NCAA Tourney: UCLA Bruins Will Bring Back Banner

It's hard to believe that the Final Four this year will be a historic group.  It's the first time all four regional No. 1 seeded teams will match up in the last stages of the tourney. 

Amazing, isn't it?

The four best teams at season's end will get their shots at the national championship.  In a few days, one team will return home with a NCAA Champion banner to hang from the rafters of their arena.

So, who will emerge with two more wins this season?

UCLA.

Even the heartiest of Bruin fans had their doubts about the chances of this outcome judging by the way UCLA played in their second round and third round games.  Their beloved Bruins were not playing like a Sweet 16 team, let alone like a national champion.

What happened when UCLA matched up against a solid Xavier team in the Elite Eight? 

Hunger happened.

Coach Ben Howland and his staff were able to finally get the attention of their individually talented players.  To win, they were going to have to play with defensive intensity and offensive teamwork.

They had to be willing to focus and execute Coach Howland's instructions.  But most of all, they had to, "Wake up!"

The result of Coach Howland's reality check was bad news for Xavier.  UCLA turned in their best performance of the season when it counted the most.

In other words, UCLA is on a roll, even if it is a small one.

But the "roll" reasoning pales compared to experience.  UCLA has now made it to the Final Four for the third consecutive season.  Big game experience is the difference between UCLA and the other three teams.

Three Bruin players, Darren Collison, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and Alfred Aboya, believe that every season leads to the Final Four.  That's all they know!  

Those three players are complemented by the best player in the nation, Kevin Love. 

Okay, okay.  For those of you east of Westwood who are screaming, "Idiot! Tyler Hansbrough will be anointed the best college player this season," back off! 

Hansbrough is a top rate competitor with dazzling stats.  Please hold your personal attacks until after the NBA draft.  If Love isn't drafted ahead of Hansbrough, then assault me with a variety of "told you so" expletives. 

In the meantime, the professionals of assessing basketball talent should be allowed the final word on that debate.

Of the Final Four teams, UCLA has it all.  Coach Howland is about winning championships, eschewing flashy offensive team stats to be able to cut down the nets.  He and his Bruins will put defense and control of game tempo on display. 

The players possess an awesome blend of talent and experience that now seems to have added some swagger to their step.  They know that the championship won't be won in the press.  They know that all Final Four teams are outstanding.

Most importantly, they know that collective competitive desire to win that exceeds their opponent is the only way to win two more games.

Two more wins.

After that, there will be a celebration in Westwood when Coach Howland and company bring home a 12th NCAA Championship in basketball.