UCLA-Villanova Open Thread Reset
by Tydides on Mar 21, 2009 11:07 AM PDT
in Basketball
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PrintIs this it? 2700 miles from home and hurting, the Bruins will need to dig deep like they did against Gonzaga if they don't want their seniors' careers to end this afternoon. Since we can't move this game out of Philly, here's hoping a change of online venue will help a bit.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Michael Perez
Time to TURN IT UP! Win or Go Home!
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These MMOD commentators are bush league.
I’m talking college tv station material. No, that’s too good. These guys are pure public access.
bilas is such a douche
he thinks we haven’t played physical teams? Has he seen SUC and UW? What an idiot. They don’t think basketball takes place outside of the eastern time zone
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions
To them, basketball doesn't exist west of the Mississippi.
Which is why I love that our kids at Pauley chanted “West Coast BIAS” when the crew came to Westwood.
by Space_Monkey on Mar 21, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
someone said fouls were even?
which means it’s total bullshit. We should have 5 fewer and they should have 5 more
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
and i was gonna mention
they ahd 11 hard deserved fouls, and probably committed about 3 more…we maybe committed 7 or 8 fouls
O.A.
Free throws
We’re 11/14, and Shipp is 7/7 on his own.
NEED TO ATTACK THE BASKET!!!
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions
Fouls
They have 3 starters with 2 each.
I think we’re in worse shape. PAA 3 and ND 3 (will someone confirm ND?)
sjh
Drago has 2 fouls
per the ESPN box score
slow down, look up
by Point Guard 08 on Mar 21, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Good work by Josh, but
sorry to say, but looks like a 4th straight subpar game from darren. and several of his turnovers just can’t be chalked up to his injury.
But, still only 13 down with 20 min left – so I think we’re still in it. Need everyone to pick up thier games.
this is just a very tough matchup with Villanova’s team speed relative to ours.
When we lose in the tourney under CBH, we look really bad
My guess is that the other teams Florida, Memphis, etc. know our plays and system and they have the athletes to exploit our weaknesses. We need to make adjustments and change it up. I know CBH is stubborn (his strength and weakness), will he make adjustments?
We can still win this!
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 11:10 AM PDT reply actions
we need to outscore them by 5 in the first 5 minutes and we will be
fine
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:10 AM PDT reply actions
They are allowed to play a much more physical game
we are not.
We have gotten such cheap fouls and they’ve had no calls on muggings.
BS we can’t play physically — we can if the game is called evenly.
sjh
if we lose
Can we please not lose by 15 or more. The last three have always been by 15
two biggest tideturners
were Josh’s turnover leading to a 3 when he had the chance to cut it to 10, and their hitting a 3 when they missed 2 shots to extend to 15
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions
not being able to pull down rebounds is killing us.
They must have 10 offensive boards at this point.
slow down, look up
by Point Guard 08 on Mar 21, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Sorry if this was covered earlier
but are these the same refs as last game?
slow down, look up
by Point Guard 08 on Mar 21, 2009 11:12 AM PDT reply actions
It's mind boggling
that most of you are focusing on the refs. Be honest, they were 13 points better then us.
I don't think anyone would say we're losing because of the refs
But it’s not helping the cause, either.
slow down, look up
by Point Guard 08 on Mar 21, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
It's mind-boggling you're so damn blind
Yes, we’re not playing well, but the refs are responsible for at least 5+ points. That could be huge.
by Bellerophon on Mar 21, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
We need to capitalize on it though
By that I mean, if you’re gonna get called for a foul, then let’s FOUL them. You know Aboya is capable of making these guys eat hardwood.
it's all about the timing
the refs helped set the tone of the game and stopped our momentum each time.
i think we probably still would have lost but you never know. what bothers me is how much impact they have
Bruins Forever
by bruinsince69 on Mar 21, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
If it was being called evenly
there would be no need to complain. It’s very one-sided
by Desert Brewin' Fan on Mar 21, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
They are thumping us, no doubt about it...
but the poor officiating early creates alot of momentum, especially when playing at home. Think about that DC shot/no call. He makes both it is 8-7 us. Instead they get the no call, hit the 3 go up 9-6. Next thing you know its 20-9.
A certain senior from last year just posted on facebook:
“Second Half Team … We good, We gonna get the W…”
Its good to see players from past years still pay attention and root for their teams. LMR was definitely a guy that saw a lot of comebacks on the floor. Hope he gets to enjoy watching one on TV.
We can win this game
but we need a quick start. They beat us but they also hit a lot of shots that they can’t hit all day. Cut it to ten in the first five.
We may need some help from DG on D.
Foul situation
UCLA
PAA – 3
ND – 2
DG – 2
JH – 1
JS – 1
Villanova
Anderson – 1
Clark – 2
Cunningham – 2
Fisher – 1
Pena – 2
Reynolds – 1
Stokes – 2
are they really
honoring the ’71 Nova team at the half?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Coach Ben Howland
= Halftime Adjustment Genius.
He’s right there, he sees what is happening on that floor. Win and go home. That’s the deal. Trust some freshman, or die by the foul-calling.
Love My Bruins
If we are playing the same way we did at the start of the first half
I’d like to see the freshmen in, with the mandate to play with (not reckless) abandon.
I don't know ...
Howland is a great recruiting and building coach, but I wouldn’t say he’s an X/O genius. It’s mostly because when you have fundamentally sound players there’s no reason for “tricks”, but I’d say he hasn’t been able to take advantage of fundamentally unsound players as some other coaches are able to do.
Taking advantage of fundamentally unsound players isn't coaching
That’s just calling the old “iso” play, which isn’t really a play at all.
No I mean
win a game when you have unsound players on YOUR team.
Then can you explain?
How does an iso play help? Do you mean just spread the floor (with your unsound players) and let your sound player take his guy off the dribble?
You get your "unsound" but physically talented player
Tell everyone else to get the hell out of the way and let him go at it. You know, “iso”.
What I meant by my statement was
Howland’s man to man defense is absolutely great when played to perfection by all 5 players, but the problem is that not all our players are able to defend man-to-man in that situation and rotate well. When that happens, Villanova gets a good dribble in, a dish out and a 3. It was also a problem against Memphis (and only one or two other schools that year played man defense against them).
The problem is that we don’t really have a backup defense with a different look, that can mask our weakness.
Respectfully,
Go back over CBH’s “halftime history” with UCLA. He can do it, he does do it.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
I thought the minutes ML played were huge
I hope he gets more minutes in the 2nd
The main thing is
we have to be able to stop them. I know our scoring is dry, but even if we start scoring we have to be able to stop Villanova or we’ll never chip into their lead.
I didn’t wake up early enough—how did we do with ML on the floor? Has he been?
after that non-call on collison's three point attempt...
it had me wishing we had the SPTR over these blind fools….the commentators are complete morons….“they haven’t played anyone as physical as Villanova….and theyre only a middle team in the Big East”….geeze….
Come On Bruins—-we gotta take it by force! Let’s hit the boards, drive to the rim, and make our FTs
That was the worst call, no call of the half
and some touch fouls on PAA
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Nova came out in the first half and punched us in the mouth
It’s all about how the team is going to respond in the seond half. Are we going to wilt and let them take it to us, are are we going to fight
It's all about
how you can get hit and move forward!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
We get the ball at the half
We need to come out confident. If we can go on a brief run, even just getting it down to single digits, the momentum may start to swing a little bit. It’s far from over, but we can not afford to wait too long to make a run.
slow down, look up
by Point Guard 08 on Mar 21, 2009 11:18 AM PDT reply actions
where's the idiot
who asked why Josh doesn’t play well in big games?
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
I don't know if you're referring to anyone who actually said that this year
or the people who said that a lot last year. Last year it was a valid critique.
The blame is part us and part the NCAA Committee
But thats what Texas A&M said last year when they played us in Anaheim . . . lets play a good half and see what sticks. This game can be won
I don't know if my herr can handle that
I say 24 more
No
rip their heart out with a last minute shot! :)
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Like George lopez says
“my shest hurts and I can’t breeve”
A couple of rainbow bombs by Drago
and we’ll be right back in it
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
one good point
Nova scoring first 10 minutes: 30 points
Second 10 minutes: 14 minutes
even if we hold them to 28, we have to score 42.
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions
we can do that it we get turnover/transition points. Not sure we can with slow half court O
we will probably pick up the pace to get back in the game.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
DC came back to play tough in the tourney
He needs to come out on fire the second half, no more passive play for DC
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions
JH
playing himself out of this game
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Honestly sometimes I don't understand
It isn’t bruin578’s first post on the forum. He says it once and there’s a lot better ways to tell him not to give up. We don’t need to be so unfriendly.
fair enough
but seriously, it doesn’t do any good to quit now.
sure, we all know it’s bleak. but why not keep trying anyway, as a player or a fan?
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
I agree with your sentiments =)
Just not your expression =p
we can't get a break
all rebounds off 3’s go right back to them
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
wow
we are shooting so poorly even collison misses his second FT
we need more of that from Drago
since he doesn’t play D
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
buh-bye
we’re getting blown out now
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Nice effort Bruins
Thanks for the good times
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
We had good ball movement on that play at least
Just need to replicate that like 20 more times
We make comebacks from our D creating O
Get him out
Man can they shut the fuck up about physical play
are they forgetting that the last 3 years we played the some of the best most physical D in the country, and made these defense giants look like shrimps god this is miserable i need to press mute soon
O.A.
didn't expect our seniors to go out like this
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions
Our Seniors Are Playing Hard and with Heart
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Absolutely
Josh playing very well.
DC and PAA are working hard, but are struggling.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Overall
DC has been a solid Bruin, but this is not surprising. He’s generally performed poorly in important games.
Well...
Yes, if he performs poorly we’ll probably lose since he’s our best player and point guard.
Exactly
“We lost—ergo, DC doesn’t play well in important games.”
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
yep
that’s horseshit. DC has been huge so many times for us
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Need Shipp in the mix also
He’s pretty much been our only steady O and he’s been playing ok D
Agreed.
I’m just a little desperate to completely change things RIGHT NOW.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I just teared up when DC got fouled a min or 2 ago.
I can’t stand seeing such a great person and player go out like this. He’s yelling and motivating, but nothing is right. Truly a very sad day.
Howland will never see it, but I'd play Drew Gordon to help deny the drive
and to maybe put a little hurt on them. Drago is too slow. He’s got to line up guys with plenty of time to make a play – nova is too fast/quick for that.
also, don’t like darren’s D. he was lazy on that screened open 3
I wouldn't call that a mullet...
More like a haircut fit for an orchestra conductor.
by Space_Monkey on Mar 21, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Draw him a barber's chair and some scissors
Maybe he’ll sit in it and UPS will cut his hair.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
these games have been so hard to watch
not only because we are losing, but so many interruptions
the problem is
people are calling TO’s at like the 16:10 mark, then we have the media TO at 16:00
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
we need the best defensive five out there
at all times. DEFENSE got us to three straight Final Fours.
we did better in the VCU game when i wasn't watching
therefore, the TV is off and Yahoo! GameCast is up.
Bilas is talking about the officiating, but won't blame the refs
Will just say “he got hit there.” DRAW THE FREAKING CONCLUSION
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions
DC gets fouled twice
As he drove, by two different guys, and there’s no call.
ABSOLUTELY MOTHER FUCKING HORSESHIT.
THESE REFS FUCKING SUCK.
I'm not saying the refs cost us this game...
…because we have looked absolutely horrible, but to see such blatant calls not get whistled is so God damn frustrating.
If I was in the same room alone with these idiot zebras, well, I’d be spending a lot of time in Pelican Bay.
by Bellerophon on Mar 21, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
man terrible force pass from jrue
be smart, theyre taking and missing long threes but not taking advantage
O.A.
getting zero calls
and we follow it with awful passes and no rebounding
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 11:43 AM PDT reply actions
We are not converting on the plays that we during that Gonzaga game
But we are still alive!
For all of you who question why we play seniors
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
People have been questioning ML and DG
I haven’t seen many people question JA. Also the question has been all year long, when we had a chance to develop them more.
No, he was trying to push the pace and Cunningham made a great play
We can’t complain about slow stagnant O and then criticize the guys for trying to push the pace.
Pathetic
playing with no heart, I don’t care what anyone says
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
that was bad
4 Bruins in the paint. 1 wildcat steps between them for the board and the foul
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Jerime is not the guy to sub in
he’s a turnover machine.
Story of the game, from Yahoo gamecast:
13:16 Villanova – Layup by Reggie Redding
13:25 Villanova – Offensive rebound
13:25 Villanova – Dwayne Anderson misses a layup
13:25 Villanova – Dwayne Anderson offensive rebound
13:25 Villanova – Dwayne Anderson misses a layup
13:29 Villanova – Dwayne Anderson offensive rebound
13:29 Villanova – Dwayne Anderson misses a layup
did you see alfred backing off that play sequence?
guess he was trying to avoid his 4th foul – not a good choice imho
NOW THAT WAS FLAT OUT EMBARRASSING
and for that i blam the players, they again take a 30 foot three pointer, and cunningham picks up a rebound between 4 bruins, disgusting behavior, im not giving up on you, dont give up on me!!
O.A.
Dammit
He deserves better.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Not exactly a pull up shot for JS
drove the shoulder into the player
Coach was Einstein
but just like physics, we know more than Einstein now. Policies have to change over time, and if Wooden were perpetually young and still coaching he would change policies over time too.
refs aren't that bad
outplayed + home court advantage = blowout
reffing might be bad at times, but it’s not creating the blowout
A contributing factor, but not the cause
The calls against us early had an effect on how we could play our D, as well as accumulating fouls on Aboya and Gordon
It has a huge affect on the way teams play
Villanova can play a much more physicaly because the refs are allowing them too
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 21, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Couldn't tell from his email address
But his little snarky comment was pretty clear he was a hater.
by Bellerophon on Mar 21, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
guess he's a CSUN guy
he’s probably got a really hard class to go study for anyway.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Coach Howland,
Please change the lineup, change the plan. Run it into the paint. We’re not scoring this way. Put defenders in and beat them up a little in the paint, disrupt their rhythm.
Love My Bruins
time to say screw it
and launch the 3’s
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
man it just sucks because theyve been giving us a little window, taking long bad threes on liek 3 or 4 possesions
and we’ve unfortunately fouled or committed turnovers
by the way, is that mike wilbon?
O.A.
How does Lee not play more?
That was a really nice drive
Folks, don't worry about the trolling assholes
Let the trolls and haters come in and make their snarky comments. Don’t worry about responding: these douchebags are getting kicked as fast as they show up.
make something good of this, Bruins
get some young guys some experience
see what Nova is doing and learn from it
see what we aren’t doing and figure out how to fix it.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Win or lose
I want this team to play with heart, and play to the final buzzer
DC missing free throws
this may be the worst game we’ve played all year
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Give Nova credit
they are playing well, and making us pay for EVERY mistake
He's playing hurt -- obviously
Cheap shot in a game we had won —
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Why doesn't PAA dunk?
comeon big boy
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
he did injure his thumb
on a dunk against VCU. may be tentative because of it
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
there's still time
time at least to finish with some dignity. Let’s go!
Need to get DG, JA, ML, and BOBO
tourney minutes at this point – hate to say it – gotta look to the future
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions
Despite today.....
We still have 11 banners, 18 final fours, hope for the future every year, and those four letters will still be on the jerseys next year. Wouldn’t trade that UCLA diploma for any other.
by 84 on Mar 21, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Coach Howland,
Put them in now. They deserve to play some, and they are Bruins, after all. Put Bobo in and let him bang some bodies. Unleash DG completely. Let ML RUN AT THEM.
Love My Bruins
Just wait
for them to spew out some BS about the big east type of physicality and that we can’t handle it. Obviously completely disregarding all that went on for the last 3 years
by onedeterminedpanda on Mar 21, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions
The thing that kills me...
…is that if SUC wins, then Plaschke will have been right.
That cannot stand.
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions
As much as I want the younger guys to get some minutes
our seniors deserve some more respect
Just a shame DC's gotta go out like this
He’s given SO much. Lets not forget that.
I think you let the seniors finish what they started
the seniors are trying, theyre getting beat, bad, and theres just not much else we can do.
O.A.
Is he older than Chick was?
I know Chick had a slight decline right up to the end, but Enberg is misfiring quite a bit. It’s sad really.
Plus,
The makeup. Geez, what a mess his head is.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
honestly
if we could’ve just made a few shots we’d be right there
just not getting many breaks today
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
No intent to go for the ball on that foul
by Westwood Wizard on Mar 21, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions
they're total thugs
from the playground
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
That's not their style
How many of the fouls at the basket can you legitimately say they DID go for the ball?
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 21, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
guys this sounds like Lakers fans complaining about the Celtics
nothing cheap or dirty, iit’s just good hard-nosed basketball. no layups. let’s not harp on that. let’s harp on the lack of energy and execution from our players.
They're not going for the ball on layups
They’re going for the bodies – that’s why Collison’s missed 3 FT’s. The sad thing is the refs aren’t even always calling fouls.
by SuperBruinMan on Mar 21, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
the good news is we get to watch more of malcolm lee
like the way he busted out on that fastbreak
- tho he might have traveled….
Holy SHIT!!!
Lee I don’t think traveled.
The dude just threw it out there and ran like a damn gazelle. check out the speed!
I hope Drago improves his D
The same way he improved from last year. He was absolutely unusable last year and now he can at least stay on the floor.
Last 3 years
we got the foul calls by being the more physical team. The more physical team ALWAYS gets the foul calls, because, let’s face it, after you destroy someone on the way up to a layup, a touch foul doesn’t seem like much.
Gotta go, gang
Gotta be at work w/in the hour.
Tough way to end the year, but I am so thankful for everything our seniors gave up for our school, and am thankful that we have a future in this program. Will have more to say in the next days when the flames die down
And thanks to all the BN faithful who are always behind our Bruins, regardless of the score (good or bad).
And if a miracle happens and we come back and win this – I knew it all along. I am now leaving for the karma.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
our problem
we should have been pressing 5 minutes into this one. The main problem we have had all year against teams committed to driving and scoring is no eraser in the middle. You need the drivers to know if they get funnelled to your shot blocker nothing is coming easy and we just don’t have that. Aboya has improved as much as possible in one year as a basketball player, but he is not the eraser Hollins, Mata, Love or M’bah a Moute were. It is easy to beat guys off the dribble if there is no backline to protect the rim.
I wish we would knock one of those guys on their ass
on one of these drives
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 12:04 PM PDT reply actions
Me Too.
Good thing I’m not a coach.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I keep thinking
when I see a play or two “that sums up the game.” Sucks that I can say that pretty much most of the time. Not the way for our seniors to go out.
i know ucla doesn't press much - but they break it with ease
by Nakatomi Plaza on Mar 21, 2009 12:06 PM PDT reply actions
Well when you don't press at all all year
you don’t get practice
Too young a team
what did we really expect after losing RW, KL etc. We will be back next year.. GO BRUINS!
Except...
he traveled, of course.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
that's what i mean - DREW blocks the shot, the buries his man!!!
my personal highlight for this game
They completely outplayed us
There’s not much else to say about the game.
We’ll be back next year hopefully.
Silver linings
1. Holiday would have 100% turned pro with a solid NCAA Tournament; now he’s probably back for another year.
2. The Holiday/Gordon/Lee/Anderson/Bobo nucleus, I think, will one day be remembered right up there with the Farmar/Afflalo/Shipp class (the Savior Class in other words).
To The Big Win
As always.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Mar 21, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
losing today honestly
i expected Nova to win…but i sure didn’t expect this
by bucknellbruin on Mar 21, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Had us in the Sweet 16
I figured if we could beat ’Nova on their home floor, we had a great chance against Duke.
by Bellerophon on Mar 21, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Did I step into a time warp?
I hate to say it, but this looks very much like a Steve Lavin-coached team to me. I can’t believe they don’t put these guys on there asses the way that Villanova has been clocking our guys.
ALso, their is a serious disconnect between our players. Did you notice a few minutes ago when DC went to the ground, only one guy came to pick him up? Everyone else just walked away. Ben has alot of work to do this offseason.
End of an era
Thank you PAA, JS, DC for all the class, joy, and memories you’ve brought to Bruins nation! You help bring UCLA back to elite status, unfortunately you guys couldn’t get over the final hurdle.
Thanks for passing the torch, time to get ready for the next era of Bruins.
by UCLA Championships Made Here on Mar 21, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions
Last year we had trouble against the dribble drive
This year we have trouble against the dribble drive
I’m frustrated because I don’t see the adjustments by Howland. I understand the argument that when man-to-man is played perfectly it’s the best defense, but when you don’t have the personnel we have to have a backup defensive look that masks our weaknesses.
i'm getting this feeling that even Ben is now ready to move on
he needs a team with quicker foot speed, more athleticism. josh, james, drago, roll all a bit too limited – and he needs a real pg. Sad thing, he’ll be second guessed that he always had one this year along with a pretty good 2 guard – just had to switch jh for dc.
our team's complacency is mind-blowing.
in both the VCU game and this one, they just don’t seem to look passionate. their spirit is gone, hunger is gone. even when they squeaked out the win against VCU they had the “whatever” look on their faces. where’s the passion?
I think many of us knew we wouldn't make it out of philly
But the loss still hurts, especially by more than 20
Is UCLA's offense good enough?
It seems like the Bruins haven’t really developed an offense over the past 4 years. Has Collison’s offensive game improved at all these 4 years? And where’s the toughness everyone talks about? The Bruins are just slapping at the ball and giving easy layups, it’s embarassing.
Howland has been great these, thousand times better than Lavin…… but are we sure Howland style basketball is good enough to win a championship??
We had the 3rd best offense in the nation this year
according to kenpom
do a search here
Until last 3 games, our O has been very good. Problem this year is D
sjh
by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
people need to
stop complaining about the offense that much. it was about efficiency the entire season; it was our defense that was suspect
by onedeterminedpanda on Mar 21, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Roll will still remain
from the entire run of Final Fours. That makes me happy in a way.
next year
We were 1 player from being really good and one player from being really mediocre. We need Morgan to become a player next season or one of the incoming freshman to be really strong in the middle. We also need holiday to not be crazy and go pro.
Fouls
Shipp has 4 fouls and he is unable to block out the shooter the way he would like to do. We probably should put in someone else at this point. Also, Howland needs to step up and complain about the refs. Aboya was hammered and there was no call. He got up from the floor and couldn’t believe that there was no call. That does hurt your team’s play.
by Forever a Bruin on Mar 21, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions
Seriously people
this team is not the same team from the last four years. Let’s not start comparing Howland to Lavin. We weren’t tough for the last four years? No offense? Howland can’t coach defense? In case you all forgot, we went to three straight final fours, and lost three starters to the NBA. Please, people, go find another team to cheer for. We’ll be back next year, and we’ll be a better team.
Good point 09
I agree with you all the way. GO BRUINS
Sad way to see the seniors go
They gave their best, Nova was just too much
agree partially
2 more years before we are competitive with the best, but cycles of 4 not so sure that is possible with players coming and going so quickly.
Drew baby, with discipline
he will control the paint…lets just get Bobo into game shape this summer
O.A.
Two things
1) How much do we all love to see BOBO IN?!?!?! haha
2) DG’s chuck off the guys hip, shows emotion which is great and I feel we will come to love DG like we love PAA.
Thoughts?
DG can be a future Blake Griffin or Jeff Pendergraph.
Bobo has a LOT of work to do. I don’t doubt it when people say that he has slow footwork and suspect offensive skills. If he works hard, he can give himself a chance to start next year. We will have quite a powerful frontcourt with Dragovic providing the offense, Keefe providing the defense, and Gordon and Stover providing the energy.
hahaha
wow I am getting rediculously happy just thinking about our team next year. I feel like we’ll be some “Philly playground” type of ballers.
Can someone please offer a report on Stover? If you’ve seen him play would be great but You said he’s an energizer, but I have no idea on his skills. Will he score? just rebound?
by harveyismyboy on Mar 21, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
He won't score and may not do anything else because redshirting is a possibility
He has next to no offensive game, but he is loooooooooong. He’s an exceptional shot blocker and rebounder already. He has a long ways to go, but he’s an intriguing talent. It will take time though.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
He's going to be here four years for sure? (five w/redshirt)
by harveyismyboy on Mar 21, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
It depends on his development
He could be here for 4 or 5, but he could develop by year 3 and be gone. Who knows?
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Great season no matter what.
I will miss our benball warriors. Good luck to JS, DC, PAA and rest of the players!!! Bruins forever!
Fuck
I hate losses like this. They hurt the soul
UCLA karma...
Hoops takes a step back, Football a step forward…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
if not for his poor shooting
i would have said he was the only one on the floor that was able to play at the same flow
I expected us to lose (see bracket)
but not to get blown out like this…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
In all honesty
this team had class and heart…but we could all feel that there were big pieces missing. A couple more wins in the season and we would have been in a better situation, but we just didn’t have the goods to make a tourney run this year. Love our boys, PAA is one of my favorite (if not favorite) Bruins.
Can’t wait to discuss next year’s lineup! We’re still 14-4 in the last four tournaments. Not bad gentlemen, not bad.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Drago needs to work on his D in the offseason
But if he can do that, I’d be fairly excited about a Jrue/Lee/Drago/Drew/Bobo starting lineup in 2009, with Jerime/Roll/Keefe/Honeycutt/Stover backing them. That would be our deepest roster in years.
I think Nelson will have trouble getting time next year
Moser will get time if Jrue leaves, but if not he’ll spend a lot of time on the bench too.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Next year
I think out team needs to talk to Russell Westbrook to get on his offseason training program.
Doesn't Russell have a couple years of eligibility left?
Can we convince him to come back?
I expect next year's team
to be similar to this one in terms of record and seeding. The year after that should be special.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Although we lost,
I can watch MM now without thinking how my team will do every second and increasing my risk at a heart attack. Now I can just relax
Not surprising but still really painful
i didn’t expect us to win this game but of course i believed it was possible. villanova came to play and really took it to us. i thought the refs played a more significant role than some of you may think. the calls were definitely one-sided in the beginning of the game and each time we made a run. it is very tough to win 5-8 on an opponent’s home court. it took a phenomenal performance by KL to do that at UO last year. and i don’t see DC having the toughness—physically or, especially mentally—to lead us to victory in a game like this. he’s just not that guy. i’m not saying he isn’t a great player or a good kid, i just don’t see the confidence.
i also think the coaching staff was a little off this year. yes, i know we lost 3 studs to the NBA and a my favorite BBW LMR. but the coaches didn’t seem to get as much out of our guys or do as good a job as they had in the past in preparing us for tough games or making changes at halftime when we were down.
obviously i’m really disappointed right now even though as i said i was not expecting us to go far. but i can’t help but believing we can win any game, especially in the tourney. so any loss would be painful. i wish the refs had been a complete non-factor in this game—it would have been easier for me to watch. i’d much rather yell at our guys than the refs. i love how CBH doesn’t flip out timmeh-style but i wouldn’t mind him letting the refs know that he is noticing the calls. but then again, he’s the coach, not me, and i trust him.
so lots of conflicting thoughts here—i guess i just needed to vent here. thanks for being here everyone.
Bruins Forever
Who's going to start at the 3?
I’m assuming that Holiday comes back; he can’t be thinking of going pro now, after his less-than-stellar regular season and tournament. So he’s one starter. Then Lee probably, because of his defensive ability. Then to get inside presence Gordon and Morgan have to start. Then who?
Drago
He will still start at either the 3 or 4 with Gordon at 5 if he is the 4. Honeycutt might be the 3 or MR.
by bruinponcho on Mar 21, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Donny Mac said it best...
in a nutshell, we got punked.
Maybe not his EXACT words… but the sentiment was there.
I hope Ben grows from this, and spends more time
recruiting kids who are athletically gifted, PLUS have
an “edge” or “big balls” to them.
Our BENCH should be FILLED with athletic types with big balls.
No more panzies! No mas getting PUNKED out the NCAA Tournament.
I hate losing LIKE THIS.
All of Ben’s final losses were a punking. None were close.
WORST REFS/BILAS FULL OF BILE
The first foul on DC when he had an easy layup should have been called intentional as the thug never went for the ball, just essentially tried to chest thump DC down. But that would be OK if the so-called refs called it the same for both teams.
THEY DID NOT. We were punished for ever ticky-tack foul, which is why Aboya had 3 in about 8 minutes while they consistently hammered, clubbed and tackled our players any time we hit the paint. This happened the entire game. It doesn’t matter if the total fouls were even. The message was clear to our players. We will let Nova play hard. You cannot.
Bilas defended this crap the whole game, although even he had to mention a couple of obvious, glaring no-calls. But then he would make up for that by somehow claiming we should have been called for a foul but weren’t. IT WAS TOTAL CRAP FOR HIM TO SAY NOVA HAD MEN AND WE WERE JUST BOYS. Every time our guys played like men they were punished for it.
It’s easy to play loosey-goosey on your home court when the refs are letting you club the other side. It’s wrong to say we never showed up to play. WE WERE NEVER ALLOWED TO.
Maybe Nova could have beaten us fair and square. WE WILL NEVER KNOW. THIS GAME WAS BS FROM THE FIRST PLAY TO THE LAST. THE NCAA SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
Revenge is a dish best served cold. Contrary to others, I think our team should be even better next year. We will regroup and come back big time.
GO BRUINS!
I didn't think they played dirty
I think the foul on DC was a good, hard foul and all game I wanted us to foul them like that. This is the NCAA Tournament. You don’t get anything easy in the paint in the tournament and we needed to play with the physicality that they did. Yeah, the refs were bad, but they had zero effect on the outcome. Villanova came in and played tougher, smarter, faster and just flat out better than we did.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Our mistake
was not immediately responding in kind on their next drive. That would have made the refs either allow both teams or force both teams to play tightly. When we didnt’ respond, that allowed the refs to call an “Even” number of fouls
Agree
The problem with that we arent that type of team and you cant make a team become dirty/tough overnight.
by bruinponcho on Mar 21, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Hang in there, Bruin fans.
I’m hurting and bitter and depressed and bruised and bloodied…
but we celebrate together and we also hurt together. At least we have this great place to cheer and cry over our school. Hang in there, Bruins. We’re not going anywhere. My MM is pretty much over. I always put UCLA going all the way, even if we were the 16th seed, so my brackets are over.
And on a side note, I don’t think I can ever like Jay Bilas after this game.
Used to like Bilas and thought he was smart
But he made some REALLY, REALLY DUMB comments today. Fuck him. Dukie piece of shit. Isn’t Bilas from LA? just bitter he didn’t get to go to the great UCLA :)
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