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Tournament Coverage
Sweet 16 games

Thursday, 3/23
Duke - LSU
Memphis - Bradley
Texas - W. Virginia
UCLA - Gonzaga

Friday, 3/24
Boston College - Villanova
George Mason - Wichita St.
Florida - Georgetown
Connecticut - Washington

Elite 8 games

Saturday, 3/25
UCLA-Memphis
LSU-Texas

Sunday, 3/26
George Mason-Connecticut
Florida-Villanova

Final 4 games

Saturday, 4/1
Florida-George Mason
UCLA-LSU

by Rick Gagliano | 3/25/06

Preview: (2) UCLA (30-6) vs. (1) Memphis (33-3)
Oakland Regional Final, 5:45 p.m. ET
Favorite: Memphis -3

Memphis has yet to be tested in this tournament, having breezed past relative nobodies in the first three rounds. Oral Roberts and Bucknell went down by 12 each, and Bradley was never closer than 7 in the second half, falling by 16, 80-64. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers respond to UCLA's defense and the high emotions of this game.

The Bruins played in what may be the most memorable performance of the tournament, scoring the final 11 points in their dramatic 73-71 win over Gonzaga.

It's unlikely that the Bruins will come out as flat in this contest as they did against the Zags, so if Memphis does build a big early lead it will be hard-earned. Expect the Bruins to play more like they did at the end of the Gonzaga game and put pressure on the Tigers with a swarming defense that will contest every shot and every rebound.

There's history here as well. These two matched up way back in November, in the NIT season opener in New York City. Memphis won that game 88-80, but the whole story was a tale of two halves. The Tigers took a 51-36 advantage into the locker room, and were challenged by the Bruins in the second half when Jordan Farmar, who was still nursing a sore ankle, scored 23 of his 28 points. UCLA outscored Memphis 46-37 in the second half, but could not get any closer than six behind.

While the Tigers were led by Shawne Williams' 26 points, and Rodney Carney's 17, Farmar and Afflalo paced the Bruins with 28 and 14, respectively. All of Memphis' starters played at least 30 minutes, except Joey Dorsey who played 25 with foul trouble. For the Bruins, Ryan Hollins only played 19 minutes, while the two freshmen for the Bruins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Darren Colllison were a combined 2 of 9 for 6 points. They've matured through the season and will do better this time around, especially Mbah a Moute, who's become a force on the boards and is active in the UCLA offensive scheme.

The Bruins get an edge on the emotional side, having already played in an all-out, do or die situation. Memphis hasn't been tested in a long time, riding a 7-game winning streak and 22 of their last 23. They've won their last 7 games by an average of 12.7 points per game, but, again, the competition has been somewhat questionable.

There's not much difference in talent on these two teams. It will come down to who handles the pressure better, so a UCLA win is not out of the equation. If the Bruins win, it will be due to their defense. Memphis can win by executing, staying out of foul trouble and maintaining their poise.

Half time update: UCLA 28 Memphis 21

Bruins' Hollins has been magnificent inside, though UCLA has been hurt by poor foul shooting (6-17). Various Tigers' players in foul trouble: Dozier 3, Carney 2, Dorsey 2, Allen 2.

Hollins leads scoring with 9 and has no fouls. Memphis 1st half shooting: 28%, 0-9 on 3's. UCLA defense doing the job. Bruins should be up by at least 12. Only demerit in offensive rebounding. Tigers are getting second chances. This one isn't over yet, but UCLA has outplayed Memphis in the first half.

Recap: UCLA 50 Memphis 45

The UCLA Bruins erased all doubt about the quality of their defense and avenged an earlier loss to Memphis with the finest display of pressure defense seen in the tournament. UCLA totally shut down the Tigers' potent offense, limiting them to by far their lowest point total of the season. The previous low for Memphis was in a 69-58 loss to Texas on January 2nd.

While the Bruins weren't exactly the image of offensive efficiency, shooting only 35% and hitting only 20 of 39 free throws (51%), it was enough to hold off and frustrate the Tigers, who shot 31% (17-54) and 2-17 from beyond the three-point line.

The Bruins advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1995 (when they won the national championship) and will face the LSU Tigers in one semi-final game.