THE MATCHUP \ UCLA vs. Florida

History: This is as different as it can get. UCLA is looking to extend its record with a 12th national title in its 16th title game. Florida is looking for its first title in its second championship game appearance. The Gators' other title shot came in 2000 when they lost to Michigan State in this building.
The trip: Florida (32-6) has beaten only one team fourth or better in its five tournament wins, No. 1 Villanova in the regional final. The next highest-seeded team the third-seeded Gators beat was No. 7 Georgetown in the round of 16. UCLA's last three wins in the tournament were over teams seeded fourth or better. The second-seeded Bruins (32-6) beat No. 2 Gonzaga in the round of 16 and reached the Final Four by beating top-seeded Memphis. They beat No. 4 LSU in the national semifinals.
The streaks: Since both teams won their conference tournaments they come in on long winning streaks. Florida has won 10 straight, well off the 17-game streak the Gators had to open the season. Only three of the games in the current streak were decided by four points or less. UCLA has won 12 in a row and three of the last four wins have been by five points or less.
Defense: Both teams are exceptional on the defensive end and they have been even better in the tournament. UCLA allows 67.7 points per game and that is down to 52.8 in the five tournament games, including holding both Memphis and LSU to 45 points in the last two games. Florida allows 63.7 points per game and its tournament average is down to 56.6 with Villanova's 62 the most the Gators have allowed.
Offense: Florida has a huge advantage on this end of the court. The Gators average 78.4 points per game and the starters all average between 14.1 (Joakim Noah) and 10.8 (Lee Humphrey). Florida shoots just over 50 percent from the field, including 39 percent from 3-point range. The bulk of that last number comes from Humphrey, who hits at 46 percent from beyond the arc. UCLA averages 68 points per game and if the Bruins win that would be the lowest figure for a national champion since North Carolina averaged 66.7 in 1982. The Bruins shoot 48 percent from the field but they only hit 35 percent on 3s, including 31 percent during the tournament.
Coaches: Billy Donovan is the dean of Southeastern Conference coaches despite being just 40 years old. He is in his 10th season at Florida and this is his second title game. His teams play the way he did as a player at Providence under Rick Pitino -- up-tempo. Ben Howland is in his third season at UCLA and has brought the hard-nosed style he used to turn the Pittsburgh program around to the West Coast. Howland, 48, is considered one of the best defensive coaches in the country.
Benches: UCLA has 10 players in the rotation averaging 10 minutes a game, but has played primarily eight players during the tournament. Freshman Darren Collison comes on to give the Bruins a three-guard look that's effective against pressure defense. The Gators went nine deep most of the season but that has been shortened by two during the tournament. Chris Richard, a 6-foot-8, 255-pound junior, comes in to help up front.
Injuries: UCLA had a tough season with several players missing considerable time with injuries but the only problems this weekend are center Ryan Hollins' bruised thigh that limited him somewhat against LSU and Lorenzo Mata, his backup, who is playing with a face mask after breaking his nose this week in practice. Florida has been injury free throughout the tournament.
Associated Press
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