4:07 p.m. Saturday
No. 1 Bruins: 35-3, 16-2 in Pac-10 No. 1 Tigers: 37-1, 16-0 in Conference USA
Key matchup.
Memphis’ Joey Dorsey vs. UCLA’s Kevin Love. Dorsey had as much pressure on him as any player in the tournament as Memphis’ most inconsistent player. Also, his failure to back up his pregame smackdown of Ohio State’s Greg Oden last year means he must put up and shut up. Dorsey has been brilliant in the NCAAs, being the single-purpose intimidator the Tigers need. Love, the Pac-10 player of the year, has raised his game to 22 points and 11 rebounds a game in the NCAAs. It’s doubtful, however, he’s faced as imposing a force as the 6-foot-9, 265-pound Dorsey.
Up high.
Memphis freshman point guard Derrick Rose is a muscular 6-foot-3 who has shown intelligence beyond his years. Even with Rose’s improvement, 6-7 small forward Chris Douglas-Roberts is the Tigers’ go-to player who can score inside and outside. UCLA point guard Darren Collison is a supremely athletic player, and Russell Westbrook may be the best defensive guard in the country but is an inconsistent shooter.
Down low.
Dorsey is an intimidator down low, a rebounder and an efficient scorer. Robert Dozier is also 6-9 but can play like he’s 6-3. He can run and shoot and slash, a real match-up problem. Love has become a good finisher around the basket and is already the best outlet passer in the game. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is getting over a leg injury and will be counted on to disrupt Memphis’ well-oiled offensive machine. UCLA had better force more than the seven turnovers Texas did.
Quote.
“He reminds me, honestly, of Jason Kidd. He has a Jason Kidd-type body. He’s 6-3, 6-4, just so strong and physical. He overpowers you.”
Ben Howland UCLA coach, on Rose
The Post’s pick: Tigers
John Henderson, The Denver Post
