CBB - #2 UCLA vs. #1 Kansas

In the late game on Saturday night from San Jose, CA, the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks play the UCLA Bruins


2007-03-23

In the late game on Saturday night from San Jose, CA, the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks play the UCLA Bruins. KU has been installed as a 2-point favorite after barely surviving a tough Sweet 16 contest vs. Southern Illinois. The Bruins play a similar smothering style defensively as the Salukies, so the Jayhawks will have to be at the top of their game to move on to Atlanta. Will they be? Let’s see what the StatFox staff has to say:

Bryan Douglass: It plays out just as it should, & the truth is this: If SIU’s defense won’t keep Kansas down, then UCLA won’t either. The only difference between those two opponents is on offense, where UCLA may put up a better fight, but I don’t think the results will differ. Look for Kansas to come charging into the Final Four. PREDICTION: Kansas 76, UCLA 72

Dave Tuley: For the reasons given above (home state, solid guard play, defense), I’d look to bet UCLA vs. Kansas. The Jayhawks may be a bit deeper but the home-state advantage also plays right into the Bruins’ hands.

Doug Upstone: Last season UCLA had a better balance of inside and outside offense in being national runner-up. Now it struggles to score points versus quality defensive teams and can go several minutes between baskets in any given contest. This will be what prevents the Bruins from flying to Atlanta. Kansas is nearly as good in the backcourt as UCLA and is dramatically better in the frontcourt with Mario Chalmers, Julian Wright and Darrell Arthur coming off the bench. It will be Rock chalk Jayhawk, KU, time in San Jose.

CBB - #2 UCLA vs. #1 Kansas News

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