What kind of Pac-10 bizarro world are we living in this morning?
by Jeff Nusser on Jan 7, 2010 11:48 AM PST
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PrintJust to recap last night's Pac-10 action:
- Cal lost at home to UCLA in overtime. That's bizarre enough, but even more bizarre is that the Bruins played a 2-3 zone for much of the game -- including the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime -- against a team that has Jerome Randle (37 of 84 from 3, 44 percent) and Theo Robertson (7 of 15 -- in seven games -- from 3, 46.7 percent). I dare any other Pac-10 team to try that again and live to tell about it. But for whatever reason, it worked last night.
(By the way, for all the pub that the cold shooting has gotten, the real culprit for the Bears was the numerous defensive breakdowns down the stretch of regulation and in overtime. When you're not scoring a ton of points, a team simply has to be able to rely on its defense. Cal couldn't last night. My guess is this will be an enormous teachable moment for Mike Montgomery.) - Oregon State lost by a combined 11 points on the road to UW and WSU, and then lost at home by 51 points to Seattle University. You know, the Seattle University that wasn't even a Division I basketball school two years ago. And, by the way, Charles Garcia played only 15 minutes in the blowout win for the Redhawks.
Cameron Dollar is doing a nice job over there, but this is the same team that lost by 21 in its previous game to a good-but-not-great Harvard team at KeyArena. It sure looks to me like the Beavers are a team that has lost its way in terms of confidence and identity. Maybe they'll find some motivation against the Ducks. - USC lost by a point on the road at Stanford. This shouldn't be wholly shocking, given the news earlier this week that the Trojans are ineligible for the postseason. Still, it was unexpected.
- There is now one undefeated team left in the Pac-10. Which shouldn't be undefeated.
Trying to figure out what's going to happen in this league night to night is an exercise in futility. Perhaps we should just stop and enjoy the drama. I know I enjoyed watching it unfold last night.
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I thought UCLA was dead with that defense
Watching from the beginning I was wondering why they were playing a 2-3 against a team with shooters. Sure Cal was cold, but UCLA brought the defensive effort and got out on the shooters, too. If there’s one thing Howland can do it’s teach defense and demand effort.
Weird night in the pac-10. The fact that Seattle U gave OSU their worst home loss ever and tied for worst overall loss effort is pretty amazing.
There also were some enormous gaps in that thing because they were getting out on many of the shooters
And Cal repeatedly failed to take advantage of it with turnovers and bad shots. Just completely inexplicable.
That's what I didn't understand
UCLA was extending out to about 30 feet on Randle, which would leave huge gaps to hit and create passing lanes. I didn’t understand how Cal wasn’t draw the defense out and cutting into the open passing lanes to drive to the hoop. It seemed like they didn’t know what to do on offense, but with Montgomery I doubt this happens again. I wouldn’t suggest running a 2-3 as the blueprint to beating Cal.
The 2-3, on the other hand, is the blueprint to beat OSU!
As long as you play defense they'll hand you the ball
Seriously, though, how did Seattle U do that WITHOUT Garcia. I was shaking my head watching that game.
Enjoy the ride
Yes, I agree that it is looking like figuring out the PAC 10 in hoops is nearly impossible. I can’t remember a season wherein it looked this wide open. What fun it is…
The sudden infatuation w/ SC is way early however… Gerrity is good, but when teams realize stopping his dribble penetration and forcing him to shoot is the key, he will slow way down. Stanford is just the beginning of the end of that flavor of the week. I like the defense on top for the Cougs in this regard, but am fully prepared to belly up for a bowl of crow. Cal is interesting… those star guards really pout when the ball isn’t going in the hole- I concur that some defensive lessons are in line for the Bears. I wish we could play the Bruins before Howland gets the wheels back on the wagon… I was shocked that they pulled out that win last night. This thing is open for the taking, let’s hopw our very young squad can seize the moments! Go Cougs
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
My love of USC has absolutely nothing to do with Gerrity
Their offensive performance has changed very little since he became eligible. It all comes down to their defense, which right now is one of the best we’ve seen in the Pac-10 in a couple of years. Probably since UCLA or WSU in 2007-08.
Kevin O'Neill
The man can coach a defense. Arizona ran him out of town because they wanted a Lute Olsen like system and I feel like they lost a coach that could have done them wonders.
not a dig
at you w/ the flavor of the month comment- just a general view of the national response to the signature win against Tenn. - In that game Gerrity was the difference. Vols clearly had planned to double the point, inexperienced Donte Smith, and Gerrity drove the lane with impunity. Pearl made no adjustment and POOF the route was on. I agree O’Neill’s d-first schemes will be a factor for years to come. Remains to be seen however if it is pure defense or thae ability to spread the floor and kill the clock that has them playing well right now. Either way… Gerrity’s ball handling ability is a bonus that made them far better at their intended game plans.
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
by hollyweirdcoug on Jan 7, 2010 4:01 PM PST up reply actions
I wouldn't really call them a flash in the pan though
The Tennessee game was one thing, and it was impressive, but then they went to Diamond head and took out two good teams in Saint Mary’s and UNLV. Follow that up with a sweep of the AZ schools and you’ve got an impressive team.
Right now, they’ve got the top defensive efficiency in the nation and, as WSU has shown in the past, a top ranked defense will always keep you in the game. Add in Gerrity being solid at the point and running the show and you do have a team that can compete with anyone.
Last night was interesting
The Oregon State game shocked me more then anything else. How does that happen? This league has been hurt by that stupid one and done rule more than anyone else and this year is evidence of that. I think we have to win or finish second in the Pac-10 to have any shot at the NCAA tournament this year because we are becoming a joke conference nationally and nobody will get an at large bid from the Pac-10 if you finish below the top 2.
"This league has been hurt by that stupid one and done rule more than anyone else"
Couldn’t disagree more. It helped the league a ton over the last two years by sending some awesome players our way, and it’s hurt plenty of other conferences (notably the SEC).
I don't know about that.
Its tough to build a team when you have to start over every year. Just ask UCLA.
by displacedcoug on Jan 7, 2010 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not saying it hasn't hurt
I’m just saying that failing to recognize the positive things it’s done for the league is a little shortsighted. I don’t think it’s hurt the Pac-10 more than any other big conference. Ask the Big Ten what it did for them when Ohio State was poised to become a power.
I agree with you completely.
I don’t know if there is anything worse than the one-and-done rule. Either make them stay 4 years, like women’s basketball, or don’t make them go at all. What is the point? They won’t get their degrees, and a kid who is just there for a year of basketball isn’t going to get anything out of college.
by displacedcoug on Jan 7, 2010 10:13 PM PST up reply actions
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