SPORTS - NCAA Basketball Final 4 UCLA vs. LSU

Contrasting styles may be in evidence in this stepping-stone to the national championship. The LSU Tigers would like to get into a running game with UCLA, while the Bruins want to set the pace a tad slower and pressure the ball on the outside.

On the surface, it appears that LSU has better athletes on the floor, though the Bruins will dispel that notion whenever any of the Tigers' guards attempt to penetrate from the wings. Memphis was supposed to have superior talent - and maybe they did - but the Bruins' defense neutralized any advantage they may have had by frustrating their every move.

Much of UCLA's success has to be attributed to coach Ben Howland, who transformed Pitt into a defensive team from 199-2002, and has done the same with the Bruins in three short years.

The key matchups will be in the backcourt, with Arron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar checking Garrett Temple and Darrel Mitchell. The Bruins can also counter LSU by going small with guard Darren Collison, who poses the most problems for the Tigers' defense. His speed and ability to penetrate has been key to UCLA's success in close games against Gonzaga and Memphis. He usually spells Farmar, but all three guards may appear at once in this game. Expect Afflalo to check any LSU guard who thinks he's either going to score or feed the ball inside. He's absolutely lock-down, as is LSU's Temple.

In the paint, Big Baby Glen Davis and fab frosh Tyrus Thomas have been dominant, though they'll be facing their largest obstacle yet in UCLA's Ryan Hollins. The seven-footer anchors a front line with fellow senior Cedric Bozeman and freshman sensation Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. The Bruins also possess bench depth on the front line, as Alfred Aboya, Michael Roll and Lorenzo Mata will also see action.

There should be plenty of shot-swatting and ferocious rebounding on both ends of the floor.

UCLA's overall depth and dedication to fundamentals will keep this game low-scoring and frustrating to the emotional Tigers. They're truly nine or ten-deep, while the Tigers can dig down to only a 7th or 8th man at best. Only the Gators have that much depth of the remaining teams and those two - UCLA and Florida - should meet in the finals.

Additionally, the coaches of Florida and UCLA have an experience edge in their semi-final games.

Half time update: UCLA 39 LSU 24

UCLA using their defense effectively and shooting a nice percentage from the floor (58%)and also hitting their free throws (8-10 80%) while substituting freely. The Bruins established an early lead and at times had four bench players on the floor. Tigers' Glen Davis noticeably tired midway through the half.

UCLA has four starters with 4 fouls, LSU, 3. LSU 0-4 from three-point land. Mbah a Moute perfect in the period, 3-3 and 6-6 free throws for 12 points to lead all scorers. UCLA's Hollins played less than 10 minutes in the half, but the Bruins didn't miss him. More than enough turnovers for both sides. This could be even worse had the Bruins taken better care of the ball. LSU comeback seems unlikely, unless they find a perimeter offense.

Recap: UCLA 59 LSU 45

The UCLA defensive demolition of LSU continued into the second half and the Bruins cruised to one of the easiest victories in the history of the Final Four.

LSU, which came into the game the least productive of the four finalists from three-point range, was held scoreless from beyond the arc (0-6). UCLA's Jordan Farmar notched 3 of his four buckets (12 points total) from 3-point range and spearheaded the defensive effort for the Bruins. Once again UCLA limited the opposition to 45 points and a dismal shooting performance. After holding one Tiger team, Memphis, to 31% shooting, they did a similar job on LSU (16-50, 32%).

The second half was dull, with the two teams totaling only 41 points in the 20 minutes. UCLA was content to play tough defense and maintain their lead, which at times was as much as 24 points.

Freshman forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute led all scorers with 17 points, equaling his career high. He also added 9 rebounds in a superb interior effort.

Two aspects of this game were of particular note: rebounding and foul shooting. UCLA outrebounded LSU 42-33. It was the first time since their opening-round win over Belmont that the Bruins outrebounded their opponent.

UCLA also improved at the foul line, hitting 12-17 (71%) and their defense so drained the Tigers that they shot only 47% (13-28). This game was also the first since the opening round in which the Bruins shot a better percentage from the line than their opponent.

The Bruins will attempt to claim their 12 national championship, Monday night against Florida.