Experience stays in the ball

[Raji]

Several different factors can earn teams a spot on the NCAA dance floor, including talent, a favorable schedule, a well-timed hot streak, and even a little luck. Yet there seems to be one common thread among many of the teams that stick around the ball the longest, and that's experience.
With so many players leaving early for the pro ranks and youngsters transferring schools for greener pastures, it's often difficult for college coaches to develop continuity and maintain quality upperclassmen.

However, those coaches that are able to keep quality upperclassmen and get them immersed in their system and style of play usually fair better in the tournament.

This seems like an obvious statement, yet every season the betting public falls in love with talented, young high-flying teams that look dynamic against inferior opponents during the regular season. But talent alone can only carry a team so far under such adverse conditions.

There are several reasons why experience usually beats talent in the Big Dance. The first is that scheduling in postseason play is different. Teams get used to playing once every four or five days during the regular season. In the Big Dance, a team must win two games in three days in order to advance.

Experienced players are more accustomed to the rest (or lack thereof) and the preparation it takes to excel under these conditions. Whereas, young players often have a difficult time recuperating after a tough game to play another tough game just two days later.

Veteran players also develop continuity with their teammates far beyond what can be ascertained in one season. The continuity and trust that develops between players that have spent significant time on the court together is an advantage often overlooked.

This was a key element in George Mason's Final Four run last season. Conversely, Memphis may be a perfect example of how lack of experience can hurt a talented team. The Tigers were a No. 1 seed in last year's tournament, yet with a very young nucleus Memphis was unable to reach the Final Four.

Let's take a look at some of the teams in the Sweet Sixteen and examine the levels of experience they have. Some may resemble the young Memphis squad that failed to reach the Final Four while others will resemble the George Mason and Florida squads that made the Final Four.

USC: The Trojans are led by the experienced three-guard trio of Nick Young, Lodrick Stewart and Gabe Pruitt. They are the top three scorers on the team and do most of the ball handling.

In the Round 2 of the tournament, this group of upperclassmen got the best of a youthful Texas team that started four freshmen. The Trojans play another young team in the Sweet Sixteen in North Carolina. If the Tar Heels are not careful, they may fall victim to the same fate as the Longhorns.

UNC: The Tar Heels are very young, starting three freshmen and a sophomore. Yet they have a luxury that most teams don't: talented depth. UNC's second five would start on almost any team in the nation. With no player averaging over 30 minutes per game, the Tar Heels are able to keep their stars rested.

Managing that talented depth is Roy Williams, one of the best coaches in the country. Thus, many of the rules of youth do not apply to North Carolina.

Still, the Tar Heels are just 2-6 in games decided by eight points or less. Their inexperience has been exposed in close games and could be again at some point in the tournament.

Texas A&M The Aggies start two seniors, two juniors and a sharp-shooting sophomore. They're led by senior point guard Acie Law IV, who has earned the nickname "Captain Clutch" for his play down the stretch.

The Aggies defend as well as any team in the nation, which keeps them in most games. Their last four losses have come by a combined seven points. They have not lost a game by more than three points since December 5 at LSU.

This team has proven it can win away from home by becoming the first Big 12 South team to ever win at Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse.

The Aggies overcame a hostile crowd to defeat Louisville in Round 2 on Saturday. Their road to the Final Four now goes through San Antonio where A&M fans will no doubt be loud and proud.

Florida: Florida returns the entire starting five from last year's national championship squad. The Gators start four juniors and a senior, and each and every one of them are talented and experienced.

The Gators will not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tournament because they've done it all before. This group is confident and understands the preparation it takes to win. The Gators' poise and experience make them the overwhelming favorite to repeat as champions.

UNLV: UNLV is a perfect example of the importance of senior leadership. The Rebels have four senior starters including Kevin Kruger, son of UNLV coach Lon Kruger.

UNLV showed great poise on Sunday when it upset No. 2 Wisconsin. The Rebels blew a 12-point lead in the second half and went down five points with six minutes to play. But the seniors did not panic and UNLV rallied to overtake the Badgers, rolling to a 74-68 victory.

Teams from the Mountain West Conference have not struck much fear in opponents the past few seasons. Yet this team should not be overlooked. With four talented senior starters, including a heady point guard and a sixth man who was the MWC Defensive Player of the Year, this team may be the closest thing there is to a George Mason in 2007.

Raji