Putting the D in dynasties

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Two of the most storied programs in college basketball history will be pitted together tonight when UCLA and Kansas meet in the West Regional final, with the winner advancing to Atlanta and the Final Four.

When you think of Kansas, you think of Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Lovellette, Danny Manning, Paul Pierce, Jo Jo White, Aaron Miles and on and on.

UCLA boasts Lew Alcindor, Bill Walton, Reggie Miller, Gail Goodrich, Marques Johnson . . . far too many to mention.

The two have combined for 13 national titles and appearances in three of the last five Final Fours.

The glitter of the Wizards of Westwood vs. the soaring Jayhawks. A match made in basketball heaven. Get ready for some high-flying, eye-popping, jump-out-of-your-seat basketball, right?

Uh, not really. These two teams don't win pretty. Incredibly, they do it with (clear your throat and squint your eyes before you say it) . . . defense.

Cue Jim Mora Sr. sound bite and substitute for playoffs. "Defense, you're talking defense? Defense?"

Both rosters are peppered with future NBAers, although all are underclassmen. Some might be making significant contributions, and money, at the next level as early as next season. But for now, their smooth offensive abilities are taking a backseat so the team can win via the defense.

"We've played very good defense our last three games," said UCLA coach Ben Howland, who is attempting to take the Bruins to back-to-back Final Fours for the first time since 1976. "I really credit our guys. It's just great preparation, how focused they are, the heart, the intensity they play on every possession."

Can this really be the talk about a UCLA team? What in the name of John Wooden is going on here?

Howland is right, though. During its tournament run, the Bruins have held opponents to 50-for-145 shooting from the floor and just 49 points a game. He has brought a down-and-dirty philosophy to this team, to this program, which has been best known through the years for its glamour and glory.

Leading scorer and Pac-10 Player of the Year Arron Afflalo has been anointed the shutdown guy, and role players Lorenzo Mata and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute have been as disruptive as sugared-up children.

Tonight's task might be the toughest Howland's team has faced all season. The Bruins will somehow have to shut down a KU squad that has averaged 79 points during the year and boasts wonderfully gifted athletes in 6-6 Brandon Rush, 6-8 Julian Wright, as well as lightning-quick guards Mario Chalmers, Sherron Collins and Russell Robinson.

But the real challenge for the Bruins will come at the offensive end, where they'll be facing a Jayhawks squad that holds teams below 62 points a game and is limiting them to 37.3 percent shooting from the field.

A Kansas team using stifling defense to win games? What in the name of Dr. James Naismith (the first Kansas coach) is going on here? Didn't his invention of this game start with a peach basket, not the defensive stance? Oh, well. Different time. Current coach Bill Self has proved that.

"They're going to get out and guard us, and we're going to get out and guard them," Self said. "I think it will be a faster game than the Southern Illinois game [a 61-58 Kansas win]. I could see a low-scoring game even though both teams will be going out and trying to run. I don't think it's going to be a slow-down game or anything like that. I do think both teams will play terrific defense.

"They trap the ball very fast and their rotations are very good. I think they're comparable to Southern Illinois, but you're talking about kids who are bigger and more athletic, who can clog things up and give you problems if you allow them to."

Please, can't somebody talk about something but defense? Anyway, we all know championships are won with defense, and here at two teams with plenty of it.

"We're at our best when we pressure and get out into passing lanes," UCLA guard Darren Collison said. "We don't worry so much about our offense. We get our offense off of our defense. When we can stop the other team, rebound and get out and run, that's who we are. But no question, defense is our top priority."

There it is, that D-word again. Whatever happened to the good ol' days of running and chucking? For that, you'll have to pick another regional. It just ain't happening here.

Even though it is UCLA and Kansas. *