Howland, Bruins have Unfinished Business in Final Four

Ben Howland has coached the UCLA Bruins into their NCAA Tournament Final Four game against the Florida Gators.  At UCLA since 2003, Howland guided the Bruins to the National Championship last year, where the they were soundly defeated by the same Florida Gators team. 
 

Saturday’s rematch is one of the most overstressed storylines of the Tournament thus far.  The Bruins were humiliated on the national stage and want revenge, while the Gators seek to repeat and secure their place in college hoops history.  I’m sure you understand the implications by now.
 

I pick UCLA to take this one.  Last year, if you remember, the Bruins had a couple of close ones en route to the Final Four.  They barely hung on to beat Alabama, and forced Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison into a tearful temper tantrum after overcoming a 17-point deficit in the Sweet Sixteen.  They also had Jordan Farmar, who if I remember correctly, was no help at all in the champ’s game. 
 

This year they are older and wiser.  Even if the Bruins can’t pull off the victory, it ought to be a closer game.  If you got NCAA Tournament tickets to this one at StubHub.com, consider yourself very lucky.      

Posted in General on March 30, 2007

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