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We Will Be Back

Bruinsnation_tiny by Nestor on in Basketball

First of all congratulations to the Memphis Tigers.  They were clearly the better team tonight.

As for us, let me reiterate what we all collectively stated leading up to today: no matter what transpired in San Antonio, this season has been an incredible success and nothing will diminish it.

That said I wish our guys remembered how to play Ben Ball. Because we didn't see it out there today. All week we talked about how we had to beat Memphis by running our offense through Love, being patient, and being smart with our short selection. There wasn't much of that today from our Ben Ball warriors.

We were prepared but it's the other guys who executed and played like they wanted it lot more:


Photo Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay (via ESPN)

Anyway it's over. We will plenty of time in the coming days and weeks to evaluate of season happenings, and get ready for another exciting Ben Ball season.

Congrats again to Memphis Tigers.

Thanks to Coach Howland and all of our players for a memorable 2007-08 season.  We are so proud and grateful for all the memories they have given us in yet another wonderful year in Westwood.

We will be back in the Final-4 and hang number 12 sooner or later.

GO BRUINS.

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Memphis looked like Florida last year
Memphis imposed themselves on the Bruins and in the end, that affected the team's confidence. JS continued to act timid, passing up shooting opportunities a lot, and DC was overmatched. When he can't guard the other guy, it affects his offense, IMO. But a great season.
Bill
BillSouthBay

by BillSouthBay on Apr 5, 2008 5:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Sorry N
Feel free to bump me.

I think the sentiment is the same.

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 5:23 PM PDT   0 recs

No worries
I have your down. But let's get that up if this thread gets crowded. Thanks again.

Great season man.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah
No excuses. Memphis just kicked our ass. We will be back.

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks Nestor...
I was pissed as F$&k, but after reading your post I settled down and relaxed. I have no idea where it went bad, but Memphis deserved the win. The entire Bruinsnation appreciates your work. Cheers...our next banner is coming soon.

by pocho on Apr 5, 2008 6:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Please come back next year everyone!!!
Come back with a vengeance!
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 5:25 PM PDT   0 recs

agree
we didn't play our best game, but Memphis deserved to win because they did.

I am a bit disappointed in how it ended, but it was a great season, and let's hope for some positive announcements from everyone that they are coming back to bring home banner number 12.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Apr 5, 2008 5:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Said it in the postgame thread
But again: great season. Three straight Final Fours is three straight Final Fours. Congratulations.

Memphis makes you rub your eyes and wonder if what you're seeing is real. Just a tough, tough team.

by HornsFan on Apr 5, 2008 5:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Appreciate the sentiment
But please don't attack or bait other commenters in our community. Good luck to you in off season.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No regrets
We met a great team that was a tough match up and we didn't play our best.  But I'm proud of our team and our season.

So, I'll wear UCLA gear every day for the next week, just so everyone knows where my heart and soul are.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 5, 2008 5:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Me, Too
And the flag will be flying all week, as well.

It's GREAT to be a Bruin.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 6:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

After watching this game...
I think the "experience" factor was hugely overrated.  Congrats to the team... we will be back next year... and the year after that.

by bruindodger on Apr 5, 2008 5:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Agreed
Experience factor didn't mean much at the end.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

We are still young
experienced but young -- and this is KL's first final 4 game.

I truly hope he comes back. I hated to see him go out without a close out ovation.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't forget
A lot of those Memphis players are in their third year. They brought a lot of experience, too.

UCLA had a special year with Kevin Love. They ran into a great, great team in the Final Four, though. Just how it goes when you advance that far each year.

by HornsFan on Apr 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You got me by mere minutes too!
I'll just post it here then:

Well that was certainly disappointing. However, as usual in the Ben Howland era, I am not disappointed in our team, players, and coaches. I am disappointed for them. That's how March Madness works though, and only one team walks away happy. Sadly, that team will not be ours this year.

We will continue to beat back the asinine MSM narrative of it being a "failed" season, since they would like nothing better than to paint our fanbase as spoiled and entitled (the same line used by a certain poser-coach turned commentator). I am sure these stupid types of stories will be out in the near future. It is the lazy, easy, cop-out story, and I would expect nothing more from the MSM, especially our lazy cop-out local beat press.

Congratulations to our Bruins on a school record 35 win season, 3rd straight Pac 10 Championship, 3rd straight Final Four, Pac 10 Tourney Championship, and a heartfelt "Thank You" for all the memories.

Let's get 'em next year boys!
GO BRUINS!

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Also a general warning
Any personal attack on our players and coaches by drive posters will not be tolerated.

Thanks ... carry on folks.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:28 PM PDT   0 recs

I was gonna post this too...
You're a step ahead of me on everything today.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks T
Please keep an eye on this thread man just in case someone goes overboard.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

At least I can take solace
in the fact that it's not my participation in game day threads that causes us to lose (I was in the UW one). That's my stupid superstition that has now been broken.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

CBH interview on CBS
Very complimentary of Memphis.

Very classy of our coach (-given.)

greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 5, 2008 5:28 PM PDT   0 recs

As Proud as I am of this team
I'm ashamed of many who posted in the game day thread.

Who the fuck are you to challenge our players and coach?

Most of you don't show up much around here. And that makes this a better place.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 5:29 PM PDT   0 recs

it is not that we challenge
our players and coach, but a good fan knows when mistakes were maid. I love C Howland and our players,but he needs to learn how to coach offense. Not only that but our halftime adjustments were minimal and not enough. and as far as not "showing up much around here" Some of us actually GO to the games.

Season tix holder FB and BB, my friend

by uclaov1 on Apr 5, 2008 6:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You're not going to get far
calling out someone else as a fan because they live in a different place and are physically unable to go to games. We're better than that, and if you individually are not, then you do not belong here. Period.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 6:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree
but we should also be better then calling out fans who dont post as much as others.

by uclaov1 on Apr 5, 2008 6:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's the way it is
Those that post more and have a demonstrated and documented history of fair and level headed analysis are going to get more leeway than those that don't. How else are we to distinguish the real fans from drive-by posters?

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Some might not
post as much as others but just because you dont post or go to the games that doesnt make you a fake fan.

Go Bruins.

by uclaov1 on Apr 5, 2008 6:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It does, however, make you a potential drive-by
poster. We have little tolerance for people that simply throw out incendiary statements with the purpose of riling up other members of our community. That reactionary crap belongs on the Romper Room message boards. Not here.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 7:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I do say so
If you have nothing constructive to add, then drop it.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just have this feeling...
That, KL, DC and RW will come back next year. No matter what, 3 Final Fours shows that we are a top notch program! I feel sad for the warriors right now.
Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT   0 recs

That would be awesome.
With the #1 class coming in next year, we're talking a LOADED team.
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't kow for sure
but there is something about the number of scholarships that makes that complicated  Of course, I'd love to have to deal withthat.
greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Love and Westbrook would be perfect
I'd like to turn the point guard duties over to Jrue.

by BruinsRule on Apr 5, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If Collison returns ....
he will be the #1 point.  I don't think he should be thrown under the bus for one sub-par performance against the player likely to be the top choice in the upcoming NBA draft.  We would not have had the success we did this season without him and we will be far more sucessful next year with him than without him.

by snorkeldorf on Apr 5, 2008 7:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Memphis wanted it more.
Other than that, I agree with you. We did not play the kind of basketball that got us to the Final Four.

by Chandler on Apr 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT   0 recs

agreed
we failed to utilize our strengths and to neutralize theirs. congrats to memphis. its been one hell of a ride for the last three years and im happy to have been a part of it. too bad we didn't get to see Westwood explode this year.

by bruin007 on Apr 5, 2008 5:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks to the team and coach
for a great season.  I really thought we were where we wanted to be at the end of the half being down by 3 and not really playing a great game.  DC had an awful night, but we wouldn't have the third FInal Four without him.  It's going to be interesting to see who is coming back next year.

by BruinFan96 on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT   0 recs

I disagree that they wanted it more
They were just better. Our only stretches of success came when Collison or Shipp were on the bench and Luc guarded CDR. CDR did nothing during those stretches, but we didn't fully commit to that lineup.

We also didn't figure out a way to get the ball to Love on the block. I am shocked by that.

RW played great--perhaps too great not to test the NBA draft.

Tough day. Mourning period has begun over a great season that ended two days and two victories too soon.

by BruinsRule on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT   0 recs

I think
We should have gone inside lot more. When I wrote that they wanted it more I meant they were lot more aggressive with their offense. We weren't. We settled for one jump shot after another and we didn' run our offense through Love. They were vulnerable inside at the beginning of second half with foul trouble. We didn't take advantage. At least to me it appeared we were tenative and not decision. Hence, I wrote they looked like they wanted it more. I think this a topic that could be open disagreement.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Memphis
had a lot to do with not getting the ball into Love more, no?

Dorsey, with help from Dozier, did a good job fronting Love and denying any easy entry pass into the post. Couple that with the length and good man to man defense from Rose and Douglass-Roberts on the perimeter, it made it very difficult to get any easy looks into Love.

Memphis is a damn good team. They'll take care of Kansas on Monday. That'll make 3 straight years UCLA has lost to the eventual National Champion.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 5, 2008 9:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I agree with that.
With their guys in foul trouble, it was time to send people driving in and to pass the ball to Love. Instead, we took jump shots. That was inexplicable to me. Memphis defended very well, but we needed to try to draw fouls.

Memphis did look scrappier. They looked more focused on offense. So I can see how that can make it look like they wanted it more, even if they didn't.

In the end, I think Memphis won because they were better at playing their game than we were at playing our game. And there is a mental aspect to that, as well as a physical one.

by Chandler on Apr 5, 2008 10:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was frustrated too
by our lack of committment to a bigger body on their guards, but I did notice that when that happened, we would give up the easy offensive rebounds. Kind of a rock and a hard place situation there.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Was it just me?
but LRMAM did he best job in guarding CDR. I wish we had gone to that matchup early.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2008 5:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He did an excellent job IMO
If CDR was going to make everything anyway, then there is no rebound to grab, so might as well switch Luc on him and make him miss first right? I think that's definitely one thing I would have done differently in the second half. I'm not sure it would have made much difference if they were able to score on putbacks with Luc not in the middle anymore though.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep
If I had a gripe about Howland's scheme it was allowing the Rose-CDR combo to go off on DC-Westbrook (53 points to 24), when it was apparent early on that they were exploiting that mismatch.  Moving LRMAM and Shipp and maybe even Love out to double team more often might have created more turnovers and bad shots.

We didn't create hardly any turnovers and got outrebounded too. Very surprised that adjustments weren't made at halftime to turn that into our favor. Maybe Memphis was just too good.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 5, 2008 9:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hope KL stays
because we're having a sick ass incoming class.  I know we'll be back at the final four.  I wish the outcome was different this year...I'm sure all of us do.  It hurts...but I'm appreciative for everything the team has done this year.  THANK YOU GUYS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR.

by bruin78 on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT   0 recs

i hope
We all come back with a vengeance.

by blinkshot on Apr 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT   0 recs

About scholarships
if we have more players than scholarships (in this case +1) doesn't the punishment come in a later year?

 Explain how this works please.

by True Blue and Gold on Apr 5, 2008 5:33 PM PDT   0 recs

They're just offers
If you don't have one to give, I think it's up to you to work that situation out. We have one more offer outstanding than we can fill at this point. Someone will have to leave early or transfer.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think there's a penalty
It's just not possible.

If they all come back someone will transfer or drop their scholarship.  If the former, probably Dragovic; if the latter, probably Roll.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2008 5:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Feeling like the Bills
It's frustrating to be right there year after year but never get to the finish line.

Hopefully everyone returns and we'll have some senior leadership.

by sumo331 on Apr 5, 2008 5:33 PM PDT   0 recs

K-Love and DC need to return
It seemed like K-Love couldn't get open and that he was tired. Kevin needed more touches in the 2d half and he never got them, so we had no chance. DC was dribbling too much without penetration. Westy was the only one who really stepped up.  Still, we had a great season.  I really believe that DC and K-Love need to come back to try to win it all next year.  Josh needs to regain his confidence in his outside shot.  This Memphis team was as good as the two Florida teams that beat us.  We just could not slow down the tempo of the game.  

by bruin75 on Apr 5, 2008 5:34 PM PDT   0 recs

And to all of BN
who SUPPORTED this team and this coach and this online community.

Thank you for your passion, your intelligence, and your part in a great season.  I'm proud to be here among you.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Long - Quick - and Strong
That sounds a lot like Florida of the last couple of years...

Why do we always have to lose so bad in the Final Four?

I just never saw Kevin Love getting shut down like he did the second half....  :-(

by kailangyu on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT   0 recs

We don't and he wasn't ....
I don't agree that we have ever "lost badly" in the final four and I don't think Love was "shut down" as much as we just failed to get the ball into him.  Whether Memphis was mostly responsible for that or we just stopped looking for him is the question.

Any loss, by whatever margin, is going to hurt.  Our team played hard and came up a bit short.  I'm still proud of our team and our season and I'm looking forward to season after season of continued excellence in the foreseeable future.  Go Bruins!!!

by snorkeldorf on Apr 5, 2008 8:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I couldn't stand to see Darren like that
man their were so many shots that could of given us momentum those two misses by keefe and Darren were brutally close to falling in.  I was ready to explode.

These guys were just plain good tonight, defense, crashing the boards, getting inside.

I just felt Kevin's pain as he struggled to get up the court, poor guy was visibly exhausted from game that never really settled to our tempo for an extended period time.

Well I really love this group guys, these guys really made me proud of this team, in victory and defeat.  Can't wait to get out to spring practice and see whats bruin..

O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Well..
At least my blood pressure will hopefuly return to normal by September! :)
Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 5, 2008 5:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Lo
What a true warrior. Thanks for 4 great years, LMR. I wish they had won for him.

by Raisin on Apr 5, 2008 5:36 PM PDT   0 recs

Yes, I saw a misty eyed
Lorenzo walking away from the line in front of the TV camera. He'll do well no matter what he does, especially as a role model for so many of our underpreviledged Hispanics' youths.

In our mind, you are already a champion in your own right.  Hold your head high.  I want you to know how well people think about you.

by Htse005 on Apr 5, 2008 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and then, depression set in
yes, yes, we had a great season and i'm proud and all that very reasonable stuff...i'm also horribly depressed. we lost. this is awful. collison 2 pts, 5 fouls. love does 0 in the second half. memphis played well, but boy...we didn't exactly have a strong performance. very depressing.

by jjreicher on Apr 5, 2008 5:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Disapointed and Sad
But Hopeful for Next Season.

A great incoming class, hopefully we can convince everyone to stay and make it four in a row.

It's just a frustrating bump on the road to success.  

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 5:39 PM PDT   0 recs

Wow..
This hoops season just flew by! But it was a magical season. One I'll never forget. Thanks in part to BN as well.
Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 5, 2008 5:39 PM PDT   0 recs

Watching Darren made me really sad...
He was just off all night and you could see it in his play. I hate to see a player go out like that...Does not matter though, DC is still my All-American point guard.

Glad that LRMAM parents could be there and to see their son play well, because he did.

Hats off to Memphis.

Great season, thanks BN for keeping up all everything all season long.

I suppose I i should do some homework to get the mind off everything.

Go Bruins.

by dproduct on Apr 5, 2008 5:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Apologies
For the horrific grammar. Emotional state is not very stable.

by dproduct on Apr 5, 2008 5:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nah, your writing is fine
Who says just one game determines if we are or are not champions ?  

UCLA accomplished incredible feats this year.  Every single one of them just departed the basketball court at San Antonio having done all they could and having come this far.  How can these players be not champions, with or without that ring and the banner ?!?

by Htse005 on Apr 5, 2008 6:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you just gotta credit
them though...their length gave us fits, and while we didn't find kevin enough, you've just got to credit their physicality as they denied him the ball the whole second half, and really pressured our guards
O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 5, 2008 5:40 PM PDT   0 recs

I think the thing...
that is most upsetting to me is how we've been losing games in the Final Four (in terms of the scores and not following through with our gameplan).  I don't know if it's the week off but it seems like we forget to play Ben Ball in the Final Four (like Nestor said).  I am proud of our efforts and on a positive note, we have made progress this year in terms of our record and further solidifying our program amongst the nation's elite once again.  I'm looking forward to the Fantastic Four joining the program next year.  I know that CBH is learning from all of these experiences and the day will come when he gets #12.  He's going through what a lot of coaches went through and there is no doubt in my mind that he will climb the mountain.  March is still a brotherhood!

by bruindodger on Apr 5, 2008 5:42 PM PDT   0 recs

Who we're playing
has a lot to do with our ability to execute Ben Ball. The last two years we lost to the eventual National Champion. This year I believe will be the same. We played our Ben Ball against a more talented LSU 2 years ago and we won. I'd be more upset if we were losing to less talented teams, but that is simply not the case.
"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 5, 2008 9:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well,
my silver lining is that I have one year of eligibility left, and I'm not leaving early.

a great season.

by melliott2 on Apr 5, 2008 5:43 PM PDT   0 recs

There's always next season
Granted... next season will be much better if Love and Collison decides to stay, but I'm not holding my breath that it will happen. I think both will still go into the NBA draft. Hopefully no one else thinks about leaving early as well. UCLA next season will be very much guard-heavy and lack a true post presence offensively, which is worrisome.

But the most important thing is that Coach Ben Howland WILL be back. This is NOT the end, but just the start of something really special. Even during this 3+ year Final Four run, recruits were still hesitant to commit to UCLA that would have really helped the Bruins. I don't think recruiting will be much of a problem any longer. Ben is loading up the wing positions for next season, and the post players will come in the following season. I don't know about you, but I would rather have a consistent run of deep tournament runs with the right players that Howland is trying to develop than a 2-year "dynasty" and then a flame-out. Eventually the right mix of players will be there for number 12, 13, etc...

by UCLA4Life on Apr 5, 2008 5:47 PM PDT   0 recs

magic
you know, when i didn't get drafted into the army (from Europe) i thought for sure that it was a sign that i would get to be at UCLA when we hung up the Twelfth banner. it wasn't meant to be i guess, and boy do i feel down right now.

despite all that, i've been lucky to see the boys get there three times - although reminiscing about the florida games only makes it worse...

by bruin007 on Apr 5, 2008 5:52 PM PDT   0 recs

On the bright side...
how many teams would kill to have our record? Oh, and successive final fours! Yes, disappointing way to end the season. I'd hoped Howland would call a time out early on, get the team to play BenBall and disrupt Memphis' rhythm. The future looks bright. UCLA will win a title with Howland as coach. I love how classy he was in the post game interview (although he referred to "Memphis State"). The Memphis players were complimentary of UCLA. That's what it's all about. But another banner will be nice.

by jhillery on Apr 5, 2008 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

It's three straight trips to Final Four without
a title. It's a great success, but this is UCLA. Here we count titles, not Final Four appearances. Sometimes you have got to go and win the hardware. I think this team was good enough, and I hope we will have most of the pieces back next year, but one of these years you have got to win it if you are in position to win.
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 5:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

interesting to see
only KL and RW at the post game interview

by BruinFan96 on Apr 5, 2008 6:03 PM PDT   0 recs

DC was hurt
I think this really stung for him, as it did everyon