[Online Exclusive]: Scouting report

Published: Friday, March 31, 2006

Point guard

Advantage: push

Senior leader Darrell Mitchell has been the Tigers’ most consistent backcourt scorer and makes good decisions on the court. The Bruins’ sophomore Jordan Farmar has played inconsistently throughout the tournament, but has shown the ability throughout his career to be a player with game-breaking ability.

Shooting guard

Advantage: UCLA

UCLA sophomore Arron Afflalo and LSU freshman Garrett Temple are both exceptional defensive players, but Afflalo plays a much stronger and smarter offensive game. Temple shut down J.J. Redick in the Sweet 16 and will make it difficult for Afflalo to score.

Small forward

Advantage: push

Bruin senior Cedric Bozeman and Tigers freshman Tasmin Mitchell are two very similar players. Both are 6-foot-7 power forwards who score about 10 points a game and play strong on the defensive end. The winner of this matchup could be key to the outcome of the game.

Power forward

Advantage: LSU

Freshmen Tyrus Thomas and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute are two of the best first-year players in the country, but the way Thomas has been playing for the Tigers lately, the Bruins’ Mbah a Moute has quite a task on his hands. Thomas has a strong mid-range game and amazing athletic ability around the basket.

Center

Advantage: LSU

There is probably not a center in the country that has improved as much as UCLA’s Ryan Hollins has in the Tournament, but LSU’s Glen “Big Baby” Davis has almost 100 pounds on Hollins and has a dominant post game. Hollins will need help from his teammates to contain Davis.

Compiled by Bruin Sports senior staff.