There's the scoring prowess of North Carolina, Memphis' Dribble-Drive-Motion
offense, the balance that Kansas brings to the table and, of course, how can we
omit UCLA's vaunted defense?
There's a reason why everyone's Elite Four to start the season all made it to
San Antonio. They have talent and have backed it up by winning plenty of games.
However, none of them are perfect. They each have something that could cost
them a chance at a national title.
Check out what could hold each team back from cutting down the nets for the
final time this season:
NORTH CAROLINA — DEFENSE
Roy Williams admittedly has stressed defense more than any other area with
his team this season and for good reason. Other than Marcus Ginyard, it's a club
filled with average defenders.
Everyone knows the Tar Heels can match anyone basket for basket, but will
they be able to get that key stop late in the game when they need it? Ty
Lawson's defense has improved, but he rarely maintains focus on that side of the
ball for an extended period of time.
Wayne Ellington has come a long way from his high school days, but he's still
not a lock-down defender. Deon Thompson is in the game for his scoring ability
— and Tyler Hansbrough may be terrific on the glass, but he's an average
defender.
North Carolina's opponents shot 33 percent from three-point range and 42
percent from the field — both solid numbers for a team that has been chastised
all season for its play on the defensive end.
The key for Williams' club is to make sure the opposition isn't able to
penetrate into the lane with ease.
MEMPHIS — PERIMETER SHOOTING
John Calipari's team may be the most inept free throw shooting team in the
Final Four and one of the worst in the country, but it's hard to knock the
Tigers right now after they went to the charity stripe against Texas and made
30-of-36 from the line.
The more pressing concern may be perimeter shooting, where Memphis is
certainly vulnerable — especially against zone defenses. The Tigers have one
consistent three-point shooter in Chris Douglas-Roberts, and he's hardly what
you'd call a lights-out perimeter shooter from long distance.
The Tigers were 3-of-11 from deep against Texas, but were able to use their
length and toughness to physically overpower the Longhorns — and didn't have
to rely on shots from long range.
However, UCLA coach Ben Howland could opt to force Memphis to make shots from
the perimeter — and that means that guys like Doneal Mack (36 percent),
Derrick Rose (34 percent) and Antonio Anderson (33 percent) will need to make a
few to keep Bruins defenders honest.
If Memphis makes shots from deep and UCLA has to extend its defense, it'll
create more opportunities in the paint for Rose and CDR. If the Tigers don't, it
could pose problems.
UCLA — SCORING DROUGHTS
When you look at the numbers, it's not as if anything jumps out at you. Ben
Howland's club is averaging 74 points per game, but the Bruins don't display the
offensive explosiveness that a team with this type of talent should be
showcasing.
Freshman Kevin Love is arguably the top low-post player in the nation (along
with Tyler Hansbrough); point guard Darren Collison is as quick as just about
any point guard in the nation; and Russell Westbrook and Josh Shipp are both
capable of going for 20-plus on any given night.
They've got plenty of offensive options.
Somehow, though, there are times that this team looks inept on the offensive end
of the floor. They are tough, hard-nosed and Howland's focus is clearly on the
defensive end. It may be that Howland over-coaches at times and doesn't allow
for the free-flowing offense that the other coaches in the Final Four allow
their teams to play, but there's no reason that this group shouldn't be a
juggernaut on the offensive end as well as the defensive side of the ball.
KANSAS — MENTAL FORTITUDE
The Jayhawks have all the talent and balance you'd want on a team.
Experienced guards with Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers, big-time athletes
with Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur, and solid big men in seniors Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun. You've even got a potential pro in guard Sherron Collins
coming off the bench.
However, mental toughness remains the question with this group. Are they too
nice?
Head coach Bill Self maintains that this aspect of the team — one in which
he was clearly concerned about in the past — has improved significantly.
However, they certainly played tight against Davidson, and numerous players
admitted to being nervous.
Will Jackson and Kaun be intimidated by Hansbrough's physical and mental
toughness? The one guy who isn't intimidated and plays with fire and intensity
is Collins, a Chicago kid who won't back down no matter the circumstance.