Florida vs. UCLA

Tommy · 03-31-07, 06:23 PM

UCLA vs. Florida

Last year when these two teams met in the championship, Florida opened as a two-point favorite and went on to win by 16 (73-57). This year, despite returning all five starters from that championship team, the Gators opened as only a three-point favorite in the rematch. Some of that may be due to the fact that Florida is not racking up style points in this tournament and has won the last three games (over Purdue, Butler and Oregon) by single digits. Some of it is also because UCLA looked extremely impressive in manhandling higher-rated Kansas (68-55) in the West regional final. But while the Bruins were able to exploit the Jayhawks' youth (three sophomores, two freshmen among top five scorers), they should have a more difficult time against the more-experienced Gators. And Florida has shown an ability to turn it on in the tougher games as the Gators have covered in the last three contests (dating back to the SEC tourney) when they came in a single-digit favorite.

I got this little writeup at another place.

I like Florida to cover in this matchup like my final four thread suggests.

03-31-07, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tommy Now go get your shinebox Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sportscapper Island Posts: 15,105	Florida vs. UCLA UCLA vs. Florida Last year when these two teams met in the championship, Florida opened as a two-point favorite and went on to win by 16 (73-57). This year, despite returning all five starters from that championship team, the Gators opened as only a three-point favorite in the rematch. Some of that may be due to the fact that Florida is not racking up style points in this tournament and has won the last three games (over Purdue, Butler and Oregon) by single digits. Some of it is also because UCLA looked extremely impressive in manhandling higher-rated Kansas (68-55) in the West regional final. But while the Bruins were able to exploit the Jayhawks' youth (three sophomores, two freshmen among top five scorers), they should have a more difficult time against the more-experienced Gators. And Florida has shown an ability to turn it on in the tougher games as the Gators have covered in the last three contests (dating back to the SEC tourney) when they came in a single-digit favorite. I got this little writeup at another place. I like Florida to cover in this matchup like my final four thread suggests.
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