Tiger football coach Tommy West has taken a keen interest in the basketball team’s run to the Final Four.

Before last weekend’s South Regional games in Houston, he predicted the lopsided wins over Michigan State and Texas, even when members of his staff thought the games would be a bit closer.

As the U of M prepares for Saturday’s national semifinal against UCLA, West said he’s expecting the Tigers to continue their run.

“To me, our guys have kind of been waiting on this game,” he said. “I like our chances, I think we are going to win it all. Every challenge this team has (faced), this team has responded. I believe they are going to win it all.”

West said he predicts and Memphis-North Carolina final.

“North Carolina is the second-best team in (the Final Four),” he said. “And if we get there and North Carolina gets there, I think it will be a heck of a final. Those are some talented players and I think they’ll both leave it on the floor.”