UCLA VS LSU PICK

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Michael Robinson started his journalism career covering Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball. He has since taken his talents around the globe, writing for Maxim Magazine Online, Football.com, Rotoworld.com, and VIP Sports.

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Final Four - UCLA vs LSU - March 30, 2006

The Final Four begins this Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. EST. with George Mason (+6) versus Florida the early contest. UCLA and LSU is expected to be the closer game as these two have played some lockdown defense in the post-season. Here is a game preview and a prediction.

By Michael Robinson

Frontcourt

What more can you say about LSU’s Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Tyrus Thomas? They are dominating in the paint and on the glass, and are doing it against more heralded competition. Davis has a 75 pound weight advantage over any UCLA player, so LSU will continue to pound it down low. Tasmin Mitchell is a 6’7” freshman forward who also hits the glass hard.

UCLA power forward, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is one of the best freshmen in the country, and has shown a real desire to rebound the basketball. 7’0” center, Ryan Hollins is playing inspired basketball in the post-season and has scored in double digits every game. He needs to have another big effort for UCLA to win.

Backcourt

LSU’s Darrell Mitchell is a shoot-first point guard who can really fill it up at times. He is joined in the backcourt by 6’5” freshman guard, Garrett Temple. Temple is a good defender, but is only shooting 1-11 from three-point land in the last three games.

UCLA’s Jordan Farmar and Aaron Afflalo are an extremely fine tandem, but they were not able to find the basket with a compass last game against Memphis. Swingman, Cedric Bozeman doesn’t score a whole lot, but he will do whatever it takes on the court to win the game.

Bench and Coaching

UCLA’s Ben Howland has done a great job converting the Bruins from a soft West Coast team, to a squad that prides itself on toughness and defense. LSU’s John Brady is not as well known as Howland despite being with LSU since 1997. UCLA gets the slight edge in bench strength.

The Skinny

UCLA is going for its 12th national championship, but LSU is the slight favorite and deservedly so.

LSU knows that they have the advantage inside, and even though Ryan Hollins is playing very good basketball, he has not had to bang bodies with someone like “Big Baby.” By the end of the 4th quarter, Hollins and his slim frame may be looking for IV fluids.

UCLA will try to exploit their advantage in the backcourt, but they will have to hit their three-pointers to offset their disadvantage up front.

The way these two teams have been playing, there is a good chance that the final score will be in the high 50’s or low 60’s. Expect a close game, but LSU will eventually wear the Bruins down.

Pick: LSU

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