Ben Ball News & Notes

by Nestor on Feb 27, 2008 4:44 AM PST in Basketball Comment 14 comments

I guess we are going to be on the topic of Shipp’s 3 point shooting until he knocks down a few. Once again Shipp’s 3 point shooting was the top topic in this week’s team press conference. Not only did Coach Howland and JS addressed the topic head on during the conference, they left no doubt on how hard they have been working on finding back Josh’s rhythm:

"Today I had him come in. It’s probably, in reality, my poor coaching, just not doing enough repetitions. Shooting is repetition. Today, I had him come in this morning and he was 200 for 285 shots [70.2%]. He really shot well this morning, so a lot of it is my not doing a good enough job getting him in there and getting more shots, more repetition.

"Part of that too, is when you play a guy so many minutes and you’re beaten up –- and we ask him to do everything, play really good defense –- and still knock down shots from the perimeter, When you’re playing 35 minutes a game and you’re playing really hard, it’s not easy. But I think today was a really good step back in the right direction.

"He’s been coming in to look at the film of the last three games, just to see the shots. I’m really confident that he’ll get it going again. In fact, I want him to see the ASU game; he shot really well the first time we played ASU. When he’s open, we expect him to take the shot.

"One thing I think he’s got to do, is shot fake. So many people -– because he’s so good -– are running at him and flying at him, he’s got to be able to shot-fake it and bounce it some. He’s actually doing a better job of that."

As for Shipp, here is Dohn:

"Being the best outside threat, it's my job to knock those down," Shipp said. "Maybe I'm not holding my follow through as much during the game. Maybe I'm rushing it a little bit. Bottom line, I just have to knock them down."

Opponents have altered their defense of Shipp, often sending defenders running out to close down an open shot.

"I think maybe I've been thinking about it too much, just hearing (Howland) say guys are running at me, being more conscious shooting the ball," Shipp said. "We always have a saying that we don't see the defender, but maybe that's gotten in my head a little bit."

Josh will be fine. It’s pretty clear he and his coaches are working their tails of off to fix the issue. That’s all I can ask for. While his shot has not been falling, he has been doing everything else his coach has asked from him: playing defense, helping out his team-mates. He just needs to keep shooting within the flow of the game (w/o forcing the action), and as I mentioned before it would be a good idea to get DC to take more 3 pointers than he has during this season.

While Josh has been working hard to get his shot back, KL is not making any excuses for his lethargic performance (the notion that a 15 pts/11 boards performance can be considered "lethargic" goes to show what kind of player KL is) from Saturday. He went out of his way to "apologize" to his team-mates:

Without offering an absolute explanation for what he called his "low energy level," UCLA freshman Kevin Love promised he would not have another game in which his enthusiasm and focus seemed away from basketball, alluding to UCLA's victory over Oregon last Saturday.

As point guard Darren Collison noted, it is the special player who can score 15 points with 11 rebounds and have his effort questioned.

"Actually he showed me he was a great player," Collison said. "He had a bad game and had 15 and 11. He's not perfect, though."

Love said he talked with Bruins Coach Ben Howland and with his family afterward. "It wasn't that I had a bad attitude," Love said. "It was just one of those games where I was out of it and I have to apologize to the team about that because I shouldn't let my actions affect my team.

"Another game like that is not going to happen. It's not fair to me, not fair to my teammates, not fair to my coaches and not fair to fans."

Well, I think KL doesn’t need to worry too much here. He just needs to keep doing what he did during the last 9 mins of the game. After all he is a kid. He is just a freshman. And it is not unusual for a freshman to hit that proverbial wall at this point of the season. He found a way to gut it out (despite being sick according to multiple reports) and contribute in our big win Saturday. Hopefully he will come back this week with more energy and keep playing at the same level he was at in the closing mins against the Ducks.

Speaking of this week here are Coach Howland’s thoughts on ASU:

>> Concerning Arizona State (17-9, 7-7 in the Pac-10) on Thursday, Howland said he didn’t anticipate substantive changes in how the Bruins will prepare for the Sun Devils in their second game of the season. "They’re still doing the same defense, that’s a match-up, 3-2 zone with a lot of switching, man-to-man principles. Our preparation for an opponent, in terms of how we do it doesn’t change. It’s just based on personnel, what they’re doing different, if they’re doing something different than the first time."

Even though the Bruins won easily in their first meeting at home, 84-51, Howland expects a tough game Thursday and into the future. "Look at the youth of the team right now, it’s incredible," he explained. "They have good, young players in their program. They’re going to be very good not only this year. I think we’re going to get 6-7 teams in [to the NCAA Tournament] and they’ll be one of them. If they beat us on Thursday, it obviously enhances their resume to get in. So we know they’re going to play very, very hard and be very motivated. That’s the same thing we saw on Saturday; if Oregon beats us, that enhances their chances of getting into the NCAA Tournament."

Last time we played them at Pauley, the team shot almost 59~~569~~ percent from the field in a 30+ pt trashing. One of the key factors in that blowout win was the decisiveness with which we attacked their zone by having our guards relentlessly penetrating inside and creating multi dimensional offensive opportunities. Sounds like DC knows what he has to do tomorrow night:

"There's not too much you can change," Collison said. "I thought we did a good job of attacking their zone; penetrating, creating for others. If we continue to do what we did against them the first game, we should be all right and in great shape."

Hopefully DC, RW et al come out with a purpose in the first half tomorrow night. They are going to face a team that will be hyped up and charged up infront of raucous home crowd. Also you have to take into account as we are facing them for the second time, they will certainly make their defensive adjustments. We have to come out with a purpose, keep our composure, execute on offense, while playing the tenacious D we have been playing in the closing mins against Oregon and Southern Cal. In other words we will be in "great shape" if we play our brand of Ben Ball.

GO BRUINS.

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good morning!

It's a beautiful overcast dreary day in Boston. I caught the UT / Vandy game last night and didn't see much structure on the UT side. I was also glad the fans didn't rush the court. You're ranked #14 and the team you beat has only been ranked #1 for a week in its entire existance. Glad they (with the security's help) showed some restraint.

I was at Pauley once when we rushed the court, as a senior, when we beat Oregon in '97 to win the Pac10. It wasn't really necessary, and I remember Charles O'Bannon addressing the fans from the PA that they weren't ready to celebrate with us till they won the ultimate prize. Classy guy. (Fucking Minnesota, I think we were up 11 in that game. I cried with Lavin.)

Have UCLA fans ever rushed the court because of an upset? This should never happen.

Finally, why don't they move the student section to the opposite side of the arena so that they are seen by the TV cameras?

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Feb 27, 2008 6:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agree with you on Tennessee

This was my second time watching them, and they are quite undiciplined. Lots of stupid fouls and streetball antics.

I think the reason why the Vandy fans didn't rush the court was because of the security presence. But to add to your point, Mr. BB hates when the crowd chants "Overrated" because it means that you thought your team wasn't good enough to beat your opponent.

by bruinbabe2000 on Feb 27, 2008 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Incentive

I think one reason the security was so tight and didn't allow the fans to rush the court was that, according to the WWL, they would have faced a $50,000 fine because the last two years they've rushed the court after beating UT and caused problems.

by Herschy on Feb 27, 2008 10:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also re: court rushing

With their slightly odd raised court, it seems like rushing the court might be just that little bit harder, also making it easier to police, which was probably the main reason it didn't happen.

Also, the NCAA has (new?) regulations against anyone going on the playing surface at any event. At each and every soccer game this year, I heard announcements telling everyone to stay off the field (and each and every game, people walked on, but that's not the point). Seems like it's a fine to any school when people go on afterwards, and not just when it's a problem school or a problem event.

by jaffa on Feb 27, 2008 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, I wish we shot that well every game

That's like 11 points per FGA.

I jest, of course.

by melliott2 on Feb 27, 2008 7:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's what happens

when Shipp shoots really well.

by bruinhoo on Feb 27, 2008 7:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was confused for a second as well

"the team shot almost 569 percent from the field"

by LYC on Feb 27, 2008 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What class

Look at Howland taking the blame for Shipp's struggles. That's a great coach -- taking negative attention from the players so they can focus on what's important. Completely unlike our former football coach who kept throwing players under the bus. Or Kent in Oregon. Just another reason why we're lucky to have Howland.

by jlazarus on Feb 27, 2008 9:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

this is very true

I can't recollect Howland EVER throwing his players under the bus. It is always his fault. The Wooden philosophy of not making excuses for anything. This attitude is why we have been pretty consistent over the last couple of years.

by glassbruin on Feb 27, 2008 9:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ABSOLUTELY

I have commented on it before.
Howland subscribes to the theory "share the credit, take the blame." He is especially good at taking the blame after a loss. He wants his players upbeat and with confidence.

He does occassionally push players but only after wins and typically when they had a good game (pushing them to get better).

Going to Pauley for the games this year I have also noticed something in his post game commentary -- he really trys to share the credit across a number of players. He always includes one or two of the backups as well.

Classy guy. So happy he is here!

Go Team Go!

by bruins grad and dad on Feb 27, 2008 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't agree more...

Ben Howland is an extra classy, Wooden-style leader. It's so great to have a coach we can always be proud of, in wins and in losses, instead of a Bobby Knight-mare type jack***.

Love My Bruins --Donna

by Bruingirl83 on Feb 27, 2008 9:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Body Language

The only concern I have about KL at this point is sometimes his body language shows him for what he is, an 18-19 year old true freshman (as opposed to the 25 year old freshmen at $UC). He will flail his arms when he doesn't get a pass when he thinks he's open, or if he doesn't get a call from the (lousy, in my opinion) refs. He looks like he sulks for a moment. But to his credit, it's just for a moment, then, very much unlike a freshman, he will forget about it and go about his business dominating the boards. It's hard (and sad) to believe he may have just two more home games in his Bruins career. Please, Kevin..ONE MORE YEAR!!

by Herschy on Feb 27, 2008 10:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

(Subject Change) Three '08 Bruins together 4/19

Lee, Gordon, and Holiday will be representing UCLA at the 2008 Jordan Brand All-Star game. UCLA is the only team with three players-will be very nice to see all three of them together. Madison Square Garden, 9:00 EST.

http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/classic/2008jbc.html

by Bruin in Denver on Feb 27, 2008 11:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs