Glory Days

by Nestor on Mar 21, 2008 3:12 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 34 comments

Consider this another mini BN tradition. Well this is pretty much an automatic post to carry us into this first weekend of the Big Dance.

Yes we are all a little superstitious (just a tad bit) when it comes to our own routines and following our Ben Ball warriors.

From the "MOJO" during our tourney open threads to this - a little dose of the Boss - right before the second round:

It worked like a charm the Friday before last year's second round game against the Hoosiers.

We are not going to deviate from the routine before our game against the Aggies.

Here is to the continuation of our Glory Days on BN.

Keep this place ROCKIN ...

Consider this an open (The Boss's Mojo) thread.

GO BRUINS.

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the real southern california teams

The school I took my high school SATs at - USD - has advanced to the next round, beating UConn by 1 in overtime.

The Toreros played with more intensity in the first half, being up by 6 or something, and gutted out a second half, with the Huskies gaining two points every couple minutes to tie and occasionally take the lead. USD couldn't match up for size, but played with heart and great teamwork, with some crisp pick n' pop shots. They almost won it in regular time but missed a last second wannabe lay up that should have been shot as a floater.

Down 1 with 5+ seconds left, their main players out cause of fouls, one of their guys took the halfcourt inbound, drove, then stepped back and shot it in. Awesome.

So much for New England basketball, which kind of sucks in a way, as college bball gets no play here on the radio, and with BC royally sucking this year, UMass not making this, and now this, it will be Red Sox in Japan, which really, it was going to be regardless.

Saturday should be fun, and prepare to hear all that "easiest road got even easier" bullsh*t. The better teams - WKY and USD - won today and we'll what happens - obviously we have to beat Texas A&M. Go Bruins!

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 21, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Caveat

UConn's leader / point guard? AJ Price came out of the game with a sprained knee half-way thru the first game - that very could have made a difference in the game, but injuries are part of the game. I note it as something else that could brought up re how the West is playing out.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 21, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

USD ...

USD head coach Bill Grier comes out of the Gonzaga program.

He was at Gonzaga for 16 years -- which means he was there with Mark Few when they both were assistants under, I guess it was Don Monson.

Maybe USD is a program with some potential? Grier was with a couple of good coaches up there and if Gonzaga can build a winner in Spokane, why couldn't someone build a good mid major program in San Diego?

Think about it:

Pepperdine and LMU are way down. Long Beach State is on probation. Someone out of USD, Irvine, Fullerton ... I dunno ... someone should be able to build a solid mid major program. San Diego State isn't doing that much.

If Mark Few ever left Gonzaga, the WCC would be wide open. St. Mary's is good. Kerry Keating did okay in his first year at Santa Clara, but what he'll do is still up in the air.

All this could be bullshit. Grier may have caught lightening in a bottle. But he won the WCC tournament, has a first round tournament win and is a game away from the Sweet 16.

USD could emerge as the program of choice for Southern California players who aren't Pac 10 level or who may be Pac 10 level but want a smaller program (think Austin Daye, someone like that.)

It's nice down in San Diego. If he recruits SoCal well, Grier could theoretically build something there.

Go Bruins

by Achilles on Mar 21, 2008 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

San Diego as a destination

Growing up there before heading up to UCLA and visting for Xmas, it amazes some (mainly Nick Canepa of the local fishwrap) that SDSU cannot put together an excellent athletic program.

Pluses - A new bball arena on campus, Steve Fisher from UM is the bball coach, they got to the tourney either last year or the one before that. 70 and sunny, tons of alumni close by, a city with no pro b-ball team

In between - I think the school is commuter/on campus, and the football stadium - the Murph is down the road (closer than the Rose Bowl) but not walkable.

Minuses - Consistency. Football has sucked since Marshall Faulk, and they recently lost to San Luis Obispo in football at home (we had some losses like that under Lavin).

I don't follow their basketball, but you would think with a lot of alums in the city, the weather, the arena, and the student population they could be a major force - I think they are in a rut that they cannot get out of and need to find momentum from somewhere.

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 21, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does Oregon have new uniforms again?

These don't look too good either, big yellow stripe on one side of the back of the jersey.

Are these new?

by BruinMatador on Mar 21, 2008 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They've worn them

a couple times this season. I remember them from the Pac 10 tourney for sure.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2008 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What time is our game, tomorrow?

Also, Oregon playing well.

I would have thought the standard and the suc would have won and Ore more likely to lose.

After the way they treated Kevin, it's hard to root for them. Even though they are Pac 10, somehow they feel like sc to me.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2008 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

6:15 pacific time

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 21, 2008 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Why root for a rotten apple just because they're from the Pac-10? If UCLA is able to make another run, why care how people rate the conference - our play has been speaking just fine on it's own so far.

I'll cheer for WSU and Stanford because I think they're good, solid teams with decent guys on the roster, and decent fans. SC, 'Zona, and Oregon can all get blown out by 40 for all I care.

by cabz on Mar 21, 2008 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're doing a good job of falling apart

up by 13 earlier, OR is now down by 1. 8 mins left.

by freesia39 on Mar 21, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ducks -- It's Called Karma

Their ugliness toward the Loves lost them the support of the strong mojo amongst most Bruins.

Kent's failure to call out his crowd -- lost our mojo.

With this loss, he's probably lost his job.

Go WSU, Go Stanford

Go all the way Bruins!!!

You build your own Karma -- and ours is good.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 21, 2008 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doug Gotlieb

This stupid jack ass said something completely vicious on the ESPN radio on Friday morning. He said: "the UCLA first round game with MVSU was so ugly to watch because MVSU only scored 29 points, that 75% of the national viewers who didn't get to watch that game are so lucky!".

It is amazing that how jeolous of UCLA these moron sports anouncers are. There really is a genuine hatred/fear of resurgent UCLA basketball program out there!

Go bruins, Banner #12

by cyberdbk on Mar 21, 2008 6:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know he secretly wanted us to lose

Gottlieb has something against us.

by freesia39 on Mar 21, 2008 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now I know

It is amazing how much of an agenda these ass clowns have in their sick and twisted minds. Our defense and fundamentals were definitely a beautiful thing to watch.

by cyberdbk on Mar 21, 2008 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gottlieb is a D-bag

I heard that (he was filling in for Colin Cowherd). This was immediately followed by him going on a 10 minute rant re: "Why does everyone hate Duke?" and agreeing with some caller that people hate Duke because they have players like Battier who put together whole sentences.

What a ____

by bruinhopeful on Mar 21, 2008 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good news to pass along

Coach is out of the rehab center.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bruin/2008/03/wooden-releas-1.html

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 21, 2008 6:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

kaplooie

Don't mind me, that's just my bracket exploding.

I hate you... Clemson.. Drake... UConn... Vanderbilt...

by freesia39 on Mar 21, 2008 9:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Code of Civil Procedure section 473

I got no bracket. I don't have a regular workplace, so I don't have anyone who wanders around selling entries. I had one bracket offer extended from my wife's uncle via an e-mail, but by the time I looked at it, the first round afternoon games had already been played.

The lawyers in the crowd will understand the significance of CCP 473. (That allows relief from a judgment or default taken as a result of surprise, mistake, inadvertence or excuseable neglect.) I think I should be able to wait a couple more weeks, then fill out my bracket, file a 473 motion explaining that I would have turned it in on time but didn't because of surprise, mistake, inadvertence or excuseable neglect, and then cash my winnings. For me, at least, it's much easier to fill out the bracket after the games have been played. My uncle in law has suggested that I not bother.

I tried that at work once, with a whole firm full of guys who knew about 473 (and some of whom depended on it on a daily basis, but I digress), and was saddened to learn that my motion for relief under 473 was denied.

by Fox 71 on Mar 22, 2008 5:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha! Fox

You just crack me up.

I would have loved to hear that argument, guy. "Neglect?" almost certainly, but "excusable"?--sorry, counsel.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 22, 2008 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Return to Greatness (Journey Continues)

Hit the "Play" button on the "Glory Days" clip and became so overcome with my Bruin Pride that I hit up the DVR to replay "The UCLA Dynasty."

The opening quote:

"We come out of the tunnel wearin' yellow warm ups, "UCLA" ... we were it, we were the stuff."

Followed by:

"We were expected to win, and we expected to win;"

Followed by:

"The game itself was a celebration of life."

I'm so ready to return to the Promised Land. Checkpoint #2 tomorrow. GO BRUINS

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ...

by r2nod2 on Mar 21, 2008 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Coach going home

that news just gave me a warm feeling...yea the butterflies are there but I feel a lot of positive energy coming from the recent events. I just hope A&M isn't getting too jacked up by the all the recent upsets lol.

Tomorrow should be fun, I expect aTm to keep it close but i don't expect us to come out flat. Im kind of excited to see Stanford as well tomorrow, I definitely wish them continued success.

On the bracket note, I officially don't care anymore, and really haven't as much this year, All I can think about our game tomorrow. I hope the honda center isnt as big of a mess tomorrow as some have said though...

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 21, 2008 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plaschke Attacks Shipp

Wandered over to the fishwrap to find out what time our game is, today.

Saw a column heading which captured my attention. Plaschke has attacked Josh Shipp. It is an attack on both scoring and effort.

I don't have the time to diary it up -- or put in my responses.

Plaschke totally overlooks the many good things Josh does, besides hit outside shots. He overlooks his incredible shooting percentage inside the paint.

His beef with Josh. Josh enjoys the game and smiles.

I wish I had time to do the job on a rebuttal that Josh deserves, I'm sure someone here will.

But, this is BS, reminds me why I don't read the fishwrap.

I would rather have Josh Shipp than 2 OJ2's.

Funny, no one wrote anything negative about OJ2 in either our tournament or the big one. Against us, and against KState, he shot around 33%. Yes he scored big points, but his percentage was bad. I'm not knocking OJ2, who I've come to like, but the fishwrap is a transparent sham and shill for sc.

Please, someone, do the numbers.

I'm still writing an opening statement and don't have time to pull that oar.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 22, 2008 6:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the (many) things

I LOVE about JS is that he smiles and has a lot of fun playing this game. He is an integral part of this team's personality and soul.

Plaschke, ironically, has neither.

Somebody, please, call this guy out and bury him.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 22, 2008 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sjh, in a way, your attitude is condescending

The built-in assumption in your comment is that the average or mean or median or "right in the middle" IQ of the readers of the BN is way above that of the population at large. That is undoubtedly correct. But it's somewhat condescending in my opinion to think that John Q. Public actually puts any credence in what is printed in the fishwrap before it is put on the bottom of the birdcage. I would think that most of the population knows that they're getting biased non-reporting from the 'wrap. My guess is that the 'wrap's circulation is decreasing even though they are the only major paper in town and even though the population is increasing. I think I was at the beginning of the trend many years ago when I cancelled. (I actually enjoyed getting the phone calls from the poor schlumps trying to sell subscriptions over the phone so I could explain why their paper was a piece of crap.)

That said, I suppose someone should assemble the data to call him out. There may be some impressionable young person out there who could still be rescued. But as much as I would like to help people get out from under the unenlightened and unenlightening experience of the fishwrap, the plain fact of the matter is that I really don't care what anyone in the fishwrap says about anything. And I think that most of the public shares my view. It's really a badly written paper, and I think that the public knows it. With the exception of the trOJies out there, people just aren't that stupid.

by Fox 71 on Mar 22, 2008 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still read the cyber fishwrap

Only to see what is going on in LA, and someone called Planscke on how he said we had no chance in hell to win one day, then comes back and says we are the favorite.

The fishwrap, as well as other papers, are suffering, so they look to pick a fight to sell papers. But overall, the quality of journalism is in the toilet. I have several of co-workers who have worked for newspapers and/or TV stations over the course their careers and the stories I hear I just amazing in regards to how stupid the powers that be are. Hearing those stories makes me glad I chose a more behind the scenes approach.

I can just picture Fox telling those people on the phone why the fishwrap sucks. Fox, my favorite line about you and the fishwrap is that you have better ways to line your garbage. I laughed at that one for a long time.

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 22, 2008 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they are sometimes pretty harsh on SC too

http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-plaschke21mar21,1,6781570.column

In this article, Plaschke essentially says that Mayo made a big mistake in going to USC:

This is the quote I'm referring to:
<SNIP>
There's a lesson in this for those high school stars who plan on grudgingly spending only one season in college because of the NBA rule that requires it.

Spend that season with a team that is more experienced than you.

Spend that season with a team that already knows how to win.

If they need you to teach them, you don't need to be there. If they need you to be a cornerstone, you need to search for another foundation.

Mayo was in a tough spot at USC, forced to carry a team while he was learning the game himself.
</SNIP>

by bruinofthenorth on Mar 22, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OJ2

OJ Mayo's final 2 games in college-

6-16 (38%) against Bruins in Pac-10 tourney, 15 points, 4 assists, 2 turnovers
6-16 (same 38%, consistently mediocre) against K-St in NCAA tourney, 20 points, 5 assists, 3 turnovers

For comparison, how the 2nd team Pac-10 point guard did in his most recent non-exhibition (i.e. Miss Valley St) games (with more to follow)-

5-11 (45%) against $C in Pac-10 tourney, 13 points
12-22 (55%) against Stanford in Pac-10 tourney, 28 points, 3 assists, 0 turnovers

by islandbruin on Mar 22, 2008 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Shipp's Stat's

One of the commentators said something like:

Shipp is shooting more than 60% inside the 3 point line and around 33% outside.

He was saying that Josh should be going inside, more often AND that he was not slumping or hurting the team.

Add to that some amazing passes Josh has thrown at key moments and you can see the contributions he's making.

Bottom Line: Howland would not play JS if JS were not contributing. He does play him, long minutes.

That snide little thread to the story that tries to drive a wedge between BH and JS is BS.

Howland has said over and over how much JS means to this team.

Plaschke is disingenuous when he tries to make us believe otherwise.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 22, 2008 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

An accurate commentator

crazy. I guess even the blind squirrel finds the occasional nut, I believe the saying goes.

Shipp is shooting 60% (59.9% to be exact) from inside the 3-point line, and 33.0% from behind the arc. Shipp also has a 1.3 Assist to turnover ratio (compared to Mayo's 0.9) and shoots 79% from the line - not outstanding, but respectable, and well above the team average of 73.5%.

by bruinhoo on Mar 22, 2008 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey 66

As I mentioned in my gameday post I am on vacation. So don't have the time to shred Plaschke on this. But looks like you guys are already off to a great start. I think any of you should just compile your comments in one post and diary it up to cannon blast him.

Have fun in the game thread today.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Mar 22, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glory Days is not a happy song.

It is about people who only live in the past and have no direction and no future. To use this song as "mojo" is to suggest UCLA was a team that used to matter.

by mr havercamp on Mar 22, 2008 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs