Simply put: Tigers are too tough

UCLA had no answer for the Memphis backcourt, while the Tigers shut down the heralded Kevin Love.

By DAVID SCOTT, Charlotte Observer

Last update: April 6, 2008 - 2:34 AM

SAN ANTONIO - Memphis coach John Calipari doesn't get too analytical about his Tigers, who dismantled UCLA 78-63 on Saturday night in the first of the national semifinals between No. 1 seeds at the Alamodome.

"The reality of it," Calipari said, "is I've got a good team."

The Tigers (38-1) dismantled a Bruins team in its third consecutive Final Four and made a nonfactor of superb Bruins freshman Kevin Love. In doing so, the Conference USA champions set the major college basketball record for victories in a season.

Love, the Pacific-10's player of the year, entered the game averaging 17.6 points per game. He had 12 points Saturday, but he never was able to impose himself on the Tigers.

"He does so many things well," said Chris Douglas-Roberts, who scored 28 points for the Tigers. "We knew we couldn't stop him. But we had to disrupt him."

Love scored only two points during the second half. He was badgered constantly by forward Joey Dorsey, who, at 265 pounds, gave up nothing physically to the 260-pound Love.

The Bruins, who held Memphis to 42.2 percent shooting, were supposed to be the tough defensive team. But the Tigers' constant pressure -- even in their half-court offense -- wore down UCLA.

The backcourt of Douglas-Roberts and freshman Derrick Rose (25 points, four assists) pushed the Bruins (35-4) into submission. On one first-half possession, UCLA guard Russell Westbrook watched the ball bounce off his foot and out of bounds. Rose said he thought that was an indication the Bruins already were wearing down.

UCLA fell to 13-5 all-time in semifinal games, including 1-2 under coach Ben Howland, in falling short of its quest for its 12th national championship.

"We knew they were very good, but we thought with our defensive abilities we were going to cause a little havoc," Darren Collison said.

Calipari said it felt like Saturday's contest was just another game to him, as does Monday's championship against Kansas. He then said he planned to take a vigorous walk along the River Walk after the game, find out who the Tigers' opponent would be Monday, then begin to prepare for that game.

"I've got to use up some energy," he said.

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