Tobacco Road Report

By Michael

Everyone will be praising UCLA's defense tomorrow, but TRR didn't necessarily see it that way. Yes, UCLA did force 21 turnovers. Kansas, however, played excellent defense as well, forcing 24 turnovers, limiting UCLA to 7 offensive rebounds, and holding UCLA to only 45 field goal attempts. The defenses were a net-wash in my opinion.

The difference was: (1) UCLA's ability to hit the three, where they finished 8 of 17, (2) UCLA's ability to find offense late in the shot clock through Afflalo, and (3) missed opportunities by Kansas. If you ever want to define what missed opportunities means, just call Bill Self at the Kansas Athletic Department. I'm sure they'd be happy to give you this game tape for free since they'll be burning every copy they have.

Kansas was 14 of 34 on layup and dunk opportunities. They finished about as strong as Britney's stint in rehab. The meek may inherit the earth, but they don't belong in the Final Four.