Don't Look Now: Ben Ball Wimps In Pac-12 Cellar
by Tydides on Dec 7, 2011 7:36 PM PST
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PrintThere has been a lot of talk about how the Pac-12 was weak this year based on some of the very early returns. After all, UA was looking particularly vulnerable, as was Cal after getting pasted by Missouri. I don't think our struggles need any further mention. That's the supposed "class" of the Pac-12 stinking it up on the hardwood, and it wasn't too much of a stretch to assume that the conference race would degenerate into a tickle fight.
Well a month into the season, and while Howland's ragtag bunch are saying goodbye to SI coverboy Reeves Nelson for a second time in two weeks, the rest of the conference is slowly pulling themselves together.
9-1 Stanford has already played Oklahoma State, NC St, and then #5 Syracuse, losing only to the Orangemen, but playing them tough in the Preseason NIT final. Then there's surprising 6-1 Oregon State, whose only loss is to then #22 Vanderbilt by a basket. Meanwhile, they were able to beat a familiar foe in Texas that wore down and punked our Bruins at "home" this past Saturday.
After that are the preseason favorites Cal and Arizona with 6 wins apiece. Cal's slate is admittedly unspectacular, but that's what we said about LMU and MTSU and we all know how that turned out. Arizona just dropped a tough game to #12 Florida at Florida in overtime. A loss is a loss for them, but does anyone think we would push the #12 team in the country to overtime in their gym right now?
Speaking of close calls, UW couldn't survive a late 3 and lost to #11 Marquette last night, but even at 4-3, it still seems like they have something to build on.
So here we are, sharing the conference cellar with fellow sub .500 teams ASU, Utah, and the Trogans, and even ASU has a "big" win over Wake Forest to show for the young season.
The revised wisdom has been we need to buckle down and focus on making a big run in conference. It doesn't look like that's going to be the cakewalk many had expected not even two weeks ago.
UCLA Basketball - Get Your S#*@ Together.
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.
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May be a bit premature...
But I hope DG’s successor was watching the Xavier v Butler game this evening. Mack or Stevens would look pretty good on the “new” Pauley sideline next year if BH doesn’t figure it out this year.
by Blue29 on Dec 7, 2011 9:21 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Dont think Stevens will come to UCLA
But there are other possibilities who can be good fit for us.
by Nestor on Dec 8, 2011 5:01 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
Stevens is a longshot, but wouldn’t this be the time to start establishing a relationship with him? I’m not suggesting that it needs to be overt, but enough to have something in place should BH’s tenure come to an end. And, it will be interesting to see how Stevens responds to failing to live up to the expectations he has placed on his program by the success he’s achieved the past two years. From all appearances, they’re looking at a down year and a possible NIT bid. He may be the Chris Petersen of college basketball, but this is the time to start working the back channels to facilitate communication (even if it’s rejected).
This is not to suggest that he’s the answer and BH needs to go immediately. More so, it’s an opportunity to think strategically and to begin to lay the groundwork for a potential coaching search. In other words, it’s an opportunity to do exactly what DG failed to do during RN’s last year. Time to be proactive and to have a network of potential candidates when the time comes.
And I know he didn’t build that program, but Mack’s got Xavier playing some pretty damn good ball. Moreover, he’s also got a top 50 recruit playing for him…at Xavier. That doesn’t happen too often.
There are a lot more names to target in a basketball search, of course, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start identifying them and informally expressing interest.
Anthony Grant
He’d be my pick. Made VCU consistently competitive in his first head coaching stint, and now has turned around Alabama. Plus he’s a relatively young guy (only 45), who has basically his entire career ahead of him. There’s also Tommy Amaker of Harvard, who was good at Seton Hall and is currently killing it at Harvard, and who I feel got a bad rap at Michigan for his teams not making the NCAAs.
Of course, knowing DG, we’re Tim Floyd waiting to happen.
We can't skip a step, guys
We can’t skip the “Replace Chianti Dan” step. I think that needs to be the action step, even more than getting a new football coach.
I am convinced that Chianti Dan will never hire anyone who has a stronger personality than his. He will never hire anyone who will not stay willingly under his thumb. So that means the next coach will be a no-talent, non-innovating plate of lukewarm mashed potatoes. He may already have been in place for a couple of weeks and no one could tell.
What specific things can I do right now to help end the Chianti Dan episode? I can’t think of anything, and I feel like I should be doing something.
by Fox 71 on Dec 8, 2011 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Expense reports?
We’ve thoroughly discussed his ridiculous salary. I’d like to see his expense reports. Trips to NY, Tuscany and who knows where else on his “coaching search”? Shouldn’t these be public record? I recall a pretty loud public outcry recently over $17 dollar muffins and $10 coffee. I’d be interested in seeing what DG is spending on the taxpayer’s dime. Of course, this may all be privately funded by donors. If so, disregard all the above.
by Blue29 on Dec 8, 2011 6:07 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
There would be plenty of volunteers to handle a lawsuit against Chianti Dan, but I can't think of a cause of action.
There must be a few plaintiff’s lawyers in the BN. I’m a defense lawyer, and my legal brain is not geared to that sort of creativity. There must be some basis to file suit. Once Dan’s depo is taken, he’ll resign.
Intentional infliction of emotional distress?
If not intentional, then negligent. What about interference with prospective economic advantage? All we need now is someone with standing to sue.
by Blue29 on Dec 8, 2011 8:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
If you were a trogan aluminum....
…with their stellar education, it would read:
It was the worst of times…
…it was the worser of times.
Ben has already semi-thrown in the towel...
…and that was before he suspended Reeves again, by saying that the Bruins would need to win the Pac-12 tourney to get a bid to the NCAAs. I get what he’s saying, being 1-6 (w/o counting the Div. 2 games) in pre-league games…I have never seen a UCLA coach this uninspiring and flat this early in the season…and I have lived through some rough years (including being a student in the Farmer years). If the coach isn’t upbeat going into league play, well, I can guarantee the players aren’t going to be either.
Yes, worst of times indeed.
I could see
them going to the tournament if they win the regular season Pac-12.
And then I remember which team we’re talking about.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
It was funny - in a sad way- to hear Vitale go on a 2 minute rant about UCLA
during the Nationally televised UW vs. Marquette game. He was especially unhappy w/ Reeves.
Over
You guys are actually lucky
UCLA may be irrelevant in football.
UCLA may have an inept Athletic Director.
UCLA may have an underperforming basketball team.
UCLA may have been embarrassed 50-0 by your hated rival.
UCLA may be a joke for bowling with a losing record.
UCLA may be a national laughingstock with regard to its coaching search.
UCLA may have embarrassed itself by losing to Loyola and Middle Tennessee (at home).
UCLA may be ridiculous for lagging behind a perennially bad USC basketball team in the standings.
UCLA may have embarrassed itself for shunning Mike Leach, a top tier coach who wanted to be in Westwood.
BUT……………………
At least you’re not the University of Utah hoops team.
Utah is, without question, THE worst D1 basketball team in the nation. I have season tickets to see Utah (football and basketball) and I witnessed the calamity that is the hoops team last night, as they got blown out by Cal-State Fullerton on their home floor.
I watched as that team had no fight, no fire, no heart, no confidence, no swagger, no guts, no talent, no strategy, no gumption, no coaching… no nothing.
It may be tolerable if Utah’s history in basketball was one of mediocrity, but considering the national POWER we used to be just a decade ago… it’s almost too nauseating to take.
So as bad as UCLA has embarrassed itself in its recent dysfunctions… at least you’re not the joke that is Utah hoops.
Don't worry
With the money coming in, Utah hoops will be decent again.
Besides…UCLA lost to Cal State Fullerton at home 2 years ago. Ok it was 2OT, but still…you are not alone.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I respectively disagree, but thanks, I guess.
Hail to the Hills of Westwood.
Wow.
I thought UCLA’s #238 of 345 per Sagarin’s D-1 rankings today was pretty bad – until I finally found Utah at #328. Of 345. Ouch. The next BCS-conference teams up the ladder are Boston College at 304 and…UCLA.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
Not to worry, Red
You get to play us, so your fortunes will improve. And we’ll still be stuck with all the things you mention.
ha ha ha
There is absolutely, positively NO WAY our team will beat UCLA on their home floor. The odds are much much longer than Colorado beating us at home, which were extremely long indeed. Lightning will not strike twice.
I’m calling it right now. UCLA will beat Utah by 30+ on January 26.
UCLA may be struggling in hoops right now, but the night they play Utah the Bruins will look every bit the power everyone thought they’d be this year.
I GUARANTEE that.
What home floor?
Pauley’s being “improved” so we’re playing at the Sports Arena, currently drawing maybe 1/3 capacity. There will probably be as many or more Utah fans willing to go watch as UCLA fans by that day.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
Mark Few, Mark Turgeron, Brad Stevens, Jay wright and/or Billy Donovan
Those are the games I would like see come to UCLA
by Trojanswearskirts on Dec 8, 2011 6:35 PM PST reply actions
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