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UCLA v. Memphis: 2008 National Semi-Final Open Game Thread

094_tiny by Ajax on in Basketball

It's finally go time. This week didn't drag on, did it?

Last time the Bruins met the Tigers in the Tournament, the nation (small "n") stood witness to the beauty of Coach Howland's in-your-shirt defense and how it completely shut down the more athletic Memphis squad. After the game, we had to hear the pundits, some of which still won't go away, about how "ugly" the Ben Ball Warriors made that game.

To the Nation it was a thing of beauty, and you certainly cannot argue with the result:

Bruins embracing the ugliness

Here is to more "ugliness" and more of the same results.

Let's stick with the same MOJO combination from our last game:

It's great to be a Bruin right about now.

This is your official National Semi-Final open-game thread. Have at it.

Go Bruins!

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Off to watch the game
In case I don't get back here during the game, Go Bruins!

by bruinhoo on Apr 5, 2008 2:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Here We Go...
Let's Get UGLY!!
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 2:47 PM PDT   0 recs

Our band would have played
the National Anthem better.

by SpaceMonkey on Apr 5, 2008 2:48 PM PDT   0 recs

I am so nervous!
It is just a game, it is just a game, it is just a game.

Aw, that doesn't work!

by Dodger Hater on Apr 5, 2008 2:50 PM PDT   0 recs

Anybody else catch the group interview
of the Memphis players?

Can you say USC south?

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 2:52 PM PDT   0 recs

You are correct
My boss told me this week that Memphis's players are thugs, both in basketball and in football.

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 5, 2008 2:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey BB
Happy birthday this week!

Hoping the team will deliver the best present ever this weekend.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 5, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually it was Monday
But I will accept a late birthday gift from my team any day.

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 5, 2008 3:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh yeah
Our girls are smokin' (and smart too).

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 2:53 PM PDT   0 recs

OK Ref's -- Let Us PLAY!!!
My wish for the day, the ref's let us play.

We can beat any 5 on the floor. We can beat 8, but it's harder.

Go Bruins!!!

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 2:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Ready up BN!
Ready up!!

"LETS GO!"

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 5, 2008 2:55 PM PDT   0 recs

It's Go Time.
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Baby Blues
I love it when we wear the baby blues - Too nervous before tip off...
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Let's get it on
This should be a good one.  Mojo up ladies and gents.

by Menelaus on Apr 5, 2008 3:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Let's Go Bruins!!!
I got some Boddingtons and I am trying this beer called Train Wreck.  

Time to beat that douche bag Calipari.

by trainwreck84 on Apr 5, 2008 3:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Eight Clap!
U

C

L

A

UCLA

Fight

Fight

Fight

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Time to turn down the CBS clowns ...
... and blast Chris Roberts and Don MacLean.

(Fox71, I know you already have the TV sound off)

Listening to Bruin radio is part of my ritual.  Anybody else agree Donny-Mac was not only an exceptional scorer but is also an outstanding analyst?  

It's a pleasure to be sharing this day with the rest of BN, though I'm so amped up I can barely type straight (maybe that's due to the beer part of the ritual).  Go Bruins!

Bruin For Life

by handyman on Apr 5, 2008 3:06 PM PDT   0 recs

TV on, sound off
BN on one screen, and Yahoo on the other (for the box score).  UCLA shirt on.  Mrs. Fox 71 at a charity fund-raiser a zillion miles from here.  All is in readiness.

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Streaming
I'd do that if I could stream the broadcast without having to pay for it.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

YOU KNOW OUR NAME.
YOU KNOW OUR NAME.

I'm a longtime Bond fan, and to get geared up (not like I need any help), I like watching and listening to the opening credits from the last Bond movie.

"...If you come inside, things will not be the same
When you return to the night

If you think you've won
You never saw me change
The game that we have been playing

I've seen diamonds cut through harder men
Than you yourself but if you must pretend
You may meet your end...

Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you

You can't deny the prize; it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die

The coldest blood runs through my veins<
You know my name.
YOU KNOW MY NAME..."

The mission is what matters, and the mission is this: "...do our best to become the best that we are capable of becoming."

And the best we are capable of THIS YEAR... is BANNER 12.

We must be smart. Swift. TOUGH.

And that is what we are.

IN CASE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY HAS FORGOTTEN, we haven't.

I just finished praying on a blue rosary.  I've got my AA jersey on.  My kid has his Farmar jersey on.  Ms. M is stuck in Sacramento of all places on a school competition (she's a teacher), but she's calling in regularly.

WE ARE THE UCLA BRUINS.

YOU KNOW OUR NAME.

M

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Love it!
You know our name.

Go Bruins.

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Casino Royale
Best Bond Movie EVER!  Watched it last night again, love that theme song.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Luck Bruins
Let's do this!

Go Bruins!

by bruin95 on Apr 5, 2008 3:08 PM PDT   0 recs

We are
UCLA!

by Ajax on Apr 5, 2008 3:09 PM PDT   0 recs

LET's GO!!
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:10 PM PDT   0 recs

If I can't be at the game
there is no place I'd rather be than here, with my Bruin brothers and sisters.

Let's bring it home!!!

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 3:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Brothers and Sisters
The time has come

The warriors are ready

On my mark...

UNLEASH HELL.

THIS

IS

UCLA

BASKETBALL

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:11 PM PDT   0 recs

good ball movement
leads to our first basket.

by freesia39 on Apr 5, 2008 3:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Come on Shipp
Take the shot.

by bruingreaser26 on Apr 5, 2008 3:13 PM PDT   0 recs

love with the hook
YES 7-4.  memphis scores on the other end.  7-6 bruins.  shipp misses the second 3.  shipp again YES!!!!!!!

by freesia39 on Apr 5, 2008 3:15 PM PDT   0 recs

2 in a row!!!!!!!!
Let's go BRUINS

by BruinFan96 on Apr 5, 2008 3:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Redemption for Love
For that bad pass...damn, the pace is just fast and furious
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Coach Howland
is playing defense on the side lines.  

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2008 3:15 PM PDT   0 recs

what kind of major
is sport and leisure management?

by freesia39 on Apr 5, 2008 3:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Well,
Let's see how bad their FT shooting is going to be - they weren't that good during the season
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Ooooh Goodie
Let's get Rose into foul trouble.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Where was the FOUL?
Dammit
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Bruins playing at their pace.
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 3:18 PM PDT   0 recs

ugh memphis is running
getting up and down the court.

by freesia39 on Apr 5, 2008 3:18 PM PDT   0 recs

AAarrrgh
Come on guys - quit taking the bad shot and play YOUR game, not theirs.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Holy Crap!!
Stop that fast break!!!
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:19 PM PDT   0 recs

The pace is too fast
we need to tighten up the transition defense

by BruinFan96 on Apr 5, 2008 3:19 PM PDT   0 recs

Huge mistake to go at their pace.
It eliminates all of UCLA's strengths. Bad idea.
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 3:19 PM PDT   0 recs

Wow
This is what Memphis wants.

by Raisin on Apr 5, 2008 3:20 PM PDT   0 recs

We win 1 D stop at a time
Let's slow down and play our game.

That's how we win.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 3:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Completely agree
don't like the pace.  Get the ball inside to Love for his pump-fake, draw the foul, and one.
Bruin For Life

by handyman on Apr 5, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

3 EARLY KEYS
  1.  Catch the ball better in the paint.  No bobbling.
  2.  Play off the Memphis drivers -- let them try threes.  Cover back.
  3.  Hit the OFFENSIVE glass.  Shoot close, miss close, we get putbacks.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:21 PM PDT   0 recs

If they didn't call a foul there...
OMG I was going to scream
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:22 PM PDT   0 recs

THERE WE GO!
Keefe inside while KL draws guys out of position.  Niiice.  JK to the line.

M

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Difference between Keefe and love
somehow love would have got that shot off

by Dodger Hater on Apr 5, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Right now, doesn't matter.
Let's have ALL of our bigs score inside.

Force their bigs into foul trouble and it will pay dividends down the stretch.

WE CAN DO THIS.

M

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Word of the day is CLOSE.
Catch CLOSE to the basket.

Shoot CLOSE.

Rebound CLOSE.  

Score CLOSE.

M

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:23 PM PDT   0 recs

Need to get them into foul trouble
and play better DEFENSE.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:23 PM PDT   0 recs

How bout a few more tv timeouts?
Anyone?

Driving me nuts.

by UclaZack2005 on Apr 5, 2008 3:23 PM PDT   0 recs

C'mon guys
play YOUR game now.
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Their FT Shooting has really improved
We will need to make ours, too.
sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

Too fast
gotta slow it.  Deliberatness in O,score so we can have set-d

by Rich1996UCLA on Apr 5, 2008 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

Keep pounding, keep pounding.
And CATCH in the paint!
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

That's the way
PLayed good D on that last defensive when Taggert hit the 3 - just didn't work out our way.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

That's it
set O, set D

by Rich1996UCLA on Apr 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

RW with the 3
20-19 memphis

by freesia39 on Apr 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

I'd really rather
This game not be decided on outside shooting.
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

im here
and theres a great take from russ lets go
O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 5, 2008 3:28 PM PDT   0 recs

Loving me some Westbrook ...
Still patiently waiting for some Collison, which I know is coming.
Bruin For Life

by handyman on Apr 5, 2008 3:28 PM PDT   0 recs

LUCKY Break
to get THAT foul...I KNEW this was going to be a tight game, but does it really have to be THIS tight?

I've got sphlikes in my genectkezoink!

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:29 PM PDT   0 recs

God, Is Anyone Else
as TENSE as I am?  AAAAUUURRGH!
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:29 PM PDT   0 recs

Yes, but anything for a win.
Be nervous, but DON'T BE AFRAID.

WE CAN DO THIS, BRUINS.

HAVE FAITH.

M

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice passing by DC
RW stepping up as well.
Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 5, 2008 3:29 PM PDT   0 recs

It's still not a good pace
We're back in it, but Westbrook shouldn't have taken that quick shot when the Memphis players were back.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2008 3:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Agree
Coach would say "Goodness Gracious Russel"

Pass the ball

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Refs
Nice that they are letting everyone play physically.  Luc put a body to CDR on that last Memphis possession.

by UclaZack2005 on Apr 5, 2008 3:30 PM PDT   0 recs

We need to lock down on D
they are shooting 66%.

When we clamp down, the game will be ours.

We can play better D.

And we will

sjh

by Class of 66 on Apr 5, 2008 3:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Here's what it looks like to me
our O is actually our best D.  If we have good set O and score, we get time to set D and they can't run as much.  

by Rich1996UCLA on Apr 5, 2008 3:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Do We Have To Have
fried lard ball commercials right now?
Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 5, 2008 3:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Both teams shooting
far better than normal. Somethings got to give. Hopefully not us.

by Dodger Hater on Apr 5, 2008 3:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Feeling okay
Love has still not really been established, and we have the best coach in the country.  Nice little run to come back from six down.
Bruin For Life

by handyman on Apr 5, 2008 3:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Come ON, Keefe...
... get your hands together on that ball!  You can do this, baby!
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:32 PM PDT   0 recs

KL back in after a 2-minute break
That unit looked a bit out of sync.
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:34 PM PDT   0 recs

Pass the ball westy, dont ballhog!
CBH: 3 straight PAC-10 titles, most since CJW!

by Lakers Bruins Fanatic on Apr 5, 2008 3:34 PM PDT   0 recs

shoot
good dishes from josh darn we need luc hittin those bunnies...hopefully its jsut a little jitters
O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 5, 2008 3:34 PM PDT   0 recs

Nice slither by RW!!!!!
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:34 PM PDT   0 recs

We will adjust
Little too much of LRMAM shooting, little too little of guys like DC and KL shooting.  Westy - more like it.
Bruin For Life

by handyman on Apr 5, 2008 3:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Bad series
of offensive drives - I swear if we take ONE more bad outside shot I'm going to scream
Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Apr 5, 2008 3:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Keefe HAS to hold on to rebounds!
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 5, 2008 3:35 PM PDT   0 recs

we're gunna need
keefe to grab those baords
O.A.

by Ollie on Apr 5, 2008 3:35 PM PDT   0 recs