I know I have written post game posts with that title before, but I will keep using it. These kids are warriors. As A wrote below - what Howland is doing right now with these kids is truely amazing. With basically frosh. and sophs. we are freaking undefeated on the road this season. And we are doing it like a gritty, hard nosed Big-East basketball team with rebounding and a smothering, tenacious D:
For those who knew nothing about UCLA coach Ben Howland's teams at Pittsburgh, and how the Panthers won with bruising defense, tenacious rebounding and just enough offense, Thursday night served as a time warp.
UCLA hounded Oregon into shooting an iron-cracking 32.2 percent from the field, didn't allow the Ducks to grab a rebound in the final 4:36, and used a pair of steals by Jordan Farmar to break a late tie to lift the 17th-ranked Bruins to a 56-49 win Thursday in front of a sellout crowd at McArthur Court.
That was from Dohn of the Daily News. Again Brian points out - what Coach Howland is doing with this injury riddled team being mostly led by sophs and frosh - is well - remarkable:
UCLA hounded Oregon into shooting an iron-cracking 32.2 percent from the field, didn't allow the Ducks to grab a rebound in the final 4:36, and used a pair of steals by Jordan Farmar to break a late tie to lift the 17th-ranked Bruins to a 56-49 win Thursday in front of a sellout crowd at McArthur Court.
The win puts UCLA (16-4, 6-2 Pac-10) alone atop the conference standings. More remarkable is UCLA's 4-0 road record, including 3-0 in the conference, considering the Bruins are getting most of their minutes from freshmen and sophomores.
"During the game I was thinking, 'OK, we have to get it so we have experienced guys out there,' " Howland said. "Then I'm thinking to myself, 'You're a real moron. We have no experience.' I should be used to it by now."
lol if Howland calls himself a "moron" what does that make Lavin? A dancing monkey like you see in those TV commericals for monster.com?"During the game I was thinking, 'OK, we have to get it so we have experienced guys out there,' " Howland said. "Then I'm thinking to myself, 'You're a real moron. We have no experience.' I should be used to it by now."
Anyways - going back to our warriors - Ced made his return last night. Played 18 mins. And, he had an instant impact:
A key moment came late in the first half. UCLA freshman guard Darren Collison had just had the ball stolen from him with Oregon's Ivan Johnson converting on a slam dunk at the other end to push the Ducks into a 17-15 lead.
That's when Bozeman announced his return in emphatic fashion. Taking his first and only shot of the first half, he made a three-pointer from the corner.
Despite his lack of offense, Bozeman made his presence felt on defense.
Great for Ced. Hope Ced and the boys are resting up today. Another huge game this Saturday. We can really stake out a great position in the Pac-10 race if we can pull out a road win in Corvallis against a good Oregon State this weekend. I know recent weeks Saturdays haven't been kind to us. Perhaps this the week we finally get rid of the Saturday jinx. Still good times to be a Bruin basketball fan. It's fun to see our boys growing up and taking Bruin hoops back - where it belongs - top of the PAC and eventuall of the basketball world. Warriors. GO BRUINS.
That's when Bozeman announced his return in emphatic fashion. Taking his first and only shot of the first half, he made a three-pointer from the corner.
Despite his lack of offense, Bozeman made his presence felt on defense.