Digging Deep & Getting It Done

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2008 4:37 AM PST in Basketball

So our Ben Ball warriors start their grueling road trip in the Evergreen state with yet another one of their hallmark, gutsy performances. Last night’s win was made even more special by the fact that our team could have easily hit a rough spot without having Luc – the glue of our defense – available for the entire road trip.

Bruins got the expected brutal challenge from the Washington Cougars. Yet they pull out a huge win with another effort based on defensive tenacity, ferocity around the boards, and sheer intent and desire to win. And that was most evident in a sequence late in the second half when Kevin Love put back a lay up after our guys got 4 shots around the Cougar rim. That was the play that broke the will of Bennet’s Cougars and Pucin marked that moment to lead her LAT report on yesterday’s huge win:

Love's offensive rebound capped an 8-0 run and opened up a nine-point lead for the Bruins (21-2, 9-1 Pacific 10 Conference). In a game when no one led by more than six points in the first half or by more than three for the first 12 minutes of the second half, that one spurt meant everything.

UCLA kept its one-game lead over Stanford in the Pac-10 race and the Cougars (17-5, 5-5) fell into fifth place after their third straight loss here.

After having no points at halftime and while battling a head cold, Darren Collison finished with 18 points, including nerveless seven-for-seven foul shooting.

Even while he said he was frustrated at not getting the ball enough, freshman center Love had 16 points and nine rebounds. Guard Russell Westbrook had 14 points and, after having five first-half turnovers, he didn't give one back in the second half. Josh Shipp scored only six points, but his layup on a feed from Love started UCLA's crucial 8-0 run and his defense on Washington State forward Kyle Weaver was endlessly aggressive.

"What a great win this was," UCLA Coach Ben Howland said. "I'm so pleased with this performance."

More from Coach Howland in Brian Dohn’s game report:

"To beat them up here, knowing their back is against the wall, having lost two in a row at home already last weekend, is huge," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "To be without Luc (Richard Mbah a Moute) again, to me, is just incredible to be able to win on the road against a really good team."

With WSU committing more resources to stopping Love, Bruins point guard Darren Collison excelled in the second half, when he scored all of his game-high 18 points.

Collison and Russell Westbrook, who had 14 points, each played 39 minutes for shorthanded UCLA.

Mbah a Moute didn't make the trip because of sprained ankle.

"I was a little more aggressive in the second half," said Collison, who battled a cold during the day. "The attention was focused on Kevin and me. It was really hard to create, at times, but somehow we got it done."

Bruins got it done in the second half because there were some subtle adjustments by Coach Howland in the offensive end. I didn’t get to watch the first 15 mins of the first half. I tuned in when the score was tied 20-20. When I tuned it looked like the Cougar defense was able to neutralize Love somewhat as he was not getting the ball in the paint. And Love in Dohn’s report sounded a little frustrated about that:

"To tell you the truth, I was getting a little bit frustrated because I thought I was open a couple of times," Love said. "They started to get me the ball because I guess they found an opening. I ran the floor and tried to get down there and get fouled."

The truth is I don’t think it was a matter of our guys missing an open pass to Love down low. The credit also goes to the Wazzu defense which did a great job of clogging up the passing lanes, putting great on ball pressure on our guards, which seemed to disrupt our offensive flow in the first half.

Going into second half it appeared to me Coach Howland made an adjustment as he had Love come out to the perimeter and bring the crowd that was paying attention to him away from the basket. That allowed DC and rest of our guards lot more space to attack by slashing inside and creating option for themselves and their team-mates including Love. I think we will see more of that in the coming games (we have seen in last few games as well). If the teams pack it in inside in their attempt to neutralize Love, Howland will just move the big guy around a little bit and create more space for his guards who are getting better by the season.

I could understand our defense not being as effective coming out of the gate. It goes back to the old explanation of missing Luc. Without Luc our lethal double teams down low are not as deadly. However somehow our guys dug in just like they did in Eugene and shifted to a different gear in defense during crunch time in second half.

We also have to give huge props to Keefe for his contributions in last night’s game. Against the Ducks it was Nikola whose clutch 3 was effectively served as the dagger. Last night Keefe drained a huge 3 late which IMHO helped to turn the tide of the game in Bruin’s favor late in the second half. Per my notes the score was tied at 36-36 all with about 11-12 mins left in the game. To that point the teams were trading baskets as neither were able to grab hold of the momentum. And right then Keefe (who was also holding steady in the paint grabbing rebounds, without giving up his position) drained a huge three pointer (within the flow of the game) that got us up 39-36. You could tell by the expression on his and his team-mates faces that they were feeling confident from thereon out.

This brings me to the point that I think Keefe is ready for more mins in the rotation. He is now comfortable with his role on both sides of the court as he is playing solid D, holding his own around the rim, and showing a lot of confidence in his shots. He is definitely a better option than AA2 on the offensive side of the ball. I think his play on the defensive side should get him more mins if AA2 continues to pick up careless fouls. Don’t get me wrong. I love AA2’s hustle and tenacity. I think he is indispensible to our team. But I just think Keefe is ready for few more mins. For all the other key highlights from last night’s game check out all the highlights posted by Telemachusdown below.

Going into this week’s road games against Washington State and Washington with having LRMAM available, I think a reasonable goal for our team was to make sure at least get a split. We dug deep and got the toughest win out of the way last night. Now hopefully we can build on this momentum going into the weekend.

As our guys move on to Seattle they will need to brace for a tough game. Sure the Huskies got clowned by the Gap Closers last night. But for some reason Appleby and his crew have had our guys number last few years in the Emerald city. Our defense will need to be lot tighter from the outset this Sunday. Because the Huskies strike me as an emotional team that will feed off any sense of momentum. So hopefully we can come out on Sunday with the same sense of urgency we showed in the second half of last night’s game. That means tighter on ball defense around the perimeter, sharper double teams, and rotating back quicker (looking at you Mr. Love) to prevent those backdoor cuts. No doubt Coach Howland and his crew will be studying the tapes (they probably already did last night) to figure out how to get it done on Sunday.

GO BRUINS.

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Beating Wasu st. in Pullman Is a Nice Win

Any way you look at it. After a long tiring trip to Pullman, against an inspired Cougar team desperate for a win, the Bruins played a hard consistent game, Ben used his depth and eventually we wore them out. Thank god they didn't have a closing barrage of threes like at Pauley. Love was a force down low and Collison continues to play like the consistent quality player he is. Shipp remains a mystery. Where did his shot go? He's got a month to round into form. We need him to go deep into the tournament.

by 75NatChamps on Feb 8, 2008 8:41 AM PST reply actions

Lorenzo

I agree with your statements about Keefe and he hit a big shot. Keefe can do some very nice things, and of course AA2 will always bring his best effort.

But I thought I saw some great energy from LMR last night, and he seems to be rounding into form after the concussion and then the sore thumb/wrist. He can make plays, play defense, and do things that the other guys can't. His offensive game around the basket can look really good at times; he can ve very effective. Since it helps to get Love more touches by moving him out to the perimeter on occasion (and he's such a good passer no matter where he is), it would be great for Lorenzo to get some more minutes. It seems like it's hard for him to play his game in such limited minutes--it would be nice to see LMR and KLove on the floor at the same time a little bit more.

by zhivooden on Feb 8, 2008 10:00 AM PST reply actions

Turning point

Sure the 8-0 run was big, but I think the 2 plays KL made at the end of the 1st half were even more huge. WS has just made 2 quick steals to go up 24-20 and the crowd was rocking. But then Love made a fantastic assist on a give and go to Westbrook, then scored on putback w/ Cowgill all over him to absolutely silence the crowd. Big MO changer right there. Watching KL play basketball is a pure joy. I was always taught to think big, so I'm hoping (more like praying) he stays for 2 more years. Go bruins!

by lovenation08 on Feb 8, 2008 10:01 AM PST reply actions

Not to nitpick

but there were several opportunities in the 1st half when Kevin was double teamed and passed it out to a wide open shooter on the perimeter, and we couldn't convert. Our 1st 3 pointer wasn't until midway through the 2nd half, and even though we shot well, that was largely due to the multiple layups we had.

We'll likely be seeing teams double and triple teaming Love in the post and making us beat them from outside from here on out. Our inconsistent perimeter shooting has me somewhat concerned, especially tourney time.

by godblesstyus95 on Feb 8, 2008 11:25 AM PST reply actions

Shipp and Aboya

There is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the way JS and AA2 have been playing lately.

I actually think each has been playing well -- within the flow of the game, and that each has made solid, if not flashy contributions.

We carped that AA2 was picking up stupid fouls; he's backed off a bit and stopped doing that.

We worried that Shipp was jacking up bad shots -- he isn't doing that as much.

Both have made solid contributions where they rarely show -- on defense.

AA2's huge and incredible block was critical last night.

I think it impressive, particularly in JS's case, that neither is trying to step into the light and away from the team.

We are winning because everyone on the floor seems to be playing a team game -- and I think it shows.

sjh

PS. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that some of the best inlet passes to KL have actually been missed shots. That's one way to get the ball into him to give him a chance to score.

However, when they put 3 or 4 people around him, like they did last night, it becomes more difficult for him to rebound and score. That's why we scored so many points in the paint last night. If they put 3 or 4 on him, and he takes them slightly outside, that's fine with me.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 8, 2008 11:43 AM PST reply actions

Especially Shipp

Where has the Shipp who hit numerous 3's against Stanford and $C gone? He is really a streaky shooter and when he is icy it doesn't allow for many opportunities inside. It's a good thing that DC and RW are highly capabile of shredding the D up otherwise we'd get nothing inside. Shipp needs to get back on track with the shooting so we can spread defenses thin again.

by diehardbruin on Feb 8, 2008 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

No disrepect to Shipp

As he helps contribute in many other ways (cutting to the hoop, playing great D). It'd be nice to see that third dimension of his game return. Lord knows we're gonna need it from here on out.

by diehardbruin on Feb 8, 2008 12:00 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe Shipp should

shoot more midrange jumpers and not concentrate so much on the 3s. If the opponents are collapsing on Love, more midrange jumpers should be available. Collison lately has been feasting on the midrange shots.

by bluegold on Feb 8, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Shipp Judging Well

I play Basketball several times a week. My primary talent, since I am old and slow and can't jump well, is my outside shot. Some days, my stroke is on, the basket looks huge, and almost everything I throw up swishes through. But more often, for whatever reason, my shot just doesn't feel right. Once I recognize that -- it doesn't take more than two or three attempts -- I try to focus my energy on other aspects of the game, like defending, setting picks, keeping moving, and making myself available closer to the basket.

I think this is exactly what's happening with Josh Shipp. I commend him for quickly recognizing when he isn't confident with his shot and, instead of jacking up more shots to "shoot his way out of a slump," as many shooters do, focusing his energy on other aspects of his game that actually help the team.

The contributions to last night's win by Shipp, Aboya, and Mata-Real were huge, even if unspectacular. I think they epitomize the unselfish character of our team and reflect more highly on Ben Howland's coaching abilites than anything else.

by snorkeldorf on Feb 8, 2008 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Shipp is great

I also commend Shipp for recognizing his deficiencies in 3-pt shooting and recognizing that he can contribute to the good of the team in other ways. However, as you know everyone on the team has a role. His role is to step up and fill the void that AA has left behind (i.e. deadly outside shooting). While I value his well-rounded game his main focus should be to stretch out defenses with timely 3-pt shots.

I don't know if I'd put Shipp in the same category as Aboya and Mata-Real as they are more of our blue-collar, unsung hero type role players who do all the unglamorous work of snatching rebounds, putting hands in passing lanes, and being aggressive on helpside D. Shipp is not only expected to be a role player but also to be one of the leaders of the team and as such is expected to shoot well on a regular basis.

As rec players we neither have the benefit of great coaching nor time to develop D-I type shooting skills. My suggestion was that the coaching staff recognize (which I'm sure they've done) that his shooting needs to be more consistent and take steps to ensure that it gets to that point.

by diehardbruin on Feb 8, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions

player improvement

Watching Coach Howland's Bruins is so entertaining at times because you see the consistent progression that players make under his system (ala Keefe). I agree that Keefe deserves and will probably see more minutes as we finish up the season and into the tournament. AA2 can be frustrating at times because he is a foul machine but you can't knock him for his hustle. He hustles and works as much as anyone on the team and that one block that he had against the glass was just plain NASTY. I also loved the fact that "W" (throwing up the "W" handsign that the Den does) slowed it down when his shots weren't falling.

by bruindodger on Feb 8, 2008 1:12 PM PST reply actions

Makes me wonder ...

what CBH could've done with Michael Fey for 4 years. Now that's a project.

by 78Bruin on Feb 8, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions

Coach Howland had him for three years.

By the end of it, he seemed to be a lost cause. I can't explain it. Fey could be "on" playing on 1 end of the court, but just shy of worthless on the other end. His difficulties seemed to be with heart and determination. Of course that may be unfair, but with his size and skills (ignoring the stone hands), he should have been able to perform better.

by isodore on Feb 8, 2008 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

I had always thought

We should have just sent him to a McDonalds or something for a few weeks, get some more bulk on him if he couldn't build any muscles, try to turn him into an pale imitation of Shaq or something.

by jaffa on Feb 8, 2008 6:41 PM PST up reply actions

additional comments

I also agree that Shipp is making smart decisions by knowing when his shot is on and when it's off. Everyone shots will come and go at times and it's important that they don't just starting jacking shots up and contribute to the team in other ways. "W" was doing this last night as well as he slowed it down in the first half after his shots weren't falling. Also, what can you say about LoMata? As one of the announcers stated last weekend against Arizona, he is "one of the premier defensive post players in the country." One of the things that I love seeing is when LoMata gets the ball under the basket and shot fakes one or two times before getting it in... it seems automatic at this point... With the season coming to an end, I will definitely miss LoMata as a Bruin. I think he exemplifies how a player can truly progress under CBH's system. Senior day is going to be nuts.

by bruindodger on Feb 8, 2008 1:20 PM PST reply actions

Agreed. Another big man...

... improves under CBH.

Hollins went from a limited, one-dimensional beanpole to a 2nd round NBA pick under CBH's teaching.

Mata went from a rough bruiser to a solid, Ben Wallace-like defender, both in the post and in rotation. Shoot, Kwame Brown got an NBA salary with less knowledge of the game.

And K-Love? Yeah, he came with a lot of gifts, but he'll be leaving (hopefully not until 2009!) with a lot of SKILLS to go with them -- skills like paint defense, rebounding position against double-teams and longer players, and multiple post moves.

Gotta love our staff.

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

by Meriones on Feb 8, 2008 1:51 PM PST up reply actions

though aboya made sportcenter's top ten

last night, i think mata should take some of his minutes. mata is playing really solid just like early in the year. i'd like to see some more mata-love against teams that don't play 4 guard/wing lineups.

keefe looks like he's getting better and more confident.

howland is showing some confidence in drago, maybe he should launch a three when he's in.

i think despite shipp shooting poorly in 4 out of the last 5 games, he's actually playing better defense, being smart taking it to the basket. he's getting a lot of steals and assists and not many to's. last night i think he had 4 assists, 1 turnover.

by stephons on Feb 8, 2008 2:02 PM PST reply actions

Couple of Random Notes

Shipp is getting some love for all his efforts but the biggest thing for me is how his defense has stepped up. He has to be the weakest link in terms of perimter defense but he's really stepped it up against Arizona and especially last night when UCLA didn't have the benefit of Luc guarding Kyle Weaver. Also, I would love to see Mata-Real and Love matched up together more, especially when a team like WSU has both Cowgill and Baynes on the court at the same time (or Stanford with the Lopez twins). When those two are on the court together on offense, they really open things up for each other (think about the CBE game [against Maryland?] where Mata-Real went off and was the player of the game). Obviously it might be a tough assignment defensively for one of them (so I would only do this for about 5 minutes) but Mata-Real has really stepped it up since coming back from the groin injury and concussion to the level he was at during the non-conference schedule. I also think having both of those two inside will really open things up for our perimeter/slasher guys.

by Raisin on Feb 8, 2008 3:25 PM PST reply actions

I keep forgetting to tag my comments...sorry!

Shipp is getting some love for all his efforts but the biggest thing for me is how his defense has stepped up. He has to be the weakest link in terms of perimter defense but he's really stepped it up against Arizona and especially last night when UCLA didn't have the benefit of Luc guarding Kyle Weaver.

Also, I would love to see Mata-Real and Love matched up together more, especially when a team like WSU has both Cowgill and Baynes on the court at the same time (or Stanford with the Lopez twins). When those two are on the court together on offense, they really open things up for each other (think about the CBE game [against Maryland?] where Mata-Real went off and was the player of the game). Obviously it might be a tough assignment defensively for one of them (so I would only do this for about 5 minutes) but Mata-Real has really stepped it up since coming back from the groin injury and concussion to the level he was at during the non-conference schedule. I also think having both of those two inside will really open things up for our perimeter/slasher guys.

by Raisin on Feb 8, 2008 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

Sidetrack...

What is that "circle dance" that the players do before the games? Does anyone know what they're saying/doing? I'd love to know what they're saying during those.

by bruindodger on Feb 8, 2008 5:57 PM PST reply actions