Howland is UCLA's new wizard and OSU hits its stride

	SI Writers at the Tournament TAYLOR: Afflalo pushes UCLA into Final Four MORRILL: Oden efficient in Ohio State's win DAVIS: UCLA, OSU impressions; Sunday picks WAHL: Five thoughts on Saturday's action GALLERY: Best shots from the Elite Eight March Madness Archive | Women's Tournament Tourney Home Page | Complete tourney schedule

Five things we learned on Saturday as SI's title pick (Kansas) hit the pavement:

1. You can put to rest those doubts about UCLA's big guys. How many times have you heard or read (in this space, too) the Bruins were soft inside? Well, take a bow, Alfred Aboya, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Lorenzo Mata. You were absolutely amazing today when it came to denying any clear looks inside to Kansas. We've probably made too much of the so-called drop-off from last year's center, Ryan Hollins, and underestimated UCLA's remarkable defensive tenacity. The Bruin bigs will have an even bigger challenge in their next game, though, if they have to face Florida.

2. Ohio State's Final Four run has been truly stunning. Not so much because the Buckeyes are headed to Atlanta -- they were the nation's No. 1-ranked team heading into the tournament, after all. But if you'd told me OSU would win the South regional despite three straight games of major foul trouble for Greg Oden, I couldn't have conjured a credible scenario. Right now this team is riding on the backs of Ron Lewis and Mike Conley Jr., and any talk of a schism between the older and younger players is a thing of the past.

3. Ben Howland is establishing his own brand of wizardry. That's two Final Fours in two years for the UCLA coach, whom we've already anointed the Builder of the Decade (So Far) in college basketball. Whether he's been at UCLA, Pittsburgh or Northern Arizona, Howland's teams are just excruciating to play against, and what they sometimes lack in entertainment value they make up for with pure heart. You've heard of shoe-leather reporting? This is shoe-leather basketball.

4. Joey Dorsey got owned. As a journalist, I love it when guys decide to talk some smack before a big game, so I'm never going to hope everyone spews the same boring boilerplate nonsense. But seriously, what was Memphis' Dorsey thinking when he woke up Friday? I'm going to call out Greg Oden and proclaim myself Goliath to his David. (Whatever that means.) Bad move, Joey. Oden's line: 17 points, nine rebounds, one block. Your line: zero points, three rebounds and four fouls in 19 minutes. Remember, Joey: Goliath died.

5. I'm not a TV executive, but ... This isn't that hard to figure out, CBS: Dick Enberg, James Brown and Billy Packer out. Gus Johnson, Kevin Harlan and Greg Anthony in.

Back at you next week.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl covers college basketball for the magazine and SI.com.