West Regional Final - Xavier

by Telemachus on Mar 30, 2008 10:38 PM PDT in Basketball

Other players had gaudier numbers, but Ben Howland put the West Regional Final net around the neck of Josh Shipp. People want to see Shipp score more, people want the flash. Josh Shipp just wants the Bruins win. So while he put together another quiet night, Ben Howland rewarded him for the team player he is.

Josh Shipp doing the "little" things

Russell Westbrook shook off a sub-par performance against Western Kentucky, and heeded his coach's advice to slow it down a bit. He came away with 17 points and three steals, two of which made it seem like he knew the playbook better than the Musketeers.

Russell Westbrook scores 17

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute looks near 100% as he had a double-double and played 35 minutes looking like his old self. We'll need him this weekend.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is back!

The little general Darren Collison controlled the tempo of the game, dished off for five assists, was 3 of 3 from 3-point distance, scored 19 points and only had one foul. Not bad for second-team Pac-10, eh?

Darren Collison, the little motor that makes the Bruins go

Mr. Consistency. The Big Fundamental. Averaging a double-double for the season. Scored in double figures every game. Laser-Love outlet passes. Unfazed by March Madness. Twice in the second half, he hit 3-pointers that brought the lead to 20 points, which had to just kill any Xavier thoughts of a comeback.

West Regional MOP, Kevin Love

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Comments

I've got one really important question..

that I think has gone unanswered. Who in the world was the guy in the jester hat with the blue shirt that said "rental man"?

My theory is that this guy is in fact the juggler, who has added about 70 pounds of muscle mass, and was by the look of the video hopped up on sort of drug.

Any information on him though? I think the school should pay this guys way down to San Antonio so he cab keep dancing for us!

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 30, 2008 11:08 PM PDT reply actions

He

is basically a dancing advertising for a costume rental company. He's been to a lot of sports events (I've seen him a couple of times at the student section at the Rose Bowl) and just dances. It's amusing, and when he gets hassled by security, fans always cheer him on to keep dancing.

by lolwtferic on Mar 30, 2008 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions

through a little youtube research

I found out he also goes to kings, laker, and dodger games...Why do I never see this guy out i love it

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 30, 2008 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure...

He's actually the Westside Rentals guy.

by ak4797 on Mar 31, 2008 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions

oh yea!

thats the jester from the rose bowl? thats incredible that he made it out to phoenix haha

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 30, 2008 11:30 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks again Telemachus

As always, a great clips package

by freesia39 on Mar 30, 2008 11:34 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed!

Great job...and the SmugMug quality is pretty darn impressive!

by pocho on Mar 31, 2008 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions

So glad to see Luuuuuc back

In the middle of the Luc montage, take special note of the offensive rebound he gets off of a Shipp jumper (the clock reads 1:41 in the 1st half). Check out where Luc is when Josh first goes into his shot- he's the furthest player from the basket, a few feet behind the 3 pt line. Then check out where he is when the ball comes off the glass. His ability to anticipate where the ball is going to be and then worm his way through traffic to get it is amazing.

by insomniacslounge on Mar 31, 2008 12:01 AM PDT reply actions

btw...

the reason he was the furthest player from the basket is because he was running back in transition after he had saved the ball from going out of bounds in the opposite baseline...

..oh, and he was saving the ball after Kevin Love had blocked what looked like a clean look for a layup from a Xavier big man...

...oh, and the only reason the play even got that far was because Luc had come off of his man to get in the key to cut off a driving guard who had gotten passed Collison.

Man, I love how every player on this team has each other's back and never gives up on a play!

by insomniacslounge on Mar 31, 2008 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions