Ben Ball Game Day Roundup: Coasting?

by Nestor on Mar 5, 2009 5:06 AM PST in Basketball Comment 18 comments

Bruins are going to take on another focused opponent today at Pauley who IMHO is perfectly capable at this point to pull off an upset (given the way we have suffered letdowns v. Arizona State and Washington State at Pauley). That is why I thought this comment from DC in today's Daily News was particularly alarming:

"I've been ready for the NCAAs since I came back," UCLA point guard Darren Collison said, referring to his decision to return for a senior season. "I wanted to skip the whole Pac-10 and the whole season, (and) just to go to the NCAA Tournament."

So as No. 20 UCLA prepares for tonight's tilt with Oregon State, the topic is not whether the second-place Bruins (22-7, 11-5 Pacific-10) can beat the improved Beavers (13-14, 7-9) and defeat last-place Oregon (8-20, 2-14) in Saturday's regular-season finale to possibly earn a share of the conference crown with Washington (22-7, 13-4).

And the discussion is not whether a rejuvenated UCLA, coming off a road sweep of Stanford and California, can win next week's Pac-10 Tournament.

Nope.

The players are talking about the NCAA Tournament, and stating it is vital to win the remaining games so they are seeded in an environmentally friendly arena.

From the press reports it sounds like instead of talking about Oregon State, DC has been thinking about the NCAA. From the LA Times:

While Palm [Jerry Palm] has them in Kansas City, Joe Lunardi of ESPN's "Bracketology" projects them as the East Region's No. 5, starting against 12th-seeded Miami in Boise, Idaho. Another northern site -- Portland, Ore. -- is possible.

"We'd rather play in Portland as opposed to Minnesota or any of those East Coast areas," Collison said. "It's just traveling. A lot of traveling results in fatigue and jet lag."

Well none of that is going to really matter if DC and his team-mates perform the same way tonight the way they coughed it up against Arizona State and Washington State. A loss against Oregon State will quash all the momentum they worked hard to get back last week.

So I don't think it is very smart either on DC or any other players part to take the bait from local reporters and get wrapped up in tourney talk, completely over looking an opponent like Oregon State. It doesn't make them appear as a group of leaders setting an example of a focused team. In fact, it almost make it sound like DC and others have been coasting through the entire season just to get to this point leading to those bad losses at home.

As for Oregon State, they are a bit weary after going through the grind of a Pac-10 season:

Point-center Roeland Schaftenaar, perhaps OSU's most important player, is playing huge minutes on a bad ankle.

Point guard Rickey Claitt has also piled on the minutes.

Same for Seth Tarver, the front man in OSU's trademark 1-3-1 zone that has befuddled so many opponents.

Clearly, Tarver wasn't as active in Sunday's 79-69 loss to Oregon at Mac Court, and Robinson said later, "I think Seth was just worn out.''

Yet those guys are coming into Pauley believing they can beat UCLA:

"We know what kind of players they are. We know how good they are. But we're a different team.'' ... Johnson said an upset win at UCLA would be "amazing. It would show how much we've changed.''

Said Seth Tarver, "we've just got to go out there and play, and not be star-struck or anything. Just go out there and do what we do.''

OSU gained some confidence from seeing WSU beat UCLA 82-81 at Pauley on Feb. 21. ... but Robinson said don't try the comparative scores game (OSU won at Wazzu), "because that never works.''

Still, the Cougars' ability to shock the Bruins in their own building gives the Beavers hope.

Well we all know how powerful the message of "hope" can be. Those guys will be a dangerous team particularly if our team is really busy thinking about NCAA seedings instead of worrying about the opponent at hand. I hope not and I don't think they will do that given Coach Howland is the head coach of our team. Still it makes me wonder a bit because I haven't seen those kinds of comments from "leaders" in charge of more recent edition of Ben Ball warriors.

We will see you about an hour before tip-off (7:30 pm PST). Hope to see a team that is determined, tenacious and ready to pounce and take apart Oregon State, instead of one that is coasting like the last time they came out on Pauley.

GO BRUINS.

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I see it a bit differently

The way I read that piece was that the players DO understand the importance of winning each and every game from here on out because of the implications for the seedings in the tourney. I think the point DC and JS were trying to make is that the big prize is the only prize and that the regular season is all in preparation for the post season. I know they weren’t talking about OSU (and that may seem like they’re not taking them seriously), but I think that just has more to do with the line of questioning and the article’s focus. I’m pretty sure coach has them locked in on the task at hand tonight. Assuming that, I have no problem with them looking forward and setting some goals for the near future.

by kballs on Mar 5, 2009 6:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think we need to give DC a little more credit than that. He is a senior who has been to three straight Final Fours…he understands the importance of not overlooking an oponent. I think what he meant is that we need to take care of business over the next two games to position ourselves well in the tourney, which is the absolute truth. I think kballs has it right…but I can understand why DC’s statements might seem out of character.

Go Bruins.

by hicalliber on Mar 5, 2009 8:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

I think it is as much MSM interpretive writing as it is DC and seniors understanding that the effect the next few games has on the team’s near future. I think it’s a little rough to say that they’ve been coasting through the year.

by v0nnegu7 on Mar 5, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is part of the intensity and leadership problem all year

This is a team that can be very, very good when it is “on”. It is a team that can be beat by anybody if they are cruising. Maybe last year’s team could cruise and win but not this year’s team.

The seniors on this team are focused on the NCAA tournament, whether we like it or not. There has never been a doubt that we were going to the dance. So they have not focused on coming out intense in every game (and realistically, it is virtually impossible to be “on” 25 times). I would suspect that the freshmen feel that from the seniors.

I hope the good news for tonight is that with the season winding down there is more focus on getting ready for the tourney and there will be more intensity.

PS I say this as an observation only. I, in fact, disagree with DC. As I have posted before I think how you do in the tourney is only one measure of the capabilities of a team. I take great pride in the fact that UCLA has won 3 straight PAC 10 championships.

by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 5, 2009 7:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I am afraid of Oregon State this year

They play a style similar to Washington State, and we all know what happened with them. They slow everything down, grind it out, and make you earn every point on every possession. It requires patience to beat them, and that is something that has been sorely lacking from the team this year (I blame youth and inexperience).

Hopefully our guys can go in there focused, patient, and ready for just this game. I too am a bit concerned that our guys are looking past this game, but it could just be the seniors emphasizing how important a high seed is.

by Rhapsode on Mar 5, 2009 7:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Way to Beat OSU

Is to get out ahead and force them to play from behind.

To do that, we have to play our tenacious D, create turnovers and fast break scores.

To do that, we have to rebound like crazy — give them only one shot, own the board, and with a good outlet pass, score.

To do that, we need to use our depth so that when they are forced to play from behind, we can wear them down.

If we do not come out of the gate focused and if we do not play like Barn Cats, we can easily lose this game. And, that would suck.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 5, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Questions & Answers

All these quotes are driven by questions. It’s not like some reporter asked D.C. about Oregon St., and he said, “I don’t want to talk about Oregon St., I want to talk about the NCAA Tournament.” And while it is nice every now and then when a player says, “stop asking questions about the NCAA’s, we are focused on OSU”, I don’t necessarily expect those kind of responses from college kids.

I think we will be ready, but I agree that no one can take this game lightly for even a second. This will be just as difficult a game as any.

Though I think the players aren’t looking past Oregon St., there is one reason why I think it is possible that they are. Particularly Shipp and Collison. Shipp & Collison have suffered through a good, but not great season so far, and I think that has been a little disappointing for them. [Shipp just yesterday referred to our potentially not winning the Pac-10 title as “messing up,” if I remember correctly]. Shipp and Collison wanted and expected more. At this point, however, regular season glory has just about slipped through their hands—so it is possible that in their minds, the only way to “cure” this season is to have an incredible run in the NCAAs. It is ridiculous to think that way, and I know this is contradicts my initial point above, but I think it could theoretically be driving some of their comments. I don’t know.

It’s up to Ben to keep us sharp—and for all the seniors—surely the last two games in Pauley should bring out the best.

Finally. Watching Kansas and Memphis this year I think explains some of the frustration we have seen aimed at our freshman. Of course, expectations were probably too high for our team, and without a doubt—every team is different. But looking at UCLA, Kansas and Memphis—it seems all three lost key talent from final four teams. But somehow, there is a perception that Kansas and Memphis’ young players are delivering more than that of UCLA this year. Fair or not, I think it puts some of the freshman criticism in perspective.

by rfirpo on Mar 5, 2009 7:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Memphis

Our freshmen would look great if they were playing a minor league conference. So to even bring up that comparison is a little ridiculous.

As for questions, senior by now should know to not take that bait. A leader like AA (or even a polished freshman like KL) wouldn’t. They would keep the focus on the next opponent.

by Nestor on Mar 5, 2009 9:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

KL

KL may have been a good speaker and good with the media, but I don’t feel that he deserves the title of “leader” like AA. He was a solid player on a team that was good before and after him and the media was quick to make him the face of the team last year, but please don’t compare him to a real Bruin and leader like AA.

by bruinponcho on Mar 5, 2009 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just A Side Note:

Kansas got ripped apart by Texas Tech last night; Bill Self described it as a game of HORSE for the Red Raiders, (ie., the Jayhawks virtually didn’t defend.)

The lesson: Teams with a lot of freshman can be inconsistent in big Div. I conferences. Only because Mizzou beat Oklahoma last night do the defending national champs still have a shot at winning their conference title outright.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 5, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

High Seed

I really don’t think the players really were just “coasting” all season wanting to get to the postseason. There are enough experienced players on this team to know that the best way to make a deep run in the tourny is through a high seed and playing as close to home as possible. And what is the best way to guarantee this scenario? By winning as many games as possible. So that just doesn’t quite make sense that they would take games off because they should know by now how important every game is.

by turs12 on Mar 5, 2009 10:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've felt this sentiment from DC all along...

He’s clearly stated that he has returned this year to win that elusive championship.
I just hope it hasn’t hampered the team from gradually developing throughout the season, and just bum-rushing into the tourney. I believe that the methodical, steady improvement that we’ve seen in CBH’s past teams was our real trump card in March.

I’m sure CBH understands this very well however, and is trying to impress the one-game-at-a-time mentality into our team. I love DC and all of our seniors, but I hope three straight Final Fours haven’t distorted their expectations.

by bruinbunz on Mar 5, 2009 10:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Respectfully disagree N

DC and JS have been two of the biggest reasons why UCLA basketball is UCLA basketball. These responses were to questions that were cherry picked to create an article and I really don’t have any problem with them stating them. The point of the regular season is to get you prepared for the post season. As we always say, we want to be peaking at the right time (i.e. the post-season) and CBH has always gotten that out of his teams.

I think JS hits this note in the same article when he talks about winning the upcoming games to put the team in a good position.

“We’re just trying to win these games. Where they put us, they put us, and hopefully we’re peaking at the right time and we’re able to make a run in the tournament.”

As far as DC wanting to go straight to the NCAA tournament, that stems from his desire to redeem himself and his team this year. If you were to ask Kobe the same question, I guarantee he would say his focus is on the NBA championship. That is just the way it is when you have been successful but haven’t achieved the ultimate success. You want it and lesser accomplishments don’t mean as much.

Finally, even if they were coasting, I think that the Cal game showed that they are locked in now and looking to make a strong statement this week and next to get that top 4 seed that they know is critical to being successful in the NCAA tournament.

by bruinponcho on Mar 5, 2009 10:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Actions, words and experience...

I don’t think any of us can get into these players’ heads to know for certain what they are thinking. However, it seems highly unlikely that guys who have learned from Coach Howland over the past 4-5 years could “coast” through the season or multiple games.

DC has given a strong effort throughout his career, but especially this year (increasing his FG percentage, FT percentage AND Tunover to Assist Ratio). While he may not have been a vocal leader, he has lead by his actions — as has PAA. So, i think we have consider their actions over the past 4-5 years, as well as this season, and assume that Howland’s lessons have sunk in.

With that said, there is some merit in DC’s words and I am heartened by the fact that he is so determined to make a splash in the tournament. In my opinion, the one thing we have lacked the last two years is “Senior Desperation” — that desire to leave it all on the court because every game could be the last in a UCLA uniform.

The 2005-2006 team was lead by sophomores, and DC made a sizable contribution, but I think it was the seniors (Bozeman and Hollins) who helped push them over the edge. After three plus miserable seasons those guys saw an opportunity, created by the underclassmen, and they picked up their game to unimaginable heights in the tournament. Who would have thought either had it in them?

The last couple of years, we’ve had some incredible talent, some real Ben Ball Warriors. However, there has always been the possibility of a return, another chance. AA, KL, RW and LRMAM played their hearts out, but may have lacked that extra sentimental motivation of a desperate senior who devoted 4-5 years in a UCLA jersey and cringes at the thought of taking it off for the last time.

I think DC, PAA and JS have that motivation, and we all know they have the ability to raise their game to another level. So, I think DC’s, PAA’s and JS’s actions over the last several years should put their words in perspective and their experience should put us all at ease heading into the tournament.

by andrewsm78 on Mar 5, 2009 1:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Very good point about the senior desperation.

by bruinponcho on Mar 5, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Missing the point guys...not a question of coasting

JS, DC and PAA are great Bruins. All 3 of these guys have exerted their will to win games for us.

But for this team to win they need to be playing their best. This team needs its intensity. I have posted before that they need offensive intensity to feed their defensive intensity and vice versa. Just who this team is (and as I said above a reflection they do not have an overwhelming talent advantage).

I think you are right bruinponcho, they appear locked in — just like they were in the big 4 games. I went to the 2 games in the Bay Area and they were both big wins in tough settings (Cal in particular was a hostile environment).

And we can expect them to be locked in Saturday (senior day — in fact we may have to worry about them being too amped up for seniors day), the PAC-10 tournament, and of course the tourney. That does worry me about tonight’s game but when we win that the intensity will crank up with each game going forward.

In the NCAA I think we will see something else. I truly believe the Pac10 is beginning to figure out CBH’s system. But we will be playing guys that have never seen it and will be overwhelmed by it. I submit to you the following projection: our opponents in the tourney will all shot less than 40% and all will say what they have said the last few years: “we missed even the open shots.”

But we can worry about the tourney starting Sunday March 15th. Beat the Beavers!

by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 5, 2009 1:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs