*** Thanks for reading throughout the NCAA Tournament and following our coverage of ‘March Madness’ and the Final Four.  Stay tuned to Hatfield Sports – www.matthewhatfield.com – in April for continuous coverage of Major League Baseball and the upcoming NFL Draft! ***

Tonight is the NCAA Tournament Men's College Basketball National Championship game between the Memphis Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks.

http://www.matthewhatfield.com/Basketball/Hoops/NCAA_BKB_NationalChampionship...

My Official Pick:  Memphis 73-67 - I picked Memphis in the preseason to win the National Championship and can't waver from that now...

*** Stay tuned to Hatfield Sports for a Blog Recap of this game on Tuesday! ***

Only two remain.  Neither of the two National Semifinal games turned out to be all that close as Memphis and Kansas each won by double-figures on Saturday night to punch their ticket to Monday night’s title game.  Be sure to stay tuned to Hatfield Sports – www.matthewhatfield.com – for a preview of the National Championship.  For now, let’s review what happened in Saturday’s Final Four games……

Memphis 78, UCLA 63:  Sometimes there’s just no substitute for great guard play.  Memphis has been blessed with it throughout the entire NCAA Tournament as freshman phenom Derrick Rose finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and four assists while connecting on 11-of-12 free-throws, and All-American selection Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field to bounce the Bruins from the Final Four.  By picking up their 38^th win, John Calipari’s team set a new NCAA record for most wins in a single season, and simultaneously avenging the school’s loss to then Bill Walton-led UCLA in the Final Four 35 years ago {when the big red head poured in 44 points on 21-of-22 shooting}. 

After falling behind 5-0 in the early going, Memphis went on a 30-18 run to get the pace in their favor, unlike two years ago in the regional final when they missed 14 three-pointers in a row at one point against the Bruins.  This time it was UCLA that got in the shooting slump, misfiring on 11 consecutive shots in a row at one point in the second half.  Conversely, Memphis made 11 free-throws without a miss to finish things off, stretching their lead to as much as 13 by the 2:53 mark. 

For the game, the Tigers committed nine turnovers – only three in the first half – and made 20-of-23 foul shots.  It marked the third straight game that Memphis shot 74% or better from the charity stripe and had single digit turnovers.  On the inside, Joey Dorsey was a beast without even scoring a single point, grabbing 15 rebounds.  He helped neutralize Kevin Love, the Bruins’ talented freshman that came in averaging 21.8 points per game for the tournament.  Love scored a measly two points in the second half.  Defensively, Antonio Anderson helped shut down UCLA floor general Darren Collison, who was held in check to 1-for-9 shooting, two points, five turnovers and fouled out late in the second half.  Russell Westbrook often carried the Bruins’ offense at times with both Collison and Love out of sync.  Westbrook scored 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting and made a couple steals.

Kansas 84, North Carolina 66:  Facing his former team, North Carolina Head Coach Roy Williams watched his current squad go nine minutes and 14 possessions without a field goal to dig a 40-12 hole on Saturday night.  A seemingly insurmountable deficit was nearly erased when Williams’ Tar Heels took that nightmarish start and scored 38 of the game’s next 52 points to close within four, giving them hope with a little more than ten minutes to play.  However, as much as that run spoke volumes about UNC’s offensive prowess, their defensive deficiencies – not to mention fatigue – proved costly down the stretch.

Kansas came out as the aggressor, hustling more than their opponent after loose balls, crashing the boards and extremely active defensively to tally a bunch of blocks and steals (five and seven respectively by half-time).  North Carolina’s National Player of the Year, Tyler Hansbrough, who shot below 50% from the field (6-of-13), even got out-hustled.  Struggling to both shoot and dribble, North Carolina was the nation’s best in rebounding margin this season, but saw their opposition make that strength invisible, grabbing 16 of the game’s first 21 rebounds.  By the time intermission rolled around, UNC was shooting 29% from the field (9-for-31) and minus nine in the rebounding category.  It translated into the Tar Heels’ season-low total for points in a first half.  UNC died with the three-point shot, going 5-for-24 (20.8%) from beyond the arc.  While Wayne Ellington was the Tar Heels’ high scorer with 18 points, he went 1-for-9 from long distance as he and Danny Green literally helped shoot their team back in the game, but didn’t make enough in the end.

Meanwhile, Kansas had six players with five or more points and shot 13-of-18 to begin the game.  As a team they finished with nine blocks.  Brandon Rush led the way for the Jayhawks, scoring a game-high 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.  Cole Aldrich gave the Jayhawks an unexpected spark off the bench, notching eight points, making all four of his free-throws, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking four shots.  Guards Sherron Collins, Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers gave UNC point guard Ty Lawson fits as he finished with less than ten points and 2-of-8 shooting.  Collins was especially clutch again, scoring a key basket at the end of the first half to push the lead to 17 when UNC was making a mini charge, and in the second half drilled a huge three-pointer to extend the lead to eight with about 5:20 to play.

As strong as the Jayhawks were to start, they almost self-destructed in the second half with numerous mental mistakes and playing tight like they did for a chunk of their game vs. Davidson.  The 19 turnovers – including eight in an 8:30 period – are a bit of a concern for Head Coach Bill Self going into Monday night’s Natl. Championship bought with Memphis.  Another concern is they’ve played very shaky in the second half of two straight games, which if they do against the Tigers, will mark the end of their season without cutting down the nets.

Be sure to see our NCAA Tournament Final Four Preview (members only):  http://www.matthewhatfield.com/Basketball/Hoops/NCAA_BKB_FinalFourPreview_4-4...

... If you aren't a Hatfield Sports Member and would like to become one, it's simple -- shoot me an e-mail to hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com and we'll get you setup for only one charge of $20.00 that gives you access forever!

Elite Eight Record:  3-1 (.750)

Our Overall Tournament Record:  44-16 (.733)

*** Be sure to check back on Sunday for a recap of the Final Four semifinal matchups, plus on Monday a preview of the National Championship.  Our coverage of the NCAA Tournament will conclude on Tuesday with a recap of that game! ***

And then there were four.  The Final Four is set for Saturday as all four #1 seeds – UCLA, North Carolina, Memphis and Kansas – advanced for the first time in NCAA Tournament Final Four history.  Here’s a recap of how they got there with analysis of each Elite Eight contest……

UCLA 76, Xavier 57:  Once again, Ben Howland’s Bruins won with their trademark defense.  Since coming over from Pittsburgh a few years ago, Howland has restored a certain level of toughness at UCLA.  With it comes the storied program’s third consecutive trip to the Final Four.  What did the Musketeers in was the fact they scored only two points off ten UCLA turnovers in the first half.  In other words, Xavier didn’t capitalize on early opportunities.  Additionally, no one for Xavier scored more than 13 points, and Drew Lavender and Josh Duncan were a combined 1-for-8 from the field.  Lavender was noticeably bothered by his ankle.  UCLA began the second half on a 14-0 run, and whenever they get a lead above 15 points on an opponent, the game is pretty much done.  Kevin Love and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and combined to go 14-of-23 from the field.  Luc Ricard Mbah a Moute added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, seven of which offensive.  Really this was one of UCLA’s sharper performances we’ve seen this year, particularly offensively. 

North Carolina 83, Louisville 73:  When leading at the half this season, the North Carolina Tar Heels entered Saturday’s Elite Eight game against Louisville with a 29-0 mark.  So when UNC led 44-32 at the break, there wasn’t much to worry about, right?  Not necessarily.  While the Cardinals got killed on the boards, weren’t aggressive enough and settled for too many bad shots in the first half, they turned up the intensity level in the second half.  They showed better half-court execution of their offense with effective basket cuts and eventually tied the game up at 59-apiece.  As a team, Rick Pitino’s unit shot 29-for-55 (52.7%), which generally is good enough for a victory.  However, 19 Louisville turnovers and the Tar Heels’ inside game went a long way towards deciding the outcome.  Tyler Hansbrough scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half and was 12-of-17 from the floor with 13 rebounds as well.  Guard Ty Lawson was a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line and handed out nine assists.  Louisville shot 9-of-16 from the free-throw line, but it’s worth pointing out too that many of those seven misses were critical ones where had Louisville made them they would’ve likely gone ahead in the second half.  Talented 6-foot-8 reserve swingman Earl Clark was turnover city with seven by himself.  Sophomore point guard Edgar Sosa did give the Cards a lift off the bench with 12 points.

Memphis 85, Texas 67:  Out of 341 Division I programs, Memphis ranked 339^th this season in free-throw percentage as only Washington and Winthrop were worse.  Sooner or later, many experts have predicted that flaw would come back to bite the Tigers.  Not against Texas at least.  As a team, John Calipari’s bunch shot 30-of-36 from the charity stripe for a surprisingly sharp 83%.  Memphis’ third straight Elite Eight appearance resulted in a victory that now means the program will make its first Final Four trip since 1985.  Perhaps the Tigers’ defense and unselfishness are two things that often go unnoticed about this team with an abundance of athleticism.  The Tigers limited Texas guard D.J. Augustin to 4-of-18 shooting.  Rick Barnes’ Longhorns struggled from the outside, going 9-for-28 from three-point land.  Shot blocking is one of this team’s fortes, too.  Five different players accounted for a block.  Derrick Rose scored 21 points, shot 70% from the field, hit 7-of-8 free-throws and hauled in six rebounds.  Chris Douglas-Roberts was steady with a game-high 25 points and 14-for-17 shooting from the foul line.  Memphis tallied 18 assists, nine of which belonged to Rose. 

Kansas 59, Davidson 57:  That 0-4 record in Elite Eight games nearly dropped to 0-5 for Bill Self, but fortunately for the Jayhawks’ Head Coach, Davidson decided not to have unquestionably their best shot maker attempt a potential game-winner that would put the underdog Wildcats in the Final Four.  Instead, point guard Jason Richards’ three-pointer sailed left and Kansas will face North Carolina and Roy Williams, once the Jayhawks’ Head Coach, in Saturday’s Final Four.  Stephen Curry scored 25 points, but had only ten in the second half and finished 4-for-15 from beyond the arc to cap what was a remarkable tournament by the young sophomore guard.  Nonetheless, Davidson did everything right as they had the pace/tempo right where they wanted it, their transition defense was solid for the most part, and they led by four in the second half with less than nine minutes to play in a game where they were expected to be blown out.  Clearly, Kansas was tight and playing not to lose in some respects.  While Sherron Collins’ go-ahead jumper proved to be huge for Kansas, Sasha Kaun may have been the unsung hero in this one.  Kaun finished with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting and grabbed corralled rebounds.  Rebounding played a big part in this one as the Jayhawks won that category 33-24.  What also came back to bite the Wildcats was that they went 5-for-12 from the free-throw line.  A couple more makes would’ve extended the game to overtime.

*** Stay tuned to Hatfield Sports – www.matthewhatfield.com – for more coverage of the Final Four and a preview of the UCLA/Memphis matchup as well as the North Carolina/Kansas battle! ***