Bumped. - BN Eds.

I'm still recovering from being sick all of last week, so I'm going to keep the commentary short and get to bed quicker. The team built on the momentum from last week vs. UC Davis, and like that game, never let off the gas until the buzzer. Even in extended garbage time, when most of our players on the court had seen practically no PT up to now, despite the expected freshman mistakes they remained focused and maintained the killer instinct, which is how David Brown (who has a grand total of nine minutes on the season so far) managed four points on three minutes played.

Once I was willing to dismiss as a fluke, but this is the second game in a row that we have refused to play down to the competition and get comfortably arrogant with a large lead, and I see it as real progress. Does it have anything to do with the absence of Reeves? No idea, but this doesn't look like the same team that underestimated Middle Tennessee and LMU. As usual, click for big, full album link below each picture.

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI

Zeek slashes through two defenders. More after the jump!

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI

Josh Smith: return of the dunk.

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI

I'm sad that I didn't manage a better picture, but Norman Powell beasted it tonight, coming off the bench to lead the team with 19 points, including four made threes on six attempts.

From 20111220MBB vs. UCI