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Why Memphis and UCLA?
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Because while the Tigers and Bruins are sparked by freshmen stars -- Memphis in the backcourt by Rose; UCLA in the frontcourt by Love -- they don't exclusively rely on their freshmen stars, and neither did Syracuse in 2003, if you remember.
Sure, Anthony was fabulous, by far the best player in college basketball. But he also had Hakim Warrick (future first-round pick) and Gerry McNamara (future all Big East performer) right beside him to ease the pressure. So Anthony didn't really win a national title by himself, contrary to the way the story is most regularly told five years later.
Which brings me back to Rose and Love. They have more than enough to help them do the deed.
Rose is surrounded by veterans who have achieved three consecutive 30-win seasons, guys like Chris Douglas-Roberts, Robert Dozier, Antonio Anderson and Joey Dorsey. That's three juniors and a senior in the starting lineup with a freshman. And if the Tigers recorded back-to-back Elite Eights without Rose is it farfetched to think they could break through and make the Final Four with him?
Meantime, Love is also surrounded by veterans, guys like Darren Collison, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Josh Shipp and Russell Westbrook. That's three juniors and a sophomore in the starting lineup with a freshman. And if the Bruins recorded back-to-back Final Fours without Love is it farfetched to think they could break through and win a national title with him?
Answer to the first question: No. Answer to the second question: No.
So there's no reason to believe the same freshmen who dominated headlines throughout the season won't similarly dominate them for three more weeks.
Beasley vs. Mayo is the talk of the opening day of the NCAA tournament; Rose vs. Love could be the talk of the closing weekend. And if that's the way this plays out, don't be surprised if you end up in an elevator with a group of Memphis and UCLA fans, all of them drunk, dazed and delighted as John Daly in a Hooters tent, because though real men don't usually stay for two they can certainly get a lot accomplished in one.
