Center Court: Ben Ball Open Game (Youngstown St) Thread

by Nestor on Nov 12, 2007 5:00 PM PST in Basketball

Well, so many of you lucky BNers from Southern California have already gotten your up close look at the 2007-08 edition of our Ben Ball warriors. Tonight it is everyones' turn on BN (well, everyone who is fortunate to have basic cable, I guess). The Ben Ball warriors take on the Penguins from Youngstown State tonight in the CBE Classic's first round game at Pauley. If the Bruins can get by the Penguins tonight, they get to take on the winner of Cal State San Bernardino/Weber St (Coach Howland's alma mater) tomorrow night at Pauley.

So AA2 (for the new readers on BN: AA2 is of course Alfredo Aboya; the initials AA has been "retired" on BN in tribute to a certain original Ben Ball warrior), KL and rest of their teammates make their national TV debut tonight on ESPN 2. That means we get to see lot of this:

Photo credit: Jack Rosenfeld

Intense, inside the jersey, suffocating Ben Ball DEFENSE. Oh I am sure we will get to lot of offense. To check out more great shots from Jack of our Ben Ball warriors click on "Read More" below.

The tip off is set for 8:00 pm PST. You can follow or watch the game by going to this link in the official site. Yes, the game is on National TV (ESPN2). We discussed the game and a certain someone who will be part of the WWL broadcasting team in our Ben Ball game day roundup post here.

Once again if you bleed blue and gold this is your online bar to hang out, chit chat, and celebrate Ben Ball.

The BN center court is all yours. Fire away.

GO BRUINS.

Three more shots courtesy of Jack Rosenfeld. First up, K Love charging to the rim:

Then we have Luuuuuuc trying to glide to the bucket:

And then we will end with a shot of Russell climbing the stairs to lay it in:

Many thanks again to Jack Rosenfeld for sharing those shots with the Nation. We are looking forward to many more. GO BRUINS.

Tweet Comment 100 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Syracuse is struggling

against Siena. They're up only 6 with 3 minutes to go at home.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 12, 2007 5:49 PM PST reply actions

Syracuse pulls it out

and win it 97-89.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 12, 2007 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

Howland and his warriors

were on ESPN "All Access" today on Sports Center.

Very nice segment.

"If I don't do my job, I will get fired" -Karl Dorrell

by godblesstyus95 on Nov 12, 2007 6:09 PM PST reply actions

It's on the

ESPN Men's basketball homepage now.

by captain mightykite on Nov 12, 2007 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

I'll just link it here :)

by tsunugundam on Nov 12, 2007 7:01 PM PST up reply actions

thank you for that

what a great coach

by stephons on Nov 12, 2007 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

Thank you

for the post.

Very good stuff.

by Barnes2JJ on Nov 12, 2007 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

Wow

The anti-CTS. He's everything you want in a coach. We might get beat. It's far more likely than not that someone (or some two) will beat us this year. But I cannot conceive of a loss like Utah or Notre Dame. We will not get out coached. We will not fail to make adjustments. We might run out of time once or twice, but that's the way big time basketball is.

He's just the best. He sees the entire book from the first chapter to the last all at the same time.

by Fox 71 on Nov 12, 2007 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

pregame segment on ESPN2 now

sadly, just showed the lavinoma in a crown of smiling Den members:( Seriously guys, I'm all for treating him with some respect, if only because Coach is in the building and would expect nothing less, but don't sell out like that for a couple seconds TV time.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 7:48 PM PST reply actions

Wisconsin-Green Bay appears to have kept it close

@ Ohio State. 91-81 with 3 minutes remaining.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 7:49 PM PST reply actions

never mind

I mistook a 6 for an 8 on my TV. Should have been 61-91. my bad.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

Excelent pictures, btw

nice job Jack.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 7:55 PM PST reply actions

Bruins on TV in Tampa!

If CHP is the announcer, then the game will be announcer-free. I can't imagine that there would be anything he has to say that I would want to hear, other than a full confession.

by Fox 71 on Nov 12, 2007 7:57 PM PST reply actions

1st game of the doubleheader

CSU-San Bernadino defeated Weber State 71-59, and will play the winner of this game tomorrow night.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:01 PM PST reply actions

Lavin ...

what a tool

We're marching on to victory to conquer all the rest ...

by MichiBruin on Nov 12, 2007 8:06 PM PST reply actions

Good God

Get Steve off the screen. This game is going to be painful to listen to.

by CAJason80 on Nov 12, 2007 8:06 PM PST reply actions

Lacin

I always liked Lavin's style, if not his coaching ability. Plus my daughter's Godparents know his dad.

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Penguins?

Um...did they just take the lead?

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Um nope.

apparantly not.

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:14 PM PST reply actions

Westbrook...

Westbrook sucks at point. He's not driving just standing there and waiting to pass to someone. I hope Collison is back quickly.

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:15 PM PST reply actions

Lavin

Glad to see Lavin spending his annoucing salary on those paper self-portraits the students in the den are waving around

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:18 PM PST reply actions

Mata with teh dunk!

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:19 PM PST reply actions

Dragovich

With the tres!

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:20 PM PST reply actions

Dragovic with the 3

15-7 UCLA, 13:18 remaining

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:20 PM PST reply actions

I look forward...

... to listening to Karl Dorrell in the ABC booth commenting on how Chris Petersen is leading a superb UCLA team to a BCS bowl.

What exactly pray tell, could Lavin possibly contribute here? Does he even know what a pick is?

by DK2001 on Nov 12, 2007 8:22 PM PST reply actions

Mata-Real looks great

He's just got a great feel for the game and such good hands. It's been amazing to watch his development over the years.

by MbahABako on Nov 12, 2007 8:22 PM PST reply actions

Mata-Real looking good off the bench

putback Love's airball.

17-11, 12 minutes left in the half

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:22 PM PST reply actions

Mata-Real with the hook

And with a great bank hook

by MbahABako on Nov 12, 2007 8:23 PM PST reply actions

We look ok, not great.

Good thing we aren't playing a very good team.

But Mata looks damn good.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:23 PM PST reply actions

Mata-Real

with a nice hookshot. 3-3fg 6pts

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:23 PM PST reply actions

Contributions

Gotta love how the play by play is up the second here :)

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:24 PM PST reply actions

Play Abdul-Hamid at PG

Westbrook does not understand how to run point. He's not a passer.

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:24 PM PST reply actions

learning

He's learning and growing... at least under this coach we know that actually means something.

Seriously though - its been said here before - Westbrook has the talent - and these minutes he gets now are going to pay dividends later coming off the bench to give Collison a breather.

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:26 PM PST up reply actions

Very true

Mnutes now will help later. Look at our first Final four team with Farmar. no way we make it that far if not for all of the injuries earlier that season.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:28 PM PST up reply actions

Looks like Howland is

Good call.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 PM PST up reply actions

Abdul-Hamid in for Westbrook

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 PM PST reply actions

Mata looks much improved...

...from last year. Much more finesse both on his shot and on the boards. Imagine that, a player improving from year to year. Possibly with help from a coach?

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 PM PST reply actions

Love with the 3 point play

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 PM PST reply actions

Bigs

Love this team with Mata-Real AND Love on the floor at the same time.

But WHY aren't they pounding the paint with both of them though?

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:28 PM PST reply actions

Beautiful pass by Shipp

Bruins by 12

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:29 PM PST reply actions

Midway through the half, 23-12 UCLA

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:30 PM PST reply actions

westbrook can play d

still working pg on offense, but he's killing them on d

by stephons on Nov 12, 2007 8:31 PM PST reply actions

Shipp, too.

Last year, he would have gone up with a bad shot and possibly a charge, instead of laying it off for a teammate.

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 8:32 PM PST reply actions

walkon

nice that it went to a walkon who was able to connect with some points too.

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

Nice steal by Westbrook.

I like it.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:32 PM PST reply actions

Holy shit

Bill Walton is a weirdo.

by SpaceMonkey on Nov 12, 2007 8:36 PM PST reply actions

Way to go Bill! :)

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:36 PM PST reply actions

Wow, Walton is excited

I don't like him much as an announcer, but love him as a Bruin.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:36 PM PST reply actions

But WHY aren't they pounding the paint with both?

Cause without Collison we don't have a PG that can get the ball inside.

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:36 PM PST reply actions

Name some Walton phrases:

I'll start with
Throw it down, big man!
or
"Coach Wooden once told me..."

by SpaceMonkey on Nov 12, 2007 8:37 PM PST reply actions

Walton

"A veritable plethora of..."

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

at least

he doesn't describe athletes as "athletic." That always bugs me.

by doublebonus on Nov 12, 2007 10:31 PM PST up reply actions

Mata is a rebounding machine...

It is really a beautiful thing.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:37 PM PST reply actions

MATA MATA MATA!!!

HE is the man tonight!

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:39 PM PST reply actions

OMG I love MATA!!!

That is all.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:39 PM PST reply actions

mata dunk

now 4-4fg 8pts

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 8:39 PM PST reply actions

Since he's going with the hyphen this year...

Is it still LoMa or LoMaRe now?

by SpaceMonkey on Nov 12, 2007 8:39 PM PST reply actions

Mata

9 points
8 rebounds

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:43 PM PST reply actions

PASS THE BALL INSIDE!

Stop passing along the 3pt line, idiots....

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:43 PM PST reply actions

looking a bit sloppy tonight

Mata lookin great though

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:45 PM PST reply actions

We look really sloppy

Though its early, and I trust Howland.

And we are missing Collison who can calm us down.

No worries here, just working out the bugs.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:47 PM PST up reply actions

Love with a trey

33-18 UCLA, 3:31 left in the half

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:46 PM PST reply actions

LOVE 4 THREE!

Love it!

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:46 PM PST reply actions

UCLA's record at Pauley

Wow only a little over 80 losses compared to 500+ wins at Pauley ironic though some of those 80 something losses occured under the tenture or a the man doing color commentary for ESPN2 tonight.

by Bruin10 on Nov 12, 2007 8:49 PM PST reply actions

Last Season 10 Losses at Pauley

http://nabc.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031703aaa.html

"There were 10 losses at Pauley Pavilion, the most ever in a season, and the average attendance of 8,348 was the lowest since 1993 in the 12,819-seat arena."

While I was unable to find out just how many he was responsible... that alone is staggering.

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

Question

Where can I get an real-time box score that includes rebounds? Yahoosports doens't have REB

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 8:51 PM PST reply actions

Just a guess

Maybe ESPN 2 or uclabruins.com

by Bruin10 on Nov 12, 2007 8:53 PM PST up reply actions

get it here

espn.go.com

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 8:54 PM PST up reply actions

That's where I go

It's usually a little behind, but fairly accurate.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 8:56 PM PST up reply actions

here

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/ucla-m-baskbl-sched.html

click on the gametracker link on the right side of the page

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

Stanback...

Stop forcing the passes you moron.......

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 8:55 PM PST reply actions

Errg

Let's hope Collison doesn't get hurt when we have to play, y'know, good teams.

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 8:58 PM PST reply actions

Westbrook should not be playing PG.

If Collison's hurt we have no chance to win anything, turnovers are terrible.

by cardom on Nov 12, 2007 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

Lavin isn't any better as an announcer

How many times have we heard that the point guard is the Central Nervous System of the team?

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 8:58 PM PST reply actions

He says "skill set" more times

than Nestor types "wrt".

by SpaceMonkey on Nov 12, 2007 9:01 PM PST up reply actions

I have absolutely no problem with the

announcers or with Jay Bias. I also do not have the sound on.

Just try it. Tell me you need CHP telling you what happened. And your analysis is just as good has his urinalysis any day of the week. E.g., did you note that on our first trip down court they were in a zone, and on our second trip they were in a man? I didn't need CHP to tell me this.

It's much easier on the ears having the sound off. Believe me.

by Fox 71 on Nov 12, 2007 9:11 PM PST reply actions

Takes Lavin until the 2nd half

To come up with stuff we said at the beginning... Yikes.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 9:18 PM PST reply actions

halftime adjustments

was i the only one that saw him on his laptop browsing BN during halftime?

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 9:20 PM PST up reply actions

god

the Den is embarrassing with those Lavin heads

by jose007 on Nov 12, 2007 9:19 PM PST reply actions

I'm going to have a talk with them...

Yikes...

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 9:20 PM PST up reply actions

yes

please teach em some history

by jose007 on Nov 12, 2007 9:21 PM PST up reply actions

In defense

Although I was not at the game, I watched the game on TV and I need to back up The Den. I am 100% sure they were mocking Lavin. Perhaps it did not come across as successful on TV; however, you may be underestimating the historical knowledge many members of The Den have.

From what I have heard from Den members who were holding the signs, they were clearly mocking Lavin. I think it would take an idiot to think they were supporting him. The Den is clearly aware of the history of UCLA and UCLA basketball, and certainly were attempting to mock him in a appropriate manner.

I do not know how successful the ploy was. I watched the game on TV, but was aware of the plan from before, so I went in expecting it to be a mockery and thus may be a bit biased.

Cheers!

by BruinBaller on Nov 13, 2007 12:46 AM PST up reply actions

Nice shot LUUC

by BruinFan96 on Nov 12, 2007 9:19 PM PST reply actions

Mata with the dub dub

Sweet. Dub Dub off the bench.

Been loving Bruin Hoops since I was in the womb - fan since 1971

by wildwill on Nov 12, 2007 9:21 PM PST reply actions

NICE

Mata with a double double now!

by jose007 on Nov 12, 2007 9:21 PM PST reply actions

luc's shot looks much better this year

hopefully they'll go in consistently

by stephons on Nov 12, 2007 9:21 PM PST reply actions

Add one more to the improved list

It's as if they're actually getting TAUGHT stuff. Somebody alert the football coaches.

by jlazarus on Nov 12, 2007 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

great defense

that was ALL BALL!!!

by BruinFan96 on Nov 12, 2007 9:30 PM PST reply actions

mata

unfortunately so was that free throw

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 9:32 PM PST reply actions

A coach who can fix things

Howland was disappointed with our rebounding vs. Portland State. We only outrebounded by 4.

Tonight so far, we're +14.

That's coaching. Seeing improvement from game to game.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 9:38 PM PST reply actions

did you notice

during COach Wooden's piece, he talked about how every year under Howland the team IMPROVED.

by BruinFan96 on Nov 12, 2007 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

beautiful by Shipp

great pass and layup

by ucsbbruinfan on Nov 12, 2007 9:40 PM PST reply actions

comparison of Love and Mayo

Sure - that's a tough decision to make.

by Fox 71 on Nov 12, 2007 9:48 PM PST reply actions

don't be too harsh

maybe a team needs an enforcer to keep the rest of teh team in check. OJ2 seems perfect for that job.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 9:50 PM PST up reply actions

All the media seems to gloss over

the fact that U$C lost with the Juice scoring 32

by BruinFan96 on Nov 12, 2007 9:51 PM PST reply actions

He may have scored 32

But shot more often than Iverson.

by Bruinbown on Nov 12, 2007 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

the Juice will only be at U$C...

ONE YEAR ONLY... so it really doesn't matter.

He's automatic #1 pick in 2008 Draft.
Only (God Forbid) injury, will stop that kid.

And frankly, I don't care if he miraculously puts
40 up on us... as long as we WIN... WE DON'T CARE!

by class1984 on Nov 12, 2007 9:58 PM PST reply actions

83-52 Final

emptied out the bench for the final few minutes.

by bruinhoo on Nov 12, 2007 10:09 PM PST reply actions

And it wasn't that close

This is the first time I've seen us. We look good. If Mata-Real had any luck at all, he would have had an even more monstrous game. I really like the way he plays. I don't think he's as good as most of the other guys, but he works harder and gets all he can out of himself. I think there are quite a few blocks from the Pyramid of Success that Lorenzo has committed to memory.

Yeah, we look good.

by Fox 71 on Nov 12, 2007 10:23 PM PST up reply actions