Arizona Thoughts: Small Slivers of Hope, But Way Too Many Questions
by DCBruins on Mar 4, 2010 5:15 AM PST
Email
PrintBumped. GO BRUINS. -N
There are some reason for optimism for the Arizona game tonight.
1. The first Arizona game was the last time we did not play primarily zone defense for a game and the only PAC 10 game we did so. The lack of zone definitely hurt that game. It also showed why we could never play M2M primarily again. For we lost to Arizona despite accomplishing our number one defensive goal: ML completely shut down Arizona's then leader Nick Wise. However, JA got burned so bad by Kyle Fogg, that Fogg set his career high of 25 points almost 2 and 1/2 times his season average. As a result, we never played M2M as a primary defense again.
So Arizona has not seen our zone yet and maybe that will help in this game.
2. First game of the weekend twofer in the PAC-10 has been very good to us. We have lost just one time, in overtime to Oregon, on the first game of a two game series in the PAC 10 this season (6-1 overall). That includes beating first place CAL on the road and second place ASU. This proves that the sleepless CBH can still conjure up a good game plan with some time to think (of course, forgetting the $C debacles.)
Also, Arizona may not be the worst match up for us. They have lost twice to the least athletic teams in the conference, WSU and ORST, the only two teams UCLA has beat twice in PAC 10 play this year. This is not an athletic UCLA squad either and maybe this argues for playing a MAH more.
3. TH. TH is becoming amazing. Something no one commented on that I have seen is that in the OR game TH led the team with a UCLA season high 9 assists. (Maybe he was being too unselfish as he only shot 4 times.) The game before that he had the UCLA season high in block shots with 5! In our long glorious history, how many players have done that in back to back games? Even the most pessimistic UCLA fan must admit that TH has been a joy to watch develop this year. Don Maclean calls him the toolbox because he can do it all and it is truly deserved nickname.
The good news is TH can do it all, the bad news is he may have to for us to win. More after the jump.
For in this long difficult season, there are always reasons to be pessimistic about any game, a few of the current problems.
1. PG follies. The problem with ML at point guard was shown this weekend in a positive way and maybe, just maybe, a good sign for the future as well. ML was moved back to his natural 2 guard position and he played well:
"What I noticed is my mind-set is different when I'm at [shooting guard]," Lee said. "I don't know why."
Lee believes he undergoes a personality change when running the team as point guard.
"I think subconsciously I become more passive," Lee said. "When someone else runs the team, my instincts are better."
Part of the reason for being passive is obvious and proven statistically. If ML is the PG he will have to make 4 or less TOs for us to win as we have lost every PAC 10 game in which he has made more than 4 TOs. He becomes passive as point to not make turnovers. But if not ML at point, the who?
There may be an answer for next year on that question. One of the top high school point guards, Ray McCallum has UCLA on his final four list and has stated:
"I want to be in as a freshman and make an impact, not be a role player or a team guy. I want to make my name known as a freshman."
Well, Ray, if you are as good as they say, you can be UCLA's starting PG next year and make a big difference right away.
2. What is going on behind the scenes? First CBH calls out JA for not working hard in the off season then Bobo Morgan gets suspended. Is the team coming apart? Two ugly losses this trip leave the possibility of UCLA being in the play in game next weekend for the PAC 10 Tourney.
3. The position of doom, UCLA Center. Gordon transfers, RN hurts both eyes, JK has a season ending shoulder injury, BL sprains his ankle, Bobo gets suspended, ND turns his ankle stepping on a ball and hurts his shoulder in his two games as starting 5, etc. CBH I am begging you please do not ever play TH at center as we can't afford to lose him!
And now after all this the answer may be to play BL more. CBH has admitted:
against Oregon, Lane made all four of his shots, finishing with eight points and five rebounds in 23 minutes on a sprained left ankle.
"Brendan, in retrospect, should have played more minutes" this season, Howland said this week. "He did a great job on a sprained ankle. He tries hard. He makes mistakes, but when the mistakes are from trying hard, you can't fault the kid."
There is a lot to think about and unfortunately way too many questions for a UCLA team this close to the end of the season. CBH said his goal for this team was a winning season. That seems highly unlikely but it is all but impossible without winning the game tonight.
At a minimum, CBH needs to show some of that Thursday magic and make sure his team plays hard.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
30 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Well
At least you tried to find the silver linings. We can all appreciate that. I think for us to have a shot tonight Honeycutt will have to be huge. The question I have is whether we can keep him fresh for the entire game. I would think Howland will keep Rag’s minutes in high teens with heavy mins for Lane and some for Moser but I am not hopeful. Great effort DC.
There are a lot questions on minutes
How many minutes can RN physically play tonight, after being so limited this week. CBH will have to be the judge and watch carefully because we all know that RN will have to be dead to come out on his own.
If ND starts cold and\or is limited physically, how much, if at all will, CBH cut his minutes? In the first AZ game a lot of BNers thought ND had the best game of anyone on our team. However, it has been a while since he has played as well as he did AZ weekend.
Will MAH get any minutes at Point? Will JA be point again at the key times?
And yes, BL should set another season high in minutes, the biggest question is who will he be playing for. My hope is that he is the backup frontline player, playing for RN, ND, and TH. (When TH is out, as little as possible barring fouls, hopefully ND slides to 3.) And yes, barring ND catching fire, I think coach needs to make a statement and play BL more minutes than ND. It is a reward for the player who is going all out.
our minutes are a challenge
as much because our three best players – TH, MR and ML – can’t all play their natural/preferred positions at the same time. I would imagine RN and BL will cover all the minutes at center, with BL possibly playing some PF for ND (and maybe TH playing some PF in a small lineup). I doubt BL gets more mins than ND, if only because he is going to be expending a lot of energy battling at the 5, and is likely to give up a few fouls in the process. I don’t see ND sliding to the 3 – seems more likely that MR or ML slides to the 3 if TH is out.
JA will likely be at the point any time one of TH, MR and ML is not on the court, and could get minutes even with the three of them and RN.
You are right and good point on the 3 best players
Like your point on our three best players playing out of position. It is a good one. Even RN is out of position at 5. Lack of a point guard causes a cascade of problems.
I am a advocate of playing your best 7 or 8 and CBH has done this at times this year with a caveat I do not think JA belongs in that group right now. He will more likely give MR minutes at three.
Too many minutes for BL or RN could lead to foul trouble as well. On ND, you are right. I hope if CBH uses him a lot and he is hurting that he goes down low more. He is a decent post player and passer. Especially when RN is out.
The key to a road win for this team is all on the defense
The thing that gets home teams going has alot to do with the energy in the building. Keep control of the tempo, play aggressive lock down defense and prevent fast break buckets and even this UCLA team wins. That is what keeps the crowd out of it. Arizona, as you have pointed out essentially, is a mediocre team at best. Very beatable. How is it, that usually the Thursday game is the weaker of the two opponents? Is that what keeps the Thursday CBH record so strong or is the extra preparation during the week?
maybe lack of genuine depth?
when your starters are battling injuries and having to play 30+ minutes every Thursday, I reckon they may be worn down by Saturday. We give ridiculous minutes to the triumvirate of MR, ML and ND.
Nope, depth is not the issue
I have not seen our guys look tired in the second game.
However, compare this last weekend. We had a unique game plan for Thursday, MR effectively as point. For Saturday, we did not have any special plan. We did go M2M some but it did not seem organized. Maybe I am missing something but it is obvious we had a very special plan for Thursday (MR effectively as point) and nothing special for Saturday.
Have to disagree DC
to me depth did seem like an issue against Oregon the road when our players look tired. Also, keeping guys like Honeycutt out of foul trouble is also an issue. We lose our punch if we get someone like Honeycutt in foul trouble early. Smart teams should know that by now.
Makes me wonder
We play Zone D. How are our guys getting so tired? Don’t remember AA, JF, DC getting so winded that they got in foul trouble while playing M2M. Makes me wonder if TH is getting a little block happy. Also he tries to force guys out on the baseline. Bad habit.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Mar 4, 2010 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
+1
I agree the zone let’s you rest and our guys should not get tired. Usually tired shooters miss more jump shots and FTs. Two of our biggest minute players have not been effected this way. MR has not missed jump shots late in games and has been clutch. Also, cringe, ND, has been good at FTs late. I think they would not do as well if they were tired. (And, I agree Nestor, ND should play less minutes.)
TH is an issue on fouls but not worried about tired
I agree that TH minutes should be managed with fouls in mind. We have to have him on the floor in the second half.
We play zone defense which let’s are guys rest. I don’t think they are tired. In the OR game we made a comeback to tie and force it to OT. We disagree on that game as I thought it was the last home game at McArthur that made the difference.
Also, I am worried about RN’s stamina. But that is special to tonight because of his inability to work out much because of his eye.
Important to note
That TH did not have a full season of conditioning due to injury.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Mar 4, 2010 9:45 AM PST up reply actions
Good point but I THINK he is recoved now
Early on that made a difference, now I am not so sure. I think his biggest minutes worries are fouls. Nestor is right, we need him on the floor in the second half and his first half minutes need to be managed with that in mine.
Agreed.
Thinking about the way CBH has had to manage games this year compared to previous years as well. Previous years CBH would call timeouts right before TV timeouts would come to give his 30+ guys an extended breather. This year he has had to call timeouts to stop teams momentum usually happens in the first half leaving 1 or 2 timeouts in the second.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Mar 4, 2010 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
I am not necessarily talking about being unable to run up and down
but being fatigued could make you a split-second slower (in the body or in the head), without necessarily looking visibly exhausted. Just a theory though.
by britishbruin on Mar 4, 2010 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
That is hard to judge but again
one objective standard is shooting at the end, especially FTs and jumpers. (Although FTs can be tricky because people can choke.) MR has hit his outside shots at the end of the game and ND has hit his FTs. I have not seen us look tired at the end but it is not a bad theory, just one I don’t think works.
but doesn't it seem like a pattern that we can start fast
but then collapse; or that we are in a close game and then can’t finish at the end?
Sounds like the sort of thing we ought to be able to analyze with data… but I haven’t given it enough thought.
by britishbruin on Mar 4, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
Players make a difference and skew the data
1. TH. When he is off the floor we are big time minus. So if he gets foul trouble or fouls out it skews things.
2. I could check the end of games but there are a lot of variables like playing JA who killed us the last game at the end but was definitely not tired.
They switch the Thursday games
We play everyone once on Thursday. Thus if we play CAL on Thursday on the road we will play them Saturday at home. Thus it is not a weaker team thing, (Of course TV changes things and we actual played CAL on Weds but the point is still correct.)
I think it is the extra preparation that makes the difference but it is just my opinion.
BL 4-4 and "he makes mistakes"?
… must be on the defensive end, right? I mean CBH is the type to sit a player even if they’re playing out of their minds on offense but slips up defensively… right?
I think he was talking in general
BL has looked raw at times this year. $C he made some kind of ugly plays for example. But, BL effort has never been in question. It is good to have a guy like that play, especially now with the injuries.
Nice read DC
Sucks to be hoping for small signs of life from our BBall program. ML needs to stop thinking so darn much and just play!
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Thanks and on ML
I have always liked him but I think you are right, he needs to stop thinking so much and just focus. Whether it is his tweets, his NBA chances, his late game cramps, etc. He is a good player who has shown potential to do more, but he needs to focus on playing and getting better.
McCallum quote
He definitely sounds competitive and driven which is good, but the quote worries me a little bit. He does not want to be “a role player or a team guy.” On his jersey, what name does he play for? The one on the front or the one on the back? Many people have brought up traits to look for in recruits and those to avoid. Competitive and driven. Good. Focus on self, making a name, biding time until the draft. Maybe not so good.
Moot concern
The chances of him coming here is as good as Holiday playing in his second season at UCLA.
Why?
I know he is not going to Detroit. That is just for his Dad because he is the coach. He wants to be on TV. FL has a sophomore PG right now. AZ would seem to be the competition in that WIse is leaving this year. UCLA also seems like a good fit for a play now be on TV a lot kid.
Not saying you’re wrong. Just asking why besides your lack of faith in the assistants.
Not because of lack of faith in our assistants
From what I have read it seems all but certain that he is going to play for his Dad. He has already lavished praised on Arizona as “point guard U” which goes to show how much he has actually read up or care for UCLA’s recent NBA success. I haven’t sensed any confidence on the part of UCLA staff about him. I will be shocked if he ends up being a Bruin.
That would be a shame, for him
if he plays for his Dad. He will always have his Dad’s advice and coaching but by going somewhere else, he could learn some new things.
I seem to remember having heard this before where the kid has talked up his Dad’s lesser team to help his Dad recruit, raise the School’s name ID, etc but they usually don’t go to the school. Hmm, you’re probably right.
Yeah that not wanting to be a "team guy" gave me pause as well
However, I think in the context it meant he wanted to be a leader, not just another player on the team or role player.
I'm afraid of that too
While it is an improvement over “biding time until the draft,” I think the last thing we need right now is another arrogant player who thinks he can dictate what he does and doesn’t do. Drive is good, arrogance ruins programs, and I’m still unsure of which McCallum has.
by b d on Mar 4, 2010 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
