Indianapolis – Tradition.
At this year’s Final Four, teams either have it or want it. They embrace it or turn their backs on it. But there is no running from it.
Florida is where UCLA was decades ago. The Gators are chasing tradition. “Building a Basketball Tradition” is splashed across the top of their media guide. Someday, they want to step on the prechampionship game news conference podium and explain all the historical reasons winning a title means keeping excellence alive.
But that starts with a win. And that means, in Florida’s case, tradition can start tonight if it snatches a national title win from UCLA, a program in which history is etched in stone, magazines, books, memories and across the chests of the basketball players who put on the UCLA jersey each night.
The Bruins have 11 national titles, the most of any Division I program.
The Gators are looking for their first.
“It has to start somewhere,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “That’s what we’re trying to build here at Florida. I hope that someday guys will come back and say ‘You know what, I need to go out and play well because Joakim Noah and Al Horford and Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey – they play with great passion. Those guys are watching me, and with them watching me there’s a level I have to uphold.”‘
For the Bruins, each present- day win makes the program just a bit better, just a bit stronger, than it was before.
John Wooden, the legendary UCLA coach who got the championship ball rolling in 1964, still sits behind the Bruins’ bench.
“There will never be another John Wooden,” Bruins coach Ben Howland said. “But it will always be Nell and John R. Wooden Court (at Pauley Pavilion). It’s always going to be the Wooden Center across the street from where my office is, as it should be.
“I don’t feel any of the shadow. I embrace it. I know who I am, I’m proud to be carrying the torch at this time.”
Florida’s players were asked – just as LSU’s were Friday – if UCLA’s tradition means anything when the teams step on the court tonight. Those players said what any, and all, players have said before them: That mystique doesn’t mean they should cower.
“I know they had a lot of great tradition, they had a lot of great players go through that program, but I don’t think that helps you win the game,” Noah said. “Right now it’s not about tradition, it’s about playing basketball.”
But at UCLA it is about tradition, and the Bruins pledge to play that way. After beating Memphis to get to the Final Four, Bruins guard Jordan Farmar refused to gush about that accomplishment. Instead, he calmly stated the goal at UCLA is always to win the national title, not just get to a position to play for one.
He picked up on that theme Sunday.
“That’s where the mission starts,” Farmar said. “Our tradition really helps set the bar. Knowing that nothing but winning a national championship is accepted really helps us. I don’t think that adds pressure, I think that helps start the mission.”
Said center Ryan Hollins: “We wouldn’t be here. There’s no Jordan Farmar, there’s no Ryan Hollins, there’s no UCLA without what they did.”
So the Bruins will play for the present and the past. The Gators will play in the present so they can build a storied past. Two teams. A title, and tradition, are at stake.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
Title game
UCLA vs. Florida
7:21 p.m., KCNC-4
Denver post staff writer Chris Dempsey breaks down today’s championship.
Backcourt
UCLA’s Arron Afflalo hasn’t been shooting well of late, but he’s good enough to change that in a heartbeat. George Mason’s guards were able to find some open spaces, and though Florida will rotate the bulk of its defensive attention to the perimeter, look for Afflalo to get some good looks. Bruins sophomore Jordan Farmar was better shooting against LSU than he was against Memphis in the regional final, but he’s more of an overall-impact kind of player anyway – scoring, getting the Bruins into their offense and defending. Florida has gotten a big boost from its perimeter. Guards Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey, as well as swingman Corey Brewer, found the range from the 3-point line against George Mason, hitting 12 to lead the Gators to the national title game. Those three almost scored as many points (53) as George Mason did as a team (58). Edge: Florida
Frontcourt
This ought to be a great battle of active post players. Florida’s Joakim Noah didn’t have the greatest game in the semifinal (12 points, 5-of-11 shooting), but he’s an energy guy, hard to contain. Teammate Al Horford is always dangerous, but has become almost a bit player of late, sacrificing his scoring to rebound more and play tougher defense. Brewer will swing down from the perimeter and help with rebounding as well. The UCLA frontcourt has been the most pleasant surprise of the tournament. Ryan Hollins is playing the best basketball of his career, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has been one of the nation’s better freshman players. Lorenzo Mata is rounding back into the form he had before breaking his leg earlier this season. UCLA’s frontcourt is long, athletic and a lot more physical than most previously thought. Edge: UCLA
Dempsey says
This should surpass the semifinal games. UCLA will defend the perimeter much better than George Mason did, so expect Florida’s 3-point production to be reduced. If the Bruins can find their way to 60 to 65 points, they should be all right. I expect they will. I’m a defensive guy, and UCLA plays the best defense of any team in the nation. The Bruins take home their 12th trophy tonight in a close contest. Edge: UCLA
