Dirty Huskies

by Nestor on Feb 10, 2008 7:33 PM PST in Basketball Comment 45 comments

I will have lot more on the game tomorrow am.

Yes, I am upset as anyone about this afternoon's terrible loss. Yes, the effort and hustle we showed in this afternoon's game was disgraceful. But that doesn't warrant some of the reaction I am seeing here tonight, showing a total lack of perspective given what our program has done under CBH last five seasons.

Anyway, before we reflect on other parts of the game, I want to get one issue out of the way.

Tim Morris and Husky team-mates are some of the most dirtiest players in college basketball. From AP write up on ESPN:

With UCLA down 66-61 with 47 seconds left because the Huskies had squandered much of a nine-point lead at the foul line, Washington's Tim Morris was about to get called for a five-second violation on an inbound play. Instead, he threw the ball off the nose of Alfred Aboya, who was guarding him closely across the boundary line, and it banged into an incensed UCLA bench.

The Huskies retained possession and Jon Brockman, who had 12 points and 17 rebounds, scored. Ryan Appleby added two free throws following a steal to put Washington (13-11, 4-7 Pac-10) up 70-61. The upset, accompanied by a wild celebration, was back on.

"He just threw it off the kid's face," UCLA coach Ben Howland said of Morris' sneaky trick.

When asked if that is OK, perhaps by the unwritten code of how to play the game, Howland shot back, "No."

"The official said there is nothing he can do," Howland said. "So I guess legally you can do it."

And this doesn't take into account the cheap shots Kevin Love was taking the entire game.

I hope AA2 and his team-mates get another crack against these guys Staples.

Of course this still doesn't excuse our lack of effort and hustle in this afternoon's game. Something we will talk about tomorrow. But still everyone knock off the drama and over reaction. Comparing tonight's effort Lavin's team shows a total lack of perspective.

The only team that reminded us of Lavin coached basketball team were the Dirty Huskies who have turned this game into their version of Lavin's Miracles at Maples.

GO BRUINS.

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You might want to change football to basketball...

GO BRUINS!

by rgalloucla on Feb 10, 2008 7:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You're pretty fast, Nestor.

GO BRUINS!

by rgalloucla on Feb 10, 2008 7:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

Also note that AA2 had broken orbital bones. And I imagine the Huskies knew about that as well. Just a classless, thuggish bunch Romar has put together in Seattle.

by Nestor on Feb 10, 2008 7:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've met a lot of the Washington players

and they're good kids along with Romar who's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. That play was classless and there may have been a couple other incidents, but to portray the entire team as such is ridiculous. The Washington players and coaching staff are one of the classiest in the nation.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's nice

that you met lot of these Huskies players. Good for you.

Lot of us went to UCLA at a time when Romar was an AC. He was a decent guy. We met him when we used to come down at Pauley w pizzas while we used to camp out.

All that niceties don't make up for the fact that they played like bunch of thugs today taking one cheap shots after another at Love.

They may be nice guys off the court but they played like bunch of thugs on the court today. They played dirty.

by Nestor on Feb 10, 2008 7:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're over blowing the cheap shots

After the WSU game when a lot of people were claiming the same thing he said it was the same as what happens in the post and that he gives out as much as he takes. When Love gets a rebound, he grabs it elbows out and turns. He's caught a few people with them, but thats basketball. Players reach for the ball and scratch him. Players swipe for a block and hit his head. Love caught a Washington player in the head today reaching for a ball. Players get hit when you play down low. It happens. Calling them cheap shots is a bit over the top.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Technically correct

Indeed, those incidents may have been in the run of play and excusable. But two moments stick in my mind - Morris running into Love as they make their way down court, setting up the offense, and IIRC Overton following through on a shot/layup into Love's face. Neither was something that just happens, reaching for the ball or for a block, or protecting your rebound.

Also - I know it isn't dirty per se, but when Keefe's on top of a loose ball and Brockman dives for it, he's diving on top of Keefe. Essentially jumping on somebody's back and reaching around for a "tie-up" is a tackle. This isn't football. That should be a foul, not a "heady" play.

by jaffa on Feb 10, 2008 8:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ur like defending the Raja Bell/Kobe act

theres a difference when a guy goes for a ball or rebound and tries to get people off his back versus INTENTIONALLY chucking a ball at a person's face. that was the dirtiest play i've ever seen, and its just not right... if you look at that replay, he chucked the ball into his face with the intent to hurt him.. u can see he really hit him hard.

The fact that he's going to get away with this is injustice to sport. Now aboya can take the super high road and not react to this, but I dont care if we lose the P10 Tourney, i want to play them again and I want aboya to deck this guy with a season ending injury. to me, thats not about staying classy or taking the high road, it's doing what's right because obviously the pac 10 officials don't.

by chourobin on Feb 10, 2008 8:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I said

that was a classless play. I never defended that individual play. All I said was painting the entire team as dirty was too much.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 9:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was not class

and I'll believe that Washington's coaching staff has any when they discipline Morris for that stunt. I'm sorry, but that BS is just inexcusable.

by bruinchick on Feb 10, 2008 7:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

"When asked if that is OK, perhaps by the unwritten code of how to play the game, Howland shot back, 'No.'"

Was that a real question? What was going on in the reporter's head??

asdkfjaksdfj

by dokein on Feb 10, 2008 7:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Reporters just need the quote

they need him to say specifically that it wasn't OK. The reporter wants to mention the action and for those who hadn't seen it and formed an opinion themselves, a quote with him saying it wasn't OK makes a point.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 7:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Romar needs to issue a statement

saying that was not acceptable, or else we have to assume that he teaches his players such tactics.

by bluegold on Feb 10, 2008 8:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Alfred's a big, buff guy

And not especially quick - at least compared to the split-second it takes for the ball to reach him.

Why not throw it at his chest? It's gonna bounce the same way. His hands are up, and, well, who'd expect him to catch it even if they weren't? (Although, I guess, in Washington, they think people have hands on their chest with which they can hold or push people.) And really, I can't see the need to cock the ball back to slam it in his face.

Utterly pathetic.

by jaffa on Feb 10, 2008 8:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

that guy could've just thrown it to Alfred's body. Instead he just aimed to the face and threw a bullet.

by lildre on Feb 10, 2008 8:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A hard shot to the chest

with the speed and intensity he threw that ball at close range could kill someone by stopping his cardiac rhythm. The only civil thing to do is throw it off your opponent's leg. Given the fact that AA2 has sustained facial fractures this season, that blow must have been especially painful. I'm amazed he got back up and got back into the play. That took guts.

by UCLAMD89 on Feb 10, 2008 10:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh didn't know that

Indeed, leg is better.

Question though - might a shot to the stomach area have the same effects as to the upper sort of chest area?

by jaffa on Feb 10, 2008 11:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow Really?

I mean I know blunt trauma to the chest can stop the heart but it just seems like a basketball doesn't carry enough weight for that. But hey, according to your SN, you're the doctor. Well, you learn something every day (or at least I try to).

by Tydides on Feb 10, 2008 11:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ive heard of

lacrosse balls to the chest killing players..and thats over chest pads...i wouldn't rule that out with a bball either

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 10, 2008 11:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Revenge

Trust me guys, this loss is as painful as watching JOKE KIM celebrate beating us twice. However, when we are in the field of 64 in March, the Huskies will be at home watching it on TV. Revenge is a dish best served cold my friends.

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Feb 10, 2008 8:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

if that's not a violations, it ought to be....

i was livid when this happened. the guys cocked the ball back and football passed a bullet into aboya's face?! ho can that be interpreted as not an intent to injure? i know we played poorly in this game but the officiating was so inconsistent all game.
these things happen in a long basketball season. if we weren't so riddled with injuries, we'd prolly have a wider margin of error, but these are the breaks. people do need to stop spazzing over one game- pac 10 is tough, we're gonna get people's best shot all the time.

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Feb 10, 2008 8:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

On a happier note

Bruin baseball starts in 12 days. I'm starting my season preview this week, either tomorrow or Tuesday.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 9:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

i say

when the huskies come down to staples we pelt morris with bballs as they arrive for shoot around...on another note though, i try to look beyond officiating as means for a loss, but today was unacceptable...anyone remember when love got ripped down to the ground and just looked around helplessly for a T not to mention the way he and keefe and westbrook got like sexual assaulted under the rim and going to the hole all game, that was just gross what morris did to aboya and theres no place for that in basketball, and ryebread i'm sorry your wrong, they're all thugs, seeing pondexter up there on the table at the end made my blood boil

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 10, 2008 9:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

time and place and ill join you

we have to seriously destroy morris. i mean, we all wish for our team to fight back on the court, but seriously, we all know they wont. they have too much class. no, its now up to the fans to bring justice. I want to bury his ass.

by chourobin on Feb 10, 2008 9:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just another reason for Love to return

To issue a little payback next year. Come on Kevin, you can't leave without a relishing a V over these thugs!

by popopapa on Feb 10, 2008 9:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin frustrated with his teammates

"I was frustrated," Love said, using the same word he used Thursday after getting only eight shots at Washington State. "I was looking for the ball. ... I felt I was open and my teammates didn't find me."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280410264

by bruinofthenorth on Feb 10, 2008 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

that worries me a bit...

even if we blow it off as nothing, kevin saying this will definitely bring up some imbalances in the team chemistry, imo. w/o perfect team chemistry, look to not go very far in the tourney...

by bruinbunz on Feb 10, 2008 11:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No defense for that play

I wouldn't have any problem with that play if Morris threw it at Aboya's legs. I've always that players should do that more in those situations.

But at the face? Are you kidding me?

That's wrong. There's a reason athletes in other sports wear helmets -- the head and face should be protected.

by gilbert on Feb 10, 2008 10:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

is morris a senior?

please say it ain't so... he shouldnt get away with this without at least letting me throw a sack of my shit into his face.

by chourobin on Feb 10, 2008 10:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you see the replay?

Where Morris threw it full force one handedly into his face? Poor Aboya, hope that didn't damage his orbital lobe again.

And didn't someone mention it can't be called a technical unless it was to hurt someone? Morris looked like he was hoping for some blood...

by LYC on Feb 10, 2008 10:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The sole intent of the play must be injure

There was an issue with this in a game a few years ago and that was the exact quote from the rule book

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 10, 2008 10:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yea agreed

i certainly think that play will be reviewed and a statement should be made by the basketball officials committee..i would appreciate an apology from romar or morris himself about it...it had to be aboya to one of my favorite personalities on the team, hes way too nice humble and classy to ever of retaliated even though he would eat morris alive

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 10, 2008 10:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

and god i hope

we play u dub at staples

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 10, 2008 10:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it smarter

to throw it at his legs anyway? I'm no expert but I do believe that you'd have to bend down to catch a ball at the legs so just in case the guy has incredible reflexes and could batch one to the upper chest/face it would take longer for him to bend down. Plus you'll probably get a kicked ball called anyway.

Going by that there is no excuse for him to throw it that high. It's either really stupid or really dirty. Probably both.

by captain mightykite on Feb 10, 2008 11:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Funny thread from DevilsDen.com

BrooklynBrawler36 6:48 PM :Did the Washington kid just throw the ball off Aboya's face

dukebluedevils05 6:50 PM :Throwing it off his face as hard as he did? #### that, if I were Howland I'd have told my kids to get a T or something for that. That's absolutely bush league, I don't care what situation you're in. Low class. Throw it off a leg, ankle, arm, something like that. Not the face, especially as hard as he threw it.

2001dukechamps 6:56 PM : I completely agree, The way he threw at his face was like trying to get someone out in Dogdeball or a pitcher trying to strike someout out. Aboya should have kicked that kid's ass for that crap. I respect Aboya alot for that, because if that was me...

by SuperBruinMan on Feb 11, 2008 12:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how Aboya kept his cool

I was fully expecting him and/or the rest of the team and the bench to go after that guy. Great credit to Howland for the discipline our guys had. But... don't you have to sometimes mix it up? I remember when Wayne Gretzy once got into a fight to pump up his Kings. It was a wake-up call for them to not allow themselves to get pushed around.

by mark the bruin on Feb 11, 2008 12:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

MAJOR props to AA2 for not leveling him.

Seriously. AA2 just had orbital fractures, what, 6 weeks ago?

Throw off the leg or the foot or the gut, but the FACE?!?!

I am really hoping we meet Washington in the Pac-10 Tournament and we beat them by 25 -- with AA2 playing extended garbage time and going for 15 and 10 on their punk *sses.

Shoot, AA2 has banged up and bruised up our guys with INADVERTENT elbows.

Can you imagine what he is capable of doing if he really went full-blown p*ssed off at someone?

An AA2 forearm could have taken the dude's jaw off.

Again, MAJOR freaking props to AA2 for taking the shot like a better man than a lot of us would be.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Feb 11, 2008 12:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i know howland is pissed and all...

but i think he should've defended his players more. it made me sick to see our players take that shit, i dont care if they entire team gets T-ed up.. if the refs dont protect the players... they shouldve just walked off and forfeit that shitty game.

by chourobin on Feb 11, 2008 12:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yea i def. agree

heres the thing...aboya is just too nice of a guy to calm and collected...as for the rest of the team if u see the replay they were all looking away..on sports center correct if wrong in slow mo it looks like they're all not paying attention looking down toward like mustafa

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 11, 2008 1:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

intent to harm

If I recall correctly, UW was inbounding the ball near the midline but on their half of the court. What grown man needs to make a one-handed baseball throw to make the inbound pass? How can that not be interpreted as intent to harm? Aboya displayed incredible class by not retaliating. We'll get our revenge if we can find out which hotel the Huskies are staying at for the Pac-10 tournament.

by ishXdavid on Feb 11, 2008 7:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Actually

UW inbounded the ball right in front of the UCLA bench. I am surprised that no one on the bench got up and took a swing at him.

previously known as Grok451

by Telemachus on Feb 11, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here is the clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZXPAl4-8f8

It was in front of our bench. Morris is a freakin' prick. Stop it at 1:09 and you can clearly see him looking dead at Aboya when chucking the ball. In addition, you can also see him start to move to his left because he knew the ball was going to richochet off of Aboya. Nobody makes a 1 handed pass to a player in the near vacinity like that. That is a turnover waiting to happen. You make 1 handed passes on long outlet passes. UDub fans are claiming it was not intentional. I say bullshit. Morris shows intent and he had an opportunity to throw it off of another body part yet chose not to. So he apologized. Big deal, what is he supposed to do. These delirious UDub fans wearing those purple glasses need to check themselves.

I'm still irked by what happened. AA2 showed tremendous restraint because I would have knocked him out. Don't get your hopes up about any reprimand because we all know how effective the Pac 10 is. I don't expect anything from UDub as well because Morris is Romar's cousin/nephew. Hope we see them at Staples and wax the floor with them.

by BlueReign on Feb 11, 2008 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling...

...that Ben will have a little something for UW next time they play.

UW will have to defend a UCLA out of bounds play in the future. Cover your nose Huskies.

by Ajax on Feb 11, 2008 10:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Think about it

Love inbounding the ball with the strength to throw length of the court chest passes, "accidentally" throwing the ball juuuuuust a bit low into a UW defender...

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Feb 11, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i had a dream last night...

it was about the pac-10 tourney. we were playing u-dub in a second round game. there was 5 minutes left in the second half, we were up 32. rw got a steal and is on a breakaway for a dunk, he's being chased from behind by a husky, who ucharacteristically didn't quit on the play. rw slows up like he did against wsu, except this time he turns around and nails the husky across the face.

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Feb 11, 2008 6:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs