What can cost each Final Four team a title?

Each member of the Final Four is a legitimate contender. Jeff Goodman takes a look at what can cost each a title.

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.