Bruins have kept an eye on Jayhawks

SAN JOSE — So it’s top-seeded Kansas vs. second-seeded UCLA, winner takes the West, just the way the NCAA selection committee drew it up and CBS dreamed it.

Let the buildup begin.

“They’re the hottest team in the country,” Bruins Coach Ben Howland said after his team’s Thursday night win against Pittsburgh. “They haven’t lost since Feb. 3, that I do know ... as talented as anybody in the country.”

Kansas has won 14 straight games since that Feb. 3 loss to Texas A&M.;

Bruins guard Arron Afflalo said he’s been watching Kansas all year long.

“Very competitive, very fiery, got a lot of talent,” Afflalo said.

Josh Shipp then took the opportunity to get one over on his teammate.

“I don’t watch too much TV,” Shipp joked. “I do my studying.”

Kansas vs. UCLA -- it’s worth watching if only for the uniforms.

UCLA leads the all-time series, 9-4, but Kansas has won four of the last five meetings.

UCLA’s last meeting with Kansas, on Dec. 12, 2002, left the Bruins in a Phog.

Kansas dominated, 87-70, in Lawrence.

Tale of the tape II: UCLA has won 11 national titles to Kansas’ two.

The last time Kansas won a title, in 1988, the Jayhawks were coached by Larry Brown, who also once coached the Bruins.

But hasn’t Brown coached everyone once?