A "Standard" Ben Ball Beatdown

by Nestor on Feb 2, 2008 8:16 PM PST in Basketball

Well ladies and gentlemen. That was kind of fun.

I won't get into game analysis right now. I will get to that tomorrow. As Bilas said this was a "beatdown." The final score was 82-60 and again it wasn't close. Here is the early boxscore.

Love with another classic night. RW was on fire. DC was smooth as he and his team-mates put on another ferocious display of Ben Ball defense.

Yeap. I don't think anyone is wondering which team is the "Standard" of the Pac-10:

Photo Credit: Lisa Blumendfeld/Getty Images (via Yahoo sports)

Once again Ben Ball warriors let the game do their talking in what turned out to be (as my friend Paul said via IM) a non stop three hour commercial of the greatest university in the country on WWL.

The only thing I am worried about is Luc's ankle. Hopefully the kid is all right.

For now though ... why wait for me to analyze how our Ben Ball warriors once again shredded "the Standard." Offer up your thoughts here or in the diaries.

Otherwise enjoy, revel, and celebrate in yet another Ben Ball blowout victory thread.

GO BRUINS

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best quote

of the night from the student section, "CHASE I CAN'T TELL WHERE YOUR SOCKS END AND WHERE YOUR LEGS START"

by elevated on Feb 2, 2008 8:23 PM PST reply actions

Never get tired of this

After sitting through the 105-70 (?) beatdown UA gave us in Pauley during my junior year, handing the mildcats their asses on a platter is a sight I can never get sick of seeing.

If anything, I kind of wish that Howland didn't have to call off the dogs in the final 3-4 minutes; I would have liked us to take a run at 90 points against these guys.

by bruinhoo on Feb 2, 2008 8:30 PM PST reply actions

A team goal of 90 would have been nice

but I had my heart set on keeping them under 50.

by bornagainbruin on Feb 2, 2008 8:35 PM PST up reply actions

hilarious!

If you are referring to that beatdown where Lute kept Salim Stoudemire in until the bitter end (who kept jacking up 3's), I can totally relate. I was also a student then, and have loathed UofA and Lute ever since then.

Would have also wanted to see UofA get killed by about 40 points.

by ryc26 on Feb 2, 2008 10:06 PM PST up reply actions

DC's FT record...

Collison finally missed a free throw after 32 straight!!

He broke Gary Cunningham's in-conference record streak of 28, but came up short in terms of the all-time UCLA record of 36, held by Henry Bibby.

Easy money and faithless women, red-eye whiskey for the pain...

by rich87 on Feb 2, 2008 8:38 PM PST reply actions

I loved Petro's Hecket comment

that the fans were aware of the record and gave him an ovation when he finally missed. Who said LA is filled with fair weathered, know nothing fans? That certainly isn't true in Westwood.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 2, 2008 8:41 PM PST up reply actions

I loved***

my computer filled in the rest by accident

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 2, 2008 8:42 PM PST up reply actions

Whew

For a second there I thought I was missing out on the new BN code word the 'Petro's Hecket comment'.

BTW my passion bucket runneth over

by alcor805 on Feb 2, 2008 8:45 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe we should turn it into one.

by Chandler on Feb 3, 2008 4:26 AM PST up reply actions

Congrats to Shipp & Mata

They got their 100th win as UCLA Bruins tonight.

by alcor805 on Feb 2, 2008 8:40 PM PST reply actions

Did anyone hear about what happened to the Prince?

Pauley went from a 2 hour party to dead silent in that one play. There will be time to talk about the impact of this game on the conference race at the turn, but I can't help stressing over Luc's ankle right now.

by Tydides on Feb 2, 2008 8:44 PM PST reply actions

It's a sprain

but the severity and timeframe for recovery won't be known until the swelling goes does and he has an MRI either tomorrow or Monday.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 2, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose

That news is the best that can be expected right now. Worse scenarios would have been his knee or a broken ankle.

by Tydides on Feb 2, 2008 8:58 PM PST up reply actions

Outstanding homestand

These last two games have been the most dominating performances over quality opposition that I have ever seen by UCLA (I went to UCLA starting in '85 and missed the Wooden era.) Even the '95 team didn't put together two consecutive performances like this. That team had more than its share of strong performances, but the '95 team didn't play defense like this and as good as Zidek was, Love is on another plane altogether. Wow...all I can say is wow. I just hope that Luc doesn't miss too much time-we need him desperately on D and his offense seems to be picking up.

by ucladj89 on Feb 2, 2008 8:48 PM PST reply actions

As long as Shipps shot

disappears only in games when it's not needed, we'll be OK. He was throwing up bricks again.

by Dodger Hater on Feb 2, 2008 8:52 PM PST reply actions

Luc's D was Incredible

It's been said here, often.

He seems to be the glue that binds the D. Others are outstanding and he turns it into team D.

My favorite plays: When Budinger backed away instead of standing in and taking charges.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 2, 2008 8:57 PM PST reply actions

Astute observation..

..as usual, Steve!

What will be (yet another) litmus test for this team will come in Pullman next Thursday. If they can put together another solid win there either like the Oregon game or the AZ beat-downs then it means that they have jelled and gone to the next level.

The commentary on ESPN was pretty good tonight -- especially the observations about how well this team has played through injuries and how the adversity will help them in the stretch run.

Wouldn't it be fun to see them administer thrashings such as this throughout the second half of the PAC-10 schedule (especially the hated Stanford and the Condoms) and the PAC 10 tournament? If they do, then they might very well rip through teams like Memphis. North Carolina, Kansas, and Duke (who, by the way, play each other this week) who have not had the benefit of playing in the crucible UCLA plays in.

by whp68 on Feb 2, 2008 9:17 PM PST up reply actions

Well,

If we play like this the rest of the way, I really don't think anyone could beat us. And as for a couple of those other big teams, I get the impression we could still win without playing our best, based on:

Memphis - the way we absolutely destroyed their offense 2 years ago. I know it's a different team, and it's with a better point guard, but it seems like Howland knows exactly what to do against a system like that.
Kansas - didn't we beat nearly the same team last year? And I'd say we're better this year than last.
North Carolina - I'd like to see that game, but I think they could be had as well. My impression of Hansborough has been that he is effective largely because of his hustle and effort, which I can't imagine us not matching. And on the whole, we can be a lot more balanced than them.

I can't really comment on Duke (haven't seen 'em or heard much).

by jaffa on Feb 2, 2008 10:11 PM PST up reply actions

Great analysis..

..thanks for the insight. I wonder how many caught that insipid poll they presented towards the end of the UA broadcast about the most valuable freshman? Only 11% thought it was Kevin Love. (Eastern bias?)

Except for the fact that KL is totally committed to the team concept at UCLA, a consummate gentleman, and could probably give a flying crap less about such nonsense, it would seem like good locker room bulletin board material.

..probably disproven as the NCAA tournament unfolds.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Feb 3, 2008 9:19 AM PST up reply actions

Did anyone hear CRN at halftime

In his TV interview, he makes it sound like he called sc "assholes" and wished he hadn't.

Did I interpret the TV interview right?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 2, 2008 8:59 PM PST reply actions

It sounded as though..

..he might have used another term -- somewhat undiplomatic -- but a little better than asshole. It is hard to imagine CRN allowing himself to say such an undignified thing to a Pauley crowd or other public gathering. That kind of behavior is reserved for the mindless gorts over at Figueroa Tech.

Especially since he was so graceful in acknowledging KD's effort in putting the recruiting class together and the fact that he was beside himself with joy at having DW and Norm Chow on his staff.

God! It's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Feb 2, 2008 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

So awesome to see CRN at the game

on a nationally televised game too! On espn too so the east coast fa...errr people saw it too.

And I think he did call them assholes. Which is good imo.

by sumo331 on Feb 2, 2008 9:26 PM PST up reply actions

I was at the game

in the Den, and I think I heard him call them "butts". But I'm not entirely sure because the cheering was pretty loud.

by xapis828 on Feb 2, 2008 9:31 PM PST up reply actions

Did he happen to mention the PB?

by sumo331 on Feb 2, 2008 9:40 PM PST up reply actions

Nope, no reference to the PB tonight

But he is aiming high - talking again about wanting to be part of the next 100 championships.

by xapis828 on Feb 2, 2008 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

The "butt" line I remember

Was when he was introducing Norm Chow. Among the attributes he listed was that RN wanted a coach that was looking to get ("chew off," perhaps? too tired to remember for a certain) a piece of their butts across town.

by insomniacslounge on Feb 3, 2008 12:23 AM PST up reply actions

I heard...

"I wish I had said that." I could be wrong though.

by SuperBruinMan on Feb 2, 2008 9:42 PM PST up reply actions

Another thing to note...

UCLA has scored 80+ points in five of the last six games.

by SuperBruinMan on Feb 2, 2008 9:01 PM PST reply actions

RN/NC/DW

I'm hoping that someone out there got some video of the halftime speeches by the new football staff. Throw it on Youtube!

GREAT win tonight, BRUINS!

by Quickhands on Feb 2, 2008 9:06 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, it was amazing

For those of you who weren't at the game, Coach Neuheisel introduced both Norm Chow and DeWayne Walker to the crowd at halftime. CN was especially effusive in his introduction of NC, calling him the best offensive coordinator in football, winner of three national championships, mentor of three Heisman trophy winners, and motivated to kick the ass of the team across town (although I'm not sure he used those exact terms). All three talked about being part of the Bruin family and bringing a football championship to UCLA. Of course, the crowd went absolutely nuts.

So, yeah, if anyone was bright enough to make a recording, post it on YouTube. CN talks with such emotion, excitement, and conviction, if he didn't play football at UCLA, he could have been head cheerleader. I half expected him to lead everyone in an 8-clap.

by CrouchingBruin on Feb 3, 2008 5:01 AM PST up reply actions

8-1

during the 1st leg of the conference round robin, in what is arguably the toughest conference in the country. Not bad.

If we can duplicate that in the 2nd half, we'll certainly garner a 1 seed and a Anaheim-Phoenix road to the Final Four.

I have a feeling Luc is going to be fine. I saw the injury and he did invert the ankle, but didn't have most of his weight distributed on the ankle when it occurred. I'm guessing a minor Grade 1 sprain, back for next game. Just a hunch. Keep your fingers crossed.

We're playing like an elite team right now. Hopefully we can keep it going.

by godblesstyus95 on Feb 2, 2008 9:10 PM PST reply actions

I don't know..

about the Pac-10 being the best conference in the country anymore. I guess I don't know who's better, but I'm pretty underwhelmed with the teams who were supposed to be good. Wazzu played UCLA tough, but hasn't consistently played up to their capability, especially after this week. You could say the same about 'SC, Zona just isn't what it used to be, Oregon can't hang, ASU is folding under the pressure of their fast start, Cal is meh...Stanford's really the only team that seems even remotely capable of doing something in the tourney.

Someone tell me that it just seems this way because the whole league is so strong top to bottom and that come tourney time we'll see 5 teams in the Sweet 16...

by MrGray on Feb 2, 2008 11:22 PM PST up reply actions

Five Might Be Too Much to Ask...

But five are certainly capable, in my opinion.

I know we made Arizona look pedestrian, but they're a talented team that is certainly capable of going on a run. Bayless is one of the most talented guards in the country. He just happened to come across a couple superior ones today.

Stanford should have won easily today. They were getting hosed by the refs throughout the 2nd half. There aren't many teams that can neutralize the Lopez brothers down low.

I'd love to write something negative about USC, but until we get our revenge at the Galen Center, I'll have to admit that they're capable of beating a top 5 team.

Wazzu seems to be the weakest link of the top 5 Pac-10 teams to me. They are fundamentally sound, but when they absolutely need a play, Derrick Low is the only guy who acts like he wants to take a shot.

ASU is fading, Cal is suffering from incompetent coaching, Oregon's Tajuan Porter is no Aaron Brooks, and Wash and OSU just aren't very good at all this year. I wonder if Spencer Hawes wishes he stayed in school for another year?

I suspect the reason that the Pac-10 is underwhelming you is because so many of the better teams (Arizona excluded) actually play defense these days, so the final scores tend to end up in the mid sixties, giving the appearance of underpeforming teams.

by insomniacslounge on Feb 3, 2008 12:40 AM PST up reply actions

All Excellent Points

Especially noting that because of CBH's influence, defense is played in this conference.

The teams that are losing to each other are actually better than the teams in other leagues going without losses.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 3, 2008 5:31 AM PST up reply actions

Scores...

I'm not looking at the low scoring games, I'm looking at wins/losses. It seems that everyone has lost to At least one team in each tier of the conference.
Anyone know if AZ, 'SC, Stanford or anyone else in the discussion of who's good is having any kind of a high profile non-conference game any time soon?

by MrGray on Feb 3, 2008 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

Missed the game

Had to go to dinner & and a movie with the wife and some friends (I don't recommend Cloverfield to anyone).

I did read through the game thread which helps a lot.

Grok, you rock with the clips added in.

A great job by all the bruins.

by artybruin on Feb 2, 2008 9:55 PM PST reply actions

Time to invest in a Tivo.

by UCLAMD89 on Feb 2, 2008 10:26 PM PST up reply actions

Davis is a moron

How dumb did Hubert Davis look picking Arizona as his upset team. That historically has not respected UCLA. Well, he better respect us now because if we stay healthy, we are going to be awfully hard to beat come tourney time.

FU Hubert!

by Koach Karl I on Feb 2, 2008 10:16 PM PST reply actions

To be fair

this morning at Gameday he told the students that while he was picking Arizona tonight, he had UCLA winning the conference and national titles.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Feb 2, 2008 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

Can you believe

Budinger was held to 9 pts. And he had their first 3 pointer, so was held to 6 the whole rest of the way. But what a baby with the flagrant foul on Shipp. He should have been ejected.

by UCLAMD89 on Feb 2, 2008 11:04 PM PST reply actions

I can't decide which stat I liked the best....

Holding Budinger to single digits scoring in 36 minutes.

Fendi Onobun getting four fouls in four minutes of guarding Kevin Love.

Coach O'Neill being down to his last timeout with something like 8 minutes left...in the FIRST HALF!

by insomniacslounge on Feb 3, 2008 12:44 AM PST up reply actions

Overrated and a crybaby

is what Budinger was tonight. RW absolutely ate him up the entire game. Budinger was way too slow, and, by game's end, was dead tired. With about 12 minutes to go, he flat out quit trying. You had to be there to appreciate it. Luc and Josh wouldn't let him separate for a shot. He simply wasn't a factor at all. During a timeout with about 12 minutes to go, Bayless started to tear into him in the team huddle. Budinger just kept his head down the entire timeout. Total frustration. Total exhaustion. Totally inept. The guy left his game back in Tucson. There was no fight in him whatsoever. The flagrant foul on Josh said it all...

by PatG on Feb 3, 2008 12:24 AM PST reply actions

Budinger: An Example for Our Recruiters

Budinger cannot think, today, that he made the right choice when he chose AZ over UCLA.

At the time, he had great scoring skills and was woo'd by Lute who told him that BenBall was boring and would not showcase his skills.

Today, he is still not very strong and can't play D.

We may recruit players who come out of high school a bit one dimensional, not many high schools stress D, but our coaches make them play D and make them get tougher and stronger. That's why our players will be great pro's, should they choose to go that path.

And, our players are "tough". We take pride in taking charges. Budinger stepped away from one.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 3, 2008 5:44 AM PST up reply actions

Said Another Way

Our players get bigger, stronger, more skilled, and more well rounded.

I cannot think of a Howland player who has not shown improvement.

Budinger has not shown improvement.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 3, 2008 5:46 AM PST up reply actions

And...

...BH's players get more mentally tough. That's the biggest difference between UCLA and their opponents, in my opinion. They keep their cool, don't worry about the scoreboard, and keep grinding away. Budinger would be a pretty scary player had he chosen UCLA and been able to benefit from Howland's teaching. But he gets what he deserves :) 6 straight wins over the Mildcats - so sweet!

by McNown to Farmer on Feb 3, 2008 8:36 AM PST up reply actions

half time

was absolutely amazing...i was so caught up in how emotional it was in there tonight, when Rick and Dewayne and Norm came out everyone just exploded...my dads friend from england got to enjoy that as his first basketball game ever lol...i really liked the top level condensed student section..brought some more energy

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 3, 2008 1:54 AM PST reply actions

Half time was awesome

This proved that UCLA is not just a basketball school. The emotion and noise level was insane!

And that couple changing outfits every couple of seconds was as mind boggeling as ever. How the hell do they do that?

by mr havercamp on Feb 3, 2008 10:04 AM PST up reply actions

Couple changing outfits?

I was about 2500 miles away, so I missed the halftime show. Can you give me the word's eye view of the outfit business that was so imressive. (And I understand how that works - something that literally makes your jaw drop when you're looking at it sounds unimpressive when you write it out, but don't worry about that. I'm starting from the position that it was an impressive thing.)

by Fox 71 on Feb 3, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

If you watch the NBA on TNT, you've seen this pair

We booked these two for the halftime show. It was basically the same act, but w/ a UCLA uni instead of the tux for the guy, and a stars and stripes outfit at the end for the woman.

YouTube clip of act

by insomniacslounge on Feb 3, 2008 1:02 PM PST up reply actions

Ya got me

I don't watch the NBA anywhere under any circumstances. But I enjoy this sort of sleight of, er, ah, well, sleight of the entire body.

by Fox 71 on Feb 3, 2008 7:37 PM PST up reply actions

Arizona players

When you have a starting 5 that plays the whole game (like last night when it was over with several minutes to go and UA had them all in there and the announcers were asking why?)... either they have no depth or the HC is not thinking. Now put that with playing them at SC the way he did, add in UCLA's "make them work to death" defense and offensive sets, and you have some tired UA players, especially in the second half.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Feb 3, 2008 7:58 AM PST reply actions

I got the sense that

It was punishment of sorts doled out by O'Neill, essentially saying "You put us into this mess. How out-of-hand are you willing to let it get?"

Wouldn't be the first time a coach has done that.

by palafox on Feb 3, 2008 9:27 AM PST up reply actions

To make them remember the ass-whooping

Commentary last night was that the UA coach wanted them to either become tougher or burn the beat-down into their memories. They have a whole week off this week -- I think they play ASU on Saturday -- so apparently the coach figured they could recover physically.

In the OC fishwrap today, O'Neill's quotes expressed his displeasure with the team's effort, saying he "was not proud of tonight's performance."

Small wonder.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Feb 3, 2008 10:30 AM PST up reply actions

O'Neill's problem

was that he didn't have a TEAM out there last night. All he had was Budinger and Bayless trying to hog the ball. And after awhile, Budinger was so embarrassed by RW that he stopped playing. Bayless had a scowl on his face the whole evening. No player on the floor for Arizona wanted to play defense. They had no intensity. No fight. They WALKED off the floor at halftime--not a single player even jogged off...Of course, that's what happens to teams when we play defense like we did during the first half.
Palafox--you're right--I think O'neill wanted to let his players know how unhappy he was with their effort. Nonetheless, the fact that he left his starters in until the bitter end was a puzzling decision.
BTW, the halftime speech by Rick, and especially the applause for DW, was scintillating. Pauley absolutely stopped when those three walked out to center court. An electric evening, to say the least.

by PatG on Feb 3, 2008 10:31 AM PST reply actions

anyone see the recruits

Just curious since I couldn't go to the game last night. Were there any football recruits at the game to take in the atmosphere and halftime festivities. I pray that Hamani Stevens and a few others were there. That would of been great. Any info. would be great on that subject. THANKS.

by jbcoach on Feb 3, 2008 11:30 AM PST reply actions

recruits....

hamani was supposed to be at the game, hope he was...
as far as the most valuable freshman poll, as much as i love big love, i have to admit that i wouldn't cast my vote for him either. i'd vote for michael beasley before love. love is putting together a monster season and will take his team further into the tourney, but without love we still have a pretty good team. on the other hand you take beasley off his team and you have something worse than oregon state. but am sure glad we have love!

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Feb 3, 2008 11:40 AM PST reply actions