2006 Final Four Breakdown

The 2006 NCAA Tournament has had more twists and turns than any tournament in recent history. For the first time since 1980, the Final Four will be held without a No. 1 seed present. Master Basketball Coach Denny Crum led his Louisville squad to the title that year.

There has been sloppy play, late-game meltdowns and miraculous finishes. Hoop Legend John Wooden can't remember a time when the Elite Eight had such poor shooting. Don Haskins said, "I have seen two teams with great offensive talent have a score of 10 - 8 .... ten minutes into the ballgame. I think that defense is catching up with the offensive talent."

The defense has undoubtedly been the deciding factor of most game in this tournament. George Mason plays great team defense, although, of the four teams left, they rely more on their offense. The SEC's top 2 defensive leaders are in the Final Four, along with the Pac-10's best defensive squad in UCLA.

Whether these games are high scoring or defensive battles, the 2006 Final Four in Indianapolis should be a memorable one.

(11) George Mason

Record: 27-7, 14-4 CAA
Path to the Final Four: Upset (6) Mich St. 75-65, Upset (3) UNC 65-60, Beat (7) Wichita St.63-55, Upset (1) UConn 86-84 in OT
To win the Title: George Mason must continue riding the incredible momentum that they have been. The Patriots need to keep playing team ball offensively and defensively. A collective effort is always tough to stop. Coach Larranaga will have another "kryptonite" or "Connecticut Assassin Association" speech planned to rally the troops. Also, most of the crowd will be pulling for the Patriots which should give them an emotional lift that just might spur another improbable upset.

Lefty Driesell: "I think it's great for basketball that a No. 11 seed is in the Final Four. Everybody around Virginia and the country is very excited about this team. Larranaga has done a great job and I'm really excited for him. They're tough. They had three guys score near 20 points against UConn. They're playing with a lot of confidence and having fun, I think they might beat Florida. I'd like to see them win it."
John Wooden: “I’ve been more surprised about George Mason than any other team. They’re the only one of the four to beat a higher seeded team every game out, which is quite impressive."
Don Haskins: "It has impressed me how George Mason has shot the ball. They play inside-out, which makes them more effective shooting."

(3) Florida

Record: 31-6, 13-6 SEC
Path to the Final Four: Beat (14) S. Alabama 76-50, Beat (11) UW-MIlw 82-60, (7) Georgetown 57-53, Beat (1) Villanova 75-62
To win the Title: Florida has breezed into the Final Four looking like the favorite to win the title. They have a great shot if they continue to play great defense. Joakim Noah must continue to play at an extremely high level in all facets of the game. If Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey can play solid to complement their talented frontcourt teammates, the Gators should be cutting down the nets in Indianapolis.

Hugh Durham: "Defensively they led LSU in FG percentage against. I think Florida plays a lot better in the open court. Noah gives everybody problems, he's 6'11'' but he can go out on the perimeter and guard. They are just balanced and have good depth. It wouldn't surprise me to see them take it."

(4) LSU

Record: 27-8, 15-3 SEC
Path to the Final Four: Beat (13) Iona 80-64, Beat (12) Texas A&M 58-57, (1) Duke 62-54, Beat (2) Texas 70-60
To win the Title: LSU must continue to play stifling defense. They can continue to ride the unbelievable play of Tyrus Thomas and their "Big Baby." But if they want to take the whole thing, Darrell Mitchell must stay out of foul trouble and play his best. If they can out-defend and out-tough the UCLA Bruins in the National Semis, they will move on and play for all the marbles.

Dale Brown: "John Brady has done by far his best coaching job this year. He has let them play, and they really present some problems. Tyrus Thomas is a swatting machine. Davis is a monster inside, but he can also go outside because he is a good passer and screener. Mitchell is the most underrated of them all, but Garrett Temple is a guy you want on your team. He forgets about offense and shuts down the other team defensively. I think it will be LSU vs. Florida in a rematch in the Final game."
Denny Crum: "LSU has gotten to the Final Four with their defense. I don't think that they have enough to get past UCLA, though."

(2) UCLA

Record: 31-6, 17-4 Pac-10
Path to the Final Four: Beat (15) Belmont 78-44, Beat (1) Alabama 62-59, (3) Gonzaga 73-71, Beat (1) Memphis 50-45
To win the Title: The Bruins come in as the highest seed and appear to be the favorite on paper. They must continue to play championship defense, and Ben Howland will make sure that happens. Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo have to step up their game to take some pressure off of Hollins and Mbah a Moute on the interior. UCLA cannot afford to have any mental letdowns like they did in the Gonzaga game. As Coach Woooden believes, a tighter officiated game will give them an advantage versus LSU in the National Semis.

John Wooden: "UCLA is there because of their defense. Hardly anyone has scored over 60 points against them, which is most unusual because there are some high scoring teams they have held down. They’ve been fortunate. They were fortunate to win the Gonzaga ballgame, but they also did a great job of holding Gonzaga down as they did. The way these youngsters keep the pressure on at all times is great, they stay in there all the time. ”
Gene Bartow: "They are playing so good defensively, cutting Memphis point total in half from their previous meeting. I think UCLA is going to win the national championship."