Coach Dean is back...and black [Archive]

vols21

December 7th, 2007, 09:05 PM

enough about the weather, let's kick things off:

No press showed up at the press conference, so Coach Dean kept it short (lucky we had a student reporter there to document this historic day). He said he's never had a losing record and he doesnt want to start now....the fact that this team has only won more than 10 games ONCE this decade just means it's going to be an uphill battle. it's been a couple years since I've been an active coach, so I'll be learning along with the players.

Coach Dean introduced the team at Midnight Madness -- there was no press at the game either and less than 1000 fans:

SG Larry Cunningham 73 SR leader on the team. 75 DAWR, good med/close shot. Best on team in most areas
SG Chris Johnson 65 JR red shirt
PF B. J. Visman 6'8 63 RS JR good low post and rebounder (low 70)
SG Cleavon Barlow 61 So good ball handler with great speed
SG Aaron Scott 61 RS JR could become a good 3-pt threat, also one of the few great dunkers on the team
PF Benoit Bekona 6'7 60 RS SO from Africa, rebounder and low post defender
PF Severin Gates 6'8 60 RS JR solid (read avg.) across the board
SG Sean Cunningham 59 RS SO
SG Charles Jim-George 58 SO walk best 3 pt shooter (just a little better than Diggs). One of best defenders on team
SG Jalonni Diggs 57 FR 2nd best defender on team behind L.Cunningham. Best 3 pt shooter on scholarship, good defender
PF Josh Scott 6'8 57 FR as good a rebounder as upperclassmen Visman and Bekono. Highest potential of any player with a C
PF Christian Soto 6'8 55 SR
SG Michael Creppy 54 RS JR

not a lot of hustle on the team, but several good ball handlers with speed and defenders at guard. No true PG, SF, or Center. Will be a lot of "by committee" in these roles. Outside of Cunningham most the player ratings are C or below (just a few B's scattered)

Jim-George wowed the crowd at midnight madness with back to back to back 3 pters. Soto played well against the first team. Both earned some playing time for their efforts.
Cunningham played little, but showed flashes of greatness for the team. Surprisingly good efforts from all the low post players. That could bode well. We need a lot of good things to happen fast

The starters for the first game againt Texas Tech will be:
Barlow at the point
L.Cunningham SG
A.Scott SF (maybe he can get free for some 3's on the wings)
Visman will start at PF
Gates edged African Benoit Bekano for the center spot.
Expect Bekano and Soto to both get some playing time here at least early on while we learn the team

The early schedule has us on the road a lot

2 games in Texas - @ Texas Tech and UT-Arlington to open the season.
Then to E.Washington and Gonzaga
We have our first home game with Idaho, then off to Minnesota.
SanDiego State, Loyola Marymount - then home vs. CSU Bakersfield (the only team with a lower team rating than us on the schedule - altho some are close).
We also are so lucky as to have USC from the Pac 10. Not to fear, our sister school UCI has beaten UCLA a couple times so we won't give up until the game starts.

Conference teams
Pacific
UC Davis
CS Fullerton
CS Northridge
Long Beach State
UC Irvine
Cal Poly
UC Santa Barbara

Bracketologist

December 7th, 2007, 09:07 PM

Just for you growing up there I am done following this legacy. I am tired from people there saying how they are awesome and everyone wants to live in the OC. First off OC isn't even a great nickname. Plus its very original (ha ha). Have a cool one like Nasti Nati (cincinnati) like ours or something.

I am only kidding bro you know I will follow your's. Anyways I am going to be moving out to LA anyways pretty soon (which I hate LA) so when I get some money I am moving out to some place cool like Alaska, Montana, or back to the nasti. Can't wait for this to start!!

Charlotte = Queen City or QC or Cha-Town

chestnutz6

December 7th, 2007, 09:25 PM

Do you have the game? Good to see you writin again.

vols21

December 8th, 2007, 01:09 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/TXTECH.gif

UC Riverside opens up the season as big underdogs to Texas Tech (10 pts based on the ratings and historic game). Coach Dean tells the team to play up to the competition, don't expect them to play down to you.

We start out fast with some 3's by Aaron Scott, but goes downhill from there as Red Raiders go on a run to get a 8 pt lead. We fight back to trail by only 5 at half.
Texas Tech wakes up at half time and roars out to take a double digit lead (building it up to20 at one time). But we keep battling back, just never able to crack into single digits and lose 67-77 (about the difference in the team ratings). Sean Cunningham leads us with 14 pts. Christian Soto came off the bench to deliver 11 and 3 rebs
Scott's 3 pt'ers early got us started, but he cooled off still finishing with 12pts and 4 rebs for the game. Gates nabbed 12 rebs. Jim - George who was so hot in the midnight madness cooled off here scoring only 4. All in all, not a bad first game out (and about on par with real life results - just hope we don't get blown out by Arlington as happened this year after this game). 4-8 FT's as two good guard shooters missed both tries each.

Coach Dean commented that we just could not stop Zeno and Craig's inside/outside game (they scored 29 pts between them and combined for 10 rebs). Rizvic dominated the low post as well, scoring 13 and taking 8 rebounds.. We took some chances and while it may have kept us in the game, it cost us in the end. We just didn't have enough to stop their big men inside. That's something we'll work on - maybe our post players got a little overconfident playing against each other in the scrimmage game. We need more output from Larry Cunningham too.....8 pts on 3 of 11 shooting isn't going to cut if if he wants to be the star and carry this team. However, I am proud of the never say die attitude of this team. We could have folded up our tents when down by 20, but we fought back and made it respectable. We just have keep playing hard and to improve every game out.

Next we travel up the interstate to face UT-Arlington (who are currently 8-0 in real life having just knocked off Wichita State).

CincyFan

December 8th, 2007, 02:17 PM

yeah its kind of hard to open up your career against the General. Don't worry we all know you will be on top of the Basketball world in like four or five years anyways.

vols21

December 8th, 2007, 06:59 PM

UCR wins first game of the year against UT-Arlington

UCR @ UT - Arlington: The Mavs were tough early and things did not look good, so Coach Dean rolled out the "Pearl Jam" attack - at first with a 3/4 trap, but then the full blown 1-2-1-1 and UCR jumped up by 10 forcing 11 turnovers (only 7 themselves). It came down to FT's at the end and we hit 14/20 (70%) to pull out the win 80-70 and leave Texas with a .500 record!!

(They started off rated better than us 74-68, and 76-72 - nice to see our team edge above 70 for a day).

Aaron Scott was the hero of the day - this time he didn't cool off and scored 18. Visman added 16 and 8 rebs. Soto off the bench with 15 and 5 rebs.
Hometown boy Larry Cunningham who many expect to be the star for this team was fine being the decoy and dishing to his teammates, scoring 13 pts. "brother" Sean hit a couple FT's to help ice the game.

Coach Dean said he wanted to point out the play of Michael Creppy - he drove the lane to hit a couple shots right before half that made it a 1-pt game. If he keeps that up, he'll give other teams the Creeps!
Creppy and Jim-George are both walk-ons that have contributed in spot moments. Coach Dean hopes he doesn't have to rely on walk-ons as the season progresses, but right now he wants everyone to know if they play hard they will see playing time - we need all the help we can get right now!! (as evidenced by Soto's 57 rating giving us back-to-back double digit games).

Next we travel to Eastern Washington and Gonzaga

CincyFan

December 8th, 2007, 07:35 PM

can't wait for the Gonzaga game, and congrats on your first win of the year.

vols21

December 8th, 2007, 11:41 PM

ok Cincy, for you (since you are one of those 2 fans who've come to all our games :lol: )

1-1 UCR vs 0-2 Eastern Washington (rated 69 to our 68)
41-17 at the half as we shot lights out (71%) and held them to a cold 25%. It was Gates, Soto, and Visman inside. EW's coach said he'd just defend 5 guys in the paint if he had to!
They didn’t work because Scott and Jim-George hit 4 treys between them to really break down the Eagles confidence. You could hear a pin drop in the arena. 81-45 final score!!
Soto was a beast inside scoring 19 for the game. Gates and Cunningham both scored 14, but played sparingly in the 2nd half with the big lead. This was a great chance to get our young guys some valuable playing time. Coach Dean said the key to the game was defense - we focused on staying the passing lane, not getting too aggressive - if they cant score, they cant beat you.

WE outrebounded 33-16, and that led to some fast breaks thanks to our great speed advantage. EW only turned the ball over 4 times, but they forced 11 mistakes by our young ball handlers.

The lack of a point guard could have been crucial here if they had not been so cold shooting in the early going. I'm very proud of our 17 assists too, showing our unselfish play. Once again, it's the unsung hero Jim-George that led the way with 5 assts (to go with his 9 pts). Going to Gonzaga next, we don't want to be on the receiving end of one of these scores.
Looking for things to improve on - 11 of 16 FT's. Soto was 5/6, but all the guards missed one of two. They have to knock those down. We'll be working on that aspect next week.

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A big early season game for our team vs Gonzaga
UCR vs 1-1 Gonzaga. The kennell was barking tonight at the McCarthy Center. Both teams came out cold. Finally Aaron Scott hit a 3 to put us on the board first.
The half ends 28-27 in our favor! Looking at the coach's notes at halftime, we hadn't been executing our fast break despite our quickness edge and our star Cunningham
had been very cold so far, even though he did hit a couple key shots his confidence was in the tank. Gonzaga quickly took the lead out of the break, but Scott nails a 3 to put us
back on top. It was nip and tuck for a while as Gonzaga seemed intent on cramming the ball down our throats inside (successfully this time unlike the first half) and we tried to push the ball up the floor and make some buckets in transition. Just when it seemed Gonzaga might pull away, Cunnigham hit a shot, and we found Soto underneath for a couple baskets.

WE took a small lead and the game would be decided on the FT line -- oh my stars, I get my first real taste of this home court advantage (either that or we had an earthquake, there was so much shaking going on!!) Diggs missed the front end of a one & one. But Visman, Gates, and Scott all hit their FT's and UCR comes home with a HUGE UPSET 70-65!!

For the game we are 8 of 12 from the charity stripe. WE win the battle of the boards 36-33, more assists 17-16. Turnovers were even (6 apiece). We hit 4 more treys than they did.
Star of the game without a doubt was Aaron Scott with his 20 pts leading all scorers. Visman added 14 pts and 7 rebs. L.Cunningham added 9 pts (he said he had the flu).
Bekono and Gates grabbed 6 rebs each, as we battled the Bulldog front line all nite long. Barlow dished out 8 assists and no turnovers - not bad for a makeshift PG.
Gonzaga's Brown scored 19 as he dominated inside early in the 2nd half. Bouldin scored 12 but missed a big 3 pointer late that could have tied the game, instead we rebound, get fouled and hit our free throws.

Coach Dean smiles from ear to ear after the game. We got rattled early by the large noisy crowd (everyone's confidence was -6 or more), but our defense kept
them from scoring too and when Scott hit that first basket we knew we could play with these guys. The coaching staff kept the players in it. Question from a reporter about the pressure defense and fast break attack we executed so well in the 2nd half. Coach Dean said we call that "Surf's Up" and our boys were ready to hang 10. We're estatic to get out of here with a win when many thought we'd be playing for a moral victory - and that despite Larry shooting 3 of 16 and also them shutting down Soto.

Our first home game is next Saturday vs 0-2 Idaho. So everyone come out and support this Highlander team. Then we travel to Minnesota the following week. Recruiting update from College Hoops Central soon

vikingfan1

December 8th, 2007, 11:43 PM

Congrats on the upset over Gonzaga! Hopefully many more to come!

chestnutz6

December 9th, 2007, 07:04 AM

great wins my man

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 12:12 PM

thanks for the congratulatory calls. :)
Looks my fan base has doubled to 4 fans!
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Recruiting trail: The UCR staff has been traveling the SoCal and surrounding areas trying to get some players for next year. With 4 scholarships to offer, they are casting a wide net.
Right now, their top candidate appears to be Kueth Petway, a 6'6 SF from LA. He scored 4 ppg and 5 rpg in 17 minutes playing for Dust em Off in the ABL.
A 3* recruit, he's the #104 SF and 404 overall. He's athletic, has a good shot and attacks the glass for rebounds. He has UCR as his top choice over UCI and LBSU at the moment.
(82%)
There are a few 1 and 2* players interested as well. 3* Sean Van from Reno NV, a 6'10 Center has UCR atop his list (#33 center in land). He's a long way from signing with anyone.

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College Hoops Tonight: NC's Tyler Hansbrough player of the week scoring 34.5 points per game.
Michigan vs Georgetown - Wolverines win 69-63 on the road.behind Harris' 24 pts. Memphis destroyed UK 80-55!
This week, look forward to Michigan State & Maryland and Arizonia @ Kansas

Top 10 has:
UNC 2-0,
Memphis (4-0),
Kansas (1-1),
Michigan State (2-0),
Louisvillle (2-0),
UCLA (3-0),
Tennessee (2-0),
Marquette (3-0),
Wisconsin (4-0),
Duke (2-0)
other notables in top 25: Oregon #11, Clemson #15, Indy #16, S. Illinois #22, Xavier #23, Vandy #25

Mid-Major: S.Illinois, Utah State, Gonzaga (1-2!!), Akron, Old Dominion, Bradley, Nevada, Creighton, W.Kentucky, George Mason, Davidson (0-1). Austin Peay @#22. no Big West teams

UCR plays their first home game of the year against 71 rated Idaho. We're hoping for a big turnout to cheer us on.

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 01:25 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/ID.gif

3-1 UCR vs 0-2 Idaho

Idaho at UCR (Vandals are 71 rated vs our 68. We have a little better team unity 24 vs 20, and are better defensively)

trail 44-36 at halftime!! The quiet empty gym gave us no energy - seemed to fall apart after Cunningham made a 4 pt play to put us by 6 (we got too cocky)
Vandals extend to 16 pt lead - Coach Dean yells "SURF'S UP!!!" and a little extra defensive pressure cuts the lead to 3 (we get 1 steal on the press, but we miss 3 chances at a bucket).

I had to laugh when the announcer commented how crazy the crowd was and asked if this place could get any louder! 700 people don't make a lot of noise in a 3,000+ seat arena
nonetheless, it was enough to urge us onto a massive run - we whittled the lead down, took the lead on another 3 by Scott. Soto and Visman exerted themselves in paint - something they did not do in the first half. The fast breaks kept on coming and Idaho wilted under the pressure and "loud" crowd -- the bars were solid red and flashing as both our students were jumping up and down.

final score was 80-72. both teams hit 7 treys, but we had 11/17 FT's (to their 6of6)
Player of the game again was Aaron Scott with 21 pts, 6 rebs.
Larry Cunningham was a pivotal part of the comeback, scoring 15. Barlow with a career high 10 pts.
Vismas was getting double teamed when he got the ball, scored 9, 6 rebs, and 6 assts as he dished to the open man time and time again during our rally. Soto 7 pts, no longer the
big scoring threat he was in the early games. For Idaho, Brandon Brown scored 13, and they strugled after he foulded out. Crowell ate us up inside with 11 pts and 11 rebs.
Coach Dean complements the intensity in the 2nd half as we held Idaho to only 20 pts (after 44 in the first) Idaho shot 60% in first half, 25% in the 2nd! While we improve from 40 to 57% (50% for game)
First half and early 2nd half, they killed us inside. Once we took that away from them and forced them to shoot mid-range jumpers we were able to claw back into the game.

1-1 Minnesota is next Saturday, then we hope both our fans will travel down to San Diego to cheer us on against the Aztecs of SD State on Dec. 4. - the only team on our schedule right now with a winning record! (Even USC suddenly looks beatable at 1-3). Key stat: Turnovers: Idaho 9 - UCR 2

College Hoops Show
Aldridge of WKU scores 34 on UNC Asheville and is player of week. Gonzaga now 3-3 and still 3rd best mid-major. Utah State upsets a top 25 team and remains #1. CS Fullerton (2-) at #24
Michigan State beats UCLA 75-68
AZ by one over Kansas (87-86)
Top 10: UNC, Michigan St, Duke, TN, Memphis, UCLA, Louisville, Marquette, Wisconsin, Kansas (2-2?). Xavier (5-0) jumps to #15. UGA debuts at #19, Miss. State #24
(Princeton 2-3 on the year so far

CincyFan

December 9th, 2007, 01:38 PM

hey sorry I didn't respond about the games. I will say both games were awesome to watch the reason why I haven't responded yet was cause I tried to storm the court when you upsetted the Zags but they arrested me so I had to spend a night in jail. Great wins though vols.

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 04:56 PM

DUDE!! You should have called!! I'd have sent one of our top attorneys from the law firm of Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe to get you out.
When we play San Diego State, I'll make sure to send some extra body guards to protect you in case we win there. I'm hoping "both our fans" show up for the game since it's not that far away. Minnesota is next - I've always had good luck against the big 10, but I'm worried this time....I almost asked the AD to take the game off the schedule so I didn't ruin my perfect record. Oh well, we'll play hard and see what happens.

mcasale4

December 9th, 2007, 05:08 PM

i used UC Riverside in a legacy last year, they are a good choice because there are many good local recruits and international and JUCO recruits seem to find it enticing

imahussla

December 9th, 2007, 05:13 PM

Charlotte = Queen City or QC or Cha-Town

What a rip off of the city of wind aka the windy city aka Chi-Town
Chicago

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 06:28 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/MN.gif

4-1 UCR @ 1-2 Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers lost to Iowa State and Florida State after an opening win over Army. They have a host of excellent 3 pt shooters who have been cold the last 2 games
Our players' confidence levels have skyrocketed with the recent winning steak, while Minnesota is drooping at present. The Barn was packed for the game.

fast paced high scoring half. Their giants killed me inside, so we ran and ran and ran some more and built a 49-40 first half lead - Scott, Jim-George, and Cunningham lit it up from outside the arc.
to start the 2nd half, Bekono was brought in as a hatchet man - make some hard fouls on defense, and hammer inside on offense. He drew 2 quick fouls and made 4 FT's. UCR built an amazing 14 pt lead.
then suddenly, Minnesota charged and took the lead on 3 pt shooting. It was a battle from there until the end. UCR had a 5 pt lead with a minute to go - FT's OUCH, as we miss, they hit their shots and the lead is one. Fouled again with just seconds on the clock, Diggs misses ANOTHER front end of the 1&1.
Minnesota down by 1 fires a 3 pointer at the buzzer from top of the key -- and it BOUNCES OFF!!!! UCR escapes with another huge upset 93-92!!!!

killed on rebounding 24-38 - the difference was 4 fouls vs 11. We were 17 of 21 at charity stripe - just missed a couple front ends of 1&1 at the end that could have iced the game.
Minnesota beat us on the break (15-4) on the boards, and in the paint (54-40). We beat them at their own game, hitting 10 of 20 from 3-pt land (and they were 7 of 16). And our free throw practices paid off and kept us in this game - altho it almost cost us at the end too.

KEY PLAYERS
McKenzie led all scorers for Minnesota with 27 (5 of 9 from beyond the arc). Coleman pulled down 7 boards for them as they rotated a few big men as we got them in foul trouble.

Scott was our star once again - 22 pts. Larry Cunningham brought his "A" game today too, scoring 19. Bekono and Soto has 12 each. Visman had an off-nite, but it seemed the other team focused on him, and let down with the subs came in. Take nothing away from the way Bekono played though, he was like a wild tiger out there. He and Visman had 5 rebs each to lead us.
Barlow 5 assts, and Visman 4. Diggs came up with a couple big steals late, but missed his FT's when he was fouled. 9 turnovers plaqued us as we squandered the big lead.

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College Hoops Tonight:
Kyle Hines of UNC Greensboro is your player of the week
Ohio State blew out UNC despite Hansbrough's 25 pts. Wisconsin knocked off Duke (looks like Big 10 got the best of the ACC challenge)

PG Alfred Brand #1 player signs with Memphis Tigers.

We didn't sign anyone on the first day, but we invited a couple players to visit this week and hope to ink at least one of them.
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Coach Dean wants to personally invite "both of our fans" to travel to San Diego and cheer on the team against the Aztecs. He promises extra security to ensure Cincyfan doesn't get arrested this time in the event we pull off another miracle win and he wants to charge the court.

CincyFan

December 9th, 2007, 06:34 PM

Whats with this extra security. Next time don't put glue on my seat at halftime cause luckily last time I didn't need to use the restroom. Also I saw this good looking brunette at the game and you hurt my chances to talking to her. Then again afterwards I found out she is your cousin. So if you can put in a good word I would appreciate it.

By the way you know I will come to every game. home or away.

chestnutz6

December 9th, 2007, 06:38 PM

I only go to the games cincy isn't at.

CincyFan

December 9th, 2007, 06:41 PM

Just for that Vols you need to play Syracuse next year and beat the crap out of James Boeheim team. Then let me storm the floor and tear down the rim and carry it back to the homestate.

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 06:45 PM

I only go to the games cincy isn't at.

OH, one of those fair-weather fans!

and Cincy, the security is to keep the cops away from you. See if u can get a piece of the floor if we beat SD State. :D Doubt there's any chance they'll be playing a game at my house anytime soon......and with only 3-4 fans in attendance, any of their trouble makers will be easy to spot and contain. Oh, and I'll speak to cuz -- maybe I'll get ur seats next to each other at the next home game!! :dance:

vols21

December 9th, 2007, 09:09 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/SDGST.gif

5-1 UCR @ 5-2 San Diego State (80 rated)

WE came out flat and maybe a little overconfident from our recent success. Plus the Aztecs are a fantastic team.
They start the game making 2 of 4 FT's before I even see the ball. Trail 31-43 at half as we are outrebounded 13-21. we're not getting good looks from outside, and they are tough inside
We just never got untracked. Losing the game 68-79. Davis was their star scoring 24 pts and Amoroso pulled 11 rebounds.
L.Cunningham, Scott and Gates all scored 10 as we had a dismal shooting performance (26 of 63….7 of 16 from 3pt…..9 of 17 FT's. Visman, Scott, and Bekono each had 6 rebounds.

Out-rebounded 28-39, but only 30-34 points in the paint. 14 fast break points as we passed down the floor against their press. Each team with 10 turnovers.
Coach Dean was disappointed with the loss, especially since both fans made the trip down to watch them in the sold out Cox Center. "We can't go on the road and miss 8 FT's and expect to win - the only thing that kept us in it is that they missed 8 FT's too (13 of 21), they just had more chances. Davis played like an All-American for them and our shooters couldn't hit shots and keep pace with him. Barlow had 5 more assists and is becoming quite a little play-maker for us. We're going to have games like this, we just don't want to have too many of them. They had a hand in our face all nite, causing several errant shots and even a few blocks. Larry has to dribble around that instead of shooting into it.
looking for positives, we out-played them in the 2nd half but they hit the FT"s when they had to. Now we have to get ready for Loyola Marymount (2-5).
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http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/headers/logo_246x77.gif

BIG NEWS on the recruiting front. Kueth Petway from L.A. signs with UCR. On the last day of the in-season signing period, the 3 Star SF inks on the bottom line. He was only 70% in favor of us at the start of the season, but warmed up quickly and moved UCR from #7 to #1.
Petway is a B to B- player in the different skill areas which could put him in the starting line-up next year (heck, he could start right now!)

Tyler Hansbrough scores 42 against Penn and is player of the week for 2nd time
Indy 66-65 over UK. Ratliff and Crawford led each team
Marquette overpowered Wisconsin 82-71 in battle of top 10 teams. Matthews 23 pts led the way for Golden eagles
Hooks #3 SF, #10 overall player signs with UCLA

We are also battling CSUB for the services of the #83 PG David Ellerbee. He is impressed with UCR and is 93% sure he will come here - just not ready to make that decision yet (both offered)
Three centers are 80% in favor of us. (a 1 star, 2 star, and 3 star - with 3* Sean Van putting us atop the list so far, but he also likes Nevada because they are closer - all three men are 6'10 and can help us clog the middle).
Coach Dean has been burning up the phones to some Jr stars as well, with three 3*'s in the 50-60% range - we'd like to get a couple up toward 80% by year end.
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http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/LOYMRY.gif

UC Riverside Highlanders (5-2) vs Loyola Marymount Lions (2-5)

Loyola Marymount is 68 rated as we are. We took them for granted and lost a 6 point half time lead AND the game.
we fell apart in the 2nd half as I.Jenkins and Zeri lit us up from outside (combined 7 of 11). Jenkins scored 26 and Zeri 19 as Loyola wins 75 - 84
Larry Cunningham had his best game of the year scoring 29 (12 of 16 and 5/6 3pt) but Scott had his worst game with 3 of 11 shooting and that's what killed us. No one could score 2nd half.
We won rebounds 28-24 but 11 turnovers were our undoing. They shot 16 of 17 FT's (we were 5/8). Coach Dean was not happy with the performance. This is a game we should have won -
on the other hand, we've won a few that we should have lost too so it evens out. We can't come out flat against winless CSU Bakersfield - despite their 0-10 record they are capable of beating us. It was not a total loss for the fans though.....

CincyFan and my cousin were seen sitting together in the front row. The Kiss Cam caught them during one time-out break (you're welcome buddy, that seemed to help break the ice as they made an early exit and walked out hand in hand). AS he left, another fan entered wearing ugly syracuse orange colors making a lot of noise and wondered where he could sit up front.
not like there aren't a LOT of empty seats in this arena. :-) first home loss.

CSUB is next and then onto play USC! It's been a tough stretch with 2 losses, and the next couple weeks don't look much better.
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http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/headers/logo_246x77.gif
Hoops show: FIU beat UALR in the big game of the week from the Sun Belt. Rutgers upset UNC!! Tar Heels are on a slide with 3 losses
Top Mid Major - Utah State 9-2.
Kevin Love of UCLA is player of week with 36 pts and 13 rebounds.
Top 10 sees Memphis and Clemson the only major unbeatens. Memphis #1 followed by UCLA, Michigan State, Duke, Marquette, Clemson, Kansas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Indy (UNC #11)
Tennessew drops from 12 to 22 after 3 straight losses (UL lafayette, Chattanooga, and WKU). They have struggled since their OT Win over Texas.

2k8 sports recruiting guides list 3 * recruits Ellerbee and Van as over 90% interested in UCR (MCASALE4 is correct so far, as I'm getting some good looks. Not many HS Jrs anywhere close to being interested despite the early work. Maybe they will improve over the season)

imahussla

December 9th, 2007, 09:37 PM

Well I have read all this and I must say this is good work looks like I will be carpooling with Cincy to the games lol

chestnutz6

December 10th, 2007, 04:24 AM

damn that kiss cam!

CincyFan

December 10th, 2007, 05:18 AM

Is Kueth Petway a Senior or a JUCO kid. If he is a senior I am not going to lie to you but will say that he will be a beast on your team sooner than later. I have 2 three star recruits on my team and they are one of my best players. Massie is one who is a sophomore the other is a freshman.

I will say that we didn't leave after the kiss cam to go somewhere and make out. Not going to ruin my chances of not coming to see the great games for trying to do something stupid. It was that she wasn't feeling good cause of this guy in the back yelling and saying not-so-nice-things about her and her family. She wanted to stay but couldn't take it anymore and was upset. So I took her home and comfort her telling her that that Syracuse fan issn't nothing to worry about.

Tell her I am sorry for people who have to act like that, and I promise her that he won't do that at the next home game.

Yeah at least I get to save some gas money cause Iamhussla and I are car pooling together. Maybe its just cause your cousin rides with me, but I think it has to do with liking this team more though lol.

Deuce2223

December 10th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Nice Season so far. I am actually here in Spokane and caught your games at Eastern and Gonzaga and was so impressed, I took the drive down to U of I in hopes of watching you trash the Vandals. Thanks for the good memories...:) Sorry I didn't notice security grabbing you Cincy I would've stepped up and helped you out. Those fans can be pretty brutal at the Kennel. Thats why I bring in all the extra help. You should've seen the WSU vs Zags game the other night.

I will try and come to as many games as possible but I must say with my busy schedule I am not sure how often I can make the east coast trips.

vols21

December 10th, 2007, 12:53 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CSBAK.gif

5-3 UCR vs 0-11 CSUB (cal state Bakersfield)

we keep hoping for a few more fans. Cincy has the Jack Nicholson seats so he can scope the ladies, and Imahussla also has good courtside seats since they rode together.
an early 16-0 run gave us a 10 point lead after a slow start. But we could not put them away and lead 49-43 at halftime (both teams shot 60% from field) L.Cunningham 21 pts at break
Larry "Money" Cunningham would not be denied this time. He was 13 of 15 FG (6 of 7 3pt) for 32 pts to lead the team to victory. A.Scott chipped in 21 in support.
UCR wins 99-79 (just missing the century mark when Scott blew a lay-up). Both teams hit 10 treys (they shot 30 while we shot 18) we made 5 of 6 FT's!! And win rebounds 32-28

Coach Dean was pleased - "we shot the lights out tonight. It was good to have Scott shooting so well and Cunningham was "MONEY" from outside. He is our team leader for sure.
Bekono's 5 rebounds were tops for the team. Visman had 7 assists to lead there. (Diggs had 6)
Johns was 6 of 8 from 3pt to lead the Road Runners with 23 pts. Blakely was 1 of 14 which really hurt them.

This week we travel to LA to play USC….then a special treat for the players. Since they've played so well, they've been invited to the UCF tourney - spend new years in central florida. (I can keep a better eye on them there instead of someone sneaking off to Vegas and getting into trouble).

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/headers/logo_246x77.gif
Hoops Show: Curry of Davidson scored 33 on NC State to win player of week honors (final Davidson 87 - 75 over the wolfpack - only their 2nd win of the year.
Memphis loses to Georgetown and Cincy to drop from #1 to #10
Texas rocked Michigan State 87-67 in the "upset of the week"
UCLA is the new #1 followed by Duke, Marquette, Clemson (9-0), Kansas, Michigan State, UNC, Memphis, Indy, Wisconsin
next 10 show Uconn, Oregon, Georgia, Florida State, Washington, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Georgetown, Kentucky, Stanford (9-2), Alabama, Wash.St, Prov, MD, Purdue
the coaches poll have Saint Louis and Fordham in the top 25 (#22 and 23)

MidMajor still have Utah State at the top followed by Bradley (7-2), WKU (7-2), Nevada (7-2) Sam Houston State (5-1), New Orleans (10-0)
My hometown Missouri State is ranked #24 (4-7 record?). Gonzaga is #14 at 5-6

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Coach Dean answers some fan mail during a recent call-in show:

Petway is a HS senior. We're expecting big things from him once he gets to campus. We just need to get him some support too and hoping his early signing will help encourage other guys to join us here.

Welcome to the Highlander fan club Deuce. My secretary is sending you a fan pack with a T-shirt and cap to wear (hopefully you can wear them proudly) I'm glad we have fans up in Washington as well. I'll make sure we schedule some games in the Pacific NW again next year.

in the meantime, I have a couple seats reserved for my springfield MO neighbor's kid....But Brad and Angelina have not showed up to a game yet. You can always use their tickets in ur in Riverside for a game. Of course if they show up you'll have to move (prolly just one seat over....like I said, we don't have a lot of fans YET......I'm working hard on that. Beating pots and pans in the student cafeteria, attending local community events and clubs. I tried putting 2 tickets under windshield wipers of all cars in the parking lot and on the street. But when I walked by later in the day I noticed 4-8 tickets on most of the cars. gee. WE just have to keep winning and building a tradition here.

AND YES - we are excited about the prospects of going to LA to play the USC Trojans next week. It will be a tough game for us but we promise to play hard. If things go our way, we will take a win there too. We're not afraid of anyone.

CincyFan

December 10th, 2007, 01:52 PM

hey at least this upcoming trip won't be that bad. If anything me and Iamhussla will bring some more fans. We will steal some of the USC girls to root for our team. If anything we will just offer free beer if anyone decides to cheer for UCR.

Deuce2223

December 10th, 2007, 02:45 PM

Thanks for a offer of the seats, its getting pretty cold up here in the Pacific Northwest, so I probably take you up on the offer and attend some home games. As far as future games, I am less then 8 hr drive to Montana, Montana St, Portland, Portland St, Oregon St, Oregon, Washington, and my beloved Boise State Broncos. You could probably even get some home away combos from most of those schools minus the Huskies and the Ducks. Maybe the Beavers??

As far as ways to attract more fans, the University of Idaho gives you 2 free beers for every ticket purchased. So you might consider that as a option to draw in more fans.:)

Good luck with the rest of the year.

IBBALLIN33

December 10th, 2007, 02:50 PM

Haha, yea man, I was at the Idaho game, the home opener, probably largest attendance ever for a home game. The down fall was that Idaho had three times more fans than us, lol.

vols21

December 10th, 2007, 08:08 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/USC.gif

UCR vs USC

From the Galen Center in Los Angeles its 6-3 UCR vs 3-6 USC……most experts would have expected their records to be reversed. Decent, but LOUD crowd in attendance.
Mayo was quite the ball hog, and scored 13 first half pts despite a slow start (missing first 3 shots). Johnson led them with 18 at the break. Cunningham had 15 for us. It was close at the half - however -
There was no doubt who the better team was today - a 15-0 run by the Trojans put the game out of reach early in the 2nd half. Too many good athletes for us to compete at this level.
Final score USC 108 to UCR 85. Coach Dean said he knew there'd be games like this and we have to learn from it. The negatives are losing rebounds 19-34, assits 19-24.
Positives, we shot 12 of 15 FT (but they hit 19 of 22). They got 62 pts in the paint as 4 players scored in double figures (led by Mayo and Johnson with 20 each.
Scott led all scorers with 26 and Cunningham 22. To show how poorly the rest of the team played, Creppy was our 3rd leading scorer with 6 (lot of guys with 4 or 5 pts)
Let's fly to Florida and get ready for Long Island. We just have to put this loss behind us. This tourney will be our last tune-up before league play.

We'll have back to back games at Pacific and at UC Davis to kick off the Big West. KTLA is doing a special broadcast on New Year's Day spotlighting the Big West - watch for it.

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UCF HOLIDAY TOURNEY

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/LIU.gif

Dec. 29 2007 UCR (6-4) vs Long Island (6-5 including a win at St. Johns). WE have to win this game to ensure we start league play above .500
UCR wins 83-64 playing two complete halves. Cunningham scores 22. Scott and Gates add 13 each. Visman and Scott 6 rebs. UCF beats NJT, so we play the home team in the title game.

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/UCF.gif

In the finals of the UCF tourney on 12/30, UCR shocked the home team and pulled out a hard fought 65-64 victory!!
Larry Cunningham led all scorers with 25 pts including 6 of 7 FT's down the stretch to help us ice the game. Scott was quiet today scoring 6 as he was well-guarded and passed to Larry. For UCF, Taylor scored 15 / 5 rebs. And Cartwright scored 13 with 5 reb and 5 assts.

Bekono was our second scorer with 9. Vismas had 7 rebounds. We were 7 of 14 3pters, and 14 of 20 for the game FT's. Great momentum going into Big West play!!

Tournament MVP Larry Cunningham 47 pts, 12 rebs, 5 asst, 3 steals.
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Don't forget the New Year's Day special on KTLA that puts the spotlight on the Big West

IBBALLIN33

December 10th, 2007, 08:23 PM

Wow, yo, waz that 47 in one game?

slackerb

December 11th, 2007, 07:01 AM

No, I think he means for the tournament.

vols21

December 11th, 2007, 12:16 PM

correct slackerb. that was 47 pts for the two game tournament.

vols21

December 11th, 2007, 02:33 PM

http://bc.images.trb.com/media/thumbnails/blurb/2007-05/30058750.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GqZjXq_2fU

rating
76 Cal St. Fullerton 5-4
75 Pacific 4-6
73 Cal Poly 3-7
73 UC Irvine 3-7
72 Cal State Northridge 5-5
71 UC Santa Barbara 8-4
68 UC Riverside 8-4
68 Long Beach State 3-7
65 UC Davis 6-3

Their roundtable of experts picked Cal State Fullerton as the favorites with their loaded team and expect them to be challenged by Pacific. However, I look for Santa Barbara to be in the hunt and think UC Davis will surprise some teams.

UCR is top scoring team with 81.9 ppg
CS Northridge is top rebounding team with 33.1 rpg (UCR 29.1)
UCR has most assists 15 a game
UC Davis has 8 steals per game
Cal Poly blocks 3.1 shots per game
A.Hariis of UCSB has 17.7 ppg (Cunningham avgs 17.6)
S.Cutley (SF) of CSF has 11.2 rpg. (Visman 5.5)
Posley of UCSB has 5.3 assists (Barlow 3.9)
Thomas of Cal Poly gets 2.2 steals (S.Cunningham .8)
Sanders of UCI blocks 1.6 shots (Visman .4)

KTLA lists Harris of UCSB as the league's best player (80 rating)
Pacific's center M.Nunnally is the best freshman (68)
Crenshaw of CSF is the best pure shooter (91 rated 3-pt shot)
CS Northridge has the best playmaker - P. Wayne
Harris is the best (only??) Pro Prospect with his 80 rating
Sanders of UCI is the best defender (71 rated SF)

Scouting Reports show that most teams in the league will shoot over 1/3 of their shots from beyond the arc - makes some high scoring games when they're hitting!

U C R player points rebs assists minutes
L.Cunningham 17.6 2.5 1.2 19.5
A. Scott 16.4 3.3 1.3 18.4
Christian Soto 9.2 2.9 1.2 12.3
S.Cunningham 8.1 1 1.9 12.3
B J Visman 7.1 5.5 3 16.7
Sev. Gates 7 4.5 1.7 13.4
C. Barlow 5.1 1.1 3.9 17.8
Benoit Bekono 4.5 4.2 0.5 12.3
Jim-George 3.6 0.8 0.9 6.4
Josh Scott 2.2 2.1 0.5 5.4
M. Creppy 1.3 0.4 0.5 3.7
J. Diggs 1.3 0.8 2.4 9

They interviewed Coach Dean for the show as the surprise of the league so far.
Are you surprised by well your team is playing? CD: not at all, we work hard in practice and give it 110% on the court. When you do that, good things can happen. I've been successful everywhere I've gone and I wouldnt expect this to be any different.

Where do you think you'll finish? CD: I'm not a fortune teller and I can't predict the future. Our goals remain the same - first, win more than 10 games (something this team hasn't done) 2) Finish above .500 3) Be in the hunt for the league title and 4) make the postseason. Honestly I don't know if we'll hit all of these, but we have to aim high.

"Coach, how can your team play so well against big schools like Minnesota, then turn around and lose to a team not as good?" CD: good question, and when you find out the answer please let me know. Seriously, we have going thru some growing pains and we'll have some off nights. Our style of play frustrates some of the power schools, as we'll run them ragged. The smaller schools play the same style and some are better at it than us right now - we are improving tho so watch out for us in years to come.

Any truth the rumors you'll be going someplace else after the season? NONE! I am committed to being here. Those rumors are started by other schools trying to out-recruit us and folks like you in the media.

Any closing remarks? "Yes, I just want to comment on the travesty surrounding one of my esteemed collegues - Coach Ryan at Princeton. He's been around longer than I have and I have a lot of respect for him. That is a real witch hunt going on there. I cannot sit idly by and watch something happen to a fine person and great coach like Ryan. If the NCAA allows this continue I'll be amazed, but moreso I'll be appalled. I'd be ashamed to be part of an organization that allows a coach to be slandered the way he is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch some tape of our upcoming opponents and get ready to win some more games.

CincyFan

December 11th, 2007, 02:57 PM

imahussla

December 11th, 2007, 05:12 PM

Man I enjoyed the tourney I alomost lost it at the finals watching Larry that kid is awesome

And as far as the USC game man I was so disappointed but at the same time me and Cincy got some banging chicks down there But we cant wait til we show off our championship to the next team

vols21

December 11th, 2007, 07:25 PM

i love the last part, but the thing that puzzles me is that you score over 80 points a game. Only in 3 years have i scored over 80 once lol. Tells how bad my Princeton team is but we are going to dominate next year with four returning starters plus all my redshirt people.

It's often out of necessity to score that many because I get so far behind. The league in general does a lot of running and fires lot of 3's (and we do as well to keep up)

vols21

December 11th, 2007, 08:51 PM

BIG WEST CONFERENCE PLAY BEGINS:

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/UOP.gif

8-4 UCR at 4-6 Pacific:
Pacific Tigers proved to be a very tough opponent and had a 9 pt lead mid-way thru the 2nd half. But our team kept cutting into the lead and with 2 minutes to go
we cut the lead to 5 on a Gates bucket. Cunningham followed with a 3, stole the inbounds pass and tied the game up!! Diggs was inserted in the game - I just felt he was best shooter.
After Pacific missed a FT. Diggs calmly hits a 3 from the top of the key to take a 3pt lead!! That's what he was in the game for and the freshman delivered as LC was blanketed.
Money Cunningham made 4 FT's in the last 30 seconds to seal the game and UCR steals a win at Pacific 92-87.
Players of the game for Pacific: SF Morgan 26 pts (4 of 11 from 3pt) and C Nunnelly 22 pts, 11 rebs. (10 of 14 shooting -- this kid is just a freshman! Rated 71 - I see why he is "frosh of year"
UCR: Larry "Money" Cunningham 27 pts, 2 rebs, 2 assts and 1 awesome steal that won the game! 6of9 from 3pt, 8 of 11 overall, and 5 of 5 FT's
Aaron Scott scores 17pts and grabs 5 rebs. Soto 9 pts, 5 rebs. Gates led with 6 pts. Barlow 4 assts.
Visman hurt his knee and played sparingly - he'll need a couple days to properly heal it. But we have another game tommorrow night
key stats: Pacific wins rebounds 32-29. both teams have 5 turnovers. Bench Points: UCR 33 - Pacific 9. We kept fresh legs in the game, and with the fast pace of both teams
running up and down the floor, that made the difference at the end. This team is blazing fast, so we push it every change we get.
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(something interesting I noticed at this game -- the shot chart stats and box score do not match up. We were 33 of 62, but shot chart only showed 27 of 54
It had LC with 5 of 8 instead of 8 of 11 (lost 3 of his shots somewhere!). Not a big deal, but is an interesting bug
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http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CALDAV.gif

UCR at UC Davis - two teams picked to be cellar dwellars in the Big West. Let's hope not, because Davis looked like USC out there!!!!
UC Davis is the #2 ranked offense in the league behind ours, so this could be a high scoring affair. Their defense is rated much better tho (B- to our F)
trailed 34-53 at the half. We cut the lead to 2 with under 5 minutes to go, but they went on on a 15-0 run and buried us. Final score, we lose 81-99
Aaron Scott scored 14, LC had 12, Diggs and Jim-George had 12 as well, as I tried every 3 pt shooter I had to catch up. 13 of 36 from beyond the arc, they hit 11 of 26
Coach Dean admits we were beat down low, losing rebounds 27-37, we were out-hustled and out-quicked, we were out shot, we were out played, we were out coached.
Gates had 7 rebounds and 10 pts, but for the most part when we got the ball underneath they just swatted it away.
Oliver lit it up for 27 pts, despite all sorts of pressure on him. Hanson was streaky shooter but was hot enough to score 19. 3 others in double figures. Carter with 14 assists.
What really made Coach mad?? 11 Free throws and only made FOUR! That's downright horrible and lack of concentration. Maybe some goat trails and puke drills will help them next time
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http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/headers/logo_246x77.gif
Hoops Show: Arthur of Kansas scored 34 to win POW. Talk of him winning player of the year
Uconn vs Hoyas is game of week. Washington vs UCLA in a top 10 / pac 10 showdown Washington is 1st in conference right now
Clemson knocked off UNC in their showdown last week. 86-80. Cal knocked off UCLA 67-62 -- that makes the Bruins game vs Huskies that much more important

A look back at some of the tournaments of the year:
Columbia beat Ohio State to make the finals of the NIT tip-off where they lost to Washington. Ga tech 82-81 over Baylor to win Paradise Jam
Duke knocks off Marquette in the Hawaiian Invite. Princeton beats LSU to win the "losers bracket" (AZ state beat Illinois in round 1, Princeton beat them in the consolation round (0-2 for the Illini)

Butler over WKU in Alaskan Shootout (VA Tech by 1 over Texas Tech for 3rd place) Gonzaga beats Michigan in consolation round.
Mississippi State beat Miami (OH) to win Orange County shootout
USC went 0-3 in it!!! (lost to San Diego by 20, S.Alabama by 9, and S,Illinois by 7. UC Irvine finished 2nd in the loser bracket (#6 overall)

South Carolina won the Deodorant Classic over UCF (also beating Penn State and NC State along the way) George Mason finished 6.
Xavier beat Indiana to win Deep Dish Challenge
Tennessee a pair of 1 pt wins over West Va and Texas to win Legends Classic (not like real life).
South Carolina Upstate lost to Wyoming in finals of Daylight Bowl (good showing!)
St. Johns won the Hawaiian Islands classic (Tulane in the finals) but loses to Hofstra in Casual Apparel Holiday fest.
Niagra beats Santa Clara in cable car classic
Memphis beat Kentucky to win 2K Sports Classic (Uconn over San Fran for 3rd place).
UL-Calcutta over Winston Salem State to win Cyclone challenge (WSS beat host team Iowa state!)

1-1 to start league play. Powerhouse Cal State Fullerton is next week (they are the only Big West team to crack the Mid-major rankings this year.

CincyFan

December 11th, 2007, 09:39 PM

Xavier beating Indiana in a pre-season tournament. Just like real life and I love it.

skarface2k1

December 12th, 2007, 07:33 AM

Vol,i see you have a good one going on here.Don't forget to check me out.This is Coach Sanders of Indiania.Currently at Texas State.

vols21

December 12th, 2007, 09:55 AM

(9-5) UCR vs (5-6) Cal State Fullerton -
Highlanders return home after embarrasing loss at UC Davis.

UCR had 4 fans in attendance, and extra security to ensure Cincy didn't get arrested again for charging the floor. Coach Dean proclaimed: "We have to protect our biggest fans who travel so far to watch this team!"
UCR led 48-32 at the break - Bonnie made some stupid comment about not running the score up….it's only halftime. Leads like this disappear in a hurry.
We did slow down the pace a little bit and used some clock - which may have taken us out of our rhythm….Fullerton cut the lead down to 7 with a couple minutes to go!!
called time-out, told the team not to panic, we're at home and this game is under control. We need to run some time off the clock, but look for the open man underneath, if he's not there, get the ball to larry who will shoot and score. That's what we did. First time down, Soto for the jam….2nd time down, LC "money" from 3.
Final Score 86-71 to give us a big win.

Moneyham as Larry is called by some teammates scored 19. Soto drilled 14 on 6 of 7 shooting, and pulled down 5 boards. At half the coaching notes said he was hot and give him more minutes--funny since the AI is in control of the rotation and doesn't use him much. Scott added 12 for us. Visman another 6 rebounds. Barlow 6 assists.

Robinson scored 17 for CSF, Cutley had 11 rebs, and Reed dished 10 assists. We shot 11 of 13 FT's -- puke drills = better concentration!! (Gates and Soto the only misses, stay after practice)
WE won the rebounds 32-28, they only credited us with 4 fast break pts, but we scored a few more than that on the secondary breaks. WE shot 58% and held them to 46%.

Hoops Show: AZ vs Stanford for game of the week - scorers vs defenders. Clemson vs Duke is top 5 challenge *duke ranked 10th in ACC and 1st in nation -

top 25 mid-majors
Utah State (13-4), George Mason 12-3), Gonzaga (10-6), Sam Houston State (9-2), N,Iowa (12-3), WKU 1-4), Akron (9-6), Nevada (9-6), Butler (12-5), Davidson (6-6)
Austin Peay (12-6), New Orleans (12-2), VCU (9-6), UNC Greensboro (12-3), Fresno State (9-6), Creighton (7-6), Kent State (9-7), Townson (11-4), New mexico state (9-6)
IUPUI (10-3), W.Michigan (9-6), Missouri State (7-9), Bradley (9-6), S.Ilinois (6-8).

Nebraska upset Kansas 77-76. Virginia won at Duke 69-66.
Duke is #1 (11-2), UCLA (13-3), UNC (13-4), Clemson (13-1), Kansas (11-3), Marquette (12-3) -- impressive ACC with 3 teams in top 5!!!
memphis fell to #11. Tennesse (10-4) comes in at #16 -- they lost to Gonzaga after winning at Xavier. 2 easy SEC wins with Vandy, Ohio State, and UK on the horizon

Deuce2223

December 12th, 2007, 12:08 PM

Tough loss to Davis. I heard they got a pretty good coach though. I have been following his season as well. Nice to follow it up with a win. I had to catch both games on ESPN U. Still stuck up here in the North. What are some of your upcoming games. I am thinking its time I get some California sun.

Keep up the good work.

imahussla

December 12th, 2007, 12:38 PM

man that 4-11 killed us against UC davis man we were right there....

But man my Illini suck

vols21

December 12th, 2007, 05:06 PM

10-5 UCR vs 7-7 CS Northridge
Another home sweet home victory. 78-60, Larry Cunningham scored 31 pts with 4 rebs. To lead our attack. Everyone else was content to sit back and watch him play
CSN was led by Heard with 20 pts. J.Smith pulled 11 rebounds as they outrebounded us 31-24. Interesting stat of game. Both teams scored the same amount in both halves 39-30.
25 of 40 free throws - got a lot of chances, and everyone missed at least 1 of their tries (they shot 12 of 22, as this was a sloppier game than most.

11-5 UCR vs 6-9 Long Beach State (note: my RPI has improved to 147, couple others in Big West within 10 pts. UC Davis has highest in league at 119)
We started strong wanting to give the home fans something special tonight, 12 wins would be the most in a long time here (ever?) at UCR. 43-26 at the half on the shooting of Cunningham.
LBSU focused on him more in the 2nd and no one else picked up the slack allowing them to cut the lead to 7. Bekono broke loose for some buckets inside and we pulled away down the stretch.
WIN 69-54 (only 26 pts in the 2nd reflect out shooting woes). L.Cunningham scored 16 (14 of them in the first half). Bekono added 13.
Visman with 9 rebs, Bekono got 8. It was another tough game as most of them will be going thru the conference. It was the largest crowd of the year (856 - 27%) and they were really into the game from the opening tip-off. Coach Dean is offering a prize package to the 1,000th fan to enter the gates at our next home game…..hoping to draw an even bigger crowd.
(actually, a drawing for prize if we get 1000 fans…..we want everyone to come early!!)
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Hoops Show: Reed from HighPoint scored 31 pts in 2 games
UCLA vs Oregon is game of the week - both have struggled in Pac 10 play (3-3). Washington vs AZ will battle for the PAC 10 first place.
Maryland trounced UNC 83-70 in chapel hill. Gist got a triple double in the game for MD> Clemson won the battle over Duke 67-60
Tennessee beats Ohio State 82-56 and wins at Kentucky 86-74 (part of a 5 game losing streak for the wildcats to open SEC play!!)

My Freshman sg J.Diggs succeeds on a medium shot drill and moved over 70, his shot range is moving up too.
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Our upcoming schedule: A trip to Cal State Fullerton and the BIG ONE as we travel to Irvine to take on UCI next week. Following that we are back home to face Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara. For those wanting to visit some warmer weather come check out a game. Right now, we only have 3 "5 STAR" fans, but several others who are enjoying the ride.

(like me! I'm tired of all the ice. The lady I travel with for work has no power and they it'll be 12/18 before they get it back on - that's in Tulsa)

vols21

December 12th, 2007, 10:28 PM

UCR @ CS Fullerton - lose 45-81
WE could not buy a bucket, coulnd't hit the broad side of a barn…what other cliché do you want to hear? 13 of 52 (25%) shooting won't win a pee wee game. 1 of 11 from 3 pt
that's been our strength and tonite we died by it. Cunningham scored 16 pts (10 from the ft line) and had 11 rebounds. Bekono also a double/double 11 pts and 14 rebs.
Our other hot shooter, Aaron Scott was 0-7 on the game and held scoreless for first time this year (as was S.Cunningham who has been a big contributer for us)
CSF had 5 players in double figures (12-11 pts each). Kudos to them for balanced scoring. It doesn't get any easier for us as we visit rival UC Irvine next.
We have 2 days to put this loss behind us and prepare for the Anteaters.
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Ucr vs

7-9 UCI @ Bren Event Center in Irvine -- medium size crowd for them too but VERY vocal.

Barlow and Bekono suffered injuries in the last game (sprained hamstring / wrist) it'll take a couple weeks for them to heal up - but they are ready to play if needed. Maybe sparingly.
Gates got 2 quick fouls - that means Bekono will have to wrap his wrist tight and give it a go (and Coach Dean give the refs an earful). We lead 39-32 in first half - they were intent to play half-court instead of run and we did much the same. We were able to feed it into Soto time and time again (12pts). They ran a motion offense that confused our man to man, so we switched to a 2-1-2 and that cut them off.

UCI was 1 of 5 from 3pt, we only took 3 long distance shots and made 2 (very unlike us, but trying to control the tempo). The second half was more of the same - we took our time on Offense, and we learned on defense - no more back door lay-ups and they didn't shoot from outside. Final score a fantastic 76-58 victory. I never heard so many boos in my life!! We may not always have the largest crowd, but they are supportive of the team and I appreciate that. We hit 9 of 12 FT's and shoot 57% from the field (hold them to 46%)

Rebounds - we win 31-21, and after the 2 quick fouls on Gates we were only whistled for 2 more the entire game (they got 7 - maybe that discussion with refs during our first time-out helped out)

Star of the game - no doubt it was Christian Soto who scored 21 pts.
Larry Cunningham gave us his steady 16 plus 4 rebs. Visman chipped in 11 and 7 boards. Barlow 1 of 3 with 3 assts.

Coach Dean was so excited with this road win in his former home town, that he jumped up on the press table and high-fived all the riverside fans that followed the team down the toll roads.
Our fan caravan is growing in numbers and I just wanted to say thanks to them - I didn't mean any disrespect to the kids and fans here in Irvine - woooooo!!! What a game!!!
I felt like this was one of the best games we played. Solid on both ends, just hard-nosed basketball. WE took what they gave us, and we didn't give them anything after the first 5 minutes.
UCR is 13-6 after the game.

At look at other teams of interest:
Syracuse is 10-10 (3-4),
USCU 2-16 (0-6), WIU 8-8 (3-6),
Tennessee 14-4 (5-0),
Morehead State 6-12 (5-6); TCU 11-6 (3-2)
Missouri State 8-11 (4-4); Niagra 9-9 (4-5);
Winston Salem State 3-12 (2-4);
Princeton 5-9 (0-0);
Illinois 10-10 (3-4).
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Home games next week vs 8-9 Cal Poly and 12-7 UCSB. Cal Poly is #1 in the Big West right now, 1 game ahead of UCR. UCSB is a game behind us. BIG WEEK!!
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Hoops Show: Carroll of Utah State Aggies with 44 pts wins player of the week. They are the #1 mid-major
UVA vs Maryland garners game of the week in ACC; AZ vs UCLA in the PaC 10. Maryland edges Duke 72-71 last week!!
Washington crushed Arizonia 83-70 (huskies always kill me!). Brockman single-handedly carried the Huskies to victory.

Note of interest: USC has not won a single game since we played them!! (0-7) - we must have worn them out!

Deuce2223

December 12th, 2007, 10:51 PM

Hey Vols I will be there for the Cal Poly game, save me the good seats. Maybe I will even win a prize :)

skarface2k1

December 13th, 2007, 06:24 AM

Vol21,i need 5 tickets to the cal poly game.I have a recruit visit around that time.So,me and my staff would like to see your team play.Behind the bench or a skybox will be OK.

vols21

December 13th, 2007, 08:21 AM

Vol21,i need 5 tickets to the cal poly game.I have a recruit visit around that time.So,me and my staff would like to see your team play.Behind the bench or a skybox will be OK.

Hey Vols I will be there for the Cal Poly game, save me the good seats. Maybe I will even win a prize

Hey guys, I'll get you seats behind the bench (The skyboxes in this gym are just nosebleed seats - with caution tape around them). That way if we get in trouble, I can call time-out and get your advice. Besides, that's where all the fun is - the whole gang will be there My neighbor said their son would even be at the game with his lady friend.....that's right, Brad and Angelina are actually going to make a game too! But, shhh, it's a secret. We don't want word to leak out and all the papparazzi show up.
Cal poly is on a roll right now, so this should be a WHALE of a game.

And hey - even if we don't reach the 1,000 fans, I'll make sure the HighLife girls keep the drinks rolling in your direction. JUST DON"T BE STEALING ANY OF MY RECRUITS!! I have a couple coming into watch the game as well.

CincyFan

December 13th, 2007, 09:07 AM

If I have to vols I will lay down the law. Cause I am the LAW GIVER!!!

Yeah Cal Poly sounds like its going to be almost as crazy as the USC game and I really don't know why just have a feeling. Good thing I am going to it.

vols21

December 13th, 2007, 01:02 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

8-9 Cal Poly mustangs invade the Student Rec Center of UCR, the Mustangs are on a 5 game winning streak and #1 in the Big West.
Thomas, Whitten, and Clark are their top scorers - all over double digits so they spread it around and shoot the 3. B on offense (ranked #135), C+ on defense (ranked #201).

Clark killed us early with his 3's (score 17 in first half) and we were out of sync. But we started slowing it back to down and worked inside to break their rhythm - this worked in two ways as we scored and when we missed we were banging the boards hard for 2nd change buckets (20 rebs to 10 in first half) - we come back 8 down to take 5 pt lead at halftime.
What a finish!! Poly started heating up from outside and cut into the deficit - LC hits 2 FT's with 5 seconds left to give us a 5 pt lead. We needed them all as Clark hits a 3.
UCR wins 77-75!! Visman led us with 18 pts and 5 rebs. PF Gates had 12 pts and 7 rebs - showed our intent to hammer it inside. Cunningham finished with 11 pts, 5 assts.
Whiten and Clark scored 24 pts each for the Mustangs (a combined 21 of 27 shooting!) We tried a few things and just couldn't slow them down.

Coach Dean admits we're not the same team without Barlow in the game - he sets the tempo for us and makes things happen on offense. Freshman Diggs has done a fantastic job filling in for him, but when it came to crunch time we put the ball in LC's hands and he delivered with those 2 crucial FT's.
It was great to see all the fans out tonight, a lot more blue shirts in the stands than green and that helped us. We had quite a brain trust of coaching talent sitting behind the home team bench for the game as well. Several words of encouragement shouted from these guys who travelled in from all over the country ("why you rushing your shots, take your time....milk the shot clock....oh miss, can I have another beer. you can sit right here.....don't foul HIM!!! We had a great time after the game as well at the local California Pizza Kitchen.

WE only shot 47% for the game and allowed them 57% - not our best defensive effort. But we won the battle on the boards, 36-20 and had 10 2nd chance pts. 13 offensive rebounds (they had 1)…..that has to be the key stat of the game!! We turned the ball over 5 times and caused 2. That's partly due to our freshman Diggs running the point, but I think that was a fantastic job on his part of ball security. We just didn't do anything to disrupt them. They beat our press with ease.

14-6 UCR vs 12-7 UCSB
A much-anticipated showdown between the league's 2 top scorers did not materialize as Harris of UCSB tore his ACL in the last game and will miss the rest of the season!!
Even with their Star Harris on the sidelines with a torn ACL, the Gauchos had enough weapons to beat us. Gibb lit it up from outside scoring 21. Cunningham countered with 20 for us but it was not enough - trailing by 7 at the half, our valiant comeback fell just short and we lose 65-67. Visman 8 pts and 9 rebs.

With the events of the week, there is a 4-way tie for first place in the Big West: UCR, Cal Poly, UCSB, and UCI are all 6-3 in the league. 3 more teams are 4-4. It's anyone's to win!

Cunningham is now the leading scorer in the league with 18 ppg (and Harris sidelined, the scoring title is his to lose). We have a week off to nurse injuries and prepare for the stretch run.

Love of UCLA wins POW scoring 29

next week travel to the Pyramid to play Long Beach State and then a game at Cal State Northridge. These teams are battling in for 2nd place (and can easily move into first -- what a horserace!)

CincyFan

December 13th, 2007, 01:15 PM

wow losing their best guy and still winning. Thats a tough loss, but a four way tie for first is just crazy. See this is going to be a great finish for first in your conference.

slackerb

December 13th, 2007, 02:14 PM

Excited to see how the run for first place plays out!

Deuce2223

December 13th, 2007, 03:31 PM

Amazing game against Poly. The place was rocking. I was somewhat sad I wasn't able to get the good seats, because it was obvious you couldn't hear me yelling to "D" up on Clark. That guy almost had you beat. It was very well worth the flight down and the piazza after the game was pretty good too. Looking forward to the rest of the year.

vols21

December 13th, 2007, 08:39 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

UCR @ Long Beach State (7-15) from the Pyramid -- lively crowd for the last place team in the league
what a game. LBS used the home court to rattle my boys and jump to an early lead - they extend the lead to 15, but we whittle it back to 5 by half-time.
They shot 62% for the half, and we hit 46% - those fortunes reversed in the 2nd stanza. We hit 59% and held them to 45%. We had a 10-0 run and another 8-0 run to get in the lead, but they always answered back and retook the advantage. It was the 3-pt shooting of Jim-George (the walk-on!) and Cunningham that put us back on top by 6 with 2 minutes to go.
Johnson and Morris hit treys for Long Beach sandwiched around one by Scott to keep us up by 3. They start fouling, but it takes a while to get to the FT line. Instead I have to inbound the ball - and DAGGONE IT, they steal the pass and hit a 3. up by 3, Cunningham returns to the game rested (he was down under 70 and needed a breather. He made the first, missed the second.
We Block a shot on the other end, LC makes both FT's this time and seals the win. HOLY COW, I was drained after the game. I sweated that one.

Player of the game: Larry "money" Cunningham who scored 29 pts, 2 rebs, and 4 assts.
Aaron Scott hits 11 and blocks 3 shots - including the one at the end. - we have 8 blocks in the game, something we don't usually get many of/
Special mention to Jim-George who scores 11. his 3 of 4 triples got us back in the game when no one else could hit anything. He helped boost our sagging confidence.
Long Beach is not without their heroes too: Morris scores 25 (3 of 9 triples). Clady hit 17 and 9 assts. Freeman a double/double - scores 12 and 15 rebs.
Assits were 24 (a legacy record for UCR) to 22 for LBSU . Rebounds were 27-28. The biggest differences were their pts in the paint (40 to our 18). And 3 pt shots (we made 16 of 29 vs 6 of 16).
Coach Dean said he didn't like to shoot that many from long range, but we had no choice the further behind we got. Good thing we were healthy and rested. The week off may have affected our shooting early on, but we finally warmed up. Our next game is CS Northridge who is mired in the 2nd place tie. We beat them easily at home, but road games are crazy
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15-7 (7-3) UCR at 11-10 CS Northridge (5-5) -- their fight song is the same as our rival high school (Dobyns-Bennett back in TN). I had never heard it in college before.

gee- Northridge scores the first 10 pts of the game - our outside shots clanked off the iron, inside shots got swatted away, fast break passes were stolen. They had my number early and extend the lead.
with 3 minutes to go in the first half, I cut the lead to 9 and hear the announcer say we had 15 unanswered points (didn't know I was down that much! Just knew it was bad)
Our fundamentals are abysmal - trail 39-51 at the half with 12 turnovers - we have to take care of the ball. Also whistled for 9 fouls (and they shot 13 of 16 from FT line)
2nd half was a lot of the same, we picked up the defensive pressure immensely - they'd build a lead and we'd battle back. With a minute to go, we cut it to 3 pts. Scott fires a 3 to tie and it
is blocked! Fouls and they hit the FT's make the final score 90-96 loss. we hit 16 of 29 treys and they were 9 of 22. I end up turning the ball over 18 times for the game against their pressure.
rebounds were tied 31-31. They actually shot more than me and we made the same #. Big difference was they were 22 of 27 FT's while I was only 9 of 15.
They just took it to us and rammed the ball down our throats. I'm proud of the way our kids came back - we never did quit in this game
Northridge had 3 players over 20 pts: Tressvant, Chitwood, and Jenkins. Cunningham led us with 19 pts. Sean Cunningham added 13 and Scott 12. Gates a good game down low 11pts/7 rebs.
We hit over 50% of our 3 pters - if anything we didn't shoot enough of them, but then again we stressed looking for an open shot. It's unfortunate Scott rushed his at the end. UCI @ home next.
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15-6 UCR vs 9-13 UCI - largest crowd of the year - nearly 900 fans come thru the turnstiles.UCI prefers the half-court game, thus we only had 1 turnover and lead 41-32 at halftime.
2nd half was too close for comfort. A 7 point lead with a minute to go, and "money" Cunningham missed TWO front end of one-and-ones! And he stepped (PUSHED, no call) out of bounds. The fans were incensed, I came close to being popped with a technical foul (I was just talking how hot the building was to the referee - "honest"....I really did find myself talking to the "TV Referee" after that happened though. lol. They have to give us that call at home!!!!!)

Meanwhile, UCI hits a pair of long distance treys cutting the lead to ONE, but their last second shot clanked off the iron and UCR wins 72-71! What a finish.
Visman was our star of the game scoring 14 and getting 8 rebs. Cunningham and Scott add each. Barlow with 11 asstis. Freshman Josh Scott had 5 pts and 6 rebs in 5 minutes of play!

Sanders scores 19 for UCI, backed up by Awaji with 15. Rodeburg had 10 rebs. We win the battle of the boards 34-28, both teams 5 turnovers. We were 12/15 from FT's (and LC missed 2 big ones!)
We make 3 treys, while they hit 7 of 24. Coach Dean commented that UCI is so talented, we were content with trying to work the ball inside and take our time. With the lead, we didn't need to rely on the 3 so much,

When asked about the play of "money" in the last minute and how can a senior leader miss 2 front ends and step out bounds?? Coach Dean turned off his mic and
walked away…..he was not happy at all.no doubt someone will be running some extra puke drills.
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a 2-1 stretch for us, big game at Cal Poly coming up, then off to face UCSB (who is now 1 game ahead of us in the standings). It's coming down to crunch time -- 2 weeks left in the season.....5 teams seperated by 1 game in the standings. 2 other teams just 2 games back.

hot seat: Coach John at Oregon State (9-18, 75-103 overall)

vols21

December 14th, 2007, 09:05 AM

UCR at 9-13 Cal Poly -- they are in 3rd place, 1 game behind us.

horrible, ugly first half - but a trey at the buzzer cuts the lead to 10. Whiten already has 19 pts for Cal Poly. FIRE AND BRIMSTONE halftime speech - and 9:08 left, the game is all tied.
at 7:05 a trey by Scott gives us the lead, and they throw the ball away!! As often happens so much energy is exerted in the comeback. Cal Poly regains the lead, and hits their FT's down the stretch to beat us.
Whiten finishes with 33 pts despite some intense pressure, he was golden. Our star LC scored 18, Scott 16, and Jim-George 10. Visman 9 pt and 5 rebs. Barlow 7 assts.
We had 11 turnovers and only caused 6. creamed on the boards 37-29. They shot 20 of 33 from FT line -- we sure get called for lots of fouls on the road. Lose 81-87.

one more road game -at UCSB, then 2 games at home to close out the season.
We're 1 game behind UCSB for 1st place, so this is a big game for us. Cal Poly is now tied with us at 2nd.
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16-9 UCR (8-6) at 17-8 UCSB (9-5)

I gave some pep talks before the game - this is a critical game and for the Big West lead (we are 1 game back). We controlled the tempo - didn't rush it (played like we did against UCI)
our early lead fell apart as the Gauchos went on a run, but I told the guys not to panic, lots of time to go, so slow and steady. We were down 30-23 at halftime. We picked up the defensive pressure to open the 2nd half and caused 3 straight turnovers. Suddenly the game was tied at 50, and we each traded the lead back and forth until the end. With the game tied, Jim-George hit a trey! They missed and the fouls began. Cunningham stepped to the line and made 1 of 2. They came down and scored - LC was fouled and he MISSED!

We got a stop on our end, this time Gates got the rebound and was fouled. He hit both giving us the 4 pt edge and we won. 80-76. The media awarded Cunningham the star of the game, but I promptly walked over and took it away "Anyone who misses 2 critical FT's at the end of the game doesn't get any awards - although you could have gotten the GOAT award if they won!"

Cunningham was not MONEY tonight, but he scored 19 pts (shot 6 of 20, 4 of 7 FT's - horrible for a 90 rated FT shooter). Gates was my star - he scored 13, 5 rebs, and hit 2 FT's to seal the game.
Barlow 6 assits, Visman 8 rebounds. All in all, we shot 11 of 17 FT's - I can't imagine the crowd getting to them that much - just need to concentrate. (Coach Dean sounds like he lost, but is happy with the hard fought win. "We got lucky at the end, and I don't want want to depend on fairy dust and luck"). 2 weeks in a row, Cunningham "choked" at the end. I (we) need him to come thru for us in the clutch!
Murphy scored 17 for the Gauchos. We held their star Posey to 6 pts. They shot 10 of 15 FT's. Rebounds, we lost 31-35. Turnovers, we had 7 but caused 14! That was HUGE!!
A stat I was just handed - we shot 26% in the first half and 57% in the 2nd. They went from 43% to 58% - we took 7 more shots and the one we made was the difference.

With 2 games left in the regular season, we're in a 3-way tie for first place. Both our games are in the friendly confines of the Student Rec Center deep in the heart of Riverside.

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rankings
washington (27-3) North Carolina (22-8) UCLA 23-5 Clemson (22-4) Marquette (23-6) Michigan State (21-7) Tennessee (22-6) Kansas (21-7) Memphis (22-7) Duke (19-8)

Oregon (21-7) George Mason (24-4) GATECH (19-8) Rhode Island (24-7) Stanford (20-8) Fordham (19-8) TAM (19-6) Louisville (20-10) UCONN (21-8) UGA (17-8) #20

Florida St (21-9) Vandy (21-8) Xavier (20-9) Indy (19-9) Miss. St (20-8) #25

TOP RPI: Clemson, Tennessee, Washington, GATECH, UCLA, Duke, Fordham, UNC, George Mason, Oregon, URI, Marquette,

Mid Majors: George mason, WKU, Gonzaga, New Orleans, Wagner, Davidson, Columbia, Utah State, Siena, Nevada, Townson, ULM, Fresno State, James Madison, N.Iowa, VCU

Bracket watch - with us moving into first place tie, we are a projected 14 seed (would play URI - still 2 games to go and anything can happen. Besides, let's not kid ourselves -- despite the regular season, if we don't win the Big West Tourney, we're not going anywhere.

Bubble watch: Miami (FL), Wisconsin, Texas, UNO, Tulane, Pittsburgh, Umass, Wagner, Dusquene, Baylor, Utah, Dayton, Providence, Kentucky!, Arkansas (RPI from 27-44)

skarface2k1

December 14th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Well that tie isn't going to break it's self.

wsu_zags

December 14th, 2007, 12:13 PM

great legacy, I wish I would have seen this before I started mine yesterday, I picked the same team :o

CincyFan

December 14th, 2007, 04:00 PM

kentucky was a bubble team my first year as well and didn't make it. good look on your conference tournament coming up.

vols21

December 14th, 2007, 06:47 PM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/UOP.gif

17-9 UCR vs 13-13 Pacific -- we stole a win at Pacific in the first conference game. Now they pay us a visit looking for revenge.

Tigers lead 48-43 at the break. WE had things in hand, but a slump put them up. Coach Dean really worked the refs in the 2nd half - after a 3 second call, he said they let the other team pitch a tent in the lane and if our guy steps just runs across it they blow the whistle. You can't make that call at home!! Must have worked because we got 2 trips to the line for old fashioned 3 pt plays. With 3 minutes to go Larry Cunningham hits a trey to tie the game at 76 all. Cunningham and Morgan trade 3's - the LC hits a jumper, steals a pass and lays it in. Sean C. hits FT's to preserve our win.

Final Score 83-79 - what a game. BIG PLAY also to Larry for blocking a shot with the game tied which set up his winning shot on the other end. I personally present the star of the game this time!
Star: Larry "money" Cunningham with 21 pts, 5 rebs, 1 asst, 1 BIG block, 1 BIG steal (these were the turning points of the game). Not his best shooting night, but he did enough.
Gates 13, Visman 10 (6 rebs, 5 steals - he was possessed when we went to the press, we just neve converted on the shots after these steals), and A.Scott 10 pts. Barlow 5 assts.
"captain" Morgan scored 19 for the Tigers. Freshmen sensation Nunally scored 12 and had 12 rebs. Horsecheif scored 10, 5 rebs, 6 assts. Tremendous performance in losing effort.
we shot 33 of 79 FG's but 11 of 13 FT's (they kept pace for the most part - 31 of 63 FG's, 9 of 12 FT's, but 3 more treys. Rebounds was 41-39.

Coach Dean was pleased that work on defense paid off - 3 blocked shots and we caused 17 turnovers (only gave up 6). That maybe a record for us. That gambling pressure D allowed them some
open looks though and a 48% shooting % (to our 41%). This large crowd (950) helped spur us on. We have one more home game - if we break 1,000 the free beer for everyone (over 21)!!!

(shot chart shows we held them to 37% in the 2nd half vs 63% in first and 47% for game. We shot roughly 40% both halves. Frosh Josh Scott did not score but had 5 rebs in 10 minutes. One game left in the regular season at home against UC Davis. With the log jam of teams at the top, this will be a pressure-filled game.

jjredick4

December 14th, 2007, 07:32 PM

nice win against Pacific, to bad i couldn't of beatin' them in my legacy lol

wsu_zags

December 14th, 2007, 09:51 PM

I am curios to see whats up with first place, did anyone else win, are you alone at the top...
your fans want to know

vols21

December 15th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Scores of interest -- Long Beach State defeats Cal Poly on 3/6. And earlier today, that same LBSU team knocks off UCSB (the last place team in the league beats 2 top contenders!)

March 8
19-9 UC Riverside (10-5) vs 14-12 UC Davis (7-9)
UCSB is 10-6 so a loss ties us with them for first place…..CS Northridge plays Cal Poly today - both are 9-6, so the winner there could be in a 3-way tie with us if we lose. If we win, we earn first place by ourselves -- THE CHEESE STANDS ALONE.
The student section (FBI) came out in full force as well as our trio of 5 Star fans, and other coaching colleagues from around the country flocked in to watch as well.

UC Davis is very well-coached as documented here before and they beat us soundly at their place early in league play. A peptalk with Larry Cunningham before the game - it seemed to pay off as he stole the ball and ran coast to coast for a slam!! Their 7'2 center Boone was healty for this game and that gave me some worries - he blocked a couple shots but the FBI went crazy when little Aaron Scott caught a pass in transition and skyed over the big man for a thundering dunk (remember what I said about a smaller athletic player vs a 7 foot statue?!)

we take a 41-27 half time lead (3 of 5 on FT's -- after missing first 2 and drawing my ire) -- Gates 8 first half pts and 6 rebs. As the lead grew, we played the 2nd team more in the 2nd half. FINAL SCORE: 96-70 win.

Bekono was given the star of the game: 17 pts, 6 rebs. Jim George (the walk-on) was my leading scorer with 22 (drilled 4 of 5 from long range). Cunningham had 15.
Gates finished with 10 pts and 9 rebs. But we win rebounding battle 31-26. 21 assists to their 17 (led by who else, Barlow with 6). Malik scored 20 for the Aggies. Carter 10 pts and 10 asst.

The 7'2 Boone - held to ZERO pts and 4 rebs. (and he only got that one blocked shot early) Hanson also held scoreless (on a 10 ppg avg).
WE had 12 turnovers and they had 16 - fast paced and sloppy at times with both teams pressing and running. (50 pts in the paint, 55 by my bench - both highs for the year)
5 of 9 FT's - not what we like but better than 4 of 11 last time we saw these guys. 9 of 20 from 3-range (played MOP the 2nd half).

College Hoops: Hibbert of Georgetown scored 24 to get POW. Depaul vs Seton Hall gets game of the week billing (first round of Big East) as well as Syracuse vs Louisville
Duke beat UNC 86-84 in their rivalry game. That allowed GA Tech to win the ACC regular season over UNC and Clemson who tied for 2nd.

Other teams of interest:
South Carolina Upstate Spartans finished 10-10 (8-8) for 5th in Atlantic Sun (won by Stetson, with ETSU 2nd…Mercer last).
Syracuse was 14-17 (7-11) 12th in the 16 team Big East. West Virginia and Marquette tied for first just ahead of Louisville and G-town. Rutgers / Notre Dame last.

Illinois 17-14 (10-8) 5th in Big 10 (won by Michigan State, 2 games ahead of Indy).

Princeton: 11-16 (6-7) 6th in Ivy League (of 8). Won by Columbia, 1 game ahead of Yale. (Brown last)

Winston-Salem State 8-19 (7-11) 8th in Mid-eastern. Won by Hampton and NC A&T, with Coppin State 1 game back (12-6).

Morehead State 12-16 (10-10) in OVC, Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech tied for first (13-7)
Tennessee 23-7 (13-3) won the SEC over Vandy (Florida finished 11-19 (4-12); Kentucky 16-15 (6-10) under first year coach
Davidson won Southern Conf. 20-9 (17-3). CofC was 4th. Citadel finished last 6-22 (3-17).

Central Arkansas 9-16 (5-11) for 10th in Southland (only UT-Arlington and SE LA finished lower). McNeese State (12-4) finished 1 game above Stephen F Austin.
Gonzaga won West Coast 24-8 (12-2). We beat them. Loyola Marymount 4-26 (1-13) finished last there -- they beat us. Go figure.

Boise State finished last in WAC which was won by Fresno State
Atlantic 10 won by Rhode Island 25-7 (14-2). Xavier 20-11 (9-7) dropped to 7th in the league after leading it early on.

Bubble watch going into tourney play: West Virginia, Miami, Columbia (22-8), Xavier, Pittsburgh, Wagner, Umass, Utah, Tulane, Oklahoma, Baylor, Arkansas, Saint Joesephs
(not sure why Columbia is on bubble - they are listed as an 11 seed being the Ivy League champ.

final Big West standings:
UCR (11-5)
UCSB (10-6)
Cal Poly (10-6)
CSN (9-7)
Pacific (9-7)
UCI (8-8)
UCD (7-9)
LBSU and CSF mired in the cellar. Very close race at the top (5 teams within 2 games). LBSU played spoiler at the end. Remind me to send the coach there a case of wine from anearby Temeculah winery. (those wins moved them out of last place).

We draw Cal State Fullerton in the first round of the Big West Tourney

wsu_zags

December 15th, 2007, 12:14 PM

nice win to clinch the regular season title.
I see Jim George is doing his thing, that guy is money, but only for a short spurts.

What were some of the teams final year stats?
Did L. Cunningham get the team scoring title for you?

vols21

December 15th, 2007, 04:43 PM

With Harris tearing his ACL, Larry Cunningham cruised to the Big West scoring title (17.9 ppg). he was a couple pts ahead of the nearest competitor.

I'll have full Big West stats at the end of the season.

vols21

December 15th, 2007, 07:41 PM

Big West Tourney:
UCR (19-9) vs Cal State Fullerton (10-17)
Anehiem CA -- HONDA CENTER

we split the regular season with the Titans - winning by 15 at home and suffering our worst defeat (36 pts) in their gym. 76 rated, they were considered one of the best teams in the league.
we came out snake bit and got way behind early (30-15) but we picked up the pace in a big way and rallied to cut lead to 45-42 at break (both teams shooting 60%!!)
Akognon leads Titans with 15 pts!! We have balance with Barlow and Scott with 8 (3 players with 6). Barlow is not usually a scoring threat, but he's been the lead man on a few fast breaks.

Cutley has blocked 3 shots down low against us and scored 8. WE took the lead and then traded it over the next 10 minutes. Turning point, on a fast break somehow, their 7'2 monster Adam Thomas got back down and stuffed l.Cunningham - that seemed to rock his confidence and rally theirs - couple series later he rejected 2 shots down after we got the rebound.
my players were hanging their heads after that, so I called time to refocus them. Thomas got 3 tries of his own to score until we finally fouled him. He was impossible to control.
it was 86-89 with a few seconds left, Jim-George fires a 3 to tie and send to OT -
HE"S FOULED! The ball rims out, oh my. He sinks 1, sinks 2, oh no - misses the next one and CSF Wins 88-89. (literally, I sat here for several minutes with the controller in my hand just staring at the TV after the miss. What a game!! win or lose)

Jim George was our high scorer again with 17 pts (just needed that 1 more!). Scott finished with 13. Cunningham a disappointing 4 of 14 shooting for only 10 pts (he was lead scorer in league).
Bekono, Gates, and Visman all gathered 6 rebs each (23 for the team). One stat to choke on - we shot 10 of 11 FT's for the game. Hold your heads high boys, that was a whale of game.

Star of the game was Alognon with 33 pts. Cutley added 22. Lima 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Big Thomas with 7 and 3 blocks
We had 7 more rebounds in the first half - but end game losing that battle by 12! (23-35) as Thomas and Lima went up with a vengence. (this was a MOP game)..
14 offensive rebounds for the Titans in the 2nd half was just too much to overcome (we had 2 - and that is a usual strength). Now we just wait and see if we somehow make the post season.

CSF loses their next game to Pacific (99-79).
Pacific also blows out UCSB 91-66 to win the Big West tourney and the auto bid to NCAA.

TCU wins the MWC. Morehead state loses in finals to SE MO in OVC.
True to form, UT loses first SEC game (to rival UK). Miss. St beats Bama to win SEC.
Cambell bests ETSU to win ATL SUN.
Temple upsets Xavier then #15 Rhode Island in finals to claim the Atl 10.
Boise St loses to La Tech in the opener of WAC. Nevada wins it all over Fresno St.
Depaul is surprise winner in Big East over Georgetown (Syracuse loses opener to Louisville).
Illinois drops opener to Wisconsin in Big 10 (#2 Michigan State over #19 Indy in finals)
#4 UNC over #12 Ga Tech in ACC. Tar Heels are peaking at the right time.

jjredick4

December 15th, 2007, 07:53 PM

tough loss to CSF

chestnutz6

December 15th, 2007, 08:22 PM

Ahhh very tough loss, I'm guessing you didn't make the tourney?

vols21

December 15th, 2007, 09:37 PM

Since we didn't win the Big West tourney, we didn't expect a bid (and we didn't get one, but we do get a consolation prize).

The top seeds/games from each region
EAST: #1 overall, Washington: #6 Louisville vs #11 (bubble) Xavier. Memphis is #2. Ga Tech is #3, Vandy #4

South: #1 UNC; 8-9 game is maryland vs Gonzaga. #3 Duke vs Depaul; #2 Tennessee vs SE Missouri, Rhode Island is the 4 seed

MIDWEST: #1 Michigan State: #6 Georgetown vs Wisconsin. #3 Oregon. #2 Clemson who takes on our rep - Pacific . Stanford comes in as 4 seed (bracket picked as most difficult)

West: #1 UCLA: #4 George Mason vs TCU. #7 NC State vs Texas (they called NC state the 'away team"). #2 Kansas #3 Marquette

ACC 9 teams. Big East 7,. SEC 5. NEC got 2 (24-8 Wagner and Central Conn. who won tourney), Colonial 2 (VCU and George Mason) (big 10 got 3, A10 got 4)

tulsa, Kentucky, Umass, Utah, St.Joes, Utah State bubble broke.
Miami, Pitt, Xavier, Wisconsin, Wagner made it in.
I bet Kentucky feels humbled to make NIT

WE ON THE OTHER HAND ARE ESTATIC to be invited to the NIT.
Not only that, but we get the first game at home - against Townson of the Colonial Conf. They lost to VCU in the tourney finals.

Details of that game as well as first and 2nd round action of the NCAA coming up next, but first this important message from our sponsor....

vikingfan1

December 15th, 2007, 09:38 PM

Good luck in the NIT! I hope you win it!

Huskynation

December 15th, 2007, 10:32 PM

washington a #1 seed? haha go dawgs!

Deuce2223

December 15th, 2007, 10:42 PM

That game was amazing. Again with the horrible seats, somehow I am going to have to start carpooling with Cincy so I can get the good seats. I sat that forever after the game wondering what it? Was very happy to hear you got the NIT bid and a home game, I guess I will delay my trip back to Spokane and stick around and see what you can do.

mdlee3

December 15th, 2007, 10:45 PM

Congrats on the NIT bid. I too coach the Highlanders, but mine are the Highlanders of Radford. I made the NCAA, but get destroyed in the 1st round be eventual champion Clemson. Clemson won it all by beating WESTERN MICHIGAN in a tightly contested championship game. Western Michigan.....whoda thunkit?

wsu_zags

December 16th, 2007, 11:00 AM

I love those types of games win or loss, those are the ones that make you happy to play em, always winning by 20 is just not satisfying. Its a tough loss to take though in the first round of the conference tourney. But, Congrats on making the NIT, I can not wait to see how you do, keep it up man.

vols21

December 16th, 2007, 01:17 PM

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/nit/graphics/nit-header.jpg

First Round:

UCR (19-10) vs 20-11 Townson of Colonial Conf. in first round -- standing room only at UCR!!!
They are 76 rated over all. 76 offense, 74 defense, 78 shooting, 78 rebounding, 78 coach. (6-13 pts higher in every area) Their RPI is 41. The Tigers were 3rd (behind George Mason and James Madison
They've beaten Temple and Auburn. 12-4 against teams in my RPI level. Led by a pair of 73 rated guards: Smith a speedy playmaker and Thornton a 3-point specialist.
They like to drive and fire 3's (32.7% triple shots! - that's Big West kind of #'s)
WE knew this would be a tough game - doubly tough after the way our last game ended.

It was a battle of rallies and score is knotted at 45 all at halftime (both team shoot over 50%). Larry Cunningham picked up 3 quick fouls and retired to the bench, but the team rallied around and kept us in it. Little Barlow took a lead pass on a fast break and jammed it home to electrify the home crowd!! Cunningham checks back in with 3 minutes to go and promptly hits a trey to put us on top by 1.

With a minute to go, we lead by 2, and the fouls begin. Cunningham steps to the line and hits both (lead 4). Townson comes down and hits a quick triple (lead 1). 2.9 seconds on the clock, LC is fouled. My senior leader steps to the line and BRICKS it - (third time in recent memory he did that with the game on the line). I sat in disbelief as they raced down and fired up a shot -

only to watch it hit the iron and bounce away no good.

89-88, UCR wins a heart-stopper. Our games are not for the faint of heart!
Larry Cunningham receives the star of the game (it's like they just give it to the QB). He looks over to me and says he will accept the award on behalf of all the fans who turned out to support us tonight. They are the ones who willed us to this victory. LC scored 16 pts, 3 rebs, and 4 assts (2 of 3 FTs). A.Scott also 16 pts. Barlow another big scoring game with 14~
Visman (The ViZ) double/double - 13 pts, 10 rebs. They shot 12 of 15 FT, we were 6 of 8. I know Larry wants to be the go-to guy at the end, but 3 times he has missed. Some day we may lose due to that.
They win rebounds 29-31, turnovers 7-9, but our bench came thru with 24 minutes and our fast break cooked up 10 pts.
My hat's off to Thornton who scored 28 pts on us despite some added pressure - he always found an open man like Pease (19) they combined for 9 of 20 from long distance.
Hairston added 16 pts and 7 rebounds from the low post (7 of 7 FG's). Williams filled in for Smith and had 14 assists. We hit 3 more treys than they did, and that spelled the difference!
Our next game will be AT Southern Illinois (15-15) who knocked off St. Joe's -

one big NIT score to report….Hampton 87 - Kentucky 77 -- talk about shockwaves!!!!!!
ULM beat Miami (OH) 59-55. Umass over Texas Southern 89-62

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First Round of NCAA: #13 VCU upsets #4 Vandy, Louisville edged Xavier by 1. Pitt upset #7 Uconn, Fairfield knocked off #5 Temple. Texas beat #7 NC State
South: Maryland over Gonzaga in 8-9 game - meets ACC rival UNC in 2nd. #12 Davidson pounded Indiania 113-92. #11 Wisconsin over #6 Georgetown. WVA beat #7 Fordham

so the 10 seed goes 3-1 (over 7 seed), 12 seed 2-2 split with 5 seed. 11 and 13 seed each win a game. 8 seed beat #9 every time. (seeds 1,2,3, and 8 go undefeated in first round.

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2nd Round of NCAA:
East - #1 Washington cruised over 8 Virginia. #5 Texas A&M same over #13 VCU (so long Cinderella). Bottom half saw upsets as #6 Louisville over GA tech, and #10 Pitt by 2 over #2 Memphis!

West: #1 UCLA crushed UGA. #4 George Mason by 4 over #12 Fairfield, #3 Marquette beat 6 Miss.St. #2 Kansas rolled by Texas

South - HUGE UPSET as #8 Maryland beat top seed North Carolina (who many picked to win it all). #4 Rhode Island over Davidson. #6 WKU knocked off 3seed Duke!! #2 UT by 7 over UAB

Midwest - another #1 goes down as #8 Alabama beats Michigan State 78-77.
#5 Florida State by 2 over #4 Stanford. #3 Oregon by 10 over Wisconsin. They face #2 Clemson who beat up WVA.

Love of UCLA scored 38 on UGA to get player of week. VCU's upset was spotlighted as game of week. Ga Tech needed OT to beat Central Connecticut State by 2 pts.

Kansas vs Marquette is upcoming game of week (both 27-7). #2 Clemson vs #3 Oregon should also be a good one as ACC and Pac 10 clash.

wsu_zags

December 16th, 2007, 01:24 PM

BOO YAH!
Nice win, I love it.
LC is just starting to pull his own for me, had a slow start, but he has been money for you all year, and it sucks when money guys miss at the line.

vols21

December 16th, 2007, 08:39 PM

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/nit/graphics/nit-header.jpg

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/SIL.gif

UCR at 80 rated Southern Illinois: huge crowd, but only a few blue shirts scattered among the red
the crowd was rabid from the outset - lotta shaking goin on - when the Salukis finally took the lead, they never looked back. We'd make runs, but they held us off. Half-time score 35-47.
Final score, lose 86-98. Bone was their star scoring 25 pts. 3 others in double figs (Mullins, Falker, Green). Mullins also 11 assts.
Larry Cunningham scored 16 pts in his final game in the blue uniform. 1 of 8 from 3 pt-land, but he sank 5 of 6 FT's in this hostile environment. We'll miss him next year.
Visman added 15 pt and 5 rebs. Scott and Jim-George scored 12. Bekono got us 7 rebs. Barlow dished 7 asst. They killed us on the boards 36-24. They hit 16 of 23 FT's (we're 7 of 12)
We had 17 turnovers and caused 10 - the pressure really got to us. After two heart-stopping games, there just wasn't anything left in the tank.

The real turning point of the game came with us down by 5, we just scored and Bekona got the ball on a full-court press - ran to the open bucket, a Saluki player ran in front and chopped him The ref called it a charge. It would have been a 3 pt play to tie the game, instead it goes the other way and they score. Huge swing in momentum and we never regained our concentration after that.
We shot 52% for the game - but they were on fire hitting 64%!! They got a lot of easy looks, too many 2nd chance pts, and some dunk shots when they pressed and we turned it over.
For a team that "never presses", they ate our lunch with it - whoever scouted them for me needs to be fired!!!! WE mixed the D's up, but they scored anyway (every player over 50% shooting -
worse % was Bone who was 10 of 20; 4 of 9 3's. Tough team, tough place to play. Tough way to go out. But now, its time to get ready for next year.
Final Record for the year 20-11.
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The Final 4 NIT in New York will be:
High Point who beat Oklahoma and UNLV
Utah State who beat New Mexico and S.Illinois (seems a lot of teams still lose the next game after they play us)
Utah who beat Baylor and Arkansas
Hampton who beat Umass and Chicago State (on top of Uk in the first round)
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NIT FINALS
Utah State (the #1 mid-major most of the year) beats Utah in finals 88-75.
excellent seasons for those 4 teams.
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oh yeah, in that other tournament going on - like anyone is interested in it:
The Sweet 16 went pretty much to plan - #8 maryland "upset" #4 Rhode Island. The 2-3 seed games were both blow-outs. #3 Marquette 103-94 over Kansas. #2 Clemson 86-66 over 3 Oregon
Elite 8 games:
#1 Washington vs #6 Louisville, #1 Ucla vs #3 marquette,
#8 Maryland vs #2 Tennessee, #5 Florida State vs #2 Clemson

jjredick4

December 16th, 2007, 08:42 PM

damn, that is a tough loss, hopefully you can bounce back next year

Deuce2223

December 16th, 2007, 09:12 PM

Sorry for your loss, but you have some great pieces to build on. Looking forward to seeing how your team looks next season.

CincyFan

December 16th, 2007, 09:33 PM

how dare "Money"ham do so poorly in his last game. Nice try and congrats on at least making the NIT your first year bro

wsu_zags

December 16th, 2007, 09:42 PM

Well even though you lost in the second round, you have plenty to build on for the next year, and will be even stronger and better. Congrats on making it to the second round by the way, S. Ill is always a tough team to play.

vols21

December 16th, 2007, 11:25 PM

thanks gang. It was a good season and we'll be in great shape for next year. Good to see we added another 5* fan. :D

Louisville and Marquette both knock off the #1 seeds they play. UT rocks the Terps (106-66) and Fla St ko's Clemson

Final Four: Louisville 85-79 over Marquette and Tennessee 90-70 over Florida State as Lofton scores 41

Finals 90 rated Tennessee vs 87 rated Louisville --
Lofton shoots for 27, Prince 18 as Vols win 85-72 (and no, I didn't do anything to influence it).

Final Big West stats:
Team scoring: UCR 79.9
RPG: CS Northridge: 32.5
Ind Scoring: Larry Cunningham 17.9
Rebounds: Cutley (CSF) 11.6
Johnson of Pacific led in assts (6.2) and steals (2.1)

UT wins national title (90 OVR) 29-6 (13-3)
Player of year: Tyler Hansbrough 21.8 ppg (no surprise here - saw he wins in most legacies). Also big man of the year
Mid-Major player: Bo McCalebb of New Orleans. SG who scored 24.5 ppg
Coach of the Year: Bruce Pearl Tennessee (161-65. A- rated)
Defensive player of the year: Shawn James of Dusquene
Freshman of the year: Kevin Love UCLA (21.2 ppg)

All Americans: Singletary (uva), McCalebb (UNO), Martin Zeno (TTU), Hansbrough (UNC), , Love (UCLA)

2nd team: Drew Neitzel (michigan st), Chris Lofton (TN), Geoff McDermott (Providence), Kyle Hines (UNC Greensboro), Luke Nevill (Utah)

Frosh All-Americans: D.Rose (Memphis), J.Bayless (AZ), B.Walker (Kansas State), M.Beasley (KSU), K.Love (UCLA)

Big West coach of the year: Bob Thomason of Pacific (they won conf. tourney and made NCAA)

Big West Player of the Year: Scott Cutley - Cal State Fullerton. 12.8 ppg, 11.6 rebs
Best freshman: Michael Nunnally - Pacific. Center - 11.1 ppg, 6.6 rbg.

First team all-conf: Johnson (pac), Cunningham (UCR), Cutley (CSF), Brown (PAC), Nunnally (pac): all 3 pacific players WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR -- other 2 all-conf are sr's.

2nd team: Clark (Cal Poly), Oliver (UC Davis), Heard (CSN), Elliott (UCSB), Freeman (LBSU)
Fresh All-Conf: Biggs (Cal Poly), Murphy (UCSB), Malik (UCD), Phippen (UCSB), Nunnally (Pac).

Finley made 2nd team ivy league for Princeton.
Harris and Greene made Big East teams for Syracuse. Lofton and Tyler Smith for the Vols in SEC. Mayo, 2nd team Pac 10

Pacific only graduates one player - they will be dominant next year.
UCR graduates L.Cunningham (74) and Soto (55)

I put my pts to charisma, defense, teaching
Bobby Knight retires, Northwestern and Oregon State fire their coaches:
Texas Tech hired McKillop (A-) from Davidson. NW brings in Horn from WKU, Oregon state gets Fox of Nevada (who then hires Lundy of High Point) Sutton at ORU moves to WKU
as for assistants moving up - UAB's went to IPFW, UCSB has one go to Elon, Gonzaga loses Minor to UT Martin

We hired 2 new assts: Byerson with B- teaching skills (C defense). Blevins (B- scout, C on defense). They're only moderate recruiters, but I need help in other areas too.

West wins all-star game 90-78. Eaton (going to Utah State) has 21. Murphy (signed by S.Ill) led the east with 16. Duke has 2 signees as does Florida. Illinois has 1

I'll have a complete recruiting report next and onto a new and exciting season.

CincyFan

December 17th, 2007, 05:05 AM

wow Princeton had an all-american on their team that is funny. Anyways I am not completely sold that there was no foul play happening during the championship game.

As of right now (since we don't have the complete recruiting report) who will be your new outside and main man on the offense end or are you looking for a whole team package?

vols21

December 17th, 2007, 10:05 AM

Nevada signs Sead Van (the 3* center who I pursued all year -- he ends up rated a 68).
We did get some good news though!

David Ellerbee signs with UCR (3 star PG from nearby Moreno Valley). ABL stats: 8.5 ppg, 3 asst in 17.2 minutes. 1.7 steals.

Ralphy Valentine signs with UCR (2 star center from LA who was my back-up plan - #52 center; #456 overall): 9.4 pts and 5 rebs per game in ABL (19 minutes) 1 block per game (his real name was too tough to pronounce, so I did as Coach Cafego did to Faud Revis many years ago and changed it - he called Fuad "FRANK"" and I call this guy Valentine)
He's B rated defense. B+ rebounding, B+ potential. C everywhere else (A- size at 6'9)

Johnny Walsh, a 3* PF from Oakland suddenly becomes a hot topic when Washington drops out of the race leaving me and UCD. He's #157 (#26 PF) he scored 14 pts and 11 rebs for the Sharks in ABL (55%).

Keita (PG) signs with UC Davis (we battled with them but backed off when we signed Ellerbee - he ends up rated 65, just slightly better).

Start of last week, 6'10 Johnny Walsh holds press conference to announce he will sign with UCR. He was 86% interested last week and we were just ahead of Hawaii on the charts.
#157 player in the US, #26 PF, this 3* stud has a B- shot, B- skill, B+ ath, A- rebs. B- IQ, and A potential (a- size). Only knock is C on defense. He may end up being the steal of the century! His name might not as fun to say as BOBBY JOE BRIDGEWATER, but I think he'll be a star for us over the next 4 years. He is graded to 71, and the 2nd best recruit in the big west.

Top Recruiting Classees:
#1 Utah State - 1 AA, 3 Mr basketballs. 1 5*, 3 4*
Florida, UCLA, AZ, MD, WSU, Marquette, Memphis, TTU, Vandy, OK, Wis, Ark.Duke, UNC, Xavier, WVA, Santa Clara, FSU, GT, DePaul are your top 20. (Illinois was 22)

UCR is #59 with a trio of 3*'s. CSN 68, UCI 74, Cal Poly 79, LBSU 114 (signs pair of 4* JUCO players), CSF 170 (3 3*, and 3 2 *), UCSB 178 (4 3* and 2 2*)
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Schedule for the year includes home games with Umass, and La Tech. Road games at Oregon, Weber State, Idaho State, Ind St, Ill.st., and Tennessee, plus Oreilly Auto and Cable Car classics

Our starting line-up (ovr rating) looks like this:
Freshman David Ellerbee at PG (63)
RS JR Chris Johnson at SG (67)
Freshman Kueth Petway SF (65)
Freshman Johnny Walsh PF (71)
Freshman Ralphy Valentine at Center (65)

Key subs are Visman (PF/C) 64; Bekona (PF) 62; S.Cunningham and Aaron Scott at guard (62). Walk-on Jr Jim-George is the 3-pt specialist (60) - can play SF
SG's Barlow (JR) and Diggs (So) will redshirt (otherwise I lose 4 sg's next season - need to space that out as important as that position is).

Walsh (80) and J.Scott are best rebounders (Bekono, Visman, Petway).
Valentine best D-Rebs (85 -- only 71 on offense)
Ellerbee and Johnson are speedsters
Petway and Bekono have best D awareness (67).
Johnson and Jim-George are the 3pt guys (79).
Johnson and Walsh are FT's. (89 / 82)
Johnson and Cunningham are the ball-handlers.
Ellerbee passer (68)
Ellerbee and Petway have best Def ratings (82/77). Valentine 75 block. Ellerbee and Cunningham 79 steal rating
Johnson and Walsh are best in clutch (70 / 65).
Walsh and Petway are most consistent (71 / 64).
Walk-ons Jim-George and Creppy hustle (85). Cunningham and Walsh (72)

needs for next year: SG. Will take best back-up in center/PF and SF/PG. Have 3 scholarships to offer this year.

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Midnight Madness:
The seniors (and redshirts) beat the new freshmen team with the returning Johnson 22-21 (Johnson and Jim-George were combined 3 of 9 treys which hurt their team)
Valentine and Walsh each had 4 down low - Walsh with 5 rebs. (played 4 minute halves - just to get a feel for the new guys). After Midnight Madness, I decided to start the Viz at center over freshman Valentine to put some experience in the game. 3 freshmen starting is going to be hard enough, and there is already some squabbling from upperclassmen who are losing their playing time to the youngsters. Valentine just needs some game experience, and will still see plenty of action.

Johnson and Jim-George will provide our 3 pt shooting while Walsh should be a monster inside. With Ellerbee and Petway driving and passing, this can be a well-rounded team. We'll have a lot of experience coming off the bench.

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Preseason rankings:
UNC, Memphis, Uconn, Michigan State, Duke, Tenn, Texas, UCLA, Louisville, Washington, Standford, AZ, Indy, Prov, Gonzaga, Alabama, GT, UNC, Syracuse, WVA are your top 20.

Preseason All-Americans
Augustin (TX), Shipp (UCLA), Tyler Smith (UT), Moute (UCLA), Love (UCLA)
(3 preseason AA's on UCLA!!! sounds like some of my old Duke teams).

2nd team
Walton (Mich St), Ellington (UNC), Hill (Stanford), White (Indy), Nevill (Utah - 7'1 278 lbs. Those Utah centers have long been a nemesis to me!)

wsu_zags

December 17th, 2007, 11:27 AM

looking good, with those freshman, imagine there senior class, a few low 80's players in there.

CincyFan

December 17th, 2007, 11:46 AM

if Bobby Joe was on the team you know would go deep into the NCAA tournament. Those were the good ole days

vols21

December 18th, 2007, 10:47 AM

New season kicks off - and just noticed our schedule has us playing 5 days in a row!!! The AD said he thought this would help simulate tourney play and prepare us for the end of season.

UMASS visits UC Riverside to open the season -- our attendance is 1,800 (59%) which double from last year thanks to our trip to the NIT and reg. season title.
Umass is 79 rated vs our 72 rated. My team unity slides from 32 to 16 this year with the influx of young guys.

Welcome to big time college basketball Mr. Walsh!! My frosh PF took over the game for our team.. The Minutemen took a brief lead in the 1st half, but Jim-George hit some treys.
The game stayed close throughout, but Walsh was a power down low. I rested my FT shooters just in case - and it was a good thing. Sean Cunningham stepped up and hit 4 of 4 to seal the game - great opening victory!
93-88 was the final. Walsh scored 22 pts, and 8 rebs (8 of 9 FG, 6 of 6 FT). Jim-George added 16 pts and was a great spark (he's such a fan fave that a popular sandwich shop in town is now called "Jimmy Georges" (instead of jimmy johns). C. Johnson, who we looked to for leadership this year really didn't provide much - 4 of 10 shooting and missed a FT early (13 pts).
How did the other fabulous freshmen do? Ellerbee (PG) 4 assits and a steal (but 4 turnovers). Valentine center, 4 pts, 2 rebs, 1 block (2 TO), Petway (SF) 6 pts and 3 rebs. (0 TO's).
Petway missed an early 3pt shot, but then came back in the 2nd half and hit two of them at crucial times. Sean Cunningham had 11 pts and 4 assts.
Our young players turned the ball over 10 times total agains the tireless Minuteman press. We only caused 8 TO's. Proud stat - 12 of 13 FT's (they shot 9 of 15 FT's).
They had 5 players crack double digits, led by Papa Lo with 13 pts and 11 rebs. The rebounding wars was all Umass early, but ends up 31-30. We get 24 assts to their 20.
They shoot 53% and we hit 56%. We need to continue to improve on defense, hit the glass better (gave up 12 offensive rebs to them - and only got 5 ourselves), and we need to take better care of the basketball. We have a few things to improve on but I'm pleased with our first game. We beat a very good team tonite. Our schedule is not kind as we have 3 straight road games.

starting tommorrow -- my teams have struggled in tournament play in the past and I think this early stretch of consecutive games will simulate tourney play hostile crowds at Indy State and N.Illinois, and then its Iowa State on Monday. We return home next Thursday to play highly regarded La. Tech, an early season favorite to win the Wac (with Utah State and Nevada).
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UCR @ Indiania State Sycamores
I expected some jet lag, but Walsh and Johnson got off the plane shooting en route to a 86-69 victory!!!!
Walsh scored 31 pts, 9 rebs, 5 assts, and 2 blocks for star of the game!! Johnson redeemed his poor performance from last game shooting 7-7 (2-2 FT) for 16 pts
S.Cunningham added 14 and freshman Center Valentine put in 10. Bekono contributed with 7 rebs. Ellerbee had 5 more turnovers, but this time 10 assts.
Win rebounds 33-24. both teams 7 turnovers but we had 2 more assists (24-22). Stinson led the Sycamores with 17 pts (most came late after the game had been decided).
We shot 55% and held them to 42% -- it was a real focus on half court defense and it seemed to work for us (hope to grade better than F-!!). 4-4 FT's!! (IS shot 8 of 13).
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UCR @ N.Illinois - we jumped on them early and never really looked back. The Huskies did cut the lead from 20 down to 10 a couple times, but we answered right back. it was 52-37 at the half.
Final SCORE was 87-75.
Walsh was in charge down low again scoring 19, 5 rebs, 3 assts, and 3 blocked shots. Jim-George was the answer man, he scores 12 (2 of 3 from long range). Visman 6 rebs, Ellerbee 8 assts.
Battles scores 24 for NIU -- It's not as bad as it sounds, he had 19 in the first half - they were'nt doing much but at half we realized he was the only one hitting. So we blanketed him in the 2nd. That allowed others like Nichols some open looks, but our defense was pretty much in total control until the subs played the last few minutes. We shot 58% and held them to 48%.
Team hits 5 of 6 FT's (just not getting to the line often enough as they shot 10 of 13). Rebounds 23-25. We had 9 turnovers, but they had 14. 24 assts is becoming a good trend for us.
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Coach's Corner: Coach Dean was happy with the play of his new freshmen. Not since a fellow named Desilos at TCU has a freshman made such an immediate impact as Walash has. We have to get Johnson into the game more though, we are counting on his experience and leadership to carry us this year. I'm worried about playing so many games in a row like this, but these kids are young and have shown any signs of fatigue yet. We have a deep bench with lot of experience - the same guys that helped us win the Big West title last year - so we're not worried about bringing them in for extended minutes.

The O'Reilly Auto Part's regional from Columbia MO is our next stop and we have Iowa State in the first game.

chestnutz6

December 18th, 2007, 10:53 AM

wow walsh is going to be a beast for a long time for you, what's his rating again?

wsu_zags

December 18th, 2007, 11:11 AM

Nice 3-0 start, I like it. I see JG is filling in the LC role nicely for you.

Deuce2223

December 18th, 2007, 11:13 AM

Vols what # does Walsh wear. I am going to order a jersey so I can wear it proud at the Oregon,Weber St,Idaho ST games for ya. Make sure you get me the good seats too.

Things are looking good so far.. Did I really read that correctly that Utah St had the #1 recruiting class?? If so maybe there is hope that I can do the same someday at Boise St.

vols21

December 18th, 2007, 07:02 PM

http://www.gazellegroup.com/guardians/guardlogo.jpg

UCR vs Iowa State in their first game. Game played in Columbia MO at the Mizzou Center -- might as well have been a home game - rabid crowd against us!

Being so close to my "hometown" of Springfield, several friends drove in for the game. In honor of Johnny Walsh, #00, the had signs -- two with a 0, the last they changed depending on his rebound or blocks. They got extra excited when it 0 0 7

our tired legs showed in this one as Cyclones hit us hard - 51-39 at halftime. Walsh was being man-handled (1-5) 11 of 36 for the team. Bright spot was 8/9 FT (not 15-24 rebs
With 8:20 left in the game, the score was 60-64 (what a mad rush - stops on d and a barrage of 3's on my end) - and a lot of fouls on them down low. (at that point rebs were 23-28)
at 6:16, Jim-George hit a trey, intercepted the in bounds pass at half court and threw down to Gates who slammed it home to take a 70-69 lead! They fired their own and regained the lead....

FANTASTIC FINISH: Johnson hits 4 straight FT's, but Iowa State hits a Trey to tie the game with 8 secs left. Johnson grabs the inbound pass and hits Walsh who takes it to the hole.....score!!
UCR wins an improbable comeback victory 95-93 (I swear at one point, I thought of just going to slow down so they didn't get to 100. In a way, that deliberate play may have helped us).
STAR OF THE GAME: Curtis Johnson with 30 pts (9 of 9 FT's). Jim-George and Petway scored 13 each. (Walsh only 7 vs their twin towers- but those last two are what legends are made of -- not exactly the "7" his fans were hoping for).
Valentine had 10 rebs. Johnson and Wade scored 24 each for Cyclones. Garrett 14 assts. They win rebounds 34-28. They only were 3/5 fts while we hit 21 of 22 (despite the crowd)
They hit 12 of 26 treys and we shot 14 of 33 (so that wasn't a big difference maker for us). 26 assists (Ellerbee 8, Walsh 5 as he was double-teamed).

Coach Dean was asked what adjustments were made at half-time: he said we just couldn't keep up with their speed in man-to-man, and their 3 pt shots killed our 2-3 zones, so we went to a 1-3-1, and even mixed in a little box and 1 to slow down their long distance shooters…..all we did was slow them down, but it was enough to let us creep back into the game.
Who do we have next???? St. Joesephs defeated the Citadel 63-55 so that's we face in the O'Reilly Auto "C" finals. I'm exhausted, I know the players are!
Incidently, East Carolina upset #22 Maryland in the A bracket
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UCR vs St. Joes (85 rated) in O'Reilly "C" finals. We led at halftime 45-34. But some ill-advised subs allowed them to get back in it (had 4 guards and 1big man = no rebounds).
We battled back after they took the lead - and it came down to FT's. They missed, but got the rebound. 3 pt ball game, Jim-George fires to tie, but it's deflected.
They make one of the FT's and win by 4.
Final Score: 83-87 loss
Walsh scored 17 and 6 rebs. Jim-George scored 20. Ellerbee 7 assists, Scott 6. Nivens and Govens score 20 for the hawks. (I personally had a hand in Goven's face and he still scored.
They were on fire, and my guys were flat worn out by the game (5 games in 5 days!!!). We had to sub a lot to keep fresh legs in the game. It'll be good to get back home.
Great experience for the guys though. This should prepare for them bigger tournaments down the road. My only complaint is the defense today allowed 34 of 55 (62%)
They were just a well-coached team. I will cut my kids some slack though due to fatigue. Let's just bounce back against LA TECH.
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Coach Dean call-in show:
Walsh is rated 71 as a freshman. 6'11, 251 lbs
His # is 00. The FBI (student section) will prolly copy the idea used by some fans here in MO, and play off that number,

And yes, Utah State had the best recruiting class last year. Shocked me too!! All I've heard about is what a recruiting dyanmo West Va is, but didn't see that much out of them yet (#16), but sure Coach Huggins will bring in some great talent while he's there.

wsu_zags

December 18th, 2007, 09:21 PM

Lets go Highlanders lets GO!

man, JG scores 20 and joey still wins, that sucks, but like you said 5 games in 5 days will kill you, your a little lucky no one got hurt, last year in 2k7 I had some how wound up with 6 games in 6 days, and on the sixth day, two of my star players got hurt for something like 45 days each.

skarface2k1

December 19th, 2007, 06:58 AM

Sorry about both of your exits out of the conference touney and the NIT,but you seem to have upgrdaed your team.I see NCAA in your teams future.As long as you can get everyone to gel.It should be a good season.

vols21

December 19th, 2007, 09:32 AM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/LATECH.gif

UCR vs La Tech: 2,056 attendance (65%).. Lot of fans wearing their FBI shirts/

Tech missed their first 5 shots, yet still ended up hitting 50% for the half. I preached defense at half-time - let's show the world that we are not the #317 defense. We can shut these guys down.
And shut them down we did - late they had 23% in the 2nd half (finished with 31% against the scrubs). And 42% for the game. The patience on offense netted us 64% shooting!!
Final score 86-53 (they score 19 pts in the 2nd while we tallied 44).

Star of the Game: Johnny Walsh - 28 pts, 4 rebs, 2 assts, 2 blocks. (11 of 17 shooting, 6 of 8 FT's - his first misses). Most his pts came in the 2nd half (24)
Valentine had his best game ever - scoring 12 and 5 rebs. Plus a block. His only negative, missing 3 FT's (4 of 7). Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but I don't think he'll have to run.
White scored 21 for Tech (8 in the f2nd half). Ellerbee 6 assts, Johnson 5 (plus 9 pts as he played excellent team ball).

Rebounds, we won 28-16 (altho they had more on offense). We had 22 assts (vs 13). They had 10 blocks against us. We cut our turnovers way down.
This game put our Opp reb and Opp steals below the national avg (still allow 77 ppg vs 66 for nat. avg). If we can have another game like this, MAYBE we go under #300 (lol).

College Hoops: Monroe of Florida Atlantic Owls scored 32 pts to get Player of the week.
Wisconsin won @ Georgetown 72-63 in game of the week. Colorado vs Arkansas is highlight game for next week along with Duke @ Kansas

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Coach Dean Call-in Show:
Injuries are a concern for any team, and we are forunate to have gotten thru that 5 game stretch with nary a scratch. Part of that was the rotations as we got everyone lots of minutes to keep them all as rested as possible. At times, that put us in mismatches on the floor, but we need to learn to deal with that as it can happen anytime - especially with our tenacious man-to-man defense and switching on screens.

JG is a special player, how many times can a walk-on player perform like that. We are exploring the options of offering him a scholarship for his final season. I don't think anyone would have expected him to pick up the scoring void left by LC's graduation. I suspect we may see some very special games from this young man before the season is over (like that foreshadowing??)

And yes, this team can go far. Our team unity is just 2 bars (22%) because we play so many freshmen. By next year, these guys will be a cohesive unit. Our goal is the NCAA this year - maybe we can surprise a few teams. Next year with Johnson and JG as seniors, and this group of freshmen will have a full year under their belt, and maybe we add another quality player to the mix - then who knows how far we can go.

skarface2k1

December 19th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Yo,Walsh is a beast!I need about two of him for my teams.Check out my legacy updates done to day.

vols21

December 19th, 2007, 07:50 PM

UMKC @ UCR
This was an ugly game (from my standpoint -- they just scored at will it seemed. Then no matter where I shot from, I missed. 3's, lay-ups, in close. It didn’t matter).
half time trailed 32-42. to a bunch of Kangaroos!! I made a lot of half-time adjustments - if I can't stop them from scoring, then I can't let them have the ball (slow down, prevent offense).
they try to milk clock too - but lose their momentum. 2nd half score 25-15. regulation ends tied at 57 all. UMKC scored the first 6 pts in OT until Walsh slammed home monster dunk that woke up the crowd. Ellerbee then drains a 3. Walsh hits again!! Visman is fouled, hits his FT's and we are off to the races. (14-9 in OT).. Final Score 71-66
Ellerbee is star of the game with 17 pts (5 of 6 treys).. Jim-George 11, Walsh 10. Valentine grabs 11 rebs (we win 34-28, taking control during the slow down - 9 offensive boards vs 1)
both teams get 6 steals. Our defense shuts them down in the 2nd and they hit 45% for the game (after 65% first half). We're 41%. Winning ugly, we'll take it.

Akongnon of Cal State Fullerton scored 48 to win POW -- WOW, a BIG WEST PLAYER GETS THE HONOR!!

Top 10 Mid-MAJOR: Gonzaga, George Mason, MTSU, Siena, St. Mary, Utah State, W.Michigan, Vermont, Fairfield, UW-Green Bay. ETSU #17. UC Santa Barbara #20
Kansas ripped Duke 72-62. Arkansas beat UNC 91-85 (bad week for ACC top teams).
Defending champions Tennessee lost home opener to North Texas (WHO? Just like the football team), and also Stetson to start season 2-2. They haven't even gotten to Georgetown/Clemson yet

wsu_zags

December 19th, 2007, 09:33 PM

Akongnon of Cal State Fullerton scored 48 to win POW -- WOW, a BIG WEST PLAYER GETS THE HONOR!!

That is awesome!

vols21

December 19th, 2007, 10:47 PM

That is awesome!

totally!!! He's the first Big West player to ever win the Player of the Week (don't see that many small schools get that honor). Spoiler alert/teaser -- he won't be the last!!!!!

Bad thing is I know I have to face him twice this year!! Like you said on your legacy, all these teams shoot it well from 3 pt land --- having a guy like this that can hit for 4o+ pts is downright scary - because you know there are a couple other guys on the team who can light it up too. I guarantee this you this....when we play cal State Fullerton, you better hide the kids and lock up the dogs because it will not be a pretty sight!!! :lol:
I expect some real dogfights with them, pacific and some of the other teams.

wsu_zags

December 19th, 2007, 11:25 PM

I can not wait for the updates :)

knox33

December 20th, 2007, 12:24 PM

Good win. It looks like Walsh stepped it up when it counted in OT.

vols21

December 20th, 2007, 07:22 PM

6-1 UCR @ 1-2 Oregon (86 rated) - lots of quacking in the Pit tonite
Final Score 75-74 win! Oregon led the entire game on tremendous shooting. Again in the 2nd half, we slowed down the game trying to make some passes and find a good shot.
It was 39-45 at the break so we held them at 36-29 in 2nd stanza. Walsh was our go-to guy and went for a dunk for the lead but was fouled and only made 1 to tie. Ducks game down and scored for a 2 pt lead. In-bounds pass against their full court pressure and called my last time-out. I put Johnson back in the game (he had sat with 3 fouls) and also Jim-George. 10 seconds left.
Pass up to Jim-George who was blanketed, quick pass to CJ at the top of the key - SWISH! Ducks rush down for last second shot and misses.
Star of the Game: Johnny Walsh 29 pts, 4 rebs, 3 blocked shots. Jim-George made 19 (5 of 6 treys). We shot 60% for the game to their 53% (40% 2nd half).
lost rebounds 14-21 (just wasn't that many missed shots and they got 8 offensive boards to my one!!). 4 turnovers each team. We were 9 of 13 FT's in a hostile environment,
Joseph scored 13 for Ducks. Porter 12 before spraining a knee. (we are ranked #2 nationally on offense. #331 defense).

Harnagody of Notre Dame was POW with 35 pts.
Maryland overpowered Michigan State 89-70. Texas 66-62 over Stanford in top 10 battle. - Abrams 25 pts for Longhorns

Rashad Falknor, #1 player, #1 PG signs with Duke (from Charleston SC) Pacific enters mid-major polls at #22 (nice to see another Big West team get some attention)
2 of my prospects signed elsewhere. Craig Morgan a 6'11 three star center went to UCD and D.Tatum a 3* SG signs with LMU (we were 2nd choice, just not good enough)
We also offered a scholarship to Mondo Guerrerro (a 5* player as a JR, but dropped to 3*), He's still holding out hopes of going to USC
We are also #2 behind Portland for a 7'0 center from Oregon - at 76%, I'm just not making up any ground.
We are #2 behind San Francisco for 3* Albert Lisnic, a 6'6 SF. (71%). We made offer to 6'11Marty McGrath, center out of Santa Ana, good defense, excellent rebounder with very good potential (2*)
Tough recruiting year - we are #2 or 3 on many prospects' lists. Just can't get over the hump. My only real need is a good shooting guard since I lose most in the next couple years.
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up next, the road trip continues with games at Weber State and Idaho State

Deuce2223

December 20th, 2007, 07:56 PM

wsu_zags

December 20th, 2007, 08:58 PM

With Walsh putting up those numbers, who needs Cunningham

CincyFan

December 21st, 2007, 02:09 PM

Just think if you get Mondo Guerrerro in next year of how much open looks Jim-George and the other outside shooters are going to get.

vols21

December 21st, 2007, 08:12 PM

A amazing game. My wife having grown up a Oregon State Beavers fan, hit the road with me, and was very happy to see her arch rival Ducks fall at home to a lesser known team from the Big West. However I still havn't been able to find a Walsh jersey and now my wife wants a Jim-George jersey for herself. We both plan on attending both the Weber St and Idaho St games. Hopefully our jerseys will be in by then.

I had 2 shipped overnight to you - and just in case, I'll have some at the game, for you and any other fans that want to wear one. The players are both very excited and appreciate the show of support. They hope they don't let you down!!

vols21

December 22nd, 2007, 07:42 AM

7-1 UCR @ 3-4 Weber State (75 rated) the Dee Events Center in Utah. Lot of purple in the stands -- but it was nice to see Deuce and family at the game. It was easy to spot them sporting their new Walsh and Jim-George jersies.

win 58-48. Once again, it was a conscious effort to play defense and ball control (instead of run and gun the 3).
Star of the Game: Johnny Walsh: 23 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assts (tops for the game in all areas!!). Jim-George and Petway added 9 apiece.
Silveria scored 11 for Weber State. We shot 52% and held them to 36%. Out rebounded them 30 to 15. We turned the ball over 7, and only got 3 (so all was not perfect)
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Marty McGrath signs with UCR. 6'11, 235 Center (2*). #546 player and #61 center. He scored 11 pts and 10 rebs for Dust em Off in ABL.
This was just to get another big man since we'll be losing the Viz and Gates. Rest of our recruiting is not all that bright:

Mondo Guerrerro - we have not given up hope on the former 5* (current 3*). We are #4 on his list behind USC, SDSU, and UCLA. If they drop off, I want to be there for this PF. (#132 in nation)
Mose Hall, 7'0 center. We are #3 behind Washington and Fresno State.
Sogadazi, a 3* JR SG has us #1 - moved us ahead of Weber State after the last game (only 61%), so there's a good chance we'll add him to the team next year and he will fill when we lose Johnson and Jim-George.
Albert Lisnic a 3* SF has us #1 (#83 SF / 402 in nation)
2 other Jr's have us in top 5 - Shane Harris a 6'10 center puts #2 behind BYU. While Jean-baptise Padilla says #5 (way behind SDSU, Fres, NEV, Utah)
no one else has us above 50% (although we #1 on Negoudu's list, a 4* SG (22% so big deal - not sure why no one has been following him)

Other news - latest polls, UCR cracks top 25 mids at #22. Louisville is new #1 overall folowed by fellow Big Easter UCONN

Tennessee now 4-4. beat Georgetown, then loses to Northwestern State.
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SEE YOU AT IDAHO STATE next, then we're back home against UT-Pan American.
near future, we travel to Knoxville to face the Vols, then the Cable Car Classic

chestnutz6

December 22nd, 2007, 07:50 AM

congrats on top 25 mid major, hopefully those recruits will help you

wsu_zags

December 22nd, 2007, 11:35 AM

Nice sign with the big man, 2** do mean nothin when your almost 7'
thats the same thing I am trying to do currently, I am currently going after a 6'11" PF!?! to replace viz, Ill post those updates later.
and congrats on the fantastic record so far, quality wins, with another around the corner against the Bengals.

vols21

December 23rd, 2007, 11:49 AM

UCR at Idaho State (74 rated). The Bengals are 5-3
a 39-26 halftime lead evaporated as Idaho state got hot in the 2nd and scored 48 to our 34. Idaho State wins 74-73
Walsh scored 24 pts and 8 rebs and 2 blocks. Jim George 13 in support. Ellerbee 8 assts. Idaho state shoots 45% for game (35 in first, 53 in 2nd - where'd my defense go?)
Guzman leads the Bengals with 12 pts as they balanced out the scoring making it hard to key on anyone. Rebounds which was all us early ends up 26-30 against us.
10 of 15 FT's - bad night to go cold…we could use 1 of those pts.

Coach Dean was not happy with the 2nd half collapse. I feel bad for the fans who travelled so far to watch and support us. It's a young team and they will get rattled at times, but I expect more mental toughness from my players. Give credit to the Bengals who rallied and took it to us. We'll have games like this all year I'm afraid if we don't buckle down and get serious about our game. I could see the overconfidence in the kids' eyes at half-time but nothing I said seemed to sink in. Maybe this loss will get their attention - they have to play hard the whole game.

UT-Pan American vs 8-2 UC Riverside. Coming home after a bitter loss - that was hard to swallow blowing such a big lead.
Visman made two big errors early in this game and I just lost it, ended up getting ejected (SIM) Final Score: 44-39
Petway leads up with 7 pts. We shoot 40% and hold them to 35%, out rebound 26-16,

Stanford outlasts Nebraska 62-60 behind Lopez 23 pts. Louisville wins @ Michigan 74-66
MID TOP 10: Gonzaga (7-3), George Mason, Utah State, St Mary, Middle TN, Vermont, W. Mich, UW-Green Bay, Fresno State, Akron. UCR drops to #25 with the loss last week.
Donte Christmas of Temple scored 39 to win player of week
Top 25: Louisville (8-0), Uconn (7-1), AZ (8-0), Washington (6-0), Texas (6-1), MICH St (6-2), LSU (8-0), Stanford (9-1), Ind (9-1), Providence (8-1),
Bama (9-1), Villanova (8-1), UCLA (6-1), Syracuse (8-2), Wisconsin (10-1), maryland (7-1), Pitt (7-1), Memphis (6-2), TAM (8-1), Duke (5-3), USC (7-1), OSU (8-1), Kentucky (8-2), UNC (5-3), Gonzaga

College Hoops: Sammons of St. mary scored 38 to beat Kentucky!! UNC is the mover and shaker of the week.
San Diego State is for real - 99-79 win AT WASHINGTON! Clemson 80-66 over Uconn

We travel to Tennessee next week, then on to the Cable Car Classic

vols21

December 23rd, 2007, 10:54 PM

9-2 UCR @ 7-5 Tennessee
(2 game winning streak, best of year for the 89 rated Vols) - 12/22/2008 as I go back to TN for Christmas.)

they are too quick, too big, and just too good - shooting 65% for 55 first half pts. (4 players in double figures- Ramar Smith, JP Prince, Tyler Smith, and Ryan Childress)
Petway and Walsh 10 each for us. Just have trouble matching up with them. They breeze by our press, leaving us standing still. And vols press every time and my young guys wilt under the pressure.

more of the same in the 2nd half as TN wins 97-65. Ryan Childress 22 pts, 6 rebs gets star of the game for the Vols. Prince and Tyler Smith 16 apiece.
Walsh struggled early, but ends up with 25 pts (only 3 rebs) on 11-17 shooting. Petway's 10 the only other highlander in double figs (4 of 20 from 3-pt land. Vols shoot 60% for game.
out-rebounded 17-32. About what you expect when you play one of the elite programs, even if they've been struggling this year. They put it together against us tonite. We'll regroup.

9-3 UCR at 1-9 MD-Eastern Shore of MEAC in the Cable Car Classic
tremors thru the Highlander nation as Walsh goes down early in this one (leaves game scoring 7 pts - doctors say the knee sprain should not be serious).
Aaron Scott and Kueth Petway pick up the slack for the team who plays in shock - they each score 14. Valentine comes in to grab 8 rebs. But w/o walsh we lose rebs 23-30; however, we win the game 67-53 as Defense holds MDES to 30% shooting. We have to work on our rebounds - can't keep giving the other team 2nd and 3rd chances to score.

Cable Car Finals: play 9-4 ULM who beat "home team" Pepperdine - they are ranked #10 in the mid-major poll
I had the flu and missed the game (I always sim a few games every season to see how the team does w/o me). UCR pulls off a miracle win 69-60
Valentine picked up the slack for the injured Walsh and scored 16 pts / 6 rebs. Scott also rose to the occasion again with 12 pts. Walsh will be 100% for conference play - 1st game Cal Poly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Price of TN State scored 40 to get POW> Marquette opens Big East vs Louisville for game of week. Stanford vs Washington in top 5 challenge - both with just 1 loss.
Evansville edged Ill. State in MO valley. Duke blew out Florida State by 21.
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I'll post a quick Big West preview with the top stars to watch for prior to first conference game with Cal Poly.

vols21

December 24th, 2007, 09:06 AM

rating Big West wins losses
80 Pacific tigers 7 4
76 CS Northridge 1 11
76 Long Beach St 5 6
75 CS Fullerton 5 8
75 Cal Poly 4 7
73 UC Irvine 2 8
73 UC SB 4 6
72 UC Riverside 12 3
70 UC Davis 5 6

Best Player: Donovan Morris LBSU (82)
Best Frosh: Mark Crayton (northridge) - 73 - he was 3 * recruit @ center
Best Shooter - Morris
Playmaker: Paul Wayne (CSN)
Best defender - Roosevelt Valsin (70 overall - he was a 4* Juco)

current leaders:
Scoring: Akognon (CSF) 20.8
Rebounding: Titus Shelton Cal Poly (8.3)
Assists: Trae Clark Cal Poly (6.8)
Steals: Chaz Thomas (2.6)
Blocks: Michael Nunnally (1.8)

UCR leaders:
Walsh 18.3 ppg, 5.4 rebs, 2.1 assts, 1.4 blocks
Jim-George 10.1 ppg, 1 rbg,.
Chris Johnson 9.5 ppg
Petway 6.9 ppg, 1.9 rebs, 1.1 asst.
Valentine 5.6 ppg, 5.6 rbg.
Ellerbee 4.7 ppg, 5.7 assists

Pacific will always be a tough team. And look out for Cal State Fullerton with Akognon - he's such a prolific scorer (even won national player of the week this year!). Every team is cabable of winning on any given night, we just have to play our best ball all the time.

vols21

December 24th, 2007, 09:01 PM

S.Gates told the coaching staff he was not happy with lack of playing time. As a senior, he thought he should be on the floor more. Coach told him to make the most of the time he gets. Rest of team staying mid 6o's to 80's

BIG WEST SEASON:
11-3 UCR vs 4-6 Cal Poly
Cal Poly was cold to start (we jumped to 12-2 lead) 39-20 at half as they shot 20%. We were cold too until instant offense, Jim-George came in and drained 4 of 5 triples! (18 total pts).
2nd half, the mustangs make a mad dash and TIE THE GAME with 2 minutes to go!!! Some clutch buckets by Johnson were answered by Clark on their side. With score tied, Jim-George fires a trey but it's off target, Gates comes out of nowhere to grab the rebound and put it back thru with 7 ticks on the clock. Clark's 3 missed wide right, and we escape!
Final Score 77-75. (how they come up with 55 pts after just 20 in the first is beyond me -- no lead is safe!)
Star of the Game is Jim-George who scored 24 and 3 rebs (including a key miss late in the game). Walsh returns and gets 17 pts, 4 rebs, CJ gets 12

Walters and Mackell heat up in 2nd to end up with 23 pts apiece. Clark scored 13 and 13 assts. (Ellerbee 6 for us).
We win rebounds 32-26 (up 10 at halftime). We were 10 of 14 FT's while they were a perfect 4-4. They shot 45% for game (69% 2nd half to our 43%).
Coach Dean was not pleased with all the turnovers (9 to their 7). We have to take better care of the ball. Give Poly credit for coming back, but we held on and hit some big buckets
when we needed to. C. Johnson came thru in the clutch for us - and HUGE play by Gates at the end to snag the offensive board and put it back in for the final lead.

12-3 UCR vs (1-11) Cal State Northridge
most dominant game in quite some time -- both teams on fire first half shooting 70%!! And it was 59-53 at the break. I made some defensive changes (2-1-2, and 1-3-1)
Figured anything would be better than 70% -- it worked as Northridge only shot 36% in 2nd half (46% for game). We on the other hand stay hot and end game at 71%
Final Score 114-89. This was Chris Johnson's best game to date - scoring 23 pts, 4 assts. Walsh also had 23, 8 rebs, couple assts and a blocked shot
Jim-George came off the bench to once again provide some instant offense and blow this game wide open. He hit 5 treys and scored 21 for game (plus 4 rebs, nice bonus).
Valentine got his first start at center (reward for recent play while Walsh was out). He responds with 13 pts, 7 rebs, and a block. Scott saw some extra minutes and dished 5 assts (Ellerbee only 4).
We out rebound the Matadors 32-19. Coach Dean said he was happy all the way around. This time we didn't quit with the big lead and let them comeback - 11 turnovers tho is a concern.

Hoops show:
Stefon Jackson of UTEP hits 47 for POW> Marquette 77-71 at Freedom Hall in Louisville who was ranked #1. Stanford dismanted Washington 73-57, (Lopez 17)
Providence vs Pittsburgh is game of the week (both 11-2) in Big East battle. Michigan State @ Indiana is the top 10 showdown for Big 10 lead.

Other teams around the legacy circle: SCU 3-10 (1-0). Xavier (7-4),
Syracuse #14 (13-2), Illinois (8-5), Princeton (5-7), Winston-Salem 0-10, Morehead St 4-7, EIU 3-8. Tennessee 10-6, Boise 3-9

vols21

December 25th, 2007, 02:42 PM

13-3 UCR AT 4-7 UCSB - The THUNDERDOME was rocking for this game
this was a back and forth game that stayed close the entire way. Biggest lead being 10, but that was always cut back to 7 by the other's 3pter.
Callier was killing me inside, grabbing 6 straight offensive rebounds - cost me 4 fouls trying to stop him inside. Finally, the right combo slowed him down
Final Score was 77-63, as Johnson hits a pair of treys down the stretch. He was Star of Game with 19 pts. Walsh and Petway had 14 each (they really shut down our middle)
Jim-George had 15. I wish I could have more walk-ons like him. Valentine was our force inside, taking 14 rebounds. It was when he returned fresh that he boxed out Callier. (36-34 final on rebs.)
Gauchos started game cold, and end up shooting 34% for the game (29% 2nd half). We hit 11 of 20 3 pters. Been a while since we have to light up that arsenal to stay in a game - welcome to Big West play!! .
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UCR @ UC Davis (7-6) -- the Aggies have always played me tough, but today we just wore them down and held on to win 101-95 (late FT's put over the century mark, they didn’t need to foul). 52-48 at half.

STAR of the game: JOHNNY WALSH 44 pts, 10 rebs, 3 assts, 1 block. Complete game - best individual game in UCR history (at least mine) - all this in just 16 total minutes of MOP play.
C. Johnson provided the firepower support from outside scoring 25 (preventing them from double-teaming Walsh for any length of time), Ellerbee made the dish 6 times.

Oliver and Lowenthal scored 19 each for UC Davis. Harden and Calagari powered in for 16 each. And their freshmen PG Keita (that resulted in me taking Ellerbee) scored 13 and 15 assts.
We shot 55% and they hit 61%. Even tho, they made 2 more shots. We hit 10 more FT's. Rebounds even at 26. Only 4 turnovers in this game (forced 10).
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College Hoops: Lawrence of Missouri scored 39 on #17 Texas A&M to win POW.

Gonzaga, MTSU, Utah State, W.Mich, St. mary, Davidson, GM, TNST, Siena, VCU are top 10 mid-majors. Pacific is #11. UCR ranked #15.

Uconn, Stanford, Mich.st, Texas, Louisville are top 5
UCLA and their all-americans upset the Wildcats at AZ (71-64). Michigan State won at Indy in a "made for TV match-up" 66-58. btw, UCR @ Pacific in 3 weeks (1 game each of next 2 weeks)

CincyFan

December 25th, 2007, 03:36 PM

Sorry coach for missing a couple games but it looks as if I wasn't needed since you cracked the top 25 polls. Congrats and sorry I wasn't there the first week I was posted.

As for the recruits lets hope USC and some of the other schools (BSU) sign other people so they drop off your list and you can sign them. Knowning you I know you will sway them over to your school and if not you will find better people.

vols21

December 25th, 2007, 11:10 PM

we're sure going to try to sway some our way. I really would like to find another good 3 pt shooter since so many graduate next year. They are very helpful in these league!!

15-3 UCR vs 9-7 LBSU (they are 77 rated to our 72 - they signed the 2 juco 4 *'s last year)
Long Beach state started the season off fast with wins over Washington State, San Francisco, BYU, San Diego before hitting a 6 game losing streak (started at #20 Miami)
Their tailspin continued, and we played the scrubs most of the game. It was 47-31 at half, and final score 82-58

Star: Walsh with 24 pts, 6 rebs, 1 block. Gates played 11 minutes and scored 14. Scott and CJ both with 10. Ellerbee 5 more assists. Gilling scored 22 for LBSU.
We won rebounds 32-23, 8 turnovers apiece. We were 13 of 19 from FT line, as teams have taking to hammering on Walsh rather than give up the easy 2. We hold them to 39% (to our 62%)

Hoops Show: Erik Kangas of the Oakland Grizzlies scored 42 @Oral Roberts for pow. Louisville @ Syracuse is game of the week. Syracuse overpowered Providence to win last week.

a look at the tournaments in season:
2k Sports - A) TN Martin topped Tulane B)Texas Southern over Auburn C) W.VA over C.Michigan D)ULM bet Kansas State
Finals, TN Martin beat ULM and then West Virginia to win it all in a shocker (go Coach Rose!)
Oreilly Auto parts: California beat East Carolina in finals (St Joes over Illinois in consolation)
NIT Tip off: George Washington beat St. Johns in A, B) Purdue over Coppin State C) Rice beat NC State D)Wyoming over Oregon State. GW over Rice in finals (Wyoming wins 3rd place)
Palm Tree Shootout, LaSalle ove UAB.
Polar Bear: Arizonia squeaks by Miami (OH) 72-71 (E.Illinois finished 3rd -- not too bad a showing by 2 legacy teams)
Paradise Jam was star-studded: Duke beats Kansas in finals. Seton hall 3rd.

Michigan State wins Hawaiian invit over Colorado (pitt over Dartmouth for 3rd)
Great Alaskan Shootout saw Wisconsin beat #8 Gonzaga 70-69. (montana 3rd. Wake Forest over Texas Tech for last/8th)
Orange County Shoot-out - Kentucky 59-57 over S.Alabama (who beat USC) USC over MO State for 3rd. UC Davis finished 6th, losing to Portland
Old Spice - Texas 83-77 over NC state
Utah State wins Hawaiian Islands Classic over Tulsa (Cincy finished last losing to N.Florida for that honor - tough year for the Bearcats!!).

We're ranked #5 mid-majors

wsu_zags

December 26th, 2007, 10:45 AM

you are tearing it up this season, and Walsh is the man for you, holy crap, WALSH 44 pts!
nothing like a dominant big man down low. Johnson is the one that is keeping me afloat most games, and he is as you said, having a Cunningham like year.

from the looks of things you should have no problem winning the conference this year (again) and will more than likely make the NCAA's this year, keep it up.

vols21

December 26th, 2007, 08:56 PM

UCR vs 4-11 UCI -- a tune-up game for pacific. Can never look past UCI - Coach Douglas is too good for that. But my team didn't listen and we came out flat - 47-46 half-time as we both hit 62%
Fire & Brimstone half-time speech. "We should blow this time out - just because they think we are a big rival doesn't mean we need to play so tight.
2nd half exposion to win 99-78

Walsh with 25 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asst, 4 others in double figs (Johnson, Bekono, Jim-George, and Scott who was belly-aching about things last week)
Ellerbee had 9 assts and Valentine 6 rebounds. We drained 10 of 17 treys (they hit 5 of 20). Trey harris led the Anteaters with 20 pts.

UCI cools off to 37% in 2nd half (box & 1) 50% for game, while we continued at a blistering 66% (65% for game). We won rebounds 33-23 (6 turnovers, caused 4)

Monroe of Florida Atlantic gets player of week for 2nd time this year -- 44 pts
Stanford crushed USC 75-53 despite Mayo's 27 pts. Lopez had 25 for the Cardinal. Baylor vs Texas A&M gets top billing for next week (our game with pacific gets no love)
this will be a huge week as we travel to Pacific in battle of top 10 mid-majors, then onto Fullerton who is tied at the top of the Big West with us (6-0)

Top 25: UCONN 17-2, Stanford (18-2), Mich State (18-3), Syracuse (18-2), Texas (13-3), Washington 16-3, Indy (16-3), Bama (17-3), LSU (15-2), Duke (14-4)
Providence (17-3), UCLA (14-4), Wisconsin (16-4), Gonzaga (16-4), Maryland (14-3), San Diego State (16-3), UNC (12-5), Arkansas (15-5), TAM (14-4), Louisville (14-6)
Clemson (13-5), USC (14-3), Memphis (16-4), California (14-5), Missouri (12-4)

(coaches poll has Tennessee at #25 with 13-8 record)

Pacific and Cal State Fullerton up next

Fresh

December 26th, 2007, 10:49 PM

is there anyway or anywhere i can get me a signed Walsh jersey...i might have to come check you guys out when my team goes to vegas this year...he's killer bro

vols21

December 27th, 2007, 09:23 AM

UCR @11-6 Pacific. The Tigers have big wins over Hawaii, San Francisco, Pepperdine, Nevada, but dropped a couple league games last week at UC Davis and LBSU. They will be fired up!
They are ranked #4 in offense (123 in nation) and A+ defense #1 in Big West, #20 in us. They like to play games in the 60's or less. We tend to play much higher - whose style will win out?
The Spanos Center is jam packed for the game - both teams shooting lites out and we lead 50-43. Captain Morgan with 21 first half pts for Pacific (nightmares continue!)
2nd half, we started playing ball and win 93-71. Chris Johnson is star of the game scoring 20 pt. Walsh 15 pts (in 15 minutes), 3 rebs, 1 asst, 1 block. Scott 17 pts
Valentine 5 rebs, Ellerbee 5 assts. Cunningham 2 blocks. Captain Morgan finishes game with 23 pts!!!!!!!!!! Only 2 in the 2nd half. Johnson had 14 assts, Brown 16 pts, 9 rebs,
All conf, freshman of last year Nunnally was held in check - 6 pts and 8 rebs. Tigers shoot 38% 2nd half (40% for game) We hit 56 % for the game (11 of 24 3's)

18-3 UCR @ 10-9 Cal State Fullerton
Titans jump to early 6pt lead, but whooop, here come the Highlanders to lead 47-38 at half. WE clamped down on Akognon from the opening tip - he scored 9. Walsh also had 9
we push that lead to 17 early in 2nd half - despite a feeble attempt at a comeback, we win by 20. Final Score 98-78. Akognon was the league's leading scorer, but held to 13 today (22 avg).
Star - Johnny Walsh once again leads UCR. 25 pts, 6 rebs, 6 assts., 2 blocks. S.cunningham, Visman, and Johnson all double digits. Viz, Val, and Bekono also had 6 rbs. We block 10 shots!
Crenshaw and Hite tried to pick up the slack for the blanketed Akognon - they scored 19 and 16. We won rebounds 30-23. games seem easier on MOP for some reason (better players?)

HOOPS Show: Syracuse vs UCONN in top 5 challenge. Mid Major: Gonzaga, MTSU, W.Mich, St. Mary, UCR, Holy Cross, Evansville, UALR. Brockman and Washington overcame Mayo's 31 to beat USC

vols21

December 27th, 2007, 04:27 PM

19-3 UCR vs 10-9 UCD
we came out flat - Coach Haas of EIU predicted a close game as we might take them for granted. He was right, as we got behind by 11 . With about 7 minutes left, we made a mad dash to not only cut
into the lead, but run out in front. By the time we stopped to catch our breath, that 11 pt deficit was not a 7 pt margin in our favor - and it didn't stop there as we won 102-80
Jim-George, Johnson, Cunningham, and Scott all started dropping the 3's as Walsh had an off-night (being triple teamed after he scored 44 on them last time).
Johnson is star of the game with 22 pts. Walsh 14 pts, 7 rebs, 2 assts. Aaron Scott hit 16 (4 of 6 treys). 14 of 25 from long distance - that is our great equalizer.
won rebounds 32-31 (trailed that big most of the game, but caught up as they went cold). The VIZ has 2 blocks and 13 pts - he made me mad letting them get so many offensive rebounds (10),
I kept sitting his butt on the bench, or he could have had a monster game. They ignored him, but were all over Walsh. Oliver scored 20 for the Aggies. Keita double/double 13 pts 10 assts

UCR vs UCSB --- I was winning too easy, so I moved the sliders way down (too far as it turned out)
we led 45-38 at half, but got outscored by 20 in the second (was closer than that, but was pushing fast which allowed them to explode) at the end. They were up 20, and I cut it down to 9
Final score: 91-104 loss. Chris Johnson scored 26 pts. Walsh another bad day (3 of 7 for 11 pts, 6 rebs, 2 turnovers). Jim-George 21 trying to aid the comeback.

Newby and Powell got hot for the Gauchos - scoring 25 (powell also 10 assts). Coach Dean commented that the team got too overconfident. They've been playing sloppy a lot lately, and that costs us here tonight. A loss like this should bring us back to earth and remind us what brought us this far. We have more important goals to think about than just this one game.

Hoops: Love gets POW for 41 pt avg in 2 LOSSES!! That's not right. Syracuse over UCONN 82-77 in the big game of the week.
We travel to Long Beach State next week

btw, Fresh -- autographed jersy from Walsh is being shipped to your attention at Winston-Salem State U. Be watching for it,

vols21

December 27th, 2007, 07:30 PM

20-4 UCR vs Long Beach State 49'ers at the Pyramid
39-39 halftime score. I shot 35% to their 53%. It was a close game down to the last couple minutes when they got rabid and blocked SEVEN SHOTS (many from outside) - 16 blocks for game
Walsh scored 17 for game, 8 rebs. Johnson 13. Jim-George was 0-10. that sealed our fate.
Morris killed us - 33 pts. Crumbley 20. Callier 13 pts and 17 assts. They wanted the game more. I shot 36% vs their 56%. No way the game should have been as close as it was. We did hit 13 of 14 FT's (but 7 of 33 treys). Rebounds tied at 31.
2 game big west losing streak -- I was easy on the guys early in the year when they made "freshman" mistakes. But they should not be doing that now -- they can expect to do a lot of running and getting back to basics.

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Duke won @ Clemson 85-73. Texas Tech upset #3 texas
rankings: Stanford (23-2), Mich state (22-4) Syracuse (22-4), Washington (20-4), Duke (19-5), Alabama (21-4), Louisville (20-6), Texas (18-4), Uconn (19-5), Providence (22-4)
Gonzaga (22-4), LSU (18-4) Wisconsin (20-6), Maryland (18-6), Middle Tennessee (22-2) AZ (19-6), San Diego State (20-4), Indy (18-6), USC (17-5), Kansas (18-5),
Missouri (16-5), Miami (FL) 20-6, UNC (15-8), UCLA (16-8), W. Michigan (21-3) (Memphis 13-6 is ranked in coach's poll)

Mid Major - Gonzaga, MTSU, W.Mich. Saint Mary's (18-7), UCR (20-5), Wichita State (17-7), Boston University (17-8), Utah State (18-6). Holy Cross (18-7), UW Green bay (18-8)
others include William & Mary, Colgate, Stephen F Austin, LA TECH

The current bracket watch has us a #8 seed (would play Villanova and the #1 seed is Syracuse)
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We travel to Irvine to battle arch-rival UCI next week. We'll have a hard week of practice to get prepared. We need to get back on a winning streak. Jim-George in particular will be running some shooting drills.....we cannot afford another 0-10 performance by him!!

wsu_zags

December 27th, 2007, 08:05 PM

OUCH, bad night for JG, hes hurt in my legacy currently, sprained wrist, but i still play him 3-4 minutes a game, it affects his shooting but still gives me that kick option.

you look like your going to win out the conference title, so congrats on that. and by the looks of it, even if you don't get the auto bid you should still get an invite to the NCAA's, but lets hope I did not just jinx you :)

vols21

December 28th, 2007, 10:09 AM

20-5 UCR at 6-16 UCI
the team came out fired up (maybe all the running they did got their attention, they can't take teams for granted). Jim-George was feeling it tonite and rewarded me with the confidence I showed him as he scored 24 first half pts!!!! (6 of 9 from 3). He said he wanted the ball, he wanted to make up for "costing us" in the last game.

Jim-George did something extra special tonight. In the 2nd half, we maintained a 20 pt lead and the Anteaters went to a press with 10 minutes to go, and cut into just a little. JG came in and hit some 3's and we were back up by 20. They kept pressing, JG kept firing. During a time-out, I told their coach to call off his dogs and I'd call off mine. He snarled and kept on pressing, we passed by the press with ease, hit Jim-George standing on his sweet spot, he popped, it dropped. During another time-out I looked at the score and my jaw dropped. We were up by 40!!
With a little over a minute to go, I took Jim-George out of the game and put in Creppy, and huge ovation was heard from the crowd - they had witnessed something special! A man on a mission,

Star of the Game - Jim-George - scored 55 pts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 of 28 shooting (15 of 22 3's)

Final score 108-68. Walsh scored 14, Valentine had 8 rebs, Ellerbee 9 assts. But the only name anyone will remember tommorrow is Charles Jim-George!!! (his previous high was 24 pts)
Hooks and Harris tried to match JG - they scored 19 and 15 (nice try guys). Giant Silva, their center, got 12 and 8 rebs. He was tough to control until Walsh laid him out, then fouled him out.
They had 1 guard who did the craziest stuff, and ended up with 14 turnovers (18 overall). He caught the in-bounds pass once and went the wrong way - just dumb freshman mistakes.

After game celebration at the Goat Hill Tavern!!! Over 140 different flavors (brands of beer on tap), we may have to try them all in honor of JG (at least 55 of them, right?!)

Deuce2223

December 28th, 2007, 10:40 AM

That was the most amazing performance I have ever seen. 55!!!! After that I might have to consider seeing how much my wife's autographed Jim George Jersey would get on E-Bay. Just don't tell my wife..

Great job. Keep up the Good work.

wsu_zags

December 28th, 2007, 11:47 AM

DAMN! 55 points, thats incredible, I missed him in the end of my last year due to him hurting his wrist, I forgot what a deep ball machine he was, but this is insane, and then a win by 40 points wozers! look out Big West!

Fresh

December 28th, 2007, 12:28 PM

20-5 UCR at 6-16 UCI
Star of the Game - Jim-George - scored 55 pts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 of 28 shooting (15 of 22 3's)

After game celebration at the Goat Hill Tavern!!! Over 140 different flavors (brands of beer on tap), we may have to try them all in honor of JG (at least 55 of them, right?!)
WOW, that's amazing, JG had no remorse, great night send him my congrats coach and make sure he stays away from my Rams unless he's giving shooting lessons!! I'll definitely try all 55 in his honor if i'm ever out west!!!

CincyFan

December 28th, 2007, 05:23 PM

I just want to know why you left me coach after the game. I remember being at Hoat Hill Tavern after the game. Remember you saying you would get me home alright and then the next thing I know is I am awake and in a totally different bar with your cuz. Really don't think that was looking out for me lol

vols21

December 28th, 2007, 09:34 PM

your night on the town reminds me of a true story from when I first moved to California. I went to the Irvine Spectrum (which had a few exccellent clubs at that time) with some co-workers one weekend. One got left behind - he told the cab driver to just take him to Don's. The cabbie asked where that was and Beau responded that EVERYONE KNOWS DON!!! well duh --- "Coach Dean's residence" ought to be common knowledge.
Somehow he found the right neighborhood and made it to my house where the after party was going strong. :dance:

COLLEGE HOOPS SHOW:

HOOPS SHOW: top 10 mid-majors, . Gonzaga,W.Mich, MTSU, St Mary, Boston U., Wichita State, UC Riverside, William & Mary, Utah State (one freshman starting, 82 rated)

Charles Jim-George player of the week!!!! When's the last time a walk-on player won this award??!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boston College - Skinner is on the hot seat (10-13 record this year).
In Big West, WE are 10-2. CSN (8-4), CSF (7-5), Pacific (7-6), LBSU (6-7), USCB (5-8), UCD (5-7), UCI (4-9), Cal Poly (4-9) -- not as close a race this year (3 or 4 teams with outside shot at title)

I'm stoked about the Player of week award. Even moreso that it was a walk-on player. I remember in the last year legacy that I had some 7 foot walk-on that did well in spurts (he was a 55 rated bum, but being 7 ft+ he did some damage at times) - and some other player commented that I should just quit recruiting and win with Walk-ons. those type performances are rare indeed - except when they have a niche like JG's 3 pt shot

vols21

December 29th, 2007, 08:26 PM

UCR vs Cal State Fullerton -- huge home crowd gives Jim-George a hand, and they all bow as he enters the court
shoot-out at the OK CORRAL!!!! These teams were both on fire -- hanging all over guys and they still shot the lights out. Led at half 51-46, but neither team cooled off and scored 57 more!
Both teams trade a 2 pt lead for last 3 minutes of game. We finally made a stop on defense and took a 4 pt lead (held ball the full shot clock, and was fouled trying a desparation shot).
Final Score 108-103. Star of Game: Walsh 26 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assts, 2 blocks. Johnson and Jim-George score 25 each (JG answered their bombs with some of his own).
Lassiter, Akognon, Crenshaw, and Anderson all score over 20 pts for the Titans (12 of 23 treys…we were 16 of 35). Both teams shot well over 50% (CSF hit almost 60!). Rebounds 26-26.
both teams had 14 turnovers. A lot of theirs came at critical times down the stretch. They were ahead by 1, and threw the ball away on my press. I took the lead and they threw it away again.
Then with a minute to go, I was clinging to a 3 pt lead. I blocked a shot out of bounds. They threw it in, and then tossed right back to the guy standing out of bounds!! From there, I was able to run
the clock out while they fouled. Strategy snafu - their star Akognon picked up 4 fouls on Johnson, but that only gave them 6. So on the next time, he would not foul and Johnson was able to run 10 seconds off the clock (down to .6 seconds) before someone else caught up to him to foul. Not smart coaching - otherwise a couple 3's and who knows??!!
They hit 13 of 16 FT's and I got 8 of 10. it was a wild game. Coach Haas says he needs to teach my guys how to play defense.!

22-5 UCR vs 16-9 Pacific
not a game for the weak of heart and don't go home early!!!!! We struggled and battled the whole game. With a minute to go we trail by 10 and pull a miracle of sorts - Scott hits a 3, JG hits a 3, foul they make their FT's. Walsh scores, they make their FT's. Walsh scores and is fouled - hits the FT with 20 seconds left - 3 pt game, they make the FT's (5), JG with the 3 (2 pt game 12 secs left).
they hit their FT (4), JG a 3 with 5 secs left (1 pt game). …. This Johnson only makes ONE FT (2 pt game - 4.8 seconds). We inbound to half court and call time. They pull their defense out to guard the 3 as I had JG, CJ, and Scott all the game - lob to Walsh who scores to send the game to OT!!!!!! 10 pts in 1:01. 96-96, let's go to Overtime
one downside is the last minute foul-fest has Johnson on the bench with 4 fouls. He sits, but Walsh takes over in OT as we pound inside and we score 6 straight pts then sit on the lead.
Final Score 118-107 holy cow what a game!!! I don't want to face Captain Morgan and company again anytime soon!!!!
Star of Game: Walsh 25 pts, 10 rebs,6 assts. Jim-George 27 pts (4 others in double digits. Gates goes 2 for 6 in 10 minutes and loses 23 confidence pts!!!!
Morgan scored 26 for Tigers, Terrell Smith also has 27 and 7 rebs./ Nunnally 10 pts and 16 rebounds (which is one reason I went 2 guards and put Walsh at SF in OT).
Rebounds we lose 40-43, but what a war under the boards! They shot 54% for game and 10 of 14 FT's (glad they finally missed that one!). We hit 48% and 8 of 11 FT's
Coach Dean ran around the floor high-fiving the fans who didn't leave with a minute to go - they're sitting in traffic cussing no doubt.

CincyFan

December 29th, 2007, 08:41 PM

two close games. Lets just hope we get some good walk ons after the season is over to take JG spot.

wsu_zags

December 30th, 2007, 12:24 AM

looks like your going dancing this year, and offers should be good, as they were at the end of my second year, but I choose to pass them up and will probably regret that.

vols21

December 30th, 2007, 11:19 PM

looks like your going dancing this year, and offers should be good, as they were at the end of my second year, but I choose to pass them up and will probably regret that.

just saw where a twist of fate gave you a second chance - and a new coaching job. I may wait another year - but have to get there first. Like you, I'd rather stay on the west coast for a while - unless a tempting offer comes from somewhere else

CincyFan

December 30th, 2007, 11:29 PM

i would laugh if Tennessee comes available. I know that is cruel but it would be funny though. best of luck, and if a school from a mid major comes knocking from the west coast do you think you would take that?

Deuce2223

December 31st, 2007, 10:12 AM

I have done a few legacys but never really see to many west coast teams come up after year 2. Except the Broncos :) I must say I am really glad I didn't sell my wife's Jimmy George Jersey. I still get people asking me all the time who Walsh. I just tell them give it time and you will be hearing about him on every night on ESPN Sportscenter.

vols21

December 31st, 2007, 04:41 PM

23-5 UCR @ 11-16 Cal State Northridge -- we are 12-2 in Big West play, so pretty much assured of the top seed in the conference tourney!
Love the matador fight song! They hit 2 quick treys, but a 4 pt play by C.Johnson gets us back in the game - but they stayed hot, we did not. 44-53 at half (jim-george was COLD 0-5)
some quick treys by Johnson got us back in things, then Valentine benefits from some double-teams on Walsh and is left alone for a couple buckets. We take the lead on a Gates slam, but he injures his knee on the play - that fired up the team!!! We responded with some tough shots outside and even jim-George finally hit a shot!! We run out to an 11 pt lead, but CSN cuts it to 6. A few FT's later and the game is in the bag.
Final Score 100-93. Walsh star of the game with 25 pts, 4 rebs, 3 assts, 2 blocks. Johnson adds 23. (Jim-George only 6 pts on 2 of 10 shooting!)
Taylor puts in 20 for the Matadors - he got hot when we blanketed Tressvant who scored 15 first half pts (15 for the game too). 19 of 21 FT's was the difference in the game (they were 12 of 14).
The final word on Gates is 5 days for a sore knee. He can prolly play if really needed, but I'd rather rest him 100% for the playoffs.

24-5 UCR vs 10-16 Cal Poly:
we got into foul trouble with Valentine, Visman, and Johnson picking up 2, but somehow we wiped out their 10 pt lead and go up by 4 at the break (big turn in the last 10 seconds where we scored 6!)
Valentine picked up his 3rd early in second half, but it didn't matter as we pulled away as our Triangle & 2 defense confused the Mustangs and they only score 28 2nd half pts.
Final Score 99-79. Chris Johnson is your star of the game: 20 pts, 3 assts. Walsh adds 15 pts, 4 rebs, 3 assts. Jim-George comes back strong - 17 pts. Bekono 6 rebs, Ellerbee 6 assts.
Mackell scored 14 pts in first half went 1 for 10 in 2nd; Walters 15 first half pts, shot 2 of 5 in 2nd (we shot 60% for game and held them to 46% -- 35 in 2nd half

Hoops: Monroe of Florida Atlantic wins player of week award for 3rd time! Coming up: grudge match of Cal vs USC in Pac 10. Texas A&M knocked off Longhorns at Texas (74-62)
oregon knocked off top ranked Stanford on the road (84-82) Big game by Porter who scored 34.

Big West tourney is next. Doesn't look any other Big West teams will make post season this year unless they make a big run in the tourney.
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I don't think UT will come open anytime soon. There are a few teams back east that I would go to without hesitation - just not many. As always, will just play it by ear when the offers are made.

vols21

December 31st, 2007, 08:12 PM

We draw the same Cal Poly Mustangs in Big West opener. The Viz (BJ Visman) had dropped to 35% confidence so a pep talk got him back up to 54%. Lot of guys in the high 60-70 range. Not enough pep talks - not sure why the long faces after such a great season.
other games will see UC Davis vs CS Fullerton; UCSB vs Pacific, LBSU vs CSN -- now let's get to the Honda Center: (CSN is 10-6 in league, 12-17 overall. Pacific is 17-10 overall).

the game vs the Mustangs was bowling shoe ugly!!! We started out close, but I think we were overconfident and they wanted some revenge for being blown out at home in the last game (we shot 19% in the first half).
The Mustangs lead by 20 at half - and quickly extend that to 30!! We are being embarrassed and I let the players know about it. All the starters sit and the 2nd string sparks a comeback.
we whittle the lead to 20, they push it back a bit. Then we cut into it again with another run - and get to within 11 with 2 minutes to go!!! (it was 99-79 when we made our mad dash)
the run wears by team completely out - no last minute miracle this time - but a more respectable final score lose 97-105. (after trailing 27-47 in first half - we turned it on 2nd half, but too little, too late)
Chris Johnson scores 27 for us. Walsh was held to 12 (Jim-George another off-night scores 4 with 1 of 9 fgs and 1 of 3 FT's. We seem to live and die by this walk-on).
underdog stars in the game - Petaway 14, Cunningham 13. Walsh 9 rebs and 5 assts lead in both categories. All in all, a game I'd like to forget but need this team to remember - play hard all the time!
for Cal-Poly, Walters 22 pts (scorching the nets with 6 of 6 triples! - as a team they shot 15 of 20 from 3 pt land! They were all hot from the opening tip and we couldn't guard them all)
now after a great season, we are at the mercy of the selection committee to see if we make the NCAA or settle for another NIT bid.
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Cal Poly was on a mission - beat CS Fullerton 93-81, then in finals they overwhelm Pacific 82-62. Cal Poly gets the automatic berth into the NCAA tourney. They get a 16 seed and DUKE!
the rest of the NCAA selection Sunday soon:

wsu_zags

December 31st, 2007, 10:56 PM

oh man tough loss to Cal Poly, the Big West is a tough conference, and I am glad to be out of it, only problem I am in just a tough of conference now in the Mountain west. Hopefully you draw a good seed in the dance, you should anyways, if not look out NIT!

CincyFan

January 1st, 2008, 02:52 AM

I think its funny how I struggled a little in conference play with Miami but came back strong in conference to win to earn the right to play in the Big Dance and you do the opposite. I think your record should get you in. If not it is probably cause you lost in the first round, but we all know you will bounce back.

vols21

January 1st, 2008, 12:57 PM

we draw a 9 seed and will face Middle TN State in the first round. below are top seeds and marquee first round games

top seeds
east Providence (30-4): #8 Clemson vs #9 USC. #5 Wisconsin. #4 AZ, #6 Southern Miss vs #11 Illinois. #3 Maryland, #7 LSU vs Saint Louis, #2 California

south Duke (26-6): #8 Middle TN vs #9 UCR!! #5 UNLV, #4 Syracuse, #6 Missouri vs George Mason, #3 Uconn, #7 Oregon vs South Carolina, #2 Washington

midwest Michigan State 26-6: #8 Tennessee vs Auburn, #5 Miami (FL), #4 San DiegoState, #4 UNC, #2 Alabama

west Texas (25-6): #8 Memphis vs #9 UCLA, #5 Louisville vs Utah, #4 Gonzaga, #6 Indiana vs FSU, #3 Kansas, #7 Baylor vs NC State, # 2 Stanford

Pac 10 7 teams. Acc 7. 5 in big 12, sec 5, big east 5, big 10 4. Big west, WCC, and Sunbelt got 2. a-10 only 1

Kentucky, Xavier, Virginia, Florida, Dayton, Nevada, Marquette, Georgetown, and Charlotte some notable teams in the NIT

CincyFan

January 1st, 2008, 01:09 PM

XAVIER!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

rjsuperfly66

January 1st, 2008, 01:34 PM

Glad to see My Friars lookin nice with the #1 seed. haha.

looking good

vols21

January 1st, 2008, 03:19 PM

25-6 UCR vs 23-5 Middle TN State University (15-3 in Sunbelt) - tough game as they are 81 rated vs our 73 rating. Coach Davis is rated 20 pts better than me, but I'll to plan a few tricks and see if we can pull the upset.

game played at Ford Field - we struggled, battled back, but lose 79-72. Johnson scores 20, Walsh only 12 (5 of 10). Jim_George 11 (4 of 12 as he was cold early).
Frankly, I'm disappointed with the way we played once again - shooting 41% is not our forte - the kids came out tight as it was the first ever NCAA visit by UCR - worse, we allow MTSU 60% shots
We were beat all over the floor - we're a young team and we'll be back….and we'll only get better each year. Had a few e-mails when I got back to the office -- rumors are that Olsen will retire at Arizonia and they are very interested in the Gonzaga coach..hmmm.

other key first round games saw #9 USC over Clemson. #13 IUPUI has biggest upset over #4 Arizonia, #6 Southern Miss by 10 over Illinois. Auburn beats defending champ Tennessee in 8-9 game
every #1, #2, #3, #5, and #10 seed won their first game. The #11 seed also won half the time over the #6 seed (so much for the 5-12 being the pivotal dangerous game - watch out for the 10 and 11 seeds. and looks like a 13 seed wins every year)
#10's Saint Louis over LSU. NC State over Baylor. Villanova over W.Michigan. South Carolina over Oregon
#11 UAB over Texas A&M and Florida State over Indiania -- so plenty Cinderella stories afloat in the first round

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2nd ROUND
east: #9 USC beats #1 Providence 80-73. #13 IUPUI over #5 Wisconsin 69-67. #6 Southern Miss beats Maryland. #10 Saint Louis over #2 Cal. Wow - underdog central

West: #8 Memphis over #1 Texas 97-85. #4 Gonzaga beat #5 Louisville. #11 FSU over #3 Kansas and #10 NC State knocks off #2 Stanford. Another underdog bracket! - first ever (in my legacy) 2nd round wins by 11 or 13 seed

south: #1 Duke rolls again - beats MTSU by 15 (Cal Poly by 50 in opener). #5 UNLV over #4 Syracuse. #3 Uconn over 6Missouir. #2 Washington over #10 South Carolina

midwest: #1 Michigan State over Auburn. #4 San Diego State beat #5 Miami. #3 UNC blows out UAB (104-63). #10 Villanova knocks off #2 Alabama
so only one real cinderella story on the 2nd half of the bracket survives (Nova) and the other top seeds hold serve. This could be an interesting finals!

wsu_zags

January 1st, 2008, 03:48 PM

You know, everyone says at the end of the second year, that always happens with Arizona and Gonzaga, I have now played 7 different legacy and it has never happened for me, lol. either Few hates me, or Olsen hates me.

And thats a tough loss, but being an 8 or 9 seed is always tough, as that is normally one of the closer over match ups for the first round

Deuce2223

January 1st, 2008, 04:10 PM

I have started several different legcys. In in mine it always happens after year 1, so I have had no chance to take the Zags. Hope it works for you that you get them. If so though you have to give me a sky box for me and all my friends and family because I know to many people who have been waiting and waiting for the chance to see a game live in the Kennell. Only chances for that is either a $400 scalped ticket or you wait and go see them when they play in the Spokane Arena or in Seattle like they did last weekend against Tennessee.

Deuce2223

January 1st, 2008, 04:11 PM

Not sure if you have checked out the Zags roster, but you will have some amazing players your 1st year as pretty much half their team is FR and SO so that would make them JR and SR for you in your legacy.

vols21

January 1st, 2008, 08:16 PM

Sweet 16:
#1 Duke beats UNLV #3 Uconn crushes Washington (91-60)
#1 Mighican State easily handles San Diego State. Cinderella Nova upends #2 UNC 71-67
#9 USC strikes Midnight on #13 IYPUI (90-65). #10 STL over S.Miss. #8 Memphis beats #4 Gonzaga (109-97). #10 NC State over #11 FSU

ELITE 8:
USC beats STL 71-62. NC State beats #8 Memphis. #3 Uconn knocks off #1 Duke 89-82. #1 Michigan State survives 93-91 over Villanova

Final 4: USC 71-63 over NC State. Michigan State 96-89 over Uconn

FINALS: #1 Michigan State vs #9 USC -- Michigan State wins 70-64

NIT: Kentucky beats Georgetown in finals 71-60 -- in real life, somehow I think the UK job would be open either now or next year if this trend continues!!! Big Blue does not like to play in the NIT.

(Xavier lost first game to TN State. Marquette lost to Temple). Other final 4 teams was Boston U and Saint Joes.

CincyFan

January 1st, 2008, 10:15 PM

vols u are really killing me here. Come on give my school some love!!!

vols21

January 2nd, 2008, 07:35 AM

vols u are really killing me here. Come on give my school some love!!!

lol - I just let the chips fall where they may. My Vols got beat in the first round too - just wasn't our year.
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Player of the year: Randall Hanke Providence: 24.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Mid-Major POY: Josh Heytvelt of Gonzaga: 24.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg
Coach of year: Tom Izzo of Michgian State
Defensive player of year: Shawn James of Dusquene
Freshman of the year: Driexe McKnight 12.0 ppg of South Florida

First team all-americans: Abrams (Texas), Jackson (UTEP), Harris (Syracuse), Brockman (Washington), hanke (Prov)

2nd team: Porter (oregon), Ellington (UNC), Anderson (Xavier), Beasley (KSU), Harragody (notre dame)

Freshman All-American team: Ervin (Wis - 85 rated), Summers (Florida - 81 rated), McKnight (S.Fla -80 rated), WALSH (UCR!! - 73 rated), Burns (LSU - 82 rated)

BIG WEST
Coach of year: Coach Dean (25-7 record. First round NCAA)
Player of the year: Johnny Walsh (UCR): 19.9 ppg, 6.7 rebs, 2.5 assts, 1 block. Also wins FROSH of year

All Conference: Akognon (CSF - SR), Oliver (UCD - SR), Harden (UCD - SO), Walsh (UCR - FR), Nunnally (Pacific - SO)

2nd team: Powell (UCSB - jr), Morris (LBSU - sr), Crumbley (LBSU -so), Brown (pacific - sr), Freeman (LBSU - SR)

Freshman all-big west: Ellerbee (UCR - 63), Mackell (Cal-Poly - 72), Petway (UCR - 66), Walsh (UCR - 73), Drayton (CSN - 76)

Visman, Scott, Gates, and Creppy all graduate (low to mid-60 ratings - no pro scouts came calling)

Coaching Carousel:
Arizonia: signs Faw from Gonzaga
Boston College: Hawkins (WMU)
Va Tech: Marshall (Wichita state)
Wake Forest: Hunter from upstart IUPUI
Penn State: Alexander (TN State)
Gonzaga had me #2 -- hires Shulman of Chattanooga
St. Bon of A-10, Wichita state (MVC), WMU, Miami (OH), Boise State, Boston University all bring offers to Coach Dean - and despite recently accepting the GM Role for the Boston Celtics, Coach Dean said he will honor his contract at UCR and try to get them back to the post season again.
couple big west assts get new jobs (pacific to Howard, LBSU to Norfolk State). MTSU asst goes to harvard, Syracuse asst takes Tn State job

Lawrence, 78 rated PG from UNLV transfers to the team!!! (sad thing with the transfer rule, he and Ellerbee will both be Jr's when he first gets to play).
other notable transfers: 81 rated SF Stokes moves from Villanova to Wagner, 81 rated PG McCaney from Illinois to CS Northridge! 7'1 79 rated center Zoubek from Duke to Hofstra
72 rated PF Clark from Wake to Miami (OH) -- in all, 27 players rated 70 + transfer

Top Recruiting Classes:
Michigan State 4 mr BB, 3 AA (3 5*, 1 4*)
Duke, UCLA, Pitt, Kansas, Uconn, Stanford, Bama, Texas, Indy,. SD State, Washington, FSU, nova, WSU, UGA, Clemson, Illinois, Xavier, Rhode Island are the top 20
Miami (OH) 40
big west shapes up with UCI at #115, Cal Poly, Pacific, UCR (way down the list with my 2 measley recruits - but the JR transfer will help us after this year).
There were no shooting guards interested this year, but we positioned ourselves nicely with several HS JR prospects. We opted away from the 7'0 center and instead signed PF Mondo Guerrerro. He was a 5* when we first contacted him, but injuries and a slump his senior year dropped him to a 3* in the final ratings; however, he is still a top 20 at that position and top 100 in nation overall. He, Walsh, and Valentine ought to have a nice rotation going - with redshirt Josh Scott spelling them on occassion.

Killer schedule lined up for this year!
2k Sports Classic
Oregon State. @Portland Boston College @Wright State in dayton,
Drake Tourney; @Utah State; @ Gonzaga, @ Arizona, home game Tennessee State. CHRISTMAS DAY @UNLV
(since we were 0-2 last year against teams from TN, we added TN State). Should have big crowd on hand for home games against power teams OSU and BC. Otherwise, we are Road Warriors! Basically, the AD is punishing us for the late season melt-down - lol.

but first, it's off the ABL

Deuce2223

January 2nd, 2008, 09:44 AM

Sad to see you didn't get Gonzaga was loving the idea of all those home games. Pretty excited to see Walsh get the national attention. Love the schedule. THe wife wants to fly down for the Oregon State game, and we will be there to watch you take on Portland,Utah St(hate those Aggies) and of course the Gonzaga game. I might even have to try and see if work will send my to Tuscon to catch the Arizona game. That should be huge...

mj23retired

January 2nd, 2008, 11:27 AM

thats a hell of a lot of transfers! I haven't seen that many before, is that typical or were you as shocked as I am?

wsu_zags

January 2nd, 2008, 11:54 AM

Nice, I love that Walsh got the national freshman All-American team honors, and then he cleans up in the big west. And I see you got a good transfer like I did, but I left him behind, lol. and good luck with that schedule man, thats a tough looking run ahead.

knox33

January 2nd, 2008, 12:38 PM

Tough break with the Zags job. It would have been nice to go to a nationally recognized mid-major and continue the success.

vols21

January 2nd, 2008, 06:04 PM

thats a hell of a lot of transfers! I haven't seen that many before, is that typical or were you as shocked as I am?

that is the most I've ever seen of that quality (there were tons more under 70 rated too). I felt it was "newsworthy".

Tough break with the Zags job. It would have been nice to go to a nationally recognized mid-major and continue the success.

it would have been nice, but maybe there'll be another chance in the future. AD has a sense of humor putting both Gonzaga and AZ (where their old coach went) on the schedule. Maybe we can show them the err of their ways.

THe wife wants to fly down for the Oregon State game, and we will be there to watch you take on Portland,Utah St(hate those Aggies) and of course the Gonzaga game. I might even have to try and see if work will send my to Tuscon to catch the Arizona game. That should be huge

thanks - great to have the support on the road. I encourage the AD to include some games up in the Pacific Northwest. Hoping we get a big crowd in Vegas for Christmas too. Should be a fun game with the running rebs.

Nice, I love that Walsh got the national freshman All-American team honors, and then he cleans up in the big west. And I see you got a good transfer
yes indeed!!! I hope that national attention helps our future recruiting. Best news is our new signee Mondo Guerrerro may be even better than Walsh!!!! only time will tell. We need to sign some new shooting guards to replace Jim-George and Johnson who leave after this season. Not too many teams that to worry about a walk-on graduating! (but not many teams have walk-ons that win player of the week honors either!)

Thanks for the support guys! We've set the foundation and this year it's time to make something happen - we need to win some post season games and we've got the players to do it.

CincyFan

January 2nd, 2008, 07:04 PM

man you should of took over Western Michigan and then you could of been in the same conference as me and jjredick. that would of been fun to see, but apparetnly you got no love for the MAC or outside the whole "west coast" think you and Deuce have going on. I really don't know what that is about.

Deuce2223

January 2nd, 2008, 10:09 PM

CincyFan

January 3rd, 2008, 05:31 AM

Cincy

You are just jealous because I have taken over as the Highlanders #1 fan. If your nice and don't get to crazy, I can leave the wife at home and we can have a couple guy road trips to some games. Maybe try some of the 55 beers in honor of Jimmy George.

Ohh I am not jealous Deuce cause I have been coach Dean's #1 for the past two years. We are tight. But I am down for the whole 55 beers thing, but I think we would cause Coach Dean more trouble that good in the end after he wins the game. Hey the wife can come cause we can have a double date. You two and then me and Coach Dean's cuz. That should be fun times all around.

giantfan216

January 3rd, 2008, 01:31 PM

One word - ***.

chestnutz6

January 3rd, 2008, 07:32 PM

Good luck on the upcoming season bizn@tch

vols21

January 4th, 2008, 08:01 PM

Gurerrerro comes in rated 76 (Walsh 75 in year 2). 6'10 213 lbs. 90 rated close-in.
(Larson, the 4star I was also chasing but opted out since UCLA was ahead of me and ended up signing - ends up rated 73 overall. 81 close. I got the better prospect even though he was 3*....but I scouted him well and knew he would be good!!)

Walsh grows to 7'0. McGrath 2* recruit reports at 7'0, 240 lbs 69 rated.
Jim-George and Johnson both 80 rated 3 pt shots. Diggs (soph) next at 74
Midnight Madness went as expected with starters blowing out the 2nd team 35-21 as no one could stop Walsh (9 pts in 6 minutes. Johnson added 11. Mondo 6 pts and 5 rebs in debut
transfer Lawrence fired up the crowd with a 3pter to start, but then went 0-5 after that. Not a lot to cheer about on 2nd team - walsh and mondo held Valentine and Bekono to 2 pts each.

top interested recruits in the UCR program:
Cam Sogdazi,a 2* sharpshooter SG from Riverside (he was a 3*) #1 at 78% (#159 SG). Also atop the list for a 2* center (6'10) and another 2 star SG from SD, but didntshoot well in ABL
Estinov (3star SG from LA) has us #3 behind Fresno and Idaho State. Fadilla, 3star SG from Riverside puts us #4 behind Fresno, SDSU, and Nevada (#57 SG)
Straight, the 43 PF puts us #4 behind Cal, USC, and Col. Mr. Colorado, 4star Corzut has us in top 5, he's a long-shot but would be a great addition!

Preseason: #1 Duke, Louisville, Uconn, Michigan State, USC. AZ. Tennessee, MD, TX, Syr, Cal, UK, Florida, (hated Ohio State at #18. UCLA #20)

Sosa (louisville), Scheyer (Duke), Tyler Smith (UT), Arthur (Kansas), Love (UCLA)
Porter (Oregon), Smith (Duke), Singer (Duke), Booker (Clemson), Lopez (Stanford)
12 transfers of 70+/ 72 rated SF from Kansas to UCR.

Our first game in 2k is at Rupp Arena in Lexington KY against the might LSU Bayou Bengals. I only have 2 thoughts.....1) has LSU ever won a game in RUPP?? 2) Walsh may very well be the best big man seen by an LSU team since a guy named Shaq played for them....and for that matter Jim-George could be the best pure shooter since Pistol Pete, but lots of guys like Lofton and others who could argue that.

wsu_zags

January 4th, 2008, 09:37 PM

very nice, first you get Walsh, now you get another freshman who is rated even higher his freshman year, your low block this season is going to dominate.

Deuce2223

January 5th, 2008, 12:05 PM

Looking forward to the upcoming year. Very nice land in Gurerrerro. With him and Walsh I see a dominant twin towers for you for the next 3 years. Estinova looks like he might be a decent replacement from Jimmy George. Can't wait to see what the rest of the roster looks like this year and the upcoming schedule. I need to start scheduling some vacation time.

vols21

January 5th, 2008, 02:02 PM

First game - at Rupp Arena in Lexington KY vs LSU: has LSU ever won a game at Rupp? This was a tough, tough, tough game as a huge crowd, mostly dressed in purple rattled the rafters (can only imagine if this was against UK)
LSU out-rebounds 39-20 (and it didn't seem that close during the game!) offensive boards 17-4 in favor of Bayou Bengals. So how to we counter? 10 of 23 long range (to their 2 of 16)
at half-time we trailed by only 4 and the asst coaches point out their weak ball handlers and suggest we step up the pressure - so we go full court and 90% pressure!!
it works as they turn it over 19 times (to our 10). Both teams shot over 50%, but our triples prove the difference as we escape with dramatic 97-88 upset victory!! (2 pt game with 5 minutes to go).
Chris Johnson was the star with 31 pts. Walsh added 20 and Jim-George 15 (big treys when we needed them!). Mondo only 4 in his debut and 3 rebounds (Valentine & Walsh 6 to lead team).
Ellerbee and Valentine were the assist leaders with 4 each. Team had 26 total assists, so we moved the ball well. FT's 11 of 14 in massive hostile environment - at least it wasn’t wildcat fans
We draw Mississippi Valley State in the B bracket finals of 2K Sports

too much Delta Devil green in stands, but we did travel across the country for the game
they were not as loud (no shaking), and we were confident (71% shooting vs 47% and we lead by 22 on the longball of Jim-George)
Final score 91-64 - got sloppy at the end as Walsh missed 4 shots underneath. But a solid win overall - not happy losing rebound battle 32-33, not happy with 11 turnovers and only getting 5.
but we are happy with 50% shooting and 12 of 24 beyond the arc. Not happy with 7 of 11 FTs (but all misses were little used J.Scott). Not happy with being blocked 7, but glad to block 6.
Jim-George was the Star with 28 pts. Walsh 17pts, 5 rebs, Johnson only scored 9 (3 of 14 shooting as they were all over him). Valentine 7 rebounds. Mondo 8 pts, 6 rebs.
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Oregon State visits next.
I can only WSU_zags is right and the low block matures and becomes a force. Mondo has not taken over the game like Walsh did last year, but then again he hasn't had to. I think he will learn from Walsh and be a much better player by the end of the year.

Recruiting will be a challenge. I may not offer any scholarships early - and may sign 3 SG's in hopes that at least one can fill the shoes of Jim-George and Johnson. You'd think they'd be beating my door down with the offensive schemes we use and losing our 2 top 3 pt threats. I am confident of signing at least one. Sogadazi is better than the star rating (used him twice in ABL and he lit it up from outside). Then add someone like Estinova as Deuce suggests and we should be dynamite for years to come.
(sidenotes: I ran the whole season as a SIM and finished 17-10, beating all the power teams and losing to some I shouldn't have. Now, let's see how it goes under my leadership)

vols21

January 5th, 2008, 04:03 PM

Oregon State (81 rated) vs UCR (78 rated)

trail 37-52 at half as we look tired (37% shooting at home vs 57%) - nothing worked. Time for some adjustments
we shot 2 of 14 from 3pt and they hit 10 of 18!!!! Holy cow - killing us at our own game. We decided to apply more pressure and try to reverse our fortunes (5 different players hitting for them!)
unlikely characters sparked a comeback - Petway driving (not Johnson's feeble 3 pt shooting - shockingly bad again). Then Jim-George hits a 3 and is fouled - misses, but Valentine rebounds, so we get a 5 pt play! And cut to within 9. Beavers run back - with 6 minutes left score is 75-83. Pound the rock to Walsh for a pair of old-fashioned 3 pt plays. We get to within 3 and with 2:30 left Johnson gets left wide open and finally hits a THREE to TIE the FBI goes crazy!! Beavers crumble under the pressure while Johnson gets HOT!
Final score 109-103 Jim-George and Johnson both score 25. Walsh adds 20 and 12 rebounds for a double-double.. The 2nd team ran them to death and we think that made the difference at the end
we lose rebound battle AGAIN 29-37 (I don’t feel too bad losing the boards to a power school). We did actually get more blocks 6-4. wild comeback win to thrill the fans!

It's off to NYC for the 2K finals at MSG. Kent State is the first team we will face there.

CincyFan

January 5th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Hopefully the NCAA doesn't come down hard on you for the LSU game. It was my fault. Thought a little prank would be funny, but was going to give it back. Deuce2223 and I were drinking each time your team hit a three-pointer and twice every time Jim George hit one. Well after the upset we decided to go up to the rafters and steal a NCAA championship banner and mark out UK and put UCR on it. Of course we use taped so we didn't ruin it but NCAA didn't find the humor we did.

Apparently Deuce2223 wife is a little upset about the whole thing and now she doesn't know if she will come to the Kent State final now since security will be tight and will keep an watchful eye on us throughout the game. Well at least we are getting popular.

Deuce2223

January 5th, 2008, 06:41 PM

That is so funny because Cincy has never met my wife yet he knows her so well, she was very ****ed after our little prank. There will be no more double dates to UCR games, but don't worry I did get the okay to still attend some games.

Good luck with Oregon State. My wife is torn on who to cheer for. She has her Jimmy George Jersey on but grew up a OSU Beaver, guess either way she will be happy.

vols21

January 6th, 2008, 01:13 AM

we played the next game under very tight security that kept many of our loyal fans from attending. I protested this atrocity and ended up being banned myself - I told them either let all our fans come in or I go home. The team started to leave too, but I told them to go out and make a statement.

2k tourney - vs 3-0 Kent State (big wins over St. Johns and Notre Dame so far, 82 rated): Madison Square Garden -- bright lights and big city - blinded my players
we were just never in this game - trail 31-58 at half and lose 55-76. Walsh 12 pts and they shut down the low post, Johnson 3 pts, and Jim-George 9 as they blanketed them.
this is the type team we struggle against, with their press the whole game and we have 15 turnovers, shot 45% (to their 53%). Lose rebounds 18-26 (another embarrasment).
The team is running rebound drills every week, we are just being out-hustled so far. This game the 3=pt well went dry (4 of 16) and we only had 8 pts in the paint. It only takes one more strike. It was obvious the team was staging their own little protest, and were upset that thier coach, and many loyal fans could not attend. The NCAA stepped in and assured us that everyone would be alllowed in for the next game and apologized to Deuce and Cincy for any wrongdoing - and offered courtside seats against Rice in the consolation game -- they even went as far as to offer them prime seats to any other game of their choice this year... They were in for a treat!!!

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We get Rice in the consolation game: they are a top team in the Conference USA
wild game of flurries as both teams pushed the ball and shot well (and some sloppy defense). I tried to pay attention to why we were getting killed on the boards - it seems 2 (or 3) guys would jump for the block and the shooter would recover quicker and gather up the ball while my guys all stood around. Frustrating.
It was 60-60 at half-time
NBA type game and score - Johnson hits 10 FT's in last minute to help UCR win 122-112. Johnson ends with 29 pts. Jim-George another 23. Walsh only 18 as he was in foul trouble most of the game.
Bekono 7 rebs leads the team. Mondo and Ellerbe each with 4 asst. We shot 25 of 30 FT's. Won rebounds 33-30!! 4 blocks to their 1. much improved on some fronts
but honestly, I hate this type game. Makes me want to have 10 minute halves or something. But both teams played to their strengths, so not much shot clock used. (both shot over 55%)
both teams hit 15 treys. Both teams had 7 turnovers. All in all, it was the 2nd chance pts and FT's that saved our bacon today. Big time game atmosphere though. Hope that helps later.

CincyFan

January 6th, 2008, 02:49 AM

I don't know if you should worry if you can't shot the three ball. I mean 4-16 is kind of bad, but only scoring 8 points in the paint is a very bad sign. That is no good though and might be a problem down the road.

vols21

January 6th, 2008, 11:59 AM

you are correct - poor defense, poor post play, lack of rebounding and points in the paint. That could very well be our downfall this season.

at Portland - both rated same
Johnson starts us off with 4 straight treys, and Diggs ends half with 4 more!! We lead 62-50 (70% shooting, but still no defense as they shoot 55%)
final score 113-98 - another fast paced NBA style game. Star of the Game: Jaloni Diggs with 29 pts. Jim-George 19, Walsh and Johnson 16. Mondo 10 pts and 6 rebs.
despite hiring the best defensive coaches in the land (A- and B+), we are not making enough stops. We're getting killed on the boards (19-34!!!). I moved the coaching stats to 90% crash boards and 10% fast breaks trying to get them on the glass, but it seems like they moved away -- and there were a lot of over the back rebounds too by Portland.
It's something we continue to stress in practice, but just not executing in the game. (I even put in 4 PF's at one time trying to slow them down). We won this game pure and simple because Diggs came off the bench and was a ball of fire behind the arc. Funny - we start the game evenly rated but end behind them 80-82. Nonetheless, we won another tough road game. it was good to see so many of our fans in the stands for the game.

Interesting shot chart stat: Portland shoots the ball 78 times (made 42) while we only shot it 60 times (made 43). The power of offensive rebounds! (3-18 in favor of Portland)
Boston College visits next week as part of their west coast tour

2-1 Boston College (85 rated) vs 5-1 UCR
46-40 first half - we focused hardon trying play good defense and to rebound better - only down 1 on rebounds (11-12) and holding them to 53% (gee)
Final Score 101-91 -- it wasn't that close at the end as BC scored the last 10 pts of the game against the scrubs, who just wanted to break 100.
It was a steady diet of Walsh who won star of the game: 31 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asst. Johnson, Jim-George, and Guerrerro all added 12. Valentine 4 assts and 2 blocks to lead those cats.
Sanders lit up for 25 leading the Eagles. BC shot a whopping 60%, but we were golden all night long and hit 72% (walsh down low 14 of 18). We win rebounds 20-17!!

top 10 mid-major: #1 Gonzaga, Utah State, VCU, Southern Ill, George Mason, Boston, Wichita State, #8 UCR, William and Mary, Missouri State
Kevin Love of UCLA 44 pts vs Wyoming to win player of week

chestnutz6

January 6th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Your offense is doing very well lately, but I think your D needs to step up, as they've let up a ton of points as of late and against better teams I don't know if you can hang with em.

CincyFan

January 6th, 2008, 03:40 PM

I already said that bro, and the response is that his conference is all about offense and no defense. I was hoping he would start recruiting defensive players, but we all know how vols runs his team. lol. Either way its still a toss up for every game he plays which is exciting.

vols21

January 6th, 2008, 10:06 PM

you guys are correct!! I keep preaching defense, keep practicing defense, but the team really struggles. I think a lot of it is lack of hustle. I'm just not sure what else I can do - Cincy is right - this is an offensive-minded league....but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to play hard-nosed defense too. When I got here, all we had was SG's and PF's. I've brought in a tall PG who is a great ball-handler and good defender. I've brought in a quick SF who can slash, defend, and rebound. I brought in some great big men - yet the post play deterioates and we get creamed on rebounds. But the defense thing was an issue for me last year as well -- we managed to get the big stop when we needed to, but not that many blow-outs as other teams scored at will to keep up with our high-powered offenses. Anyone have any "tapes (tips)" on defense send em on to me at UCR> :-)

6-1 UCR at 2-3 Wright State - a venture into Dayton Ohio for our growing legion of fans in the state
59-50 at the half as again the defense allows 59% shooting and we light up another 72% night - Wright State is 9 of 14 from long distance! (we are just 7 of 12)
sickening breakdown in 2nd half as we not only lose the double digit lead, we see Wright take the lead. Jim-George hits another 4 pt play (trey and foul) to put us up by 1. Wright plays for
last shot - fires a 3 ….rattles off, they rebound (ugh) and put it in…..but the buzzer sounded first. We escape with a 104-103 victory - but I still feel sick to my stomach after this one.
Lloyd scores 37 for Wright State (8 of 13 treys), Duggins 20 (4 of 4 treys). WE put full tight pressure man to man defense on them, and they still fired at will on us.
For UCR, Johnson scores 29. Walsh 19, Jim-George 18 (two 4-pt plays). Mondo Guerrerro 8 pts and 12 rebounds. We out-rebound 29-27. 8-8 FT's saved our hides
50 points in the paint (to their 30) - they hit 5 more treys than we did. Both teams with 9 turnovers. We just don't understand how to play defense and that will be our downfall.

vs Temple at Drake
trail 54-40 at halftime - we shot 50% to their 61%. Walsh 2 of 6 inside tells the story, he's getting hammered every time and no calls (insult to injury they called interference on him once).
their guys just breeze right thru my zone for easy scores - I don't get why no one steps up and makes a stop!!!! It's BS, that's all I can say
final score 88-104. This was embarrassing, teeth-pulling performace. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just a game like this now and then against good teams like Temple, but it's been like this all year it seems. They got up by 20 and we cut it back to 10 before imploding again down the stretch, we just cannot stop anyone on defense (60%), getting creamed on the boards
(21-39. even worse on the offensive side 1-9). It's not bad enough they just slice thru for easy shots or hit east treys, but if they should miss they always seem to get the rebound and
put it back in (1 guy vs 3 of mine - it's ridiculous!). Walsh ends up 5 of 11 for 10 pts - as they blocked 10 shots against us, many down low and even on fast breaks. Ridiculous!
Johnson had 18 to lead us in scoring (7 of 12). Cunningham off the bench for 10. (Jim-George 3 of 11 shooting for 9 pts). We had 34 pts in the paint to their 64. it was a demoralizing destruction of this basketball team and just shows how far we have to go --- of course, that is reason why we schedule a tough road schedule like this.

we now have three top 10 mid-major powers in our next 3 games. At Missouri state, at Utah State, and at Gonzaga. Then a week out to rest before travelling to Arizonia

wsu_zags

January 6th, 2008, 11:06 PM

that win over wright state would have made me feel sick also, every time that happens to me I get angry, because most of the time on the other end of that, loosing by one, its happend to me twice in this year of my legacy already.

and thats a frustrating loss to temple, I know how you feel, I have had many games like that myself, and plenty of them with UCR. I think the best thing to keep some of those things from happening, is I started changing up my defense down the floor every couple trips so they can not get set on anything, mixing various zones but still mostly man to man, but then again, there are just those games when the cpu hits everything and gets all the boards.

you also have a tough upcoming schedule, good luck with those games, and take down the zags (thats right, I am going against them) for stiffing you in the job opportunity.

vols21

January 7th, 2008, 01:13 PM

vs Missouri State at Drake classic
lead 62-54 at the half. Another great defensive classic (ARGH!) I fed them a steady diet of Walsh early (25 pts in first half) mostly on breaking their press (also 9 turnovers)
within 1 minute, the Bears had taken the lead. Full court pressure and the boys just wilted. Walsh had a shot blocked by their PG (give me a break - 5'5 blocks 7'0!!) and picks up 2 fast fouls
4 team fouls in 1 minute - again, give me a break. Burned a couple time-outs and made a few changes - we opted to play in/out with Jim-George getting hot, and still taking some drives to get to FT line. Slowly, we built back a lead and hold on. Final Score 112-103. Walsh is star of the game with 44 pts (17 of 22). Jim-George adds 20.
Walsh and Mondo get 6 rebs each. Bekono and Mondo 6 assts each.
Cline scores 24 for Mo State (20 in first half), WainWright adds 22 (all in 2nd half). Austin 17 assists!!!! We win rebounds 26-25 (lose offensive 5-10!!! I just don't get it!)
They make more treys (we had 8, they had 10 but shot twice as many as us -- we tried a different game trying to "slow it down" but the press forced us into running - Walsh benefits!)

POW: Thornton 37 pts for Townson.
Texas signs 2 top 10 recruits. UCLA nabs the #1 player C.Hunter.

wsu_zags

January 7th, 2008, 01:19 PM

Holly Cow man! 112-103, talk about a barn burner sheesh! Hey, if there gonna press like that though, thats about all you can do, Walsh keeps these 30+ point games up, he will be might just get player of the year. And I think you might want to turn the blocks down a few clicks if a 5'5" dude blocked 7' Walsh, thats very unrealistic, lol.

blue_apocalypse

January 7th, 2008, 03:01 PM

As a UCR alum, I am proud of what Coach Dean has accomplished! U-C-R! U-C-R!

CincyFan

January 7th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Blue you need to talk to vols since the rumor mill has it that he is leaving UCR after this year. Then again this is all just a rumor.

vols21

January 7th, 2008, 07:52 PM

8-2 UCR @ 4-2 Utah State
8 pt half time lead evaporated into a 1 pt deficit in about a minute and from there it was a dogfight. We inch out to a 4 pt lead, and slow the ball down forcing them to foul. Cunningham sinks FT's
Final Score 95-88. Star of the Game: Johnny Walsh 33 pts, 12 rebs, and he a steal as he caught an errant pass late that helped us perserve our narrow lead.
Johnson and Diggs 12 pts each. (Jim-George was shaky today, -7 confidence and only got worse….he scored 9). We win rebounds 29-23.
They blocked 8 shots (we got 2). And shot 55% for the game. The difference maker was our 16 of 17 FT's (they were 9/10). Some small improvements and huge win on the road!!
First team we've held below 100 pts in quite some time.

UCR at Gonzaga
our second battle of top 10 mid-major teams
56-47 first half lead of spurts (both teams 60% shooting - despite Walsh going 0-2!!! 6 of 8 FT's though)
again the lead evaporates under the pressure and although we battle back and have a few lead changes, the zags hit a buzzer beater and win the game: 95-97
Johnson scored 21 pts, Jim-George 16. Walsh had 15 pts -- all from the FT line if that tells you how physical this game was underneath!! He was 0-8 FG's.
out-rebounded 21-32 and Gonzaga shot 62% -- they weren't about to let us come in here and steal another win like we did a couple years ago. This team made us all proud though.
We wont hang our heads (despite the 2nd half collapse) losing to a 91 rated team who is the top mid-major in the country. They proved why.
Matthews and Bing each scored 20 for the Zags. Matthews also with 11 assissts. Diggs was a spark off the bench for us, 14 pts and 6 assist. - week off then to AZ (#4)

the gym looked very patriotic. not only was the Gonzaga red very promient, the UCR BLUE was seen throughout the gym. That made our players happy that we had so many fans at a road game. Deuce and WSU must have brought thier whole family and a ton of friends. Hope you enjoyed the close game - wish we could have brought you a W.

Deuce2223

January 7th, 2008, 08:57 PM

I would just like to personally thank Coach Dean for the great game. I got alot of crap for wearing the Walsh jersey even more after the 0-8 performance. But when it came down to it their bark was worse then their bite when it came to who was talking louder once things were taken outside. Good thing I had WSU_Zags there as backup.

Things are not going to get any easier for you next week against Arizona but I have a good feeling we are going to see a upset.

wsu_zags

January 8th, 2008, 02:59 AM

Nice showing against the Zags, even though it was a close game and what I am calling an upset loss, its all good, we got into a few scraps with the locals, mostly people we know and hang out with, they were upset we were rooting against our home town team, but its like me and Duece said, you gotta pay your respects.

vols21

January 8th, 2008, 04:26 PM

Blue you need to talk to vols since the rumor mill has it that he is leaving UCR after this year. Then again this is all just a rumor.

There have been a couple AD's approach me during our travels this year (especially after handing their team a loss). We'll see how things develop.

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif at http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/AZ.gif

at #4 Arizonia (9-1) -- 99 rateddown 40-46 at half. Holding them to 50% shooting which is like phenom!! (we hit 46%) I turned blocks slider to ZERO and they still blocked 6 shots in first half
we have the speed advantage -- they are killing us inside. I put PF Scott at SF trying to offset their rebounding. He gets a few buckets as they slouch way off him and he gets an open drive.
it's tied 55-55 with 8 minutes to go. They go up 4, then with 5 minutes to go, we take a 1 pt lead (another Scott slash!!). 2 minutes to go we retake the lead 81-80 when Valentine scores and is fouled (hitting the FT) - then horrors as Petway slashes and is fouled - misses BOTH FT's - Bekono rebounds for us and he misses underneath (ARGH - I break a clipboard)
with 1 minute to go, scored knotted at 84 - Walsh gets a wide open lane to give us the lead! They play for a last second 3 to win the game…..but with 10 seconds left, it rims out. Walsh rebounds and is fouled. They get a wild shot at the buzzer and UCR WINS A HUGE GAME!!! 90-86
Star of the Game: Walsh with 29 pts (5 of 6 FTs), 5 rebs, 4 assts. Valentine has 18 pts and 5 rebs (best game of the year) and Scott 14 pts - his going to SF may have proved the difference!
we shot 4 of 24 from three point land - a horrible performance and yet we overcome that to win (AZ shot 10 of 22 treys!
we lose rebounds 28-34 (not bad after our horrible start). 54-44 pts in the paint. FT's prove the difference as shot 16 of 23 to their 6 of 9.

This was the greatest game in the history of UCR I am sure - we beat a team rated 100 on offense, 95 on defense and 99 overall. It was an amazing performance by our much maligned low post players that gutted out this win. Next is a home game with TSU then our Christmas day game at UNLV. Maybe santa will let me win more than slots!!

GateGamer

January 8th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Wow. What a win. Nice new graphics, they turned me on to this legacy.

wsu_zags

January 8th, 2008, 07:45 PM

Incredible win, now I am missing playing with UCR, lol, very good win coach, keep it up and take them to the sweet sixteen this year!

vols21

January 9th, 2008, 09:43 PM

Rodriguiez of Campbell scored 49 pt average in 2 games this week for POW honors. Uconn over UK, UNC over Texas in top 10 battles
Missouri vs Florida is this week's spotlight game between a pair of 9-1 teams

UCR vs Tennessee State - win 70-69 as Johnson scores 27 (including a buzzer beater to win the game!) Robinson had 22 for TSU,
This game was all about working on defense and we held them to 33% - but they managed to hang tough with us thru turnovers as we had major trouble against the press.

UCR @ UNLV - Christmas Day
despite trailing big early due to jitters, we rebounded and took the lead at halftime (holding them to 50% shooting - but both teams running and gunning)
(Walsh misses his first 2 shots then hits next 10 to have 22 first half pts!)
team falls apart under the pressure in the 2nd half making 23 turnovers and allowing a 20-0 run to put the game out of reach - those turnovers also led to easy baskets (and 59% shooting)
out-rebounded 22-41. 6-15 on offensive - all those 2nd chance buckets just broke our backs and we get run out of the gym 89-112
Walsh ends up with 30 pts. Johnson only 13 (4 of 10). Team confidence levels were negative 7 coming in with the loud crowd and they never got their shots to fall.
Tough loss - which I hope gets their attention going into Big West Play. If we don't start playing harder on both ends of the floor we will struggle against some teams and miss our goals.

CincyFan

January 10th, 2008, 06:01 AM

one positive note from the last two games is that against Tennessee State your defense showed up. 69 points is amazing and think its the lowest point total you held someone too this year.

wsu_zags

January 10th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Playing at the Thomas and Mack Center is tough, the crowd gets loud in there. not a bad loss all in all, and you still doing great a 11-4. You should control the Big West this year.

CincyFan

January 10th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Still finishing with a good enough record (winning record) will give you the ability to choose a good Mid-Major school this year if you want.

vols21

January 11th, 2008, 02:04 PM

Wow. What a win. Nice new graphics, they turned me on to this legacy.

thanks, glad you like. I try to add some color now and then, but honestly would rather play the game than spend a lot of time making the legacy post "pretty". I'll try to remember more often to add some graphics for ya though!

Still finishing with a good enough record (winning record) will give you the ability to choose a good Mid-Major school this year if you want.

there is a good chance I'll make the jump at the end of the year if the right school is available. I don't wanna get too hooked up on all my new recruits that I never move on.

Defense seems to play better against a lower rated team - I just don't have too many of them on the schedule this year.

vols21

January 12th, 2008, 03:25 PM

Rodriguiez of Campbell wins the POW for 3rd time!!! 39 pts in one game. Gators 91-83 over Missouri in the game of the week

UCR at Cal POLY (7-7)
team leads 41-30 at halftime (holding them to 43% shooting!!) and Walsh/Jim-George team up like old times to carry the team
we stayed in control the 2nd half as the Mustangs didn't press us and we were allowed to dictate the tempo to win the game 87-73.
Star of game: Walsh 23 pts, 7 rebs, 3 asst. Jim-George 25 pts. Mondo the other Highlander in double digits, scores 11. Bekono also grabs 7 rebs (3 pts).
Cal-Poly's leading scorer was Biggs with 13. We won rebounds 28-22. 3 blocks apiece. Nice recovery game for our team.

12-4 UCR @ 2-10 Cal State Fullerton
54-32 at the half - we hoped to make astatement in this game and we did. Great team ball and decent defense holding them below 40 pts. (13-5 on rebounds - makes a huge difference!!)
we played the scrubs most of the 2nd half and allowed the Titans to creep a little closer, but was in firm control the whole way. Final Score: 81-69
Walsh star of the game with 26 pts. Mondo 7 pts and 7 rebs. (they had 2 players in double digits - with Ballinger's 13 leading the way. We win rebounds 31-21. titans block 4 shots.
we return home for games vs Long Beach State and UC Davis (both teams struggling and lower rated than us).

Rodriguiez of Campbell Camels - 3 weeks in a row (4 on the year) as Player of the week!! He should be front-runner for player of year (at least a shoo-in All-American!)

vols21

January 13th, 2008, 01:14 PM

UCR vs Long Beach State (6-5) -- we rather dominated most of the game it seemed, but a hot steak of 3's and it ended up being a close game. We were ahead by six with 5 seconds left
They hit a trey, then stole the end bounds pass - and just missed another trey that would have tied the game. Final Score 91-88.
Johnson is star of the game with 19 pts. Walsh 15 pts and 4 rebounds (missed most of 2nd half with foul trouble). Mondo picked up the slack underneath - 13 pts, 7 boards
Crumbley 26 pts for the 49ers - many with 2 guys hanging all over him. He was in a zone tonite and nothing we did slowed him down. We win rebounds 31-15

14-4 UCR vs (6-6) UC Davis
we kept a 20 pt lead most of the game (was 6-0 early, then 15-2). They were shooting 22% early, but some 10 shot steaks brought them to 44% for the game.
still an impressive defensive effort (or just they were rattled and shot poorly) FINAL SCORE 92-66. Star of Game was Walsh 19 pts and 6 rebs.
Valentine a double-double - 16 pts, 11 rebs, and 7 assists (almost the rare triple double). Their star guard Lowenthal was held to 3 pts!! We win rebounds 34-16

CincyFan

January 13th, 2008, 02:45 PM

look at your team go, Nice winning streak going. Funny to see Cal St. Fullerton 2-10 in your season while they only lost one game in my legacy. They are dominating people and are an 81 overall in my game.

Fresh

January 14th, 2008, 08:06 AM

highlanders still riding high, hoepfully some interesting offers will come your way at years end, but if not i know UCR will be competing for another Big West title.

wsu_zags

January 14th, 2008, 04:13 PM

Sweet 16! Sweet 16! Sweet 16! Sweet 16! ;)

vols21

January 16th, 2008, 04:11 AM

Sweet 16! Sweet 16! Sweet 16! Sweet 16! ;)

I hope so!! This team has worked extra hard this year to get ready, and like others have said there could be an offer I cannot refuse on the horizon.

15-4 #3 ranked Mid-Major UCR at 2-13 UCNorthridge

lead 44-28 at the half (CSN shooting 30% at home! - but killing us on rebounds as they get 3 & 4 shots each time down it seems)
they tied the game with 6 minutes to go - then with 3 minutes left we were battling from behind!!! (could not handle the press!!!). But a couple Jim-George treys got us back in it, and a pair of Cunningham FT's sealed the game 91-87!! Wow. Walsh 17 pts (5 rebs), Valentine 13 pts (7 rebs), Jim-George and Johnson 12 pts each. Lost rebounds 28-36 (2 to 15 offensive!!!!)
no doubt we should have won this going away, but instead struggled down the stretch -- the important thing is get out of Northridge with another W.

Aldridge of Western Carolina is player of the week. Tennessee vs Alabama is game of the week (both at 14-4) - Crews 20 ppg avg leading the team

Big West standings: - UCR 5-0, UCSB 4-1, Pacific 4-1. couple other teams 3-2/

Louisville is ranked #1 followed by Ohio State, Maryland, USC, Kentucky, Duke, Michigan St. La Salle, Alabama, Tennessee, Seton Hall, UNC, Texas, Missouri.

Mid-Major: #1 S. Illinois, #2 UCR, Creighton, W.Michigan, Davidson, New Mexico State, Gonzaga (13-6), Jacksonville, Miami (OH) -- legacy teams well represented!!!
Walsh is leading UCR with 20.6 ppg, 5.8 rebs, 1.7 asst. Johnson 16.4 ppg, Jim-George 14.1

J.Rodriguez leads the nation with a gaudy 34.9 ppg!!!! Kevin Love of UCLA has 30.2 ppg (against much tougher competition!) Nunnally of Pacific 8th with 25.5 ppg)

we play Pacific next week and will get the face the impressive Nunnally.

Deuce2223

January 16th, 2008, 07:45 AM

Its always interesting to see the different teams that are doing well in everyone's legacy. I think yours is the 1st I have seen where La Salle is a national Top 25, and New Mexico State being a top Mid Major. Normally from the WAC it is always Utah St sometimes Nevada. Jacksonville is a stud Mid Major on mine too, but they keep losing their coach. Its like that is the place to go for 2 yrs to get a better job.

Good luck against Nunnally and the Tigers. Shove some Jimmy George 3's down their throat. :)

CincyFan

January 16th, 2008, 12:58 PM

Look at the Redskins turning it on. Thats what I like to see!

vols21

January 17th, 2008, 06:32 PM

UCR vs lowly NJIT (4-14) win going away this time 92-41. everyone plays, everyone scores! Walsh leads way with 15 pts and 7 rebs.. Mondo 10/10! Win rebounds 37-19! (5 players in double figures)

UCR (17-4) vs Pacific (10-7) -- battle for first place in Big West

battle of the last 2 Big West players of the year also as Nunnalley vs Walsh down low.

First half, Walsh won the battle scoring 20 and hold Big N to just 2 pts
much of the same treatment in the 2nd half - and UCR wins going away….91-67 (all those tough non-conf opponents seem to have us primed and ready to play!!)
Star of Game: Johhny Walsh - 30 pts, 7 rebs. Bekono adds 12 pts in the low post. Rest of scoring rather spread around.
Captain Morgan leads the Tigers with 17 pts (many came late as he fired 3's right and left). Their star player Nunnalley held to 4 pts and only 3 rebs (well below his 25 ppg / 7 rpg avg!!)
great all-around game by the team. Hold them to under 50% shooting; out-rebound them 26-21. I'm very proud of how we played!

vols21

January 19th, 2008, 02:38 PM

UCSB (9-8) vs UCR (18-4)
once again, a great overall game by the team and we win 76-71. Walsh 19 pts (most at FT line again!) 6 rebs. Johnson 17 pts (these two could both make the all-big west team).
Mondo 7 rebs, Ellerbee 7 assists. Just noticed that most of the games have been at home so far.

UC Irvine (5-13) at UC Riverside (19-4)
my old rival is not faring so well this year. But they have payback on their minds after Jim-George's 55 pt performance last year in their house.
UCI jumps to a 10 pt lead and looks sharp while we look distracted - however, we stay calm and play our game…by halftime we trail by 1. 2nd half, we take over and win 97-85.
Walsh star of the game with 28 pts and 12 rebounds (nice double-double). Excellent support as Johnson, Jim-George, and Mondo Guerrerro each score 16 (Mondo also 7 rebounds).
Ellerbee 6 assists as he gets back in a groove. Win rebounds 38-24 (we had 11 offensive rebounds to their 3…that was the key to the comeback). 14 of 16 ft'S
This game was played under the new patch. I tried a few double teams for a steal and NONE worked, so that part of the patch seemed to be in. (still have a 0 standing dunk)

Almost all road conference games to close out the season!! (yikes)

Deuce2223

January 19th, 2008, 04:19 PM

You play on PS3?? I thought you were 360,well at least someone gets to play with the new patch. :) Sucks they didn't fix standing dunk though.

vols21

January 20th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Johnson of Central Conn. State Blue Devils. Davidson is the #1 Mid-Major. Creighton #2. UCR at #5 (one win over a Top 25) Top games last week:
AZ whips UCLA 76-69; Maryland destroyed UNC State 99-76. #2 UK 82-81 over the Vols (who 0-7 against ranked teams this year).

20-4 UCR @ 9-10 UC Davis
53-44 at the half as we overcame an early 10 pt deficit with a 15-0 run on the backs of Jim-George and Walsh. It was a war in the 2nd half, but we hold off the Aggie runs and win 101-92.
Walsh scored 31 for star of the game. Morgan 13 pts and 14 rebounds really hurt us down low and hanson's treys kept them in it as he scored 30.
Jim-George added 23 for UCR (Petway 10). We lost rebounds 26 - 33 (6-12 on offense) but we had 32 assists and only 8 turnovers (forced 10). Solid game against a tough UCD team.

UCR @ 10-8 Long Beach State
48-33 at the break after a fast start by the 49'ers we switch to a 1-3-1 and they shot 37% for half (hit their first 5 shots!). Walsh took over on offense for us
complete blow-out!!! 108-64!!! Walsh ends up with 36 pts and 6 rebs. Ellerbee and Cunningham 6 assists each.
bonus pts for beating a rival by 40 pts!! Won rebounds 31-24. part of LBSU's problem maybe they played their starting 5 almost the entire game (only 2 subs). They were exhausted!
Jim-George adds 21 for us, Johnson 11. rest is very balanced scoring. Wiping out a rival like this is a pinnacle for this team. I hope we are peaking at the right time!

22-4 UCR vs 2-19 CSN
trail 39-43 at the half (both teams under 45% shooting, but their offensive boards and our poor ball-handling against the press puts them in the lead
Final Score 95-81 as we picked up the offensive pace and maintained solid defense. Star of Game: Johnny Walsh with 30 pts, 4 rebs, 2 assts, 3 steals, 3 blocks! (3 others in double digits)
rebounds was 35-35 (despite 5-13 offensive boards). Lackluster performance at home (4 of 14 treys; 7 of 9 FT's), but we gut out a good win.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

next up is another epic game -- as we take on arch rival pacific and the league's "best player" Nunnally. Fans are looking forward to Walsh and Nunnally hooking horns one more time. Walsh (and company) won that battle in Riverside as the nun was held to a season low 4 pts and limited playing time. He said he was looking to make a statement in this game and prove he is the best player in the Big West
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm holding out hope that the standing dunk bug may be fixed on the new recruits, and that they are rated correctly. Time will tell.

vols21

January 20th, 2008, 10:29 PM

UCR @ Pacific
once again the battle of top teams and top stars. Walsh gets 24 first half pts - Nunnally gets 12 (most on 2nd chance putbacks). We started fast to lead 17-5, but they take a 15 pt run and from there it was back and forth the whole half. They score at the buzzer to lead 43-42 over us at halftime. Tough close game in 2nd, but we finally make a stop and win 95-92

Nunnally fouls out with 16 pts and 10 rebs. Capt. Morgan held to 9 in maybe the last time I have to face him/ Smith and Werner score 20+ each though.
Star of Game - Johnny Walsh with 47 pts, 5 rebs, 4 assts, 1 steal, and 3 blocks (1 king kong block of a Nunnally shot). Jim-George and Johnson add 20 each in support
we shot 71% while they hit 49% (lost rebounds 23-27 with their 9-2 offensive rebound advantage). I had 7 turnovers and only caused 4.

We came out of the gates fast - but they rallied and really had us on the ropes. This team rose to the occassion in the 2nd half. If we can keep our heads on straight, we can do something magical this year - the chemistry seems to be here (team unity goes over 50% and we have 4 bars now).

CincyFan

January 21st, 2008, 12:13 AM

vols i think with the patch for the standing dunk you can go in and edit your players currently on the roster to give them standing dunk now. I don't know if this is true since I have a 360 but throwing that out there.

Huskynation

January 21st, 2008, 10:54 AM

thats what i would do.........if i had an open legacy.

vols21

January 21st, 2008, 10:55 AM

I tried, but didnt see where I could make those edits. The edit player lets me change several things, but that was not an option (that I saw anyway)

Huskynation

January 21st, 2008, 11:31 AM

your in open right? just go to attributes and find standing dunk.

vols21

January 21st, 2008, 06:32 PM

your in open right? just go to attributes and find standing dunk.

when I go to edit player, the only options I have to edit are:
vitals (name, #, etc)
General (muscle tone)
hair, face, all that nonsense

tendencies: close shots, mid-range, 3pt, drive the lane, commits fouls)
shots: (types of jumpers, Post, Freethrow)

the help screen says this is where to change in-game attributes, but I sure don't see a spot for that. maybe that feature is only on 360?

I simmed ahead just to see what the new recruits would look like.
the PF's had a standing dunk of 3. the guards a dunk rating of 1. maybe that's better than 0 - but not what I hoped for.

Huskynation

January 21st, 2008, 06:46 PM

haha, guessing its only for xbox

CincyFan

January 21st, 2008, 06:52 PM

patched isn't out for 360 yet so I know its not for that lol. Wow a 3 and a 1 for dunking that will do a lot!!!

vols21

January 22nd, 2008, 09:06 AM

now back to some basketball!

player of Week: Johnny Walsh of #1 ranked mid-major UC Riverside!!!!!!!!!!!! The 2nd UCR player ever selected for this honor.
Northwestern coach on the hotseat - the AD has been calling my office, but I can't see me ever going to Big 10 (I've never lost a game to a big 10 team)

UCR @ UCI --
we came out totally flat after the emotional win over Pacific. Dead crowd and that sapped our energy. Ugly half ends tied at 43 all as Walsh steals an inbounds pass and scores 4 pts to end half.
shooters went totally cold in the 2nd half and to make matters worse, Walsh went down with strained ligaments in the knee!!!! We lost all focus after the injury
Final score 70-80. only 27 pts in second half, one of our worst performances in quite some time.
Walsh ends up with 19 pts while Jim-George and Johnson go a combined 4 of 17 from behind the arc. (team 7 of 23) 43% shooting and they hit 52%
34% in 2nd half (several inside the paint). The team lost its focus and the Anteaters were fired up playing against the top mid-major. This has been quite a rivalry over the years.
UCI gets revenge for Jim-George raining in 55 pts last year. We will make a return trip to the Goat Hill Tavern - but this year to drown our sorrows - and hope Walsh is ok for tourney play.

Deuce2223

January 22nd, 2008, 11:53 AM

Tough game Coach. Walsh is in my prayers, never like to see a player injuried.
Going to have to get Jimmy-George in the gym to practice those 3's to get him back on track.

vols21

January 23rd, 2008, 02:00 PM

Tough game Coach. Walsh is in my prayers, never like to see a player injuried.
Going to have to get Jimmy-George in the gym to practice those 3's to get him back on track.

Thanks Deuce. We've been very fortunate thru the years to never have any serious injuries - just a few bumps and bruises. This is the first one that clearly affected the team. This is the time for our senior leadership to step up.

With Walsh out, the team rallies behind Johnson who scored 21 in a 79-70 win over UCSB..

28 pts for Johnson led us to a 87-80 win over Cal State Fullerton (58-50 @half, so we played slower in 2nd). Crushed on the boards (28-22 and 10-4 offensive), but another gutty win.

Game vs Cal Poly was a showdown of the best SG's in the league - Johnson and Mackell….should know that walk-on star Jim-George would steal the show!
The game was tight until the end - we trailed 90-89 and went on a 10-0 run and won 111-97. Jim-George was the star with 34 pts (Johnson adds 16). Machell 20 for the mustangs
that is despite me double-teaming him most of the game - he's a great player and only a soph!! We did win the rebounds this time (32-24).
Jim-George listed to Deuce and worked extra hard in practice this week....it paid off.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now its tournament time - and hopefully Walsh is ready to return to action!!! He's not 100%, but we're hoping he'll be able to provide some valuable minutes. We end regular season 27-5 (15-1) #3 ranked Mid-major behind Akron and Davidson.

5-23 Cal State Northridge will be our first round foe.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIDENOTE: when I simmed ahead to check on how the patch affected incoming freshmen/recruits, I got a glimpse into possible coaching changes. Middle TN's coach got a promotion and that job will be available. One mid-major of interest: Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference. Located in my cuurent hometown of Springfield adds to the interest. Who's to say what will be there will I finish the season for real. Something to think about anyway

CincyFan

January 23rd, 2008, 02:30 PM

how did the freshman recruits look, and good luck in the tournament.

Huskynation

January 23rd, 2008, 03:24 PM

patched isn't out for 360 yet so I know its not for that lol. Wow a 3 and a 1 for dunking that will do a lot!!!

haha noo if your in open legacy you can change your players attributes...any of them.

CincyFan

January 23rd, 2008, 03:58 PM

haha noo if your in open legacy you can change your players attributes...any of them.

see there is the problem but vols and I run with closed legacies and you can't change that in there.

Huskynation

January 23rd, 2008, 04:34 PM

yeah thats why i asked if he was in open or closed =P

Deuce2223

January 23rd, 2008, 04:51 PM

I smell the end of a era at UCR. Coach Dean is going to leave the westcoast and get back to his midwestern roots. :(

desmin123

January 23rd, 2008, 05:46 PM

I smell the end of a era at UCR. Coach Dean is going to leave the westcoast and get back to his midwestern roots. :(
i agree with you, he will move a better mid major

CincyFan

January 23rd, 2008, 06:36 PM

TCU!!!! TCU!!!! TCU!!!!

I can already hear the students now and are waiting for Bridgewater's brother to come there!!!!!!

skarface2k1

January 24th, 2008, 10:50 AM

Is Coach Dean really leaving?Say it isn't so!!!!!Coach Sanders await the news.

vols21

January 24th, 2008, 10:04 PM

no one is gone yet. still a lot of basketball to play this season (I hope). rumors, rumors, but this could be the year I make the move. No decisions yet (main reason for the post was to get feedback and advice)

Big West Tourney
game 1 vs Cal State Northridge (5-23):
we struggle early and fall behind by 13. I insert Walsh and that sparks us as we cut the lead to 3. but we fall back again only to rally in the final minute to trail by 4 at the break.
Jim-George hit a cold spell after a quick 17 pts, we can't depend on him with the consistency issues. Twice we get to 1 in 2nd and twice they answer. Finally Walsh powers inside and we tie.

at the 9 minute mark, we take our first lead in quite some time on a Jim-George jumper! It was short-lived as they regain and take a 5 pt lead. The team refuses to panic and keep whittling away. Mondo jams and is fouled to cut the lead to one. In the final 2 minutes, we trade the lead with each possession - leading by 1 with 50 seconds to go, we turn the ball over. Somehow, they miss TWO FT's. We rebound, work the ball around and with the shot clock running out, Jim-George sinks a TRIFECTA!! We get another stop, Johnson is fouled and sinks the FT's.
UCR WINS their first ever BIG West tourney game in the Coach Dean era! 95-92 is the final score!
Jim-George is the star of the game with 29 pts. Walsh with an inspirational 21 pts off the bench with his knee wrapped tight. Johnson 9 pts and 7 rebs - he kept us in it despite 2-11 shooting
lost rebounds 30-40. we turned the ball over 11 times and only caused 6. 22 of 30 at the FT line!! (they shot 12 of 18). It was a physical game (patch gives more fouls!)

blue_apocalypse

January 25th, 2008, 03:43 PM

CincyFan

January 25th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Hey, where's the love for the Highlanders everyone?? They need Coach Dean!

Vols, nice to see UCR get a win in the conference tournament..and a great moment for Jim-George with a big 3 pointer. Can't wait for the 2nd round game.

Blue everyone is still a little sour at TCU which is where the student body wants him back. I know vols doesn't want to take that journey again but he does have a special spot for them and the thought of getting Brigdewaters brother might be enough to get him back at

TCU !!!!! TCU !!!!!!! TCU !!!!!!!!!

vols21

January 25th, 2008, 08:09 PM

UCR vs (16-15 Cal Poly)
62-38 half time score with Walsh on the bench!! We fired on all cylanders and shut down Machell completely. We have 19 rebounds and they have 2!! (if I count right, we are 25 of 29 shooting!)
116-93 final! Walsh was subbed in middle of 2nd half - and he looked good as new (scored 20). Machell broke loose for the Mustangs, but it was too little, too late (14 pts)
Jim-George was the star of the game with 29 pts. They hit 60% overall, while we shoot 73%! We win rebounds 31-16 (they played MUCH better in 2nd half and we just tried to run the clock)

UC Riverside vs UC Davis in the finals

Deuce2223

January 25th, 2008, 11:34 PM

I love Coach Dean at Riverside and on the west coast. I have been to many games and that are always a exciting time. Plus no one ever wants to give the West Coast some love.(Cincy) but I am just saying with the job he has done you know someone is going to snatch him up.

vols21

January 26th, 2008, 12:39 PM

UCR vs UCD in finals
double digit lead turns into a 41-41 tie by halftime (shooting 53% to 43%, but Morgan is killing us with 2nd and 3rd chance pts underneath)
lose game 86-84 with a controversial finish. Walsh goes up with tying shot, but a block is called prior to the shot so we get the ball back out of bounds with 1.9 seconds. Walsh
in-bounds to Johnson who shoots and scores! But the ref says the shot was after the buzzer (NO WAY!!) I felt robbed. UCDavis gets the win and auto bid to NCAA
Walsh 21 pts and 13 rebs (+ 5 assts) was our leader. Johnson 20, Jim-George 16. Hanson had 21 for the Aggies to be their star.
rebounds end up tied 31-31. they shot 46% and we hit 54% (they had 2 more treys and that my friends was the difference of the game
we end at 29-6 while Davis is 14-16

and I'm not going to make you wait to see if we make the NCAA or NIT and who we play:

East: Kentucky is top seed. 8-9 game is Xavier vs OK State. 7-10 game is Texas vs Bama. Syracuse is #2 seed
West: Louisville #1 seed #4 Vandy vs Utah (remember Vandy lost last time as a 4seed). Uconn #2 seed vs Winston Salem State
South: Ohio State top seed gets UC Davis 8-9 has Akron vs Davidson. #6 UCLA vs GA Tech looks like good game
Midwest: Maryland gets #1 seed. #8 Illinois vs #9 Duke. We get a heartbreaker seed. #10 UCR vs #7 Tennessee (and we cannot handle a press like they'll throw at us)

vols21

January 27th, 2008, 08:04 AM

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/TN.gif

78 rated UCR vs 94 rated Tennessee: from Boise State
we kept it close early - but the press wore us down, the blocked shots (5 on one series!) and all of a sudden it was a 15 pt halftime deficit! Tabb had 28 pts in first half!!! And Vols score 62~
It was exactly what I feared wou;d happen. Meltdown. Final score 83-105 loss. Tabb ends with 33 pts for the star. Tyler Smith another 20
Walsh held to 8 pts (3 of 6). Jim-George led the Highlanders with 16 pts and Johnson 14 in their last games wearing the Big Blue UCR uniform.
18 turnovers killed us….even worse, 15 of 27 at the FT line!!! We were 7 of 13 from 3pt land, but allowed the Vols to shoot 10 of 20. So we they beat us at our own game.
Bottom line is Tennessee had the better athletes, their style of play goes against our greatest weakness, and they shot better. Our styles are similar, and for that reason we are the kind of team the Vols feast on. It was a great season for UCR. 29-7

FINAL FOUR: Syracuse vs Louisville (Orange wins 95-74). Ohio State vs Arizonia (AZ wins 95-91)
Syracuse is your national champs 96-82 over AZ

NIT came down to Depaul vs Pittsburgh with Pitt winning 61-59 (Depaul beat Florida while Pitt knocked off Nebraska)

desmin123

January 27th, 2008, 08:12 AM

tough loss, to a really tough team

chestnutz6

January 27th, 2008, 08:12 AM

ahem, thank you very much. syracuse > xavier

CincyFan

January 27th, 2008, 01:37 PM

ahem, thank you very much. syracuse > xavier

You do know bro that Xavier opened up in his legacy and he is able to take them over. So it looks as if Syracuse reigns are over since he is skipping TCU to go to Xavier.

Xavier >>> Syracuse now. Ohh how the times have changed lol. Just kidding I don't know what offers, but out of all seriousness we all know if Syracuse and Xavier played in real life and that the X would win.

vols21

January 28th, 2008, 05:24 PM

Don't remember seeing Xavier or TCU on the open job list.
Middle TN and Mo state were the top 2 teams with interest.

It's a tough decision - we should have a great team again next year at UCR. Couple excellent recruits already signed and ready to go. One, a pure shooter to replace Jim-George, the other another big man to help in the low post (both are "fallen angels" meaning they were 4* as JR's, but slipped to 3* in the senior year. It's a cheap way to sign quality guys that fell below the radar....and they often come in with great ratings and deliver on the floor. It's a good recipie).

Going to Springfield is almost too real-life for me. When I moved from the west coast, Springfield MO is where I landed. They have a good team here - and deserve better than the 8 win season we just saw, even with the MoVal Freshman of the year (thus a good base to build on).
Decisions, decisions

jjredick4

January 28th, 2008, 05:40 PM

that is a hard decision ...hopefully it works out for ya either way

Deuce2223

January 28th, 2008, 06:50 PM

Well if you are taking a vote, I think you should stick around for awhile. You are getting good recruits, so stay take UCR deep into the Tourney next year then look at what offers will roll in.

whitemamba™

January 28th, 2008, 07:21 PM

I just skimmed through this entire thread, and I have to say great job with it all!

My opinion, ONE MORE YEAR! I don't know if Missouri State is worth it. You have such a good thing going here at UCR.

It's definitely your decision though.

vols21

January 30th, 2008, 08:04 PM

thanks for the input and advice. I'll have to mull it over until I get home.

The official list of offers was from Missouri State (which is in my current real life hometown), Middle TN State (near where I used to live) and Utah State (which has been a mid-major power in my legacy).

simmed ahead a couple years just for kicks and see what the crystal ball showed - next year no really interesting offers (VCU but not for me). South Carolina and LSU both had openings, but I was not on the list.
2 years out - I was shocked to see the Tennessee job open!! but not for me at UCR. However, Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga were also open. Interesting part is IF I were at Mo-state or Utah state, would I get the offer to my alma mater (TN)? Either way, I'd be able to jump back to Gonzaga at that point.....IF history repeated itself and of course it never does.

and in case anyone is interested, UCR had 19 wins the first year (including one at UCLA), first round Big West loss (what's new?) and no post season play (Walsh avg only14 per game and gets 2nd team Big West; however, Carpenter is freshman of the year - he's the sharpshooter I recruited) - oh and the transfer PG goes Pro after the season. Year 2 - we win 20+, sweep the Big West regular season, ranked #8 Mid-major. Walsh avgs 25 a game and is player of the year in BIg West. Once again we lose first tourney game and go to NIT. Beat TN Tech in opener then lose to Vandy in game 2. Walsh graduates with 82 rating and gets no offers to NBA. Maybe we do a little better with me there, but our post-season struggles ever improve?
PM me with any suggestions - how does that song go? Should I stay or should I go now?

vols21

January 31st, 2008, 06:24 PM

the consensus is to stay at UCR. we have a nice group of recruits coming in, a stud PG transferring in - and it seems everyone wants to see UCR win a post season game. So with mixed emotions, I have turned down the other offers and unpacked my suitcase. I'm staying at Riverside

Deuce2223

January 31st, 2008, 09:10 PM

HIP HIP HURRAY:dance:

skarface2k1

February 1st, 2008, 06:37 AM

Way to stay at the UCR Vol21.Yes,coach sanders is still following.

vols21

February 2nd, 2008, 12:55 PM

Syracuse - national champs
POY - kevin Love of UCLA (26.4ppg, 6.9 rpg)
J.Rodriguez of Campbell is mid-major player of year - 32.9 ppg!!! 9.9 rbg, 1.7 asst, 2.0 steals. This guy did it all!
Coach of year: Mark Few in first year at Arizonia (after leaving Gonzaga -- although I am now 2-0 vs him)
Freshman of year: Hairston of Dusquene 11.3 ppg, 5.6 rebs
All Americans: Porter (oregon), Curry (Davidson), Walker (K-State), Costner (NC State), Love (UCLA)
2nd team: Harvey (Seton hall), Lawrence (Mizz), Rodriquez (Campbell), Peterson (Providence), Thompson (UNC)
Frosh All-Americans: Falknor (duke), Battles (Villanova), Davis (Colorado), Johnston (Maryland), Hairston (Duquense)
Coach Dean wins Big West coach of year
Nunnally wins Big West player of the year (24.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg. 1 block)
Lionel Stokes of CSF is big west freshmen of year (9.2 ppg, 2.6 rebs) Point Guard
All Big West: Powell (UCSB), Mackell (Cal Poly), Hanson (UC Davis), Walsh (UCR), Nunnally (Pacific)
2nd team: Biggs (cal poly), Johnson (UCR), Crumbley (LBSU), Ingram (CSF), Drayton (CSN)
Frosh: Stokes (CSF), Osbron (CSN), Daniel (CSF), Guerrerro (UCR), Morgan (UCD)
Coach Dean's contract extended 5 years. Overall record 74-25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnson, Bekono, Cunningham, and Jim-George all graduate (40 pts a game from our high powered offense leaves with this group!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coaching changes: Northwestern McCaffery (siena); Oregon State: Thomasson (pacific!!), Houston: Holmes (JXST), Rice: Bartow (ETSU), Sienna: Fife (davidson)
MO State: Bubelitz (IPFW), Toledo: Liebovitz (Sacred hart). Davidson hired Fox who was fired from Oregon State. Barry Hinson of Mostate ends up at ETSU

recruiting update up next

vols21

February 2nd, 2008, 02:52 PM

6'7 SF Ben Eaves transfers to UCR from Rhode Island (75 rated SF). He was the 6th best transfer this year. Plus we sign 2 recruits:
Uche Straight: 6'7 286 lb (#43 PF) from LA. 3 star, b- potential. Good shooter, good defender, excellent rebounder (B, B- everywhere else). 10 pts and 7 rebs a game for Dodgerz in ABL
Ernest Carpenter: 6'4 SG from Chula Vista (#103 SG). Excellent shooter, very good defender. B- 3 pt shooter. 14.4 ppg with ABL Gamblers
add these to Sogdazi who is the #159 SG, also a good defender and great 3 point shooter. We added defense and shooting along with some rebounding help from Straight

for those who track this sort of stuff:
JR class top 10: 4 PGs, 3 SGs, 1 PF, 2 SF. Two centers are at 11 and 12 (seniors were 7 guards, 1 SF, 1 PF, 1 C)

top recruiting classes:
Washington, Louisville, Uconn, UCLA, Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, Maryland, Duke, Nebraska, Michigan State, AZ, Gonzaga, Kansas, Cal, Prov., Col, Bama, St. Joes, Tennessee
UCSB had #90 class (3* and three 2*'s). UCR is #93, cal Poly is#100
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

schedule
St Joes, @Wichita State, @Toldeo, O'Reilly Auto, Nevada, ND State, @UCLA, @Syracuse, @ Montana, @UNC, @Vandy. Cable Car Classic. Then conf. play begins

abl highlight: Silva of Lakers scored 23 pts in 7 minutes!!! Sure would be nice to be able to recruit players like that

Team roster
Sr PG Lawrence rated 85
SO PF Mondo Guerrerro rated 79 (passed Walsh) 6'10 215
JR PF Walsh rated 78 7'1 274 lbs
JR C Valentine rated 71
FR PF Straight rated 71
JR Petway SF rated 70
FR Carpenter SG rated 70. 81 rated 3pt shot
JR Ellerbee PG rated 67 (will redshirt since we have Lawrence this year)
SR barlow 67 rated SG
FR McGrath 66 rated Center (7'1 250 lbs)
Jr's Scott (PF) and Diggs (65) will provide bench strength
FR Sogadazi - 68 rated SG, but he will be like Jim-George with his 77 rated 3pt shot.

Lawrence (91), Diggs and Carpenter (81) are the best ball handlers
lawrence is best defender (84) Carpenter (79) most guys are rated mid-high 70.
Guerrerro McGrath and Valentine 78 rated shot blockers
McGrath 84 rated Oreb Walsh, Straight, Guerrerro 82 rated (Scott and Eaves 81 rated)
Def Rebounds: Valentine 90 rated, Walsh 86. Scott and Mondo 81. (McGrath drops to 76 here and will need to work on this!)
Speed Demons!! Lawrence 96, Ellerbee 90, Eaves, Barlow at 86. Several more 80 rated. Our speed drills last year have made us a quicker team! (4 guys with shoe icon)
Walsh is our clutch guy at 68. Mondo and Walsh are the most consistent at 81 and 74
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starters win Midnight Madness 33-16 (8 minute game). Carpenter looks to be the real deal!! 16 pts in 8 minutes. Lawrence 7 pts, 3 assts. Mondo 6, Walsh 0! (3 of 6 treys)
transferee Eaves leads 2nd team with 8 pts and 3 rebs. Straight had 3 rebs as well and kept his team close in the rebounding war 11-13 (2nd team 0-12 treys)
although it was against our 2nd team, it was encouraging to hold them to 27% shooting - hope that bodes well for our defense this year.

the big question coming out of the game is should we and can we afford to Red Shirt Straight?
Scott played well in spots last year and we'd hate to cut him in his Jr year. he came off the bench several times last year and sparked the team (often moving into the SF slot).

blue_apocalypse

February 2nd, 2008, 03:41 PM

The roster looks good. A lot of steady players left but it looks like you've reloaded for another run to the NCAA this year. Shooting and rebounding looks very solid and I love to have speedy guards that can get out on the fast break and take it to the basket. UCR is going to the sweet 16 this year!

vols21

February 2nd, 2008, 10:40 PM

Kansas State is our O'Reilly first round game (then Wofford vs Dayton). #1 Maryland, #8 AZ, and #4 Michigan State are in the other 3 brackets!)
cable car has us against Hampton in game 1. then winner of Gonzaga vs Denver -- could the 3rd time we've faced Gonzaga

Preseason top 25: #1 Maryland, Duke, Ohio State, Michigan State, Florida, Syracuse, USC, AZ, Wisconsin, Nova, Texas Tech, Pitt, Texas, Illinois, Seton Hall
NC State, Ga tech, UCLA, Louisville, UK, Oregon, OK State, Iowa State, TAM, Vandy. ACC and Big 10 both look loaded.Big East and SEC not too far behind

BIG WEST INFO
Best overall player: McCamey of CSN (87 rated) a JR PG
Best Freshman: U. Straight of UCR (71 rated)
Best Shooter: Smith SG from pacific 76 ovr, 87 3 pt shot!
Best playmaker: Lawrence of UCR
Best defender: Guerrerro of UCR: 69 defense, 79 block, 80 steal
It should be another battle between Nunally and Walsh for Player of the year. I expect Carpenter to light it up for us and be the surprise of the freshman class. (hope he doesn’t fold under pressure)

PRESEASON ALL AMERICANS
Lucas Michigan State, Bills (Nova), French (MD), Patrick patterson (UK), Hickson NC state (aka the "away team")
Johnson (USC) Allen (Michigan State), Aplay (UCLA), Polk (AZ), Dupree (MD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

start of 5 in a row!! UCR vs St. Joes (rematch from last year's O'Reilly finals)
game starts fast as Carpenter hits a pair of treys. Walsh gets knocked to the floor a couple times, but comes back with a vengence with a couple big buckets underneath
however that early 20 pt lead was wiped out in the last couple minutes and the half time score is 54-48. Carpenter and Walsh had 16 pts each. Getting beat on boards, but steals and blocks
sparked our early run. 2nd half was a struggle as "their poor shooters" lit it up from outside and crept to within 4 pts!!! Walsh responded in kind carried the team on his back.
Final Score: 102-92. Walsh was star of the game with 29 pts, 7 rebs, 3 assts, 1 steal, 2 blocks. Carpenter: 28 pts, 2 rebs, 3 assts, 2 steals, and 1 block
Lawrence ran the point like a pro! Love his speed and press-breaking ability!! He adds 16 pts and 7 assts. Freshmen center McGrath 13 pts and 6 boards.
Famutimi had 28 for St.Joes (5 of 10 treys). Rebounds end up losing 24-26, 10 steals each,.6 blocks for UCR (only 2 for StJoe). Assists 25-27. 12 fast break pts!!
I'm proud of the way we played, but disappointed at letting the big lead evaporate (bad omen of things to come!!). We need a better killer instinct and be able to protect even extend those leads.
Give the Hawks credit for not giving up. They are a great team (87 rated) and should compete for the A-10 title.

Deuce2223

February 3rd, 2008, 08:50 AM

vols21

February 3rd, 2008, 10:38 AM

I agree roster looks good and a very nice start to the season with the win. Excited to have another year to wear my Walsh Jersey. I told the wife she could choose between a Lawrence/Carpenter/or Guerrero. She went with Carp. Guess she loves the shooters.. Must be why she married me :)

LOL - good choice by ur wife in both regards.
Lawrence is a transfer, so he'll only play this one season for us, Carpenter looks to be a scoring machine even though it's still early in his career.
As Blue said, we have some speedy guards but for some reason we still get beat down the floor most of the time (especially when playing the top teams). Witness the next game:

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/CARIV.gif vs http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/collegebasketball/160x100/WICH.gif

UC R @ Wichita State (in The Valley) This is a team I'd be playing if I had gone to Mo State
an early 10 pt lead turned into an ugly 20 pt deficit as the Shockers ran all over me. 65% shooting, out-rebounded me 9-16, and forced 10 turnovers.
It sure would have been nice maybe to have a better team to go against them. They exploit every weakness and even beating me on my so-called strengths.
also add to that 15 first half fouls - not reaches, just beat down low (3 guys with 3 fouls and 2 more with 2)
Final score 83-101 loss. Walsh scores 20 but only 1 rebs (6 asst). Carpenter 27 pts. Out-rebounded 18-30. allowed 61% FG. Both teams hit 8 treys. we had 13 turnovers
so much for our praise of Lawrence in game 1. For those who think UCR is sweet 16 bound, just watch the tape of this game. We have our best team ever and a pro PG, but we are prone to being blown out by all the teams better than us. I still think we'll get our share of upsets (we better with the schedule we have, otherwise will be a long season).