Which is odd team out of Final Four?
I'm already sick of hearing about the similarities between the Final Four teams.
I get it. Two teams are No. 1 seeds, the other two are No. 2 seeds. All four come from power conferences and, for the first time ever, all four have already won 30 games.
But only one team is going to win the national championship. That means it is time to explore how they differ by considering which is the odd team out in 12 categories.
Doesn't have an imposing center: UCLA.
Ohio State counts on 7-foot freshman phenom Greg Oden, a dominant defensive player (3.3 bpg). Georgetown goes to 7-foot-2 junior Roy Hibbert, a terror on the glass (11.5 rpg in the NCAA tournament). Florida counters with 6-foot-11 junior Joakim Noah, MVP of the 2006 tournament. The Bruins have 6-foot-9 junior Lorenzo Mata, not much of an offensive threat (2 ppg in the tournament).
Loses points at the free throw line: Georgetown.
Florida, UCLA and Ohio State all attempted and made more free throws than their opponents in the Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight. The Hoyas were outscored at the charity stripe in both contests. Georgetown fans who were frustrated to see North Carolina make 29-of-34 free throw attempts are apt to tear their hair out against Ohio State. The Buckeyes made 35-of-41 freebies against Memphis.
Shoots the lights out behind the arc: Florida.
Ohio State shoots 37 percent but connected on only 29 percent against Memphis. UCLA makes 38 percent but made only 22 percent vs. Indiana. Georgetown shoots 37 percent but made just 25 percent in the second round. Florida bettered its 41 percent average against both Butler and Oregon.
Lacks experience: Ohio State.
Billy Donovan famously plays four juniors and one senior, all of whom started on last year's championship club. Ben Howland starts two juniors and three sophomores. John Thompson III plays three juniors, a sophomore and a single freshman. Thad Matta starts two seniors, a junior and two freshmen.
Doesn't have an NBA point guard: Georgetown.
Buckeyes freshman Mike Conley Jr. distributes the rock (6.1 apg) and can score when necessary (19 ppg in his last three games). He's good enough to go pro this season (but should wait another year). Gators junior Taurean Green is as effective shooting from the perimeter (40.4 percent from behind the arc) as he is driving into the lane. He too is a pro this summer or next. Bruins sophomore Darren Collison is a potential 2008 lottery pick because of his defensive prowess (2.3 spg). Three years ago, Hoyas coach John Thompson III thought junior Jonathan Wallace wasn't good enough for the Big East. Wallace has come a long way — but not long enough.
Faces the most pressure: Florida.
Neither the Hoyas nor the Bruins were expected to get this far. The Buckeyes are too young to fully appreciate the opportunity to play in the Final Four. The Gators have a championship to defend and preseason expectations to fulfill.
Isn't strong at forward: Ohio State.
Georgetown's best player is Jeff Green. UCLA's most versatile contributor is Josh Shipp. Florida's most underappreciated starter is Corey Brewer. Ohio State's best forward, Ivan Harris, is averaging less than four points a tournament game.
Wins with defense, not offense: UCLA.
The Gators, Buckeyes and Hoyas are all among the nation's 25 most efficient defensive clubs — and top five most efficient offensive teams. The Bruins are the reverse. They're among the country's 25 best offensive clubs and five best defensive teams.
Is exclusively a basketball school: Georgetown.
The Gators and Buckeyes played in the BCS Championship game. The Bruins participated in a major bowl game. The Hoyas play in the Patriot League. (Who knew?)
Won't be hurt by foul trouble: Florida.
Take Oden away from Ohio State or Hibbert away Georgetown and both become fundamentally different — and worse — teams. Take All-American Arron Afflalo away from UCLA and the Bruins wither on the vine. No single player makes the Gators go. Florida would have trouble without Green, but he almost never gets in foul trouble.
Only lost to NCAA tournament teams: Ohio State.
Georgetown fell to Syracuse. UCLA lost to West Virginia. Florida didn't do well against either Florida State or LSU. Ohio State lost to North Carolina, Wisconsin and Florida.
3 votes
