Memphis vs. Kansas in NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game

It's Memphis vs. Kansas in Monday night's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game... not UCLA vs. North Carolina as most would have believed. 

The Memphis Tigers trounced over UCLA Saturday in the Final Four, making it to the NCAA National Championship game on Monday.  North Carolina had been looking for the biggest comeback in Final Four history after falling behind by 28 points.   After surging during the second half, it simply was not enough. 

Kansas would eventually open things back up with a 13 point run down the finish after North Carolina had come within 4 points. 

Memphis had been a small favorite to beat UCLA.  North Carolina was anywhere from a -3 to -4 favorite and received most of the betting action.

Derrick Rose showed off his dazzling array of signature moves, and UCLA could do little but watch. Flying from all angles, the Tigers took their show to a new level Saturday, romping 78-63 to reach the NCAA championship game.

Rose put up lefty floaters and righty scoops, often changing hands in mid-air, and threw one try over his shoulder. He was in perpetual motion - once, he caught a pass in traffic, stutter-stepped just long enough to look his defender in the eye, and then sped past him for an easy but showy layup.

"I just try to attack when I get the ball and hopefully jump over them and shoot," he said.

UCLA star Kevin Love put on his own show at practice Friday, hitting a full-court shot. He managed just 12 points - and missed both open 3-pointers - as the Bruins (35-4) again fell short in their third straight Final Four appearance.

"I'm very proud of this group of kids," Howland said. "Even though it's disappointing to get here for a third year and not win a championship, I'm still proud of these kids."

Odds on the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game will be available here where you can view odds from different online sportsbooks.  Most lines will be available by Sunday afternoon.

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Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com

Originally published April 5, 2008 10:54 pm EST