So the final is set. The preseason favorite against the present Number 1. This should be one great matchup for the folks in Minneapolis. Sure, Duke has the best point guard in the country and the best all-around player in the country. But Arizona has five future NBA talents in its starting lineup, the depth, and the hunger to defeat the favorites. In the first round of the Final Four, both of these teams took different roads to the championship game, and both look primed to give it their all on Monday night.
Going into the finals, the Wildcats are looking mighty good. The win over Michigan State was by far the most impressive of the year. After a tight first half in which Loren Woods led the way for Arizona, Lute Olsen’s squad exploded in the second period, led by a stingy zone defense, opportunistic shooting, and Michigan State mishaps. For the Spartans, experienced seniors Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson could only shake their heads as the swarming zone defense baffled Michigan State. Richard Jefferson, part of the heavily touted matchup with high-flying Jason Richardson, shut down the Spartans’ leading scorer. After he powerfully rejected Richardson’s first shot, the Spartans star could only find the basket twice afterwards. Jefferson, on the other hand, had a respectable offensive night. Jason Gardner was very impressive leading the show, scoring 21 points by taking quality shots and knocking them down. He was smart with the ball, and shot down a MSU rally late in the game by getting the steal and making the layup plus a foul. Michael Wright was invisible in the first half, but led the Wildcats rally in the second, scoring all thirteen of his points in the second half. Then there was Gilbert Arenas, who had a little scare when he pulled something in his back or shoulder, but he also had a solid game as well. Then there were the bench players – Wessel, Walton, and Edgerson. Edgerson was a monster on the boards and on D, and was a major contributor for the Cats. But the key was Woods. In the first half, he pounded the boards and scored on key plays for the Wildcats, and this kept them in the game.
Duke, on the other hand, had to fight for their right to go to the finals. Down 39-17 with seven to go in the first half, this was not a game they should have won. Still, perseverance, experience, and luck allowed the Blue devils to come away with a 95-84 win. Shane Battier was Shane Battier, and hit key threes to put the Devils within striking range of Maryland. Carlos Boozer, even with four fouls, had a huge game. Still, the Devils may have received from help from the officials. For Maryland, a foul that probably should have been called on Boozer was called on Lonny Baxter. Instead of Duke’s center leaving the game, the Terps’ most effective weapon in the postseason was out of the game. Still, the Dukies showed real heart to be able to come back despite a cold night from Jason Williams and a scary collision involving Chris Duhon and Steve Blake. Riding on the back of Battier, Boozer, and Maryland mistakes, Coach K will once again be in the final game of the season.
