Center Court: UCLA Basketball (@ Washington State) Open Thread
by Nestor on Feb 18, 2010 5:00 PM PST
in Basketball
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PrintUCLA Bruins at Washington St. Cougars, Feb 18, 2010 5:30 PM PST
In about half an hour Bruins (11-13, 6-6) will look to snap a two game losing streak against Washington State (15-10, 5-8). Bruins have always had their ways against the Cougars as they have won 32 of the last 34 meetings, including the last 16 contests in Pullman, Wash. UCLA is 42-8 against the Cougars all-time in their gym. So the law of averages is going to be on the Cougars side tonight.
As for the Bruins, I am still sad about the news from JK (you can read the official UCLA release here). It was just two years ago when Keefe sacrificed his red-shirt season upon the request of his head coach and stepped in for Michael Roll. While everyone remember the monster game he had against Western Kentucky to put us in the Final-4, I also remember the huge role he played in two Pac-10 tournament games, when he had to step in for an injured LRMAM. JK is a consummate Ben Ball warrior, who always put the team above his individual interest and did everything in his ability to listen to his coach. It would be nice if his team-mates channeled his dedication and effort for the entire 40 minutes against Washington State.
There will be no Don MacLean tonight. Steve Physioc will be torturing is on FSN and FSW along with Miles Simon. You can read up on all of our musings leading up to this game here. If you want to follow the game online you can do so via our official site. As always, we will be here in the game threads with our rapid fire takes and commentary. So let's get this party started. Fire away.
GO BRUINS.
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Good Luck
For some reasons I feel lucky tonight. Go Bruins!
Is that on tape delay too?
I hear NBC is showing Tiger’s press conference tomorrow at 8 pm EST (tape delayed of course).
Hoping for a strong finish to the season
In the Final Four years, particularly the first, I really felt like we were playing our best ball at the end of the season; but last year that really wasn’t true. Interesting to see if we can build some momentum for the end of the season; or be the same inconsistent team we’ve been for a while; or fall apart.
Lurking thread, watching skating.
Got a sick wife, and that’s what she wants to see.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Interesting
RN starting in place of JK – not Lane as in previous game.
that last play was nice then
getting the hoop off a bad ND pass
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
back to man defense
zone letting two many open looks on the corners
wtf
why do we want Jrudas’s comments on playing at WSU??
Just talking about the WSU game
“It was crazy” and “I had never been up here before” “it was tough” etc etc
wow!
great steal from ML, coast to coast and dunk; missed the and-1
'great' design on our inbounds play
leads to a crappy dunk from WSU
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 5:52 PM PST up reply actions
Arron afflalo
Is absolutley D’ING up on Lebron right now and has 9 points
"We should have a banner up there: the only team to make the tournament without a coach." -- Baron Davis, remembering his "coach" at UCLA
by inhowlandwetrust on Feb 18, 2010 5:54 PM PST via mobile reply actions
ML was on the bench
JA, MR, TH, BL, JMM were on the court on that last play
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
Youngsters on the floor?
I hope they’re getting quality minutes.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Bobo was in and out
Lane didn’t get in until late but has been active.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 5:59 PM PST up reply actions
great play
Lane/Bobo deny inbounds pass, MR absurd double clutch on the medium-fast break
Nelson travel
and then stupid, stupid foul at the other end
Playing with a lead is boring
So let’s put Anderson in!
nice pass out of double team by Nelson
ball movement leads to open brick for ND
Great pass by Hamid on fast break
Rago brick and then got worked for an offensive rebound on the other end.
pass by Hamid after ND block, RN outlet pass to MAH
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
AA is the half time interview
Le Bron 9 points, AA 11…being credited with playing D on James.
Go Bruins!
He's leading all scorers in the game, and is shooting 5-6
LeBron was held to 2-9 shooting.
to my mind
that kind of block looks better than it actually is, keeping possession with the offensive team… I’ll temper the credit when he does something good but not great…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:10 PM PST up reply actions
RN offensive foul
trying to force his way through double team… no help from teammates
+1
Im in class right now, whats happening?
Nelson came down on a fast break
Threw it down and his head hit the court. Was bleeding around his eye (seemed like the one he hurt before … hope I am wrong).
I'm more worried about potential concussion
more susceptible to reinjury after recent trauma; less worries about blood
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:17 PM PST up reply actions
hope it's just a cut and not another concussion
Two concussions back to back spells major trouble.
Let’s just hope he’ll be alright, regardless if he can come back tonight.
On the bright side, as people have pointed out, he marched off court in a straight line and appeared frustrated, meaning he wasn’t immediately dazed.
yup
just like first half against $C, boxing out better than anyone else
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:20 PM PST up reply actions
He has learned something about playing interrior D
He just needs to get lot stronger and develop some confidence on the other end.
I can't work out what he is trying to be on the offensive end
Against $C he did a good job playing the screening center role a la LMR/PAA, but it’s not clear if he wants to be a long range shooter, a mid range jumper guy, or what.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
Guess Morgan will get some minutes
Keefe done for season, Nelson might be out for the game…
All right guys - let's play with composure and finish strong
and keep playing this D. Really proud of the first half effort especially for holding our composure when Wazzu closed within 2. Thank you Howland for coming back with Lane and Bobo in last few mins. Even if Bobo made couple mistakes … they held their own.
Bobo dribbles one off of his foot and he's out.
Should have left him in for the remainder of the half and keep Drago on the bench.
Bobo looks bad
Lane looks like a better player at center than Bobo does at the moment.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:26 PM PST up reply actions
right
JMM at 5 and BL for 4 is undoubtedly the more useful ‘playing for the future’ option.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
Next year
The competition at 4 is going to be between Lane and Nelson. If Bobo is around I think he will be backing up Smith (provided he sheds 35-40 pounds).
with 3 centers and RN probably playing 4
any chance BL splits minutes at the 3 and 4? Seems like CBH has more time for BL than MM…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
You know I am not a Bobo fan
But I think we gotta be patient. He didn’t look totally lost on D (and that’s a positive for me). With him in the lineup we made the run. Lane looked really good on defense in first half. He earned his mins.
I think we should get Bobo minutes in this game
and the way ND is playing tonight – not his usual fun against WSU – wouldn’t make it a bad option
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:30 PM PST up reply actions
40-26 Bruins at the half
As for RN it really looked like he left the court simply because he was bleeding…I’d b surprised if he wasn’t back in there in the 2nd half
"I don't forget very much" Rick Neuheisel, 11/28/09
by Blue Me on Feb 18, 2010 6:27 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I say let Bobo play anyway
He’s a big body and he needs time to get comfortable out there. He got fouled on that play anyway.
Go Bruins!
Oh so much for the theory we need Rago to be hot to win
Rago was only 1 for 5 in the first half and yet we had the best half of the season.
don't need him to be hot from outside
if MR and TH are both hitting
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:31 PM PST up reply actions
TH hasn't been consistent from outside yet
but if he is… look out.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:34 PM PST up reply actions
If TH finds his offense
this could be a very different team, and dangerous for the Pac 10 tourney. The team would not need Rago, and his minutes would drop. Hence, better chances to win.
Louisville, KY for UCLA class of '87
yup
if TH can help space the floor by being an outside threat, less need for ND as a theoretical outside threat… and a few more minutes with ND on the bench and BL playing as a more defensive 4.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
Getting the game in Tampa
Mrs. Fox 71 enjoys the Olympics, for reasons unclear to me. In any event, I get to watch sporadically, and when I’ve watched we looked pretty good. Maybe I should keep the Olympics on for mojo purposes.
The bad thing is that Mrs. Fox 71 insists on having the sound up, so I have to listen to the horrible announcers
And they’re all horrible, with figure skating announcers being the worst.
I take that back
I kind of like the curling announcers, eh?
I don't know tonight they've been quite fun to watch.
I like the young players with Roll.
Go Bruins!
Hey look
There is the guy who Gary Knight said was the greatest Mater Dei played he’d ever coached. For next year’s sake, I sure hope he was wrong.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
ML ANOTHER charge
sits with 3 fouls, JA returns
I couldn't tell
was he called for a foul on the first possession? Regardless, he’s put together a couple of good defensive sequences and had a nice play in the offense too.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:46 PM PST up reply actions
bobo's doin okay
rago’s meh. TH & MR are on fiyah!!
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 6:46 PM PST up reply actions
MR!
Triple teamed, tied up but knocks a man down :-)
Bobo
welcome to Westwood. Once we get you some time in the program, you look like you’re going to make a big impact
lol
amazing what happens when a kid gets plenty of coaching and doesn’t get extended minutes until he is ready for prime time :-P
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:51 PM PST up reply actions
Lane's not just getting Keefe minutes
he’s also keeping ND on the bench some.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:53 PM PST up reply actions
yup - exactly what a lot of us have been hoping for...
… someone from the bench to step up and play well enough to take away ND minutes
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
Lane was starting to get minutes the last couple games.
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 6:53 PM PST up reply actions
That is inaccurate
Until the game against Trogans, Lane had only played 5 mins in previous 6 games. Don’t make stuff up when coming over here.
Um
maybe I should re-phrase… I’d actually noticed Lane on the court the last couple of games…and what do you mean “when coming over here?”
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
We don't appreciate
People making uninformed comments here. You were trying to counter the point that Lane hasn’t been getting mins by offering up something that was not true and just based on your perception. If you want to participate in the discussion here you should read up and be a little more informed about our program. Thanks.
I do...
I’m pretty sure many others make comments based on perception, you included. A persons perception is their reality. I have read many articles on this site (even tried to contribute but had my “overly sunny” post deleted for some reason.) Despite my name, I AM A UCLA FAN. the broncs part is for the Denver Broncos. But, whatever. Thanks.
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
Uh
I sometimes offer my perception because I think I have built a decent body of work with citations which I base that perception on. You have no track record of contribution. Your previous comment was deleted because you attacked us. If you do it again you can stick to being a Broncos fan.
Attacked? Us?
I merely was offering my opinion that instead of attacking a team having a down year, we should support them. I’m sorry if you felt I was attacking y’all. I personally love the football posts and find them quite an enjoyable read, but found the Basketball posts very cynical. Anyway, I’m going back to enjoying this victory. I look forward to further posts.
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
You were whining about what we write
And were lecturing us. You don’t pay us and you are certainly not entitled to get spoonfed what you want to read. So don’t lecture us again.
...sigh.
That’s why I just wanted to offer a counter to what I was regularly reading. That’s fine though, you win. I won’t offer any more opinions. I’ll leave it up to the professionals in the community.
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
It wasn't a single post, it was a series of them.
But I’ll try and step my writing game up a lot more in the future. BTW, good banter. This was fun. Go Bruins!
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
Drago out
Funny how much better we play when he isn’t around
Lane playing well tonight
notwithstanding that TO
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
Even worse attempt
at defense to make up for it.
by LavinRuinedCollege on Feb 18, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
meh
he’s playing good defense for the most part
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed
But SOME effort to block the shot would’ve been nice.
by LavinRuinedCollege on Feb 18, 2010 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
freshman mistake from Lane
He will correct that.
BTW Miles Simon has really done his homework. Total control over our stats. I am impressed.
for those who watch hockey
switzerland vs canada shootout
he's always been good at blocking shots
he’s just never gotten the play time
interesting
that we do not appear to be missing RN at all.
Nelson is the man when it comes to aggression on offense
But Lane appears to be very disciplined down low.
Nelson is very much like PAA
Perfect scenario: he comes in and gives a solid 15-20 minutes per game as a PF, firing up the team and the crowd while commanding respect and instilling fear in his opponent. Though, like Aboya, he has flaws that may or may not improve over his four years here.
He’s a starter this year, but ideally he’d be a great contributor in the front court.
They seem pretty different
PAA is a strong athletic defender with limited moves; RN is less athletic and has a refined set of post moves.
I don’t think RN is like any guy we’ve had in CBH’s tenure.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:08 PM PST up reply actions
hmm makes sense
that the zone works better without him then. But who is more athletic? RN kind of reminds me of a pure rebounder.
Lane blocks out a lot better than RN
and Bobo is just bigger.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
lol
so saying … called for a foul on the block out
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:05 PM PST up reply actions
What about the assist on Roll's GW at Cal?
To have his pass purposely deflected by a Cal defender and go straight to Roll. Can’t beat that.
by LavinRuinedCollege on Feb 18, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
JA is much better
when he doesn’t have to think.
great to see a guy
improve over a season of practices, despite a lack of game time. Has shown more today than in any of his scattered minutes early in the season. If he and Bobo can contribute consistently the rest of the way I think we could be dangerous in the Pac-10 tourney.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Cinsidering the way the Pac-10 is this season,
I would have to agree. I just wonder if they can do this in back to back games.
I thought he did all right
When he came in against Stanford (at Maples) and against Oregon State (at Corvallis). At Maples Bruins made a run with him on the court. At Corvallis Bruins sustained a run. He kept playing solid D, just tentative on offense as freshmen often tend to be when they get quick hook. But the potential especially in this zone defense has already been there. Lost opportunity. Oh well … hopefully for next season.
currently he is playing
like JK, without giving up so many fouls…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
yup
I don’t want to appear to be too negative on RN, but RN has 6 assists all season; Bobo has at least 2 tonight that I remember
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
bobo learning the game
this year, when he’s been on the bench, i’ve noticed he’s been paying a lot more attention to what’s going on in the game
hopefully this is a sign he’s learning more from the game and given how raw he is, this can only be helpful
Imagine if Bobo was the 5 and RN the 4.
that would be nasty and make Drago the roll player he really seems to be.
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
to me, the key to being able to play RN at the 4
is for someone other than MR to knock down outside shots. ML and JA have failed at it all season, ND has been up and down; TH looks like he might be the man
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
bobo in the center of the zone
looks pretty good… his size and shot blocking has altered a few shots from WSU in the paint this game already
no words
can describe that.
Somebody please find a vid clip of that ‘attempt’ and let us all ridicule it relentlessly here on BN. please.
DRAGOVICH
Only during a blowout could I laugh this hard at a player of ours failing like that.
Lane/Bobo/Rago - TONIGHT
Again I wonder exactly why didn’t Lane get more mins over this clown all season?
prevent other teams from advance scouting Lane and Bobo
secret weapons for Pac-10 tourney and March Madness…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
Missed the beginning ...
Holy cow – did RN think he had to get injured on the OTHER eye in the same season? At least he’s still smiling, thank God. :)
Trying to boost his scary factor for the rest of his career.
Kinda like Tyler Hansborough after he got smacked and satarted bleeding all over like Tyler Durden. “YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE I’VE BEEN LOU!!!!”
by SoCalBroncsFan on Feb 18, 2010 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
hope our guys remember to condition
this ought to be proof of why they need to get stronger
Wish I could feel good about this W
But I really think we are just playing a team more hapless than us. Will see what happens Sat in Seattle.
"I don't forget very much" Rick Neuheisel, 11/28/09
by Blue Me on Feb 18, 2010 7:24 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I am actually feeling very good about this
We are going to lose in Seattle but that is not going to damp the satisfaction from this win for me. This was a great team performance.
agreed
but we made a hapless Oregon team look good earlier in the season
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
Intense foul on ML
nice dish from JA though, good to see him having a decent game.
ML
wearing Nike tights underneath shorts…I don’t think adidas will be too happy about that, lol.
by LavinRuinedCollege on Feb 18, 2010 7:25 PM PST reply actions
just hauled in a rebound and scored on a layup
Macleaning it
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
I totally forgot MR was a UCSB commit.
That was ages ago!
almost an insult
gotta think that in an 18 point blowout with two guys down, he could have had some time, if CBH thought he deserved a runout…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
thanks for breaking your silence
with Bobo contributing and you not commenting on it I thought you might be dead…
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:31 PM PST up reply actions
Celtics against who?
There is no pro basketball team in LA. There is Freddo Corleone, who plays at the Staples Center occasionally, but he is dead to me.
And we won the rebounding battle
though just barely. Our 66% performance from the field did limit WSU’s opportunities.
formerly bruinhoo
Someone up thread was saying RN was unique to Ben Ball
He is unique but I see a lot of LMR’s qualities in him.
Incredible toughness — remember how many times LMR got hurt and played with hurt?
RN is very much that way.
sjh
absolutely
(it was my comment above)
He’s definitely tough. I was talking more about his style – we have had just one PF/Center with a range post moves in the last 5 years – Kevin Love. We’ve played shooters at the 4 (the good: DT; the bad: ND) and defensive battlers like LRMAM, PAA some, JK some. Most of our centers haven’t been guys you want to feed and let work, more like guys you want to set up for dunks and alley-oops.
If RN plays the 4 next year it’ll be interesting to see how CBH works him into the offense
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:42 PM PST up reply actions
Bobo played 21 minutes tonight, and Lane 14
just 2 points for Bobo, but contributed 3 boards, assists, and blocks. Lane also finished with 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
formerly bruinhoo
Bobo 3 blocks and 2 assists
Smart passes.
We have needed that inside out game.
I want to see Bobo at 5 and RN at 4 for significant minutes in a game.
sjh
not a lot of space then...
they both do their best work close to the basket, so you need other people to be drawing defenders away from the basket… or RN needs to show more of a midrange game.
If we have a lineup where ML is threatening to penetrate and MR and TH are both hitting their outside shots, I think Bobo/RN could coexist.
by britishbruin on Feb 18, 2010 7:46 PM PST up reply actions
Nice win
I didn’t jinx it, even though I watched it. I figured a non-Bennett coached Wazzou team would be too inept to overcome whatever negative mojo I brought. I thought we looked pretty good on offense – a lot of guys cutting to the basket and actually getting passes in a position they could handle. And of course Nelson finishes the game looking like he went 12 rounds with Sugar Ray Robinson. Remember Chuck Wepner’s nickname? I think it’s about time to name Nelson the “Big Country Bleeder” except he’s no tomato can.
Next Game's Line-up?
How about Bobo at center, RN and TH at forwards, and MR and JA at guards. ML will be the sixth man.
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