Any Questions?

by Tydides on Mar 15, 2008 6:59 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 58 comments

Stanford got robbed in Pauley...right?
The refs handed us the Cal game...right?
SUC was supposed to pull off the huge upset...right?
That's what the MSM would have you believe, but in the end...

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

A HUGE thank you to all of you manning the gameday thread for keeping this finals-taking, paper-writing Bruin up to date on the game. I was climbing the walls when I heard KLove was having problems.

Since I didn't get to see the game, not much commentary from me.

Finally. FINALLY.

It is time.

Postgame Thread.

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Great win

Congratulations team! You have scratched and clawed your way up going past adversity and pain! and a diamond in the rough has been uncovered (JK)!

by LYC on Mar 15, 2008 7:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DC was epic today. Westbrook showed a new wrinkle hitting the glass, one that we should have expected after the key offensive rebounds he's already gotten. Keefe was great, and LMR's block was so sweet. Great team effort, including KLove.

Let's not forget that Stanford is an extremely good basketball team. It should be very interesting to see their seeding and path through the brackets, as well as that of the other Pac10 teams.

by zhivooden on Mar 15, 2008 7:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DC played 40 minutes...

but he looked like the freshest guy out there in the second half. He has just been plain ol' nasty these past few weeks.

by Dienekes on Mar 15, 2008 7:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DC with the performance of the Tourney

and I couldn't be happier. Well deserved win after a hard season of injuries. Hopefully this gives us a momemtum boost into the Big Dance. Major props to Kevin Love for gutting it out and playing through the pain (and at the same time extending his streak of double digit scoring in every game). Did anyone catch the postgame interview with him? He was asked about the benefit of playing the Lopez Twins, and he had the awareness to bring up names like Hibbert from Georgetown and Thabeet from UConn, noting that you never know who you're gonna play. Talk about keeping a heads up on things.

--
P.S. and on another note, I'm still looking to buy a newer UCLA swingman Jersey size L, anyone got an extra one or knows of someone who does?

by lolwtferic on Mar 15, 2008 7:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not just Pac-10 tourney

Performance of this entire week across the nation. Amazing.

by Nestor on Mar 15, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen swingmans online...

...on eastbay and on the Champs Sports website but I do think they're sold out. They also had a small handful of Shipp swingmans at the UCLA store but they're all out...you might be out of luck.

by jlegs on Mar 15, 2008 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

The most resilient UCLA basketball team I have had the opportunity to watch in my 20 years of following this program on a day to day basic. Just amazing.

Congrats to the whole team.

James Keefe ... BRING IT.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Mar 15, 2008 7:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously...

on offense, for a guy that big, he is a slippery little sucker!

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 15, 2008 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Matter What Happens Next...

No matter what happens in the tournament, this has been a beautiful season. All of us, especially the Team, the Coaches and everyone in support, have to be proud of what has been accomplished and how beautiful it all looks.

I hope our Team is feeling like I am because I want them to go out and play each game to enjoy every moment, no pressure and no worries. No one can take away what we have accomplished and it is a very beautiful thing!

Make me really proud to be a Bruin. It's not just the winning, but how we won and how much our Team seemed to enjoy every moment.

by BillM85Legacy on Mar 15, 2008 7:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill

You just summed up sentiment. I am going to use it tomorrow am.

That was perfect.

by Nestor on Mar 15, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great photo

I love the fact that Mata-Real is holding the trophy. And look at Coach Howland's face. Is that the picture of a proud papa or what. And he should be proud. There are lots of guys who can coach basketball, but there aren't too many who can coach heart. And that's what our team has.

by Fox 71 on Mar 15, 2008 7:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Love seeing Luc on the side too

Although he didn't didn't play, he was cheering on his fellow teammates.

It was a great statement game. I was at Staples and the crowd was obviously very much pro-Bruin. We got to send home a sad Michelle Wie who was in attendance (shouldn't she be practicing to actually win a golf tournament?).

#1 seed out west has to be locked up. Who's going to be in Anaheim cheering us on?

by sfatoo on Mar 15, 2008 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was Thinking the Same Thing.

Great seeing LMR holding the trophy. I'm sure the team appreciates his sacrifices and grit as much as the fans do.

by Rich1996UCLA on Mar 15, 2008 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Recognition for DC at last

He should have been 1st team Pac 10 - of course, he plays on a true team. The Dance is going to be fun, challenging, nasty. Lets hope all the Pac 10 teams who get in make us proud.

by Vanman7475 on Mar 15, 2008 7:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

On a note about Stanford.

I really respect their team, especially the Lopez Twins. Every time one of our guys fell, it seemed through a helping hand or a quick "You alright?" (especially during the collision with Westbrook), Brooke and Robin showed lots of class. Hats off to their team, I hope they make a good run in the tourney.

by lolwtferic on Mar 15, 2008 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Although one of the Lopez twins looks like sideshow Bob, they've got a well coached team and they're good sports and players (although the lopez twins always seem to travel, or is it just me?). As Howland said, they're a potential final four team, and I'd love to show off how good the Pac-10 is this year by seeing them or wazzu in the final four as well.

by sfatoo on Mar 15, 2008 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A rung below us

I think this tourney showed the difference between us and the Cardinal. One, we're better, which was known before. Two, we can match with the big (Stanford) and the quick (USC). I can see them, like what happened a couple years ago I belive, matching up with a fast tempo team in the 2nd/3rd round and getting into a track meet, which is not their style. I wish them well.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 15, 2008 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Win

I'm glad that Coach Howland and the boys really wanted to win this game and the tournament rather than just mailing in. Yes, they had already sewed up a No. 1 seed and didn't need this win against Furd. But in the end, they gutted up even more after K-Love went down and Luc going down last night. Furd is gonna go deep in the big dance and our boys beat them 3 times this season. If anything, this proves that our boys will keep fighting no matter what adversity they face. This was a huge character builder.

by bruin75 on Mar 15, 2008 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm getting the end of the UGA Miss St game

in what is apparently some league's tournament. There are about 4 people in the arena, and I'm the other person watching on TV.

by Fox 71 on Mar 15, 2008 7:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

SEC?

Relocated because of the tornado that damaged the Georgia Dome. Only family and staff allowed to attend at new site, G Tech I believe.

by sausmaf on Mar 15, 2008 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reasurring Win

Nice to see Keefe come through, fighting for rebs and playing some D. Nice follows too. We'll need him while Luc's out.

by Rich1996UCLA on Mar 15, 2008 7:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Team

This was a great season and the Bruins overcame injuries and held together as a team. That is always the sign of great coaching and great team play. Yes we have our stars but they don't need to put up the numbers of a Beasley or Mayo because they can rely on each other to do their part.

LMR holding the trophy: gotta love it.

Go Bruins!

by BruceBruinFan on Mar 15, 2008 8:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

James Keefe

Every time there's an injury, someone steps up (ala James Keefe). That's one of my favorite things about watching this program over CBH's tenure.

by bruindodger on Mar 15, 2008 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Solid Gold Win

Awesome game. I finally got to start watching it 8 minutes in, thanks to a Minny-Illinois game with a 5 point differential, making for at least 8 quick fouls stopping the clock and keeping cbs from jumping over. The Big 10 looked slow and shot sloppy...

This team showed TENACITY: not able to hit their free throws; KLove 1/6 in the 1st half with a spazzy back, LRMAM in street clothes; Collison making squeal like a girl - I had to keep going higher and higher in pitch after every play he made going for the basket - he played an epic game; Keefe using the body on D and cleaning up the boards on O, doing his assigned job, no more, no less; and the whole team getting back on D and playing amazing.

It felt like a Sweet 16 game - playing a really solid team that requires good fundamental basketball, some breaks, pure hustle, and a hot hand. Congrats BH, and after all the what ifs, I'm thinking perhaps we have the West #1 locked up.

P.S. I still hate the tourney.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 15, 2008 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pitt wins the Big East,

beating Georgetown 74-65. Congrats to Jamie Dixon and the U. of Pittsburgh, which won its first conference title since Howland's final season coaching at the school.

by bruinhoo on Mar 15, 2008 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MSM media was drinking the Hoya kool-aid

before that game. Wonder if they're now heading out west as the #2.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 15, 2008 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

Weren't they ranked 9 before losing?

by jlazarus on Mar 15, 2008 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

#9 at the begining of the week

even with the loss, their advancement to the Big East title game might actually move them up, or at least keep their ranking relatively stable.

Note: Pomeroy has updated his RPI calculations to reflect Saturday's games. UCLA is now #4, Georgetown is #8 (Tennessee remains #1, but I doubt the selection committee gives them the #1 overall seed after their loss today.)

by bruinhoo on Mar 16, 2008 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they are made a 2 seed...

It won't be the west. They likely would be either the last 2 seed (#8, maybe #7 overall), or a high 3 seed. That would link them to the #1 or #2 overall seed accirding to the s-curve, which likely will be UNC and Memphis (imho).

by bruinhoo on Mar 16, 2008 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

committee's view

I think part of it is whether the committee looks at potential or past history. I agree that they could be the last 2, so maybe they'll be out west if UNC loses. we'll find out in 7 1/2 hours.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 16, 2008 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at the box score for that game...

the thing that stood out was the rebounding margin 39-25 in favor of Pitt. Even more astonishing is the offensive rebound margin for that game: 18-5 in favor of Pitt (in a weird coincidence, the same offensive rebound stats for the UCLA-Furd game, advantage UCLA). And this is against Hibbert, while the tallest player for Pitt is only 6'8". Kinda like Westbrook outrebounding the twins.

by uclachem87 on Mar 15, 2008 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hibbert, hate to say it

is overrated. His toughness/aggressiveness, as told to me by a classmate of mine/former Gtown teammate of his, is not that great, particularly for his size and position. Love would have a field day with him, if we played that team.

by bruinhoo on Mar 16, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

aaron gray

fit that mold perfectly. what's he doing in the nba now?

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 16, 2008 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you heard of American Girl?

One of my best friends' daughter had a birthday party at the American Girl Place in The Grove (Fairfax & 3rd). For those of you who have daughters, you know what I am talking about. For those of you who don't: watch out! Anyway, two months ago I agreed to help her out so I has to miss the game. I did, however, keep sneaking away to the Cheesecake Factory (running down the cobblestone road in my high heels) to catch some of the game up in their bar and then back to the American Girl Store to watch $100 dolls get $15 hairstyles. Everytime I caught a glimpse of the game, Keefe was doing something wonderful. I wish he would have gotten more playing time this year.

Go Bruins!

by UCngLA on Mar 15, 2008 8:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm Just Picturing...

...you running in high heels. Have you seen that race they have somewhere in Europe where the women run in their heels.

Oh yeh, Keefe was impressive today.

by Rich1996UCLA on Mar 15, 2008 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think The Grove is lucky

That's where I was when we played Gonzaga two years ago.

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 16, 2008 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Game today

We were at Staples. We bought our tickets this morning, and we wound up in the very last row of staples, at the very top of the arena, but it was a pretty good view to be able to look straight down, unobstructed and not worrying about blocking anyone behind me.

I didn't see Michelle Wie but we immediately picked out the Lopez mom in the stands.

I didn't appreciate the Stanford fans behind the basket during Love's free throws screaming first "Love is Fat" and then "Love can't shoot." The second is fine, the first, whatever.

Saw a couple of WSU fans, I guess they had tickets to all the sessions and didn't want them to go to waste.

James Keefe was AWESOME today, until those last two free throws, and I'm loving that he's getting a chance to show off his potential. And Darren Collison... WOOHOO!

Both of our throats hurt from screaming - we're probably getting a tad too old for this. Now we need to find out when the Anaheim games are so that we can try to get tickets to those games!

by freesia39 on Mar 15, 2008 8:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Missed you here,

but I'm glad you got to go.

by Fox 71 on Mar 15, 2008 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching the game on Tivo right now

1st half: Kevin Love running the floor after being on the ground under his own basket? Getting the rebound and the perfect outlet? Are you kidding me? That's up there with RW's dunk for play of the year.

by jlazarus on Mar 15, 2008 9:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My guess for next opponents...

After perusing a few of these "bracketologists" predictions and using my own hunches on what the committee likes to do with big-name matchups:

Round 1 -- Rematch with Portland St.#16 (5th best 3-pt shooting team in the nation)

Round 2 -- winner of Kent St.#5/Kentucky#4

Round 3 -- Indiana#9/Notre Dame#8 winner

Round 4 -- anybody's guess perhaps one of these: Tennessee; G'town; Kansas/Texas B-12tourney loser; Duke

Final 4 -- Memphis or Kansas/Texas

Final --- Too far in advance to predict, but the favorite to be there will be UNC.

Of course none of this will matter in about 18 hours... but something to ponder.

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

by rich87 on Mar 15, 2008 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not Memphis

They look very overrated to me. I don't think they'll make it through the first weekend.

by Fox 71 on Mar 15, 2008 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a note...

I'm assuming you accidentally switched up the seedings between rounds 2 and 3 - Kent State/UK would be the probable 9/8 game, and Indiana/ND are probable 5/4. Correct?

Final Four

Well, let's hope that the final four includes UCLA, of course.

Also Stanford, Washington State -- two teams I have enjoyed having us play this year.

Um, USC, well let's hope they tire someone out, but maybe miss the final shot to advance? I do want to root for the Pac-10, but I do have my limits. :)

by Joe Bruin on Mar 15, 2008 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

regarding SC in the tourney

Normally, I root for them to lose all the time, but I have to admit they're pretty good this year. When the East Coast media is actually watching Pac-10 teams in March, I'll root for SC to beat any other team but us. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them get to the second weekend.

by AZBruin on Mar 15, 2008 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NEVER

root for SC. There is NO valid reason to at all. None.

by pocho on Mar 16, 2008 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

There is never a valid reason to root for the trOJans. Go ahead and give me fifty "what-if's." The answer is still the same. What if it were justsc versus the forces of evil? Well, duh - justsc is the forces of evil.

by Fox 71 on Mar 16, 2008 3:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Intersquad game..

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 16, 2008 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other teams to look out for in the tourney

I also root for Pitt since they still have Ben Ball Warrior genes. And, it might be fun to have a Texas rematch.

by Joe Bruin on Mar 16, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some Thoughts After This Game

I personally think that our bench is MUCH stronger than I thought before the weekend. I knew this but b/c Luc was so sorely missed earlier in the season, but as Meriones brought up in his diary we need to keep the faith, it is easy to forget that our 6,7, and 8 are...

Mata - four year veteran, 2 final fours
Aboya - two final fours
Keefe - McDonalds All-American

These guys are tough. They will not be rattled. We can work through injuries.

and maybe their biggest and most important trait: THEY HATE TO LOSE.

by glassbruin on Mar 15, 2008 10:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Glass...

I didn't think about it that way, but you are right. These Bruins are WORKHORSES. Does NC have any 6-8 like them? No. Good things are going to happen.

by pocho on Mar 16, 2008 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

miraculous, miraculous victory

can you feel the madness?!?!? i'm not gonna be able to sleep tonite

by jjreicher on Mar 15, 2008 10:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Rd 2 and 3 flip-flopped

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

by rich87 on Mar 15, 2008 10:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Perserverance

The Bruins showed today why they can go deep in the NCAA tourney. Stanford is a solid team, with every thing to gain today in terms of seeding, so they brought their A game. UCLA was short one starter and had another starter sitting most of the 1st half with back spasms. And yet we came out on top.

X's and O's are all well and good, but they don't take account of heart and determination. This year's Bruins team has both in abundance.

One final note. I know that Fox 71 keeps making the valid point to turn down the sound, and I keep making the mistake of keeping the sound on. But it is so frustrating to hear drivel like "Robin Lopez may be the most talented big man in the country" after one play. How about the guy who was the conference player of the year and held his own with back spasms. Also, they only gave Darren praise grudgingly, despit the fact that he was the man down the stretch, not Robin. Oh well.

Go Bruins next week and beyond.

by islandbruin on Mar 15, 2008 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I listen too --

I put up with the drivel just so that I can hear BH screaming "Get Back! Get Back!" when we are going back on D

"Push it! Push it!" after we take a D rebound and go on O.

I just love that and will put up with the bad announcers to get it.

Still, would love a "live sounds of the game" broadcast. No announcers. Just ambient sound.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 16, 2008 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anaheim tickets

I posted this in the game thread, but to recap: Honda Center lists a limited number of scattered single tickets remaining for this week's regional. Tickets are $153.00 for both days, all sessions. Honda Center box office is closed Sunday, but opens at 10am Monday.

http://www.hondacenter.com/ncaa/

by bruinhoo on Mar 16, 2008 1:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs