkable frequency. They cashed 26 of 32 freebies, while their defense did most of the damage - holding the Panthers to 41% shooting in the 72-66 win.

The Bradley defense, which at times resembles a swarm of angry bees, will be put to the test. Guards Tony Bennett and Daniel Ruffin will have to check Shawne Williams and Darius Washington Jr., who both average over 13 points per game. Inside, nobody has yet been capable of stifling Carney's athletic play.

This will be a game of runs, as both teams can get up and down the floor and feature streaky shooters. A Bradley win would be a real upset as a 13 seed has never beaten a #1 and they would also be the lowest-seeded team ever to reach a regional final.

My pick is Memphis by 12 (again, why end a trend?). Big Ed Schultz likes the Tigers as well.

Half time update: Memphis 35 Bradley 30

Bradley's defense keeping them in the game despite shooting 38% from the floor and 4-9 on freebies. Darius Washington Jr. leads all scorers with 10. Bradley will have to convert better from the line if they expect to stay in this. Bennett and Sommerville of Bradley both saddled with 2 fouls.

Recap: Memphis 80 Bradley 64

Memphis took control of this game near the close of the first half and gradually pulled away from the upstart Bears. Rodney Carney went 7-12 overall, with 2-5 3-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws to pace all scorers with 23. Darius Washington Jr. added 18 and Shawne Williams totaled 12. Seven other players also scored as Memphis rolled.

The Tigers seem to be toying with opponents thus far, having won by margins of 12, 12 and 16.

Coach Calipari appeared very confident after the victory.

Moving on to play the UCLA Bruins in the Oakland Regional Final, these Tigers are flying high.