Center Court: Ben Ball (Villanova) Madness Open Thread
by Nestor on Mar 21, 2009 9:30 AM PDT
in Basketball
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PrintUCLA Bruins at Villanova Wildcats, Mar 21, 2009 10:05 AM PDT
Here we go.
There are few of us walking around the streets of Philadelphia this morning. We going to be walking into Wachovia Center in a little bit hoping to watch DC, PAA, JS and rest of our Ben Ball warriors drive out of this city with a victory:
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/US Presswire.
We haven't had a lot of time to get ready for this game. However, everyone here has been chipping in with their share of notes and observations on Villanova. If you want to get caught up on our game notes check out our event page here.
The tipoff is scheduled for 10:05 am PST. You can track it via the official site. If you are trying to follow all the action via your desktop go over CBS's March Madness On Demand
As always if you are watching the game, share your instant thoughts/commentary here in our game thread.
Fire away.
GO BRUINS.
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Brunch for Bruins
Good morning to you. Getting my meal ready. Cheese steaks (to negate their home court advantage), bagels with squirrel spread (to give PAA some extra energy), Vanillanova ice cream for dessert (to cap things off in the final minutes).
It's great on a bagel!
See the answer to #5. http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2009/02/getting-to-know-6.html
READY, SET, GO!
Well guys, I would say I’m ready for this one to start. I just a mini-freak out.
I imagined myself waking up late, running to the TV and seeing there was 0:45 left in the game with the score tied 61-61, DC with the ball!
I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if this is the actual situation two hours from now..
TIME TO MAKE THIS TOWN BRUINCITY!
GO BRUINS!!!!!!
Slightly OT:
To prove the point that the media worships offense and not defense — can anyone explain why DC’s incredible D stop of Maynor should not be shown with the other so-called “plays-of-the-tournament”?
Has Ernie Kent been fired yet? Are they waiting for Gonzaga to be out of the tournament so that they can hire Few?
Now to focus down on our guys.
Go Bruins!!!
Here’s to a great game day thread!
sjh
surprisingly he hasnt been fired, should be interesting to see how much longer they give him
also, i woke up a little late, are we getting this game here in the lone star state?
O.A.
It seems as though the only basketball highlights on the defensive end involve sending the ball 20 rows up in the stands and letting out a huge yell.
Yeah, I guess
that showing the other team get a shot clock violation because of smothering D doesn’t do as well in the ratings. :)
It seems there have been a lot of upsets in the first round
Can one of our stats experts let us know if this is par for the course for March Madness, or is it greater than in recent years?
Rooting for another today — with our 6 seed warriors surviving their 3 seed players to advance.
I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure two 12s and two 13s won last year.
by baybruin415 on Mar 21, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
hopefully
since it’s our 2nd game on the east coast we’ll be adjusted by now
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
IS THAT THE LOOOOOOOOOOSING TEAM!!!
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Good morning all!
So it’s 2am here.. about 15 minutes ago I was at a club, making decent progress with a cute little Korean girl, felt my phone vibrating, and thanked God I set a game reminder on it…
Needless to say, the little Korean girl is probably going home with someone else tonight. GO BRUINS!
yawn 10 am tipoffs suck
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:06 AM PDT reply actions
Alas, can only watch the first half live
Then will be heading to the Music Center for Frost/Nixon. Tix garnered months ago. Thank God for Tivo!
by Give me a B... on Mar 21, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions
hard foul
on Collison. DC to the line
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Aboya missed one close
Nova missed a 3, dragovic outlet to DC who is hammered by Reynolds for the 1st foul
layup then turnover
then foul on DC
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Is the basketball underinflated?
Our guards have a lot of problems dribbling so far
3 fouls on Shipp
until they finally call one
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
yikes Jrue doign a little too much with the ball at the top
but josh goes strong and draws a foul…watch and learn JH
O.A.
looks like
they won’t be calling this game too tight. Our D can be more aggressive
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
if we get them in foul trouble
they’re not too deep…could work for us
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
how was that a foul on aboya?
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:12 AM PDT reply actions
If they're going to foul on those
Just keep taking it to the rim. They’re not nearly as good a team without Cunningham
6-6 from the line
but stupid foul on the 3pt shooter
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Was there really a foul on that shot?
I was watching DG’s rotation
Dirty
Nova is not a dirty team. They are a physical team like us. Cunningham is not a Thug either. Come on guys….
yeah
i haven’t seen anything dirty yet… just toughness
by UCLAbruin920 on Mar 21, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Bench is getting some early minutes
but for the wrong reasons.
I know seriously...
Especially right after the foul before that
by tsunugundam on Mar 21, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
that was bullshit
that’s the definition of a foul
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
how was that not a foul?
collison got hammered at the 3 pt line
Ya we're definitely not getting calls
That was an obvious call if Bilas mentioned it
howland better get in the officials face this game
i don’t want him meekly take getting jobbed by the officials yet again
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:16 AM PDT reply actions
We are still 0-for the game
But we are looking aggressive, hopefully it pays off.
It looks like our offense will need to be fueled
by the defense, transition points!
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:17 AM PDT reply actions
and be called for light fouls -- I just don't get it
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
we need to keep taking it to the rim
And foul out all their players
WTF are they calling?
Why do refs screw us at every turn?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Howland needs to make a point and get in their faces
they will job us until he stands up to them
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
It seems that DG or JK
seem to pick up a moving screen foul once they come in
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions
OK -- We will have to play 5-8 and win
we’ve had practice at this all year in conf.
So, let’s do it.
sjh
Especially that game at UW
we need to overcome this
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Just Do It
Can’t change the circumstances…they’ve got to do it.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Ben Howland go yell at the refs
This is the season, don’t sit on the sideline again.
They'll T Him Up
because he never does that, and they know it.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
A bunch of bullshit calls
I didn’t think we would have to play against a Nova team at home AND the refs.
I'm Bobby, a Bay Area Bruin.
Jesus, get over the ref issue...
we’re getting badly outplayed.
and then his backup
was fouled out too…
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
when it is called one way we have a right to complain
Bruins Forever
by bruinsince69 on Mar 21, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
How the fuck did American
Take these guys to the end, and we can’t do shit
It's still early
no reason to panic. We just gotta find the holes in their D and play our D better
C'Mon Guys
Regroup. Start running the ball harder, right up into the paint. No choice.
Love My Bruins
Is it me
or does it seem like we have zero plan on offense?
Basketball is a game of runs.
We have to withstand this and respond with one of our own.
they don't miss
and we miss layups
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
wide open
again and again and again. Where’s the pride? I don’t understand.
I'm outta here
I can’t handle this
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
The concepts are not mutually exclusive
we are playing very poorly on both ends of the floor.
shipp's desparate gambling hurts us
that last 3 was due to josh hangling back trying to make a steal, left us exposed.
But, can’t blame josh – he senses we’re being taken out early here.
cant lose control
must walk up ball and play slowly
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
We Don't HAVE Control
They do. Pull-up O is helping them.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
BH has to do something.
This is on his shoulders. We seem totally unprepared, again.
B.F.
We need to change the game plan, perhaps
press them, but they have so many guards. What are our options?
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions
Pressing = Blowout
No way our guys can handle Nove off the dribble. Their lineup may be small height wise but they are strong and active. They attack the rim.
Well, even Deadspin commenters are noticing the hack reffing in this game
Not like it makes much ofa difference, considering how we are playing so far.
This is a 40 minute game
Nova was down by as many as 14 just two days ago.
%
Nova about 70% from the field
UCLA under 25%
gotta get some better D and turn this around
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
This game is NOT over
C’mon people- we’re ten minutes in, down 15 points, and playing to a hostile crowd. I get it- but all we have to do is chip away. This game is NOT over.
it's not over
but it’s still been embarrassing
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
not embarrassing
it’s still early. Nova has come out on fire. (We’ve seen this before).
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
How many Bloody Timeouts are there?
what was that??? one possession and a timeout. these tv timeouts are unbelievable and make the game unwatchable. on the bright side, it might reduce nova’s ridiculous momentum.
half our shot attempts are three pointers
we will not win that way.
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions
Chip away
their 3’s will start clanking. We need to play solid D and make them earn it instead of getting open looks.
we need to cut it to single figures by the half
thats doable if we penetrate
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions
We can guard them
our rotations are just slow
then we're gonna lose
because we’re not playing zone
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Our offense is pathetic and plays right into their overplaying, tough style
bad movement away from ball. no inside game, etc.
We need to play stronger Defense and use the weak
reffing to our advantage. Time to turn this around.
B.F.
we need to be fierce
im getting upset watch little punks like scotty reynolds through roll off of him with his elbow, they arent afraid, lets be warriors come on toughen up!
O.A.
Looks like our rotation is tightening up
not sure if that’s good or bad though
no more tourney games for Nestor in person!
clearly that’s the problem
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions
Can't blame thisn one on me, at least :P
My teams have lost every postseason game that I have ever attended (MLB, UCLA BB and FB).
C'mon Bruins, THAT'S the blueprint
Get stuff in the paint!
Aboya is getting mugged everytime he gets in the paint...
…Yet they’re calling ticky-tack stuff on the Bruins…I don’t get it.
awkward play by dc - but no travel
getting hosed by the calls – but being completely outclassed by nova
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions
These calls are fucking ridiculous
Every ticky tack call is being called on us, yet Aboya gets hacked down low and nothing.
‘Nova has easily committed 10 or 11 fouls by my count, and yet they’ve been whistled only 6 times.
We’ve committed maybe 4 or 5, and yet we’ve been hit 6 times.
Ridiculous.
What is it? The refs actively helping Nova? Incompetence? The crowd? Honest mistakes? It’s annoying to see the refs change a game so much
Nova's first game
Weren’t FT’s like 30 -4 in Nova’s favor. I see a “trend”.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
I think they're a lot better than last game
But Aboya did not travel on that play. The pivot foot was the right foot. I have no idea where they got that interpretation from.
Why UCLA?
Why are we always on the wrong end of refs sucking?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Because We Have 11 Nat'l Championships,
and 3 consecutive Final 4 appearances. That’s the way it is.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
it certainly feels that way
but remember at the end of the season last year, Stanford, CAL. A&M we did get some favorable calls…i think its just cu we’re the underdog the refs aren’t scared to whistle us
O.A.
and if AA doesn't get that third foul
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Alright, my bad guys
I woke up at 10 and have been half asleep the entire game. Looks like our team has followed my lead.
Just like DC did on the last play
we need to take it to Nova off the bounce and either take the shot or kick it out. Can’t just pass it around on the perimeter and think that we’re going to get a good shot.
boy, who could have guessed that Lee could contibute
and should be part of the rotation
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions
Just slip'em a $100
What with the Benjamins and the city of brotherly love
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Not too far away
Even up the shooting %‘s and we’re back in it.
Need to up the D and cool them off.
We look like we are working so hard on offense for so little. Better ball movement and cuts against their D needed.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
I have seen some bad calls
but it’s not an excuse for this effort. Our guys need to respond.
I agree
i think the only call that really hurt us was two quickes on AA
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't think the refs have been that bad
We’re just not really playing well. Can’t blame it on officiating.
Sure it’s maybe a 7 pts or so decided by officiating so far, but it’s not that big a deal
I'm pissed off -- we can play physical Big East bball if the ref's let us
They get to and we don’t
sjh
Hey remember Gonzaga?
We were down a lot and came back, we can do it!
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:43 AM PDT reply actions
That was near us
Unfortunately this is a straight up road game.
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 21, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Shipp just lost that ball
And of course they made us pay
There's nothing wrong with the officiating
The only bad call was the one where DC was fouled on the 3 and didn’t get the call.
They’re just being more physical than us
Let's send Bobo
to hack their guys, excessively!
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:46 AM PDT reply actions
I want to see Bobo
Just to see what he can do. But he may be too slow to cover Cunningham
JH needs to convert that for a 3-point play!
But he did get hit
lots of fouls on them
that might come into play in the 2nd half
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I think we should just keep attacking
and drawing fouls.
They’re only about 7 deep and they can only do so much if they won’t let us get the close shots
Geez
Did anybody get the license of the bus that hit us. Just tuned in
We need to get it down to
Atleast ten before the end of the half
josh shipp
is it me or does josh shipp tend to play terrible in big games?
ps. we need to get on the boards!
we never play well
against thugs. these guys are playground thugs, fouling all over the place
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
that was a total acting job
by DC lol
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Disagree
That was a dirty play: we need to respond in kind if the refs are going to let that shit slide.
by Bellerophon on Mar 21, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
66 you always keep track of this
how many missed free throws? I know JH had 2 (plus the missed 1 +1 opportunity)
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
The one thing that gives me hope...
…Nova is fouling WAY too much for a team in their position. This could catch up to them.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions
They generally don't play as well in the 2nd half also for whatever reason
Marquette was down 10 and only lost by 1 (and they didn’t have Dominic James)
Well if we're down by 20 it's not going to matter
Have to chip away though. Going for the home run plays now ends this game.
I don't know if we should get into a track meet at this point
They are more comfortable playing that way.
Their rotation isn't as deep
As long as we’re willing to sub liberally, we’d probably win it
they're tensing up
time for us to make a run
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I'm Telling You...
they will T him up, because they do not expect that from him.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
At least our cheerleaders are better looking
But that’s always the case, I suppose.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions
the way we've played only being down by 14
is a good. We need to cut it to to 9 at the half
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions
AIRRRRRRRRR
BALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
come on boys. claw back into this!!
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Problem is, they're shooting really well.
Easier said than done.
One thing we can do is outhustle them, we need to do this the rest of the game
every rebound and loose ball
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions
wow, the '71 Nova team is being honored.
Sure seems like an away game
Looks like Nova is slowing it down
Trying to control the game.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 10:57 AM PDT reply actions
Their bench isn't as deep
We have to go to our bench, keep our guys fresh, and just wear those guys down.
seriously
we don’t deserve to win this either, as much as the refs suck
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
"Equal opportunity physicality"
Let me get my barf bag…
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions
why play man-to-man
when every single one of their players can beat ours off the dribble
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
OH MY GOD
GOOD MOVEMENT AWAY FROM THE BALL!
go figure
we need OB1 in the locker room
at halftime
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I love DC
But our offense has looked very tenative with the ball in his hands.
I think JH needs to start running the point more and let DC play off the ball.
Off the dribble
This also reminds me of last year, when we got beat off the dribble by Memphis.
And throughout this year, fast guards have always seemed to have an easy time getting into the paint—even in games we won, it wasn’t because strong athletic guards on the opposing team couldn’t score.
Since I didn’t really watch basketball much before last year, can someone tell me —has this been a systematic problem?
even when they mess up
they score
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I'm tired of losing by 15
Florida and Memphis and now nova
Shipp
is the ONLY guy that is being aggressive looking to take it to the rim. Nova has like 5 Shipps in their lineup.
Just Like The VCU Game
Josh is our only “LET’s GO!” guy.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Difference between our freshman phenoms
KL would have had a chance at hitting that shot.
JH, not so much. :)
The NCAA must be happy with the score, sending us to Philly and letting play
at home. Dan Guerrero should have walked out on them when he saw the draw.
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 11:04 AM PDT reply actions
They should Remember Gonzaga
…But remember what sort of effort it took to come back in that game
not even that impressive of a turnout for philly fans
considering theyre like a stones throw from campus…philly fans are not good, we saw them all come out their caves in the world series, just because they boo’d santa clause doenst mean they care about sports
now lets go, this is still managable, we need to come out and punch them in the mouth, we need fire, this is it
O.A.
If we can just...
settle down and adjust to some of the rebounding, and defensive issues (keeping them in front of us and watching the back door and such), I honestly think this is doable. It could be much worse the way we played, so heres to Ben keeping us confident, and making some adjustments.
Need to come out and play with fire
To take the crowd out of it. And then chip away at the lead with…that’s right, Defense and REBOUNDING.
If we pull out of this game, we'll be stronger than ever
It would be our biggest win all season, biggest come-back, biggest game against a higher ranked more physical team
I'm furious.
While our abysmal shooting and inability to draw fouls on a foul-happy team, this biased officiating is KILLING me.
UCLA: 9 fouls, Nova: 11 fouls
Not so sure it’s biased.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
2 each on
Clark, Cunningham, Pena, and Stokes
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 21, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
New thread for the 2nd half?
Change the karma and be nice those without great computers?
we need to go on a run in the first 5 minutes and have it cut to 8 points
and we will be in good shape
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:07 AM PDT reply actions
No one on Nova has more than 2
Clark, Cunningham, Pena, and Stokes
D needs to come out I'm the second half
And please crash those boards. Nova is going for blocks so second chance opportunities are going to be there
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