The Final Two

So I watched last night's two National Semifinals for spots in the National Championship and I was impressed by both winning performances. I thought the kids for Florida came out with the attitude that they would not get upset and played like it throughout. The guard play for them was particularly impressive. Taureen Green is a total game plan wrecker 'cause he can get in the lane and kick (which is Billy Donovan's philosophy) and he can spot up on the perimeter when the bigs get the ball on the blocks or at the free throw line extended.

Secondly, UCLA's Ben Howland outcoached John Brady. Brady had to think UCLA would slow the pace down and work the clock against the supremely athletic LSU kids, but he told Farmar, Collison, and Afflalo to push the ball on the break and then back it out or take the easy shot. The effect was that both Thomas and Davis both got winded and never truly got in the game. The on-ball pressure from the UCLA guards also disrupted any rhythm LSU hoped to establish and they turned the ball over the entire first half.

I am surprised at Howland's game plan and adaptability (although they still had the pace below the 60-pt. level that is so important for them) because as Northern Arizona's head coach he had his guys bombing threes the entire time. He is obviously a little better coach than I ever imagined. Now if we could trick him into returning to Utah.