[bigboydan]

After 63 games of the 2006 NCAA Tournament, there are only two schools left standing, UCLA and Florida. Both teams were dominant in Saturday's semifinal round, cruising to double-digit victories to set up tonight's showdown for the national championship.

As of early this morning, most sports books were listing Florida (32-6 straight up, 20-11 against the spread) as a one-point favorite with a total of 127 1/2. Bettors can back the Bruins on the money line at an even-money price.

The Gators have won 10 consecutive games, posting a 7-2-1 spread record during that span. They ended George Mason's Cinderella run by capturing a 73-58 win as six-point favorites. The 131 combined points barley stayed 'under' the 132-point total, extending UF's run of consecutive 'unders' to six games.

Lee Humphrey drained six 3-pointers on his way to a 19-point effort, while Corey Brewer chipped in with 19 points and six rebounds. Joakim Noah had 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while Al Horford grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out four assists.

Some -- notably Digger Phelps -- suggested that George Mason's Tony Skinn would outplay Taurean Green in the matchup of point guards, but that scenario never materialized. Green knocked down 3-of-6 shots from 3-point range, didn't commit a turnover and buried all six of his free throw attempts.

"We kissed Cinderella, put her back in her pumpkin, sent her home to her stepmom and stepsisters," Brewer told the Associated Press.

UCLA (32-6 SU, 22-12) brings a 12-game winning streak into the final. The school that's won 11 national titles dominated LSU from the get-go, leading 50-27 at the 15:29 mark of the second half. The Bruins cruised from there on the way to a 59-45 win as two-point underdogs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute paced UCLA with 17 points and nine rebounds.

How nasty has UCLA been defensively? It has held Memphis and LSU to 45 points apiece the last two games. During the course of their 12-game-winning streak, the Bruins have allowed only one team to score more than 60 points (Gonzaga's 71).

Ben Howland's team has been a steady money maker since dropping back-to-back games in mid-February. Since then, UCLA owns a 10-2 ATS record.

This is the third straight game UCLA has been listed as an underdog. For the season, the Bruins are 8-2 ATS as underdogs.

The 'under' is 4-1 for UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, 22-12 for the season. For UF, the 'under' is perfect through five Tournament games, 20-12 for the year.

These schools have never played each other in basketball. UCLA is hoping to collect its 12th national title, while Florida is looking for its first. The Bruins beat Arkansas in the '95 final for their last title, while the Gators lost to Michigan State in their lone appearance in the finals.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

[Illusion]

I originally liked the Gators, but decided to take the Bruins for tonights game.