NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME / UCLA 89, ARKANSAS 78 : SPOTLIGHT : BIG FINISHER
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Arkansas was not surprised that UCLA was able to break the Razorbacks’ full-court pressure defense. Other teams have had success against them doing so this season.
What did surprise the Razorbacks, however, was how the Bruins finished once they did pass halfcourt.
“The whole game was up-tempo, which is how we like to play,” Scotty Thurman said. “What the difference was is what they did once they broke our press and how strong they finished plays.”
Freshman Toby Bailey shocked Arkansas the most with his ability to play above the rim and make plays with offensive rebounds.
Bailey’s father, John, was not surprised.
“When Toby was growing up, I never let him play with kids his own age,” said the elder Bailey. “He always played with older kids and that made him better. It’s just a matter of acclimation so he was always ready for the next level because he always pushed himself.
“Seeing him do this as a freshman is something that I expected. He always hates to lose no matter what the level.”
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