ATLANTA, Ga. ““ It’s one year later, but Darren Collison remembers like it was yesterday.
All of the success, all of the glory that UCLA experienced on its way to the national title game was viciously hurled right back in its face.
The Bruins had made it all that way, only to fall short in the national title game to a Florida team that outplayed them every step of the way.
“That was basically our last image of last year’s season,” Collison said. “All the memories we have of last year ““ we felt like we didn’t really accomplish much. “¦ This year, we have a second opportunity to redeem ourselves.”
The Bruins (30-5) can take a giant first step toward erasing those sour memories by defeating Florida (33-5) ““ the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament ““ and advancing to the national title game for the second consecutive year.
“(Our team) is a brand-new team, brand-new personnel,” junior guard Arron Afflalo said. “They’ve grown a lot and matured a lot, have gotten a lot better. “¦ This is not a rematch; this is UCLA versus Florida from the ’07 season.”
One big difference from last year’s matchup is the mentality of each team. Last season, neither team was expected to make it as far as they did and neither team was a particularly heavy favorite to win the game.
This season, Florida comes into the matchup with the same starting lineup that won the title a year ago, and hence, much different expectations. Anything short of a national title would be not only a huge disappointment, but somewhat of a surprise.
“It’s been a completely unique challenge,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “Never mind the repeating; just getting back to this point when you’re dealing with the expectations that our team had to deal with. I don’t know if people truly understand how hard it is, but also how rewarding it is and how much maybe you appreciate where you’re at right now.”
For the players, and particularly Florida junior forward/center Joakim Noah, the adjustment has been especially difficult. The media circus before and after every game has been a challenge in itself, let alone the increasing pressure and challenges on the court. The Gators have countered the stress and expectations by keeping an intense, focused approach on the court and a laid-back, fun attitude when their job has been completed.
“Every step of the way, I feel like this team has been critiqued and judged and sometimes that is draining, not physically, but more mentally,” Noah said. “That is why I feel like coach Donovan ““ every time we had a chance to cut down the nets or do something special, we did it. Not every coach would let his players go out there and start shaking their butt like I did after we won the SEC Championship.”
UCLA has had similar high expectations to deal with. The Bruins have worn targets on their backs as a top-five team throughout Pac-10 play. The nature of the season has forced the Bruins to mature as a team throughout the year in order to maintain the level of success they have attained.
The Final Four experience last season is something the Bruins will try to use to their advantage against Florida on Saturday.
“We’re more hungry,” Collison said. “Last year, we didn’t know what to expect. We were just happy to be in the Final Four, yet we were trying to win the game. This year, we know what to expect. We’re trying to show our best. We can really show what the Bruins are all about.”
While the Bruins have also dealt with more scrutiny, no UCLA player has had to make the adjustment that Noah has had to make over the course of the year. After establishing himself as one of the best players in college basketball, his decision to come back and play another season instead of becoming a lottery pick in the NBA Draft made him a perfect target for the media all season long.
Today was no exception. Noah had streams of media fighting for space flocked around him for the entire 30 minutes that the Gator locker room was open, asking him the same questions he has been asked many times before.
Noah’s visible personality and appearance has also made him an object of derision for opposing fans, who frequently taunt him at any chance they get.
“I feel a lot of people do hate me,” Noah said. “Especially on the opposing team. I get hate mail and stuff like that.”
One thing that could potentially fire up UCLA fans against Noah is the wink he directed at the UCLA cheerleaders while the Gators were defeating the Bruins in last year’s title game.
“(UCLA fans) can see that as hate,” Noah said. “I don’t think that is hate. I think that is love.”
While the Gators come into the matchup as the favorites, trying to defend their title, the Bruins come in as the underdogs looking to make the most out of a second chance and truly put behind them the woes of last season.
“Last year was a different game,” sophomore forward Alfred Aboya said. “I don’t think we had enough time to prepare for Florida. They were more ready than we were, and that’s why they won. This year I think we’re going to compete because we’ve had six days to prepare ourselves. It’s going to be a different ballgame this time.”