SPECIAL REPORT / Final Four : 1995 NCAA Seattle : UCLA VS. Oklahoma State

The top-ranked team in the nation plays a team that wasn’t expected to win more than a game or two in the tournament. So which team had the closest shave during March Madness? The Bruins needed a miracle shot by guard Tyus Edney in the last second to beat Missouri in the second round. The Cowboys needed only to prevent a possible game-tying three-point shot by Wake Forest’s Randolph Childress in a regional semifinal.

Little Man, Big Shot

2.6 SECONDS

THE DRIVE: Taking inbound pass with 4.8 seconds left, Tyus Edney (1) dribbles length of floor, going behind his back to beat Jason Sutherland (2) to the inside.

0.7 SECONDS

THE SHOT: With Sutherland on his left, Edney dribbles down lane toward Missouri center Derek Grimm (3), who extends his arms and stands still, trying to draw a charge. Edney then uses his right hand to hook the ball over Grimm’s left arm and into the basket for 75-74 victory.

Cowboy Roundup

15 SECONDS

MOVING UP THE COURT: With his team trailing, 69-66, Wake Forest guard Randolph Childress (1) brings the ball upcourt against Oklahoma State’s Andre Owens (2).

10.5 SECONDS

THE PICK: Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan (3), covered by Bryant Reeves (4), prepares to set a pick on Owens that will free Childress for a possible game-tying shot.

9.9 SECONDS

THE TURNOVER: But Owens slips past Duncan after a bump and Reeves steps up to block Childress’ path. Double-teamed, Childress loses the all, Owens picks it up and assists on a layup.

UCLA Bruins

Starting Five

George Zidek-C

Comes out of the game when UCLA wants to pick up the pace, but still very valuable in the half-court offense. The biggest body the Bruins have.

Ed O’Bannon-F

In the pivotal five-game stretch late in season, played at level no UCLA player has reached since Marques Johnson. Clearly heart of team.

Charles O’Bannon-F

Disappears at times when the Bruins aren’t running, but has provided surprising help with defense and passing.

Toby Bailey-G

If it didn’t say so in program, you would never know he was a freshman. Unpredictable, but the Bruins wouldn’t be in Final Four without him.

Tyus Edney-G

Ed O’Bannon might be national player of the year, but to Bruins, Edney is most valuable player.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

Cameron Dollar-G

Bruins’ defensive stopper, his high-energy game complements Edney when both are on floor running break.

J.R. Henderson-F

Valuable reserve at three front-line positions, he is critical part of “speed” team when he replaces Zidek at center.

COACH

Jim Harrick

Came into the season needing to blend in talented freshmen and find senior leadership. He obviously succeeded at both.

Oklahoma State

Starting Five

Bryant Reeves-C

Often plays the entire game and rarely gets into foul trouble despite physical play. Has improved his decisions when ball is passed inside to him in the post.

Scott Pierce-F

Often is assigned to guard opponent’s top forward inside, despite his lanky 6-foot-9 frame. Has been a surprise because of transition scoring.

Terry Collins-F

The best leaper and dunker on the team, he has been slowed by a hand injury. Works hard on defense but is not physical enough inside to play bigger forwards and not quick enough to guard on the perimeter.

Randy Rutherford-G

His play usually determines whether the cowboys win. Not only can he score from the outside, but he also is effective in the middle and is the team’s second-best rebounder behind Reeves.

Andre Owens-G

An effective defender who has played well of late against high-scoring guards. Has become a vocal leader who rarely is taken out of the game by Coach Eddie Sutton because of his ability to run the Cowboys’ offense.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

Chianti Roberts-F

Most versatile player for Cowboys and their best athlete. He can rebound and handle the ball against pressure defenses. Is not a good free-throw shooter and often gets into foul trouble.

Jason Skaer-F

Regarded as the team’s second-best outside shooter behind Rutherford. Made two key three-point shots in the East Regional final against Massachusetts.

COACH

Eddie Sutton

Became only the 11th coach in NCAA history to coach two different teams into the Final Four. Arkansas was the other.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

ROSTER / STATISTICS: UCLA

No. Name HT. WT. RPG. PPG. 31 E.O’BANNON 6-8 217 8.1 20.3 11 EDNEY 5-10 152 3.3 14.5 13 C. O’BANNON 6-6 1/2 205 6.0 13.5 25 ZIDEK 7-0 250 5.5 10.6 12 BAILEY 6-5 185 4.8 10.3 52 HENDERSON 6-9 215 4.4 9.7 5 DOLLAR 6-1 173 1.8 3.1 35 NWANKWO 6-11 234 1.6 2.9 54 JOHNSON 6-4 220 1.8 2.7 30 DEMPSEY 6-6 210 0.8 1.8 50 GIVENS 6-10 235 1.4 1.7 24 MYERS 6-6 210 0.5 0.4

ROSTER / STATISTICS: Oklahoma State

No. Name HT. WT. RPG. PPG. 50 REEVES 7-0 292 9.5 21.4 15 RUTHERFORD 6-3 188 6.3 19.7 35 OWENS 5-11 180 3.3 7.8 32 COLLINS 6-6 190 3.4 7.6 23 ROBERTS 6-5 222 3.3 6.5 43 SKAER 6-7 215 2.6 5.1 20 PIERCE 6-9 211 2.8 4.9 45 NELSON 6-11 259 2.3 2.7 3 MILES 6-8 224 1.2 1.8 12 ALEXANDER 6-3 184 0.7 1.3 44 BAUM 6-11 234 0.8 0.8

Research by EMILIO GARCIA-RUIZ / Los Angeles Times