Happy New Year

by Nestor on Dec 31, 2006 4:06 PM PST in Basketball

Bruins ROCK Romar's Huskies at Wooden's House.

DC had a double double with 15 points and 13 assists.:

AP Photo/ Mark Avery

Here is the box score and AP recap of Bruins smashing the Huskies. Ben Ball's ultimiate warrior AA led the Bruins with 27 points (20 at half time).

We will have our analysis/news clips for tomorrow. If you are eager to share your post-game impression/quick analysis, please by all means do it here.

Ben Ball warriors left not doubt who is the number 1 team in America heading into 2007.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year Bruins Nation.

GO BRUINS.

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Wow

What an effort by our team.

by True Blue and Gold on Dec 31, 2006 4:08 PM PST reply actions

Ben's warriors look great

It would be a pretty depressing time of year if not for the Ben Ball Warriors.

AA is a freakin' animal. Nuff said.

DC is looking like one of the top PG's in the country, and Westbrook has been impressive spelling him.

Mata and Luc are playing like beasts down low doing all that low post dirty work. (Loved Luc's dunk on Brockman.)

Jsoh Shipp had another quiet yet productive game.

It was also nice to see Mike Roll get in rhythm.

I would take this team against any team in the country right now.

by Ajax on Dec 31, 2006 4:12 PM PST reply actions

Now THAT

was FUN. What a complete game...even the free throws! Happy New Year!

by pocho on Dec 31, 2006 4:19 PM PST reply actions

My thoughts exactly

That was fun. Happy New Year everyone!

by Menelaus on Dec 31, 2006 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

Howland said nothing more than cramps

he'll be fine

by 5214 on Dec 31, 2006 5:03 PM PST reply actions

Greetings

Mr. BB and I were at the game and it was great fun. I think it's been about 10 years since I've heard Pauley that loud. Just a great game all around.

by bruinbabe2000 on Dec 31, 2006 5:08 PM PST reply actions

Lorenzo Mata

Point guard of the future

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 31, 2006 6:02 PM PST reply actions

Maybe That's the Solution

Everyone sort of assumes that Kevin Love will walk right in and take away Mata's position. I'm sure Love is great -- but there will have to be a place for Mata on the floor.

He is ferocious -- never lets up and always seems to play better than expected. Perhaps, that's because the expectation level for him is too low.

I remember Howland talking about Mata when he recruited him. He was the prototype of the hard worker, under-rated tough player he wanted to bring in to rebuild the program. Mata has been just that.

One thing I love about this team is we play deep into the bench and many different combinations.

So, maybe, every so often after Love comes we will see Mata at PG -- like we did, today.

We'll have to find some solution to keep him on the floor.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 31, 2006 7:00 PM PST up reply actions

Obviously a lot depends on who we have

The departure of Afflalo foremost in my mind. But remember that at the moment, Luc plays the 4, when his build, but not necessarily his game, suggests that he is a 3.

There is no doubt in my mind that Love will start at the 5 next year, but given that Luc is currently our 4, I think we could see Mata go into that role, pushing Luc to the 3, in what would amount to a crazy "size" rebounding lineup. If Luc develops his jumpshot, this looks like even more of a possibility.

Imagine: Collison, Shipp, Luc, Mata, Love

However, if AA decides to stay with us for his senior year (which I would welcome with open arms), then Mata will probably become the sub for Luc/Love.

by Tydides on Dec 31, 2006 7:42 PM PST up reply actions

If

Collison, Luc and Shipp all stay. Man I hope they do. What a great time for UCLA basketball.

by Koach Karl I on Dec 31, 2006 9:28 PM PST up reply actions

Well I do know

that prior to the season Luc said he was on pace to graduate after 3 years and would stay for his junior year because his dad refuses to let him leave school without a degree. So he should be back and Collison and Shipp should both be back. Both have a future in the NBA, but certainly not yet. AA on the other hand will be interesting. The thing working in our favor is the upcoming draft is being called the deepest in a decade so AA is still considered a 2nd round pick by almost everyone. Uness AA recieves a 1st round guarantee which isn't likely at this point I see him coming back.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 31, 2006 10:00 PM PST up reply actions

Brilliant effort and game

wish we could say that about our other program. Have to say how much I love the killer instinct our team has under Howland. Yes, they let up for a bit, there will be streaks in games, but once they got back that rhythm (starting always with the great D), they didn't stop. They kept hurting the Huskies. The character of this team so many times early in the season will prove significant when it counts more later.

by DumpDorrell on Dec 31, 2006 6:40 PM PST reply actions

Westbrook Played Some SG Today

After AA got hit in the face during the 2nd half Westbrook and DC were in at the same time. I don't recall having seen that before but under the circumstances: Roll was...well rolling and DC was hot, Shipp was getting medical treatment, who else was going to do it?

by alcor805 on Dec 31, 2006 7:33 PM PST reply actions

Westbrook is a natural SG

He was recruited as a SG, and put into the backup PG role in the summer.

by stevenucla on Dec 31, 2006 9:26 PM PST up reply actions

From the Seattle Times' report:

"They were popping their collars after they won -- I still have that memory flashing in my mind," said UCLA guard Michael Roll of Washington's 69-65 victory almost a year ago.

"They came in here all flashy after the win. We remembered that so much when we came out. We didn't want that to happen again so we played extra hard."

Popping collars?

by Hornblower on Dec 31, 2006 10:18 PM PST reply actions

Appleby

Most of us at The Den remembered that as well. Last year the Huskies squeaked by at Pauley. Afterwards, their players were taunting the crowd. That flat-footed, ball-palming midget Ryan Appleby stood at midcourt and flashed his jersey towards the Den. I guess some players saw it as well.

Today, the students were booing and yelling at Appleby all night long. It was sweet revenge.

GO BRUINS.

by BruinMatador on Dec 31, 2006 10:45 PM PST up reply actions

Eatin' bad in the Neighborhood

I'm glad we shut that idiot and his team up. The guy's so stupid: did you see that play in the UW-U$C game where he got the ball from a kickout on a fast break, jumped to shoot the ball, but changed his stupid mind in midair and decided to dribble instead? Yeah, what a dumbass.

Proud to be a lifelong Bruin

by omnigeno on Dec 31, 2006 10:54 PM PST up reply actions

Mata/Love

I wouldn't worry about Mata. He will play many important minutes. The truth is, Mata isn't Love and Love isn't Mata. Howland will use them both effectively. Today's game wasn't just a big win, it was a demonstration of the depth in quality players we have. I watched the UNC game earlier and listened to the broadcasters' comments about their great depth. But we don't have to worry.

by Oldguy on Dec 31, 2006 10:23 PM PST reply actions

Different Announcer?

I wasn't at the game but I saw it on TV. It sounded like we had a different announcer at Pauley than usual. Am I just imagining things?

Awesome game, and the best way to end the calendar year. Happy New Year!

Proud to be a lifelong Bruin

by omnigeno on Dec 31, 2006 10:52 PM PST reply actions

Highlights

I was at a funeral for the duration of the game. So afterwards, I go crash at a buddies place and watch ESPN and Sportcenter for an hour. NOT ONE FREAKING TIME did I get to see video highlights of my Bruins trashing the Huskies. So I check the FSN website, and all they have is an interview with AA and a few 3's of his (not even the one at the halftime buzzer)!! Does anyone know where FSN keeps their highlight reels? I'm dying here, because I just know this will happen again in the near future.

Stupid East Coast Bias. Happy New year, everybody.

Duke and North Carolina called: They want Steve Lavin back. GO BRUINS!!

by Allofmybros on Dec 31, 2006 11:04 PM PST reply actions

Different Announcer

I was just grateful that Don Mclean wasn't one of the announcers tonight, I know he was a UCLA legend and all, but he is god awful to listen to on the air.

by pbreck23 on Jan 1, 2007 2:48 AM PST reply actions

Disagree man

Donnie Mac may have a monotone voice. But he is spot on as an analyst and calls it as he sees it. Just meat and potatoes. I like hearing his commentary (at least) during the TV broadcast.

by Nestor on Jan 1, 2007 9:38 AM PST up reply actions

I agree, comepletely

Technically sound, on point, critical when necessary -- I think he does a great job.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 1, 2007 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

Actually,

In my original question, I was referring to the announcer you hear IN Pauley, the guy who has done it for as long as I can remember. Not on TV (Physioc/Johnson) or radio (Roberts/Mclean). He just sounded different.

As for Don Mclean, I love him. He says it like it is, and he knows the game very well.

Proud to be a lifelong Bruin

by omnigeno on Jan 1, 2007 1:48 PM PST up reply actions

announcer

yep, the Pauley announcer was definitely different. it's weird how that can totally change the dynamic. no "aaron afflalo to the line to complete the 3 point play"...and even the way he listed off the player point totals at the end of each half was odd. but the game itself was awe-inspiring. glad to see Pauley rockin after a somber pre-season. first time poster here wishing you all a happy new year and GO BRUINS!

by oleoleoleoleucla on Jan 1, 2007 4:28 PM PST up reply actions