Number 1: Memphis, 2008
This was perhaps the best team in Howland’s tenure. With back-to-back Final Four appearances in the rear view mirror, this team marched to the third consecutive final weekend withnary a challengein the tournament.
The defense was so stout, they held first round opponent Mississippi Valley State to29 points. They only lost three times on the season and earned a top seed in a tournament in which all four number one seeds reached the final weekend.
With Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison in the starting lineup, the Bruins matched up well with everybody in the nation. Except, perhaps, for the equally talented Tigers, who started Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Joey Dorsey. The game was close at halftime, as the Bruins trailed 38-35, but the John Calipari-coached UCLA squad wasoutgunnedin the second half, ultimately losing 78-63.
The most disappointing factor about this game is that the Bruins were in their third consecutive Final Four, and had their best team.
Love and Westbrook would go on to be All-NBA players, and Howland had what ultimately ended up being his final hurrah. “As disappointing as this loss is, it’s hard to be here three years in a row and not come away with a championship,” coach Ben Howlandsaid.
Appropriately and unfortunately for Bruins fans, they have not been back since.
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