The Sports Life

Kentucky, N. Carolina, UCLA, Kansas and Duke 'The Phat 5' of College Basketball at 500 Report Volume #11 -- Final Four Preview

(PRWeb) March 28, 2007 -- "The Phat 5" of College Basketball at 500 Report Volume #11--Final Four Preview

Kentucky 104 years, 1903-2006-07
N. Carolina 97 years, 1911-2006-07
UCLA 88 years, 1920-2006-07
Kansas 109 years, 1899-2006-07
Duke 102 years, 1906-2006-07

"The Phat 5" of College Basketball at 500 Report Volume #11--Final Four Preview is dedicated to Michael Jordan. Jordan came to the University of N. Carolina in 1981 from Laney High School in Wilmington, N. Carolina. During the early part of his freshman season he was put into the starting line-up. In the 1982 National Championship game vs. the Georgetown Hoyas Michael hit the game-winning 17 ft. jump-shot with seconds remaining to give UNC their second NCAA Championship. In 1984 after being named the John R. Wooden National Player of the Year he led the USA to an Olympic gold-medal. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls with 3rd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. Jordan would be called "Air" Jordan for his jumping and dunk artistry. He would later be recognized as the "Greatest" basketball player in history. He won 6 NBA titles, 6 NBA Finals MVP's, 5 NBA MVP awards, 10 Scoring titles, a 2-time Slam Dunk Champion, 2-time All-Star Game MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year Award (1988). Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003 after 2 seasons with Washington Wizards.

The "Super 5" of "The Phat 5"

Arron Afflalo of UCLA was named to the Associated Press All-America First-team. Tyler Hansbrough of UNC was named to the Second-team.

"Phat 5" News and Notes:

UCLA beat Kansas to represent the West Region at the Final Four. The "Phat 5" vs. "Phat 5" match-up was dominated by the Bruins defense. KU shot only 41% from the floor and lost to UCLA 68-55. Kansas was rated as the best team by performance heading into the Elite 8.

UCLA became the first program to make 17 Final Four appearances an NCAA record. UNC is second with 16 Final Four appearances.

The Bruins will face the Florida Gators in the marquee match-up of the Final Four. UCLA lost the 2006 National Championship game to Florida as the Gators dominated the Bruins winning 73-57.

N. Carolina lost it's bid for the Final Four by losing to the Georgetown Hoyas in overtime 96-84. UNC led by 10 with a 3:00 minutes remaining but couldn't hold off the Hoyas. 25 years ago UNC beat Georgetown for the National Championship.

Tubby Smith who coached 10 seasons at Kentucky resigned from UK on March 22, 2007 and was announced as the new head-coach for the University of Minnesota. Smith won the 1998 NCAA National Championship, but hasn't advanced to the Final Four since the title run.

Kentucky F/C Randolph Morris because of his early draft declaration in 2005 is available to sign with any NBA team since the Wildcats have been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. Morris was not drafted in 2005 and was suspended by the NCAA for 10 games to start the 2005-06 season.

Florida head-coach Billy Donavan is rumored to be the leading candidate for the Kentucky job. Donavan was an assistant at UK from 1990-1994 under then coach Rick Pitino. Donavan guided the Gators to the 2006 National Championship and is headed back to the Final Four trying to become the first team to repeat as National Champions since the Duke Blue Devils of 1991 and 92.

Kansas coach Bill Self will be on the hot-seat during the 2007-08 season. The Jayhawks will be one of the favorites to win the Championship if all the core players keep their college eligibility.

The Duke Blue Devils were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The lost to Virginia Commonwealth 79-77 snapped a nine-year Sweet 16 run by the Devils.

Duke forward Josh McRoberts has declared himself eligible for the 2007 NBA Draft. McRoberts played 2 seasons at Duke, and is rumored to be a lock as a NBA Lottery-Pick.

"The Phat 5" Stat of the Week:

The UCLA Bruins continued the Final Four streak to 20 straight Final Four appearances. The 20 straight comes the same season as "The Phat 5" celebrate 500 years of combined play. Go Bruins!!!

For more information or interview request on "The Phat 5" and their 20-year streak of Final Four appearances, contact Derrick E. Vaughan of Dunkadelic Inc. 443-851-5244.

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