The Florida Gators capped a very impressive NCAA tournament last night by thoroughly and utterly dominating the tradition-rich UCLA Bruins in the championship game, leaving the final score of 73-56 indicating a much closer game than it actually was. From the opening tip, the quicker and hungrier Gators, led by their do-everything sophomore sensation Joakim Noah, ran the ball down the Bruins' throats and challenged every shot as if it were a game winning buzzer beater. The Bruins, so impressive on defense during their run to the title game, looked confused, flustered, and utterly over-matched as Florida built an 11 point lead going into halftime and had no trouble at all executing their offense. Although UCLA had come back from a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 (the 2nd largest halftime margin ever for a winning team in the history of the tournament), that Bruins team played with fire and verve. This Bruins team looked like it was still in the hotel lobby for the Gator's share of the game. UCLA had held 11 of its last 12 opponents to under 60 points, winning all 12 games. So what happened?
Florida happened, that's what. Not only did Noah play an incredible all around game, recording an NCAA Championship game record 6 blocks to go with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, and a mean streak and intensity rarely seen even on this grand stage. Screaming, slamming and sending the Bruins packing in the lane whenever they'd dare to venture in, Noah put his team on his back and they rode him to victory, as they'd done all tournament. But he was by no means alone, as an utter dismantling of this caliber is always a team effort. The entire Florida starting lineup had excellent games on both ends of the floor, leading to more dunks by the Gators than I've EVER seen against a team the quality of UCLA in a championship game. Along with Noah, the rest of the Gators' super-sophomores Cory Brewer, Al Horford, Lee Humphrey, and Taurean Green, all played excellent games, with Humphrey repeatedly hitting demoralizing three-point shots at opportune times, Green running the point in his out-of-control but effective way, Horford using his strength and athleticism to dominate the post, and Brewer doing a little bit of everything. But it was senior and former starter Adrian Moss, a rarely used but versatile wing man, that stole the show. He came in during the first half when the game was still in reach for the Bruins and was a whirling dervish, jumping on loose balls, pounding the ball inside, shooting the jumper with deadly accuracy, and playing cling-on defense to anyone who came near him, effectively burying UCLA by halftime. This is what the NCAA tournament is all about: a senior, refusing to lose, playing the game of his life on his grandest stage. It was great to watch.
With the Final Four and now Championship games ending in blowouts, it was an anti-climactic end to an NCAA tournament that had numerous close games, dramatic moments, and heart-in-your throat plays that turned the course of a season for teams. This was still one of the greatest tournaments I've ever been privy to, but the final game of the tournament had something lacking. The Gators were just too good to ever leave the outcome in doubt, and the scary part is, they're bringing everyone back next year. The only player of substance leaving is Moss. We could be seeing Gator Nation hoisting the trophy again next year, basking in yet another Shining Moment.

Sir Smittius