All Set Up For A Memorable Sendoff

by Nestor on Mar 3, 2008 4:40 AM PST in Basketball Comment 33 comments

Our Ben Ball warriors are 26-3. At 26 wins they have already equaled the number of regular season victories from last season (that finished the regular season 26-4) and has two more than the one from year before (which finished the regular season 24-6). Our guys have an astounding 8-1 record on the road this conference season (undefeated during the non conference season). And we compiled this kind of record in a Pac-10 conference which arguably is having its most competitive season in years. So just keep that in perspective before getting all bent up about some micro issues with our basketball team.

Yesterday they were taking on an Arizona team that needed a victory against us in the worst way. We had humiliated them earlier in season on national TV by more than 20 points. It was their Senior Day. They rolled out Lute Olson from his season long absence to "honor" the seniors, which essentially was another mean to fire up a frenzied crowd. And most importantly they need a win over UCLA to keep hopes alive for a tourney bid for 24th straight year. Yet despite facing all of those factors our guys went on the road took a big lead, and after losing focus for a chunk of time, sucked it up, and pulled out a huge win.

Courtesy of Erkki Corpuz (original photo credit: Jack Rosenfeld)

Yeap. Seven in a row over the only team that can make a claim of being our "rival" of the Pac-10. Coach Howland was appreciative of what took place yesterday afternoon (from Dohn):

"It's a very big win for us," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "We knew we were going to get their very best effort. It would have put them in the tournament, probably for sure, if they were to win."

Arizona had a chance to tie or win the game when we lost a rebound off a missed FT. But it was LRMAM whose defense sealed a Bruin win (from Dohn again):

Bayless twice had a chance to give the Wildcats a marquee victory, but with his team trailing 68-65 with less than 10 seconds remaining, he drove to the basket rather than attempt a 3-pointer. He was fouled and made the first free throw, and his miss on the next one was knocked out of bounds by Westbrook with 5.7 seconds remaining.

Bayless had one more chance after the inbounds pass, but Luc Richard Mbah a Moute's tight defense forced a contorted acrobatic attempt that was not close.

And there was precise strategery behind Luc’s tight defense:

"I was just trying to make him drive, make him take a tough shot," Mbah a Moute said. "I didn't want him to take a 3. That was the main thing. Make him drive or take a bad shot, and he took a bad shot."

While Luc and his team-mates helped locked down their defense in second half after Zona took the lead, it was Love who dominated in the paint:

The 6-foot-10 freshman had 24 points and 15 rebounds. He made 10 of 11 free throws and had three blocked shots. Whenever the Wildcats grabbed the momentum, after a Chase Budinger three-pointer or a Jordan Hill hook shot, after Arizona had drawn to within a point, 62-61, there was Love, with his legs stretched out, his shoulders swinging, his blocky body filling the lane and clearing space.

"We did one of the better jobs we've done all season getting the ball inside," UCLA Coach Ben Howland said. "And I thought Kevin responded well."

Here was KL’s perspective on his big day:

"They were finding me inside, and I was just going to work, taking the advantages that I had. I felt like I was dominant down the stretch and hit my free throws,'' Love said.

Asked if the Bruins had learned something about the care and feeding of a big man, Love was optimistic.

''I hope so — they've got me the ball a lot this road trip, at least, and hopefully that will continue because I'm always going to kick it back out. I'm not a black hole,'' he said. ''Hopefully, we'll watch the game film from this, but it's up to the coaches to decide.''

On the chances that it will continue, however, he was more guarded. ''That's for the coaches to decide, but it looked good, didn't it? I thought it looked good,'' Love said. ''I know it felt good.'

Against Arizona, the mismatches were difficult to ignore. Onobun didn't have the size, Walters the athleticism and Hill the bulk to push Love around on the block.

I am sure KL’s team-mates will get him the ball every chance they get and any time they see the opening. Given the fact that KL has found his rhythm at the FT line, they will probably look for him more and more on Thursday night and beyond.

I have no complaints from last night’s win. Given what they were facing yesterday I am psyched that we escaped with a win and swept the difficult road trip. However, I am sure the coaches will address the issue of maintaining poise and focus heading into this week. When they watch the tape of yesterday’s game, I think they will find that after we took an 11 pt lead in the first half, our defensive tenacity started lagging a bit, while we became sloppy on offense. Some of this could be attributed to LRMAM’s foul trouble.

While Luc was on the bench our forwards – LMR, JK, and AA2 – didn’t provide us with effective mins. All of them were a little off yesterday defensively. And they weren’t the only one. JS had his share of problem with guarding Budinger throughout the afternoon who was having his way after missing his first 7 shots.

That said I am not alarmed about this issue. I think this happens for a team like ours that has experienced so much success in last three years. I think when our boys are "on" they are unstoppable. Yes, I do believe we probably could have been undefeated this season if we stayed healthy throughout the season and stayed focus and "interested" all 40 mins of every single game. That is not humanely possible. I am not going to get all that worried about our kids (and yes these are kids) relaxing just a tad, after going up by more than double digits against a team it was toying around with. And once Arizona battled back in the game, they gathered themselves, put the defensive locks on, and started pounding the ball inside with Kevin.

My only major complaint from last night was the CBS broadcast of the game. I was lucky that I didn’t have to hear Packer’s (what I am sure was nauseating) commentary during the game. However, was it just me … it seemed like every time CBS was cutting to commercials they were showing Arizona highlights? Watching CBS going to commercials would have given anyone (who was not paying attention to the game) that it was Arizona who was dominating and controlling the game. Just really odd and annoying.

Anyway, we are in great shape now to close the season in a great note. Our hands are going to be full against a great Stanford team and very talented Cal team this upcoming week. But I think our kids are going to be a little more than fired up: this will be the last time Lorenzo Mata-Real, Kevin Love and Darren Collison (yes KL and DC are gone this spring) will be putting on the UCLA whites in the Cathedral that Coach Wooden built. These games will be special.

Let’s close this regular season out on a great note. Coach Howland’s best (regular season) team to date deserves nothing short of a memorable sendoff (similar to Ed O’s kissing the court moment against Oregon in his last home game). I hope the entire Pauley (not just the Den) is rocking on Thursday night.

GO BRUINS.

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Uhhh...

I'm sorry, Nestor, but I didn't watch the same game or the same Bruins that you did. I saw a team which lost its focus on defense for many minutes at a time. I saw a team which picks up dumb fouls at critical points (I'm looking at you Russel and Alfred). I saw a team which sorely lacks a perimeter game, and whose best shooter (yeah, this is you Josh) is mired in a huge slump at the worst time, and is developing a disturbing habit of disappearing in big games. I hate to throw cold water on everyone, but this game should not have been close -- Arizona was not playing especially well. I'm worried about Thursday, and I'm even more worried about an early exit. I just hope I'm wrong, or that things can get turned around in time.

You're right about one thing, though -- every time a bad call went UCLA's way, Packer was right there to point it out. Whenever a bad call when Arizona's way? Nothing.

by jlazarus on Mar 3, 2008 5:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Keep complaining

While we go on the win the Pac.

This team is doing much better than the teams from last two years. It is pathetic when people here are whining about a third straight freaking road win at Arizona.

by bluestreet on Mar 3, 2008 6:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

...you sure are pessimistic.

Keep in mind that the Pac 10 is a grind unlike any other in college basketball. The distances between schools, the Thu-Sat./Sun road trips, and the overall competitiveness (save Oregon St. this year) of the conference makes it simply amazing that UCLA had only 1 road loss.

What this team has done this year is amazing. Yes, there are a few small "holes" that need to be patched, but look around college basketball and tell me there is another team that is as well-rounded.

Me? I'm excited for the tournament because I think Ben Howland has our kids as prepared for it as any team in America.

by bbuclabruins on Mar 3, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

home game for Arizona

They had high incentive to win this with Lute there and it being an automatic bid to the tournament with a win as Nestor said. I wasn't surprised that it was close but you're right, our three point shooting should be a concern going into the tournament. There's one other and that is Chace Stanback should be playing more minutes. He is not prepared for an NCAA tourney run with the lack of playing time he's received. I'm concerned about the depth. Luc, Alfred, Mata and Keefe can get into foul trouble and it would be nice if Howland had played Chace a little more. But that's Howland's decision and he's the master; it's a trust thing with him I know. As for shooting from three, shooters need to take a few hundred extra shots between now and tourney time.

by bruin95 on Mar 3, 2008 11:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not so bad

Sure the team could have played better, shot better with no turnovers, but don't expect that often and don't be disappointed with yesterday's game.

Arizona didn't play that badly - Hill had maybe the game of his year (all in the first half).

The Bruins got lost but really controlled the last part of the game.

I'd like it if they had better execution on the offensive end the last few minutes but I thought the same thing last year.

Beating Arizona on the road on their Senior Day isn't easy.

They got the job done.

by mizzou on Mar 3, 2008 7:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Was Josh Shipp

on the court at all in the second half??? Sorry but it was like our best four against their best five out there.

by bruinmo on Mar 3, 2008 7:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I suppose

You'd rather he have attempted to shoot his way out of his "slump" in the second half rather than feed the ball and our obvious advantage inside with Love and probably lose the game. That's a fantastic choice. Keep quoting Packer though, I'm sure that'll make people think you know what you're talking about since he's such a great basketball mind as shown from yesterday's game.

by Tydides on Mar 3, 2008 8:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Shipp and Packer

Billy Packer kept pointing out that Shipp wasn't looking for his shot.

Billy Packer also kept saying UCLA needs to get back to their strength - and that's getting the ball to Kevin Love.

And there is only 1 ball.

Choices, choices...

by mizzou on Mar 3, 2008 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I listened on the radio

So I didn't get Packer's serving of Haterade, but I made sure I saw the highlights package on ESPN and Fox, and particularly in ESPN's review of the game, you did get the feeling that Arizona won the game. It was all Arizona highlights, one KL highlight and then Zona misses it's last shot and thats why we won.

But, this has been going on so long that I am numb to it all. I'm not sure what they hope to accomplish. We will play ball regardless and crush their darlings in the tournament.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Mar 3, 2008 8:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What I'm Sick Of

I'm sick of UCLA fans who think that just because we are UCLA basketball we are owed something. I've heard a lot of people say "a Final Four trip is not acceptable this year, only a National Championship." What these people fail to realize is that college basketball is one of the most unpredictable sports and that just getting to a Final Four is incredibly hard to accomplish.

Do I want a National Championship? Absolutely. But I've watched college basketball long enough to know that NOTHING is given to you and you aren't owed anything just because of the university you represent. This team represents working their tails off and having to beat teams that are always fired up to try and beat us. I feel like this is said over and over very pointedly on this site yet people refuse to believe it.

With that said, I am PSYCHED about the final two games, the PAC-10 tournament, followed by the stress-inducer that is March Madness. GO BRUINS!

by SmrtGuy82 on Mar 3, 2008 8:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

There's a reason they call it March Madness

The analytical part of my mind says that the odds are against us going to a 3rd straight Final Four because looking at the pure probability of such an event occurring is depressing at best. Very few teams have done it, and there's a reason for that. I take solace in the principle that probability has no "memory" (A coin toss is 50-50 even if the last 3000 flips came up heads) and that we have as good a shot to make it to San Antonio as anyone else this year.

by Tydides on Mar 3, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

People are expecting a national championship

this year fyi. It's because this is the best team Howland has had and he is the best defensive coach in the country. Defense wins championships, ergo, we can win it for real. We weren't expecting a championship in 2001 when Lavin was coaching and the team was wearing black(sarcasm). But you're right that college basketball is that way because of the parity and extra games. This team is one of the heavily favored teams in the country. I'm expecting a deep run.

by bruin95 on Mar 3, 2008 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You have to have Ridiculous Expectations

if you thought UCLA was going to blow away Arizona on the road at a tough venue, on their senior night (with Lute in the building), with Arizona fighting for their tournament life and the Wildcats smarting from getting punked at Pauley last time.

UCLA didn't play great but they still managed to pull out the win under tough conditions. The games - especially the road games - get real hard at this time of the year. Check out the close wins for Memphis, Tennessee, UNC, Duke and Stanford this weekend (and some of them were at home; sure Stanford played a ranked opponent). And then, check out Texas' loss too.

Sure, there are things to work on. But this team IS further along than either of the last two teams were at this time of the season.

by Raisin on Mar 3, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Think defense isn't most important?

Look at the scores of these 7 games. This was the first time Arizona held us under 70 points while we've held them under 70 in five straight games. Let the Wildcats play an attractive style that will bring in recruits (that is how it works right Lute) while we keep winning and getting kids who want to learn the game, especially on the defensive end from the best in the business. I guess they can sell there program on bring "the standard."

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 3, 2008 9:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Guys - settle down

Every team we play from now on will have good players. We also have good players. What we have, in my opinion, that separates our good players from other groups of good players is our coaching. Our good players mesh together as a good team. That's not always the case with the other groups of good players.

For those who say that Shipp disappeared yesterday, I have one thing to say. Ask Coach Howland for his take on that. Who is the better judge of what happened yesterday - Coach Howland or some guy who couldn't make it as a coach so he became an instant expert as TV guru? The next thing you'll be saying is that we should give up because Doh! says we're not number one.

We have the best coach in the country. We have the best TEAM in the country. We may not win every game - we may not close out the tournament with the six game winning streak that I would like to see. But there is no reason for pessimism here. We are 26-3, for crying out loud. We will probably move a little closer to the top of the polls.

These are the good times, guys. Soak them up. Take all this in. It may not always be this way. In fact, these are the good old days for you youngsters. Enjoy this.

by Fox 71 on Mar 3, 2008 9:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

26 wins is truly amazing

Consider this: in the beginning of the year, 26 wins is a staggering figure with the level of competition that UCLA ultimately was up against. Sure, the game at UW was definitely a let-down, but given the mixture of various throttlings that the Bruins have given the rest of the Pac-10, we're looking really good going into crunch-time.

Yes, we may have some shooting woes. But bottom line is that the defense does not take games off. Coach Howland doesn't let it happen for any sustained amount of time. Luc's D on the last possession was indicative of that--a lesser player would have jumped into Bayliss and fouled him.

Fox is right on--this is a great time...almost overwhelming. I remember during the Lavin era when my friends and I were sitting in a dorm room wearing our Matt Barnes jerseys praying to get a 6 seed or above, hoping upon hope to stay out West. It never really worked out that way. These really are great times when the best we can do (myself included) is dwell on Shipp's struggles. Yes, they are there; but in comparison to the rest of the nation, we are the least flawed team at this time.

What I hate is that we're the trendy pick by the MSM right now. I always thought we were at our best when we were the underdog going in. Either way--it's always great to be a Bruin, but right now the feeling is amazing.

by bruinhopeful on Mar 3, 2008 9:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It was still a win.

I'll admit I was nervous the whole way through. Even when we were up by 11, I had a feeling it wasn't going to last. Hill played very well and if Hill wasn't in foul trouble, he would have been player of the game instead of Budinger. Love knew what was on the line and got the job done. Shipp...well, what can I say. I hoped he would have shot better, but I'm glad he finds other ways to contribute. In Tennessee vs. Memphis, Lofton had a very off night, but kept shooting and missing regardless. What's the point of losing the ball? Therefore, I'm glad Shipp pulled back from shooting. This was the last road game with Love (I really hope not), so soak it up while you can!

by LYC on Mar 3, 2008 9:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Shipp

Josh didn't play a bad game. Just because he didn't score 20 points doesn't mean we will lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

And he had a good game at ASU. His shooting is coming back around.

Remember, UCLA has only played 2 of their last 7 games at home. Now that they will be back home, Josh will shoot better.

by mizzou on Mar 3, 2008 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

ESPN has us #2 this week!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings

by charnaw on Mar 3, 2008 10:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

CBS

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that was really annoyed and pissed off about all those stupid Arizona highlights they kept showing.

by khamkhao on Mar 3, 2008 10:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

How Many Teams Make The Tourney?

UCLA, Stanford, USC and WSU and ASU are locks. Oregon or Arizona will have to sweep next weekend to get in.
Six teams in the NCAA's would be awesome!

Boisebruin

by boisebruin on Mar 3, 2008 11:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think ASU is a lock at all

they had an amazingly weak non-conference SOS that will hurt them. They only had one impressive non-conference win against Xavier. If ASU wins both games this weekend against the Oregon schools, then they'll be in, but a split and first round conference tourney loss will put them in a precarious position come Selection Sunday.

Arizona is buoyed by the fact that they have the country's top SOS and while a sweep this weekend will ensure them a spot, a split will force them to win a game in the Pac 10 tourney.

Oregon needs a sweep this weekend and to make at least the semi-finals of the Pac 10 tourney, maybe the final. They have two very bad non-conference losses (Oakland and Nebraska) and have struggled of late, which will hurt their record in the last 12 games (which is replacing the last 10 games factor the committee used to look at).

USC I think needs one more win to ensure themselves a spot in the tourney, be it this weekend or in the Pac 10 tournament. If they lose out, they'll be 9-9 in conference play with a 1st round conference tourney loss, something that won't look good.

Cal is another team I think is in the hunt for a tournament spot. They will likely need a sweep this weekend over us and USC to put them in solid position, but if they split and win 2 games in the Pac 10 tourney, I could see them positioning themselves on the bubble.

That's just my look at the Pac 10's chances for 5, 6 or 7 bids. It's a purely amateur opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 3, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

winning chances

Obviously this is the best regime since I have been watching UCLA consistently since about 1982.. that being said they are a notch below the best team I saw play for UCLA which was the 95 team. That year UCLA was the best team in the country and could have lost to Missouri so obviously ther are no guarantees come tournament time. This team I believe has the most potential of the last 3 Howland teams, but has not as I hoped separated itself from the pack of top teams that could win it this year. I think it is a roll of the dice this year, but at least there is no Florida.

Secondly my general observation on Shipp is that why has evolved into a 3-pt shooter only in the set offense? His freshman year he showed what a dynamite player he could be getting in the lane and scoring little jumpers. If players keep 'running out' at him like they say why not use that ball fake for a purpose? How often does he fake the shot then take a dribble and do nothing with it? If they are running at you so hard then fake and make yourself dangerous. I think the defense wins overplaying his shot if he does not attack by going right by them. I know Shipp use to be great at making decisions driving to the basket. Westbrook seems to have free reign to get at the rim in the set, so I have to assume that Shipp does as well. Shipp needs to make himself a threat and once he does that I promise the 3pt looks will be easier. I think if he does that UCLA has a great chance to win the title.

by Penny2i on Mar 3, 2008 11:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Still

While we try to temper our expectations, and while we try to enjoy what our team has accomplished, deep inside we want a championship. Who remembers final four participants except for the participant teams themselves? These lulls, dead spots, break downs,for minutes on end, as jlazarus above rightly points out, are going to prove fatal to our championship run. Paint a rosy picture about this win if you wish, but this game and other others like it through out this season only exposes our vulnerability that a smart coach can and will exploit to our detriment.

by brewinz on Mar 3, 2008 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Have any stock tips for us

Miss Cleo?

by Tydides on Mar 3, 2008 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

buy low and sell high

by brewinz on Mar 3, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More depth

than your last post. That's improvement.

by Tydides on Mar 3, 2008 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What are the tiebreaker rules...

in the Pac 10? I believe we will beat Stanford of course...but just in case, I like to know what we are dealing with. So, if we end up tied with Stanford at the end does anyone know how it works? I am hoping they don't just go down the line with each team to see who has a better record. We both beat WSU twice but then next is the dreaded who shall not be named. We know what happened with them. Anyway, if anyone knows the tiebreak rules for the Pac, please post here. GO BRUINS!!!

by uclafan11 on Mar 3, 2008 12:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Tiebreakers:

Head to head
Best record against next best team in the conference.

Because we would be tied with Stanford for #1, that would mean our records against the conference's #3 team. Washington St. looks like they'll get that and each of us swept Wazzu so it would be best record against the fourth place team. That looks like it will be USC and we lost to them while Stanford would have swept (assuming they beat SC on Saturday, which is the most likely scenario in a 1st place tie). That would give Stanford the regular season title. The Pac 10 would declare us co-champions and Stanford would just get the conference tourney's #1 seed.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 3, 2008 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Ryebreadraz...

That is how I thought it went but I was hoping I was wrong! Oh well, we'll just have to beat Stanford!!! GO BRUINS!!!

by uclafan11 on Mar 3, 2008 3:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

but say that cenario plays out

but we win the pac ten tourney...based on what other people do of crouse, could we still grab a number one seed or would it probably be too big of a hole...if we lose 1 game anywhere before the dance...do you all think we lose a #1?

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 3, 2008 4:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If we don't win the regular season title

but win the conference tourney it becomes iffy and will likely depend on the performance of the other teams in contention for a #1 seed. We would still have a chance though.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 3, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Collison's double

Off topic, but did anyone else notice that Jrue's facial features are very similar to Collison's? I mean, they really do look very similar. That's what I'm seeing from the "Fantastic Four" photograph in the "recruting" section.

by bruinofthenorth on Mar 3, 2008 9:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs