WEEK 9 | WRAP-UP
HERE COME THE TROJANS!
WAZZU'S UPSET OF WASHINGTON JUST MADE THINGS INTERESTING
The 'SC Question'
SC's HOT run has raised the possibility, remote as it may be, of Trojans earning an at-large NCAA Tourney Bid.
Much work left for Trojans, yet a well-deserved, second look at SC's 2010-2011 Resume should serve as eye-opening reminder to NCAA-Committee Members of SC's viability.
The Trojans continued their unlikely rise from a the muddled PAC-10 logjam/scrapheap of 8-Loss, mediocre Conference Teams w/a weekend sweep of Arizona Schools.
SC's gain may conceivably lead to Washington's demise.
The Dawgs are just 35 Days removed from 'Tourney-Lock' Status. January 24, Washington was ranked #17 in both Coaches & AP's Top-25 Polls, w/Huskies RPI #18.
Southern California's sudden climb back onto edge of bubble raises possibility of SC representing PAC-10 in NCAA Tournament; not as Conference 4th Team, yet as the zero-sum, de-facto replacement for fading UW.
SC's 2-2 Top-25 Record is better than a great number of bubble tms (including UW, 1-3)
SC could essentially play their way onto bubble w/Remaining two gms
TALL-ORDER, AS TROJANS FINISH CONF SEASON IN STATE OF WASHINGTON
SC (THU) at WAZZU
SC (SAT) at WASH
SC could vault themselves further into collective National minds, (and most importantly, NCAA Committee Members) w/improbable sweep in State of Washington this weekend. SC sweep would assure SC of at least a Tie for 3rd Place in PAC-10, and would place SC's final Regular Season Record at 19-12 (11-7 Conf).
WASHINGTON's LOSS TONIGHT ....
Opened door a little more than the crack that existed after SC won 4th in a Row
Since it would enable Trojans to TIE WASHINGTON for 3rd
(In fact, equally Hot UCLA could set this stage also on Thu)
Bruins have everything to play for in Seattle
Attempting to stay tied w/AZ & Remain in hunt for Regular Season Title
A few significant, inescapable facts about 2010-11 Wash Tm
Continues to raise up & out from these scenarios...
(before I get too carried away MYSELF....)
WASH 2010-2011 HOME RECORD (was) 13-0 (6-0 PAC-10) **
WASH CONF HOME GAME / AVG MARGIN: +20.33
WASH CONF HOME GAME / AVG PPG: 92.1
(WENT TO PRESS BEFORE WAZZU BEAT WASH TONIGHT)
Washington, after 4-0 & 7-1 Conf Start
Quite possibly backed their way back onto and all the way off bubble w/a 4-5 (3-5 Conference) February slide.
NEVERTHELESS....
Both PAC-10's season-long, headliner marquee teams
ARIZONA & WASHINGTON
Appear to be a little shaky at the moment
STILL TRULY Control their NCAA-Tourney Destiny
w/Home Gms to close Year
w/BOTH TEAMS (were) STILL UNBEATEN AT HOME in 2010-2011
________________
AZST road weekend in LA was largely overshadowed by Arizona's LA games.
UCLA & So Cal took care of business in each.
02/24 THURSDAY
UCLA at ARIZONA STATE
In foreseeable Bruin 'look-ahead' spot,
Devils jumped out to early 21-9 lead over UCLA in Pauley
At this point (9:31 of 1st Half)
BRUINS STEPPED ON DEVILS NECK
UCLA EXPLODED FOR 30-8 RUN to
Closing 2nd Quadrant of Game
Bruins forged 39-29 Halftime Lead & pulled away 2nd Half
02/26 SATURDAY
ARIZONA STATE at SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Devils were no match for SC here
Trojans' 7-Man-Rotation & Proficient, Late Season, 'Second-Wind'
SC Suffocated Devils from the Tip
From the Under 16 Timeout at 12:07
SC squeezed out Devils w/27-9 Run to close 1st
To assume insurmountable 20-Pt Halftime Lead (38-18)
TROJANS' INEXPLICABLE LATE-SEASON SURGE ROLLS-ON
SO CAL 4-0 (S-U & ATS)
SC's 2-Week Turnaround
Reinforces Trojan reversal of 2 entrenched season-long trends
SC's PAC-10 THU 'Slump' (0-4 S-U & ATS thru 2/12)
Snapped last Sat in Palo Alto, now SC again winning big on Sat vs AZST
Devils' travelled to Play LA schools
Off just 2nd Conf Win, (1st since 1/1)
Nevertheless, Devils' began a new Losing Streak
AZST's 0-2 (S-U & ATS) LA Weekend
Characterized by abject OFFENSIVE INEPTITUDE
Devils' arrived in LA as Dead-Last Conf Scoring Tm (62.6 PPG)
Yet AZST 2 Gms Scoring Total: 99 PTS
w/benefit of advanced scouting
Bruins & Trojans stifled AZST HC Sendeck's altered late-season lineup
(2/19 AZST Started 3 Freshman vs Wazzu, a move that surprised Wazzu
& provided a springboard for Devs 71-69 upset of Wazzu
AZST SCORING DRAUGHTS:
10 MIN of 1st Half: AZST 2 PTS
(16:32 to 6:31)
MIDDLE ¾ (30 OF 40 GAME MIN)
SC HELD DEVILS TO 11 PTS in a 30:01 Min Span
16:32 First Half to 6:31
SC HELD AZST to JUST 4 PTS in 10+ Min Span
UCLA held Devils to 5 Pts in 10:29 Span
Ariz St's extended Mid-Gm droughts vs both Red-Hot Bruins & Trojans
(As it appeared to vs Cougs on 2/19)
Devils' zoomed out to 21-9 lead at UCLA
fell behind early vs SC
ARIZONA STATE
Devils' PAC-10's Weakest Offensive Tm (62.6 PPG)
Reached had some extreme scoring lows in LA Weekend Games:
ASU ZERO Double-Figure-Scorers vs UCLA Thursday
ASU 2-GMS: 99 TOTAL POINTS
ASU Two-Key Starter Injuries (Abbot & Kuksiks)
Starting 2 or 3 Freshman lately
ARIZONA
Cats still control their own destiny,
Though AZ squandered a 2-Gm Lead w/4 Gms to Play
Cats' have relinquished their expendable Gms
CALIFORNIA
Tremendous weekend in Oregon
STUNNING to look at how IDENTICAL Cal Wins were
1. DOWN 45-34 in EUGENE AT HALF (& 27-14)
OUTSCORED DUCKS 47-26 & WON 81-71
2. DOWN 44-38 in CORVALLIS AT HALF
OUTSCORED BEAVERS 49-32 & WON 87-76
STANFORD
Cardinal ended 4-Gm slide
Stanford came alive from behind the arch in Eugene
Stanford's critical 88-71 Win at Oregon
Kept Cardinal Post-Season hopes very much alive
Cardinal 'afterthought home gm Tuesday vs Seattle U
Could make all the difference for 14-14 Stanford's NIT Bid
OREGON
Ducks off-on Season is definitely back OFF
14-14 Oregon 0-2 Home Weekend was as unlikely as it was ill-timed
Ducks' Thursday Night Gm in Tempe
Essentially comprises all of Oregon's Postseasons aspirations
OREGON STATE
Beavers forgettable season is finished at Home
Even as "Runnin-Beavers" experiment continues
Oregon State season finale' in Tempe Saturday
Should be Beavers' legit shot at only Road Conf Win
& opportunity for Ore St to avoid dubious 20-Loss Plateau
HC Craig Robinson in intends to play youthful lineup the rest of the way
UCLA
Detailed Bruin Issues in our AZ at UCLA Writeup below.
High degree of difficultly still stands
Between Bruins and #1 Seed
In Next Months' Pacific Life PAC-10 Tournament at Staples Center
WASHINGTON & WASHINGTON STATE
Plenty to get to here on Monday
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
QWIK PICK: Wazzu at Washington
Sunday, February 27, 2011 | 10:08 PM, EDT | FSN-TV
Bank-of-America (Hec-Ed) Arena | Seattle, Washington
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS 18-8 | 10-5 Conf (15-10 ATS)
WASHINGTON HUSKIES 17-10 | 7-8 Conf (14-11 ATS)
FIRST MATCH-UP (01/30/11):
WASHINGTON STATE 87 WASHINGTON 80
GAME WAS EXPLOSIVE, W/FRAYED NERVES, & INVOLVED:
59 FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED, COMBINED
48 THREES ATTEMPTED, COMBINED
Washington is a loose bunch...a little too loose according to some
We should really look back, in one we may ALL remember
The Late Sunday PAC-10 Gm on 1/30 in Pullman
Dawgs, especially Issiah Thomas lost composure late in that gm
Telegraphed some truly awful passes w/gm still in reach...
Followed by numerous late,
Very clear angle Cougar passing lane 'jumps'
Cougs then had a lg handful of late run-out,
1/subsequent breakaway throw downs
& 'borderline excessive' Coug Players' chest-thumping & woofing
Which in turn led to 'I.T' losing it
w/a couple hard fouls on Klay Thompson, ect, ect
SINCE this gm, both tms didn't fare well soon thereafterWAZZU fell completely flat;
w/worst Offensive Performance in a DOZEN YRS
43 Pts in Eugene
Washington was also sent reeling
Huskies lost all 3 Roadies (0-3 S-U & ATS)
Nevertheless, what Washington DID determine,
As #2 Scoring Tm in Country (86.2 PPG)
Was a renewed Defensive Energy
Even in LOSS at AZ (tough 1-Pt HIGH Scoring Loss)
Dawgs held Cats to 46% FG.
4% below AZ Conf-Leading FG%
Wash has made small changes to lineup
That'll likely make BIG differences in this type of Game
DEFENSIVE-MINDED Venoy Overton is Starting again
& is producing offensively (finally)
Avg 10 PT | 8½ REB | 6 ASST in AZ Weekend
ALSO. WASHINGTON is getting Post-Dominance
UW 6-9 254 Sr Bryan-Amaning allowed UW to nearly sneak out that Win
By giving Wash a very significant Advantage down low
vs AZ, AMANING 24 PTS | 8 REB
Wazzu's bubble is now gone
Real issue here w/Wazzu is a adverse match up, w/Wazzu possibly lacking
A KEY, SECOND COUGAR OFFENSIVE THREAT,
Specifically, Cougars #2 scorer,
WZU 6-4 | 185 Jr F ADEN
Is significantly bothered by a Left Knee Injury
Thus, PAC-10 TOP CONF SCORER,
WZU 6-6 | 201 Jr KLAY THOMPSON (20.3 PPG | Conf Gms)
Has struggled as only real Cougar option
Hard-pressed to play thru doubles
Thompson broke out last weekend in the two Cougar Games at the AZ Schools
THOMPSON: 30 PTS & 28 PTS
YET, Thompson fired up 28 Shots/Gm (HALF of all Cougar Shot Attempts)
Thompson shot just 38% FG & shooting 10 Pts lower in 2nd Half of PAC-10 Season
Wazzu Tm 3-Pt Shooting: 27% in 2nd Half PAC-10 Season
COUGARS SLIDING BACK TO LOGJAM MIDSECTION OF CONF
WAZZU is 2-4 & 1-5 ATS Since COUG WIN Over Dawgs
WASHINGTON SMELLS BLOOD IN WATER
Small play w/Dawgs
1 UNIT
WASHINGTON STATE
WASHINGTON -12
Bank-of-America (Hec-Ed) Arena | Seattle, Washington
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS 18-8 | 10-5 Conf (15-10 ATS)
WASHINGTON HUSKIES 17-10 | 7-8 Conf (14-11 ATS)
FIRST MATCH-UP (01/30/11):
WASHINGTON STATE 87 WASHINGTON 80
GAME WAS EXPLOSIVE, W/FRAYED NERVES, & INVOLVED:
59 FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED, COMBINED
48 THREES ATTEMPTED, COMBINED
Washington is a loose bunch...a little too loose according to some
We should really look back, in one we may ALL remember
The Late Sunday PAC-10 Gm on 1/30 in Pullman
Dawgs, especially Issiah Thomas lost composure late in that gm
Telegraphed some truly awful passes w/gm still in reach...
Followed by numerous late,
Very clear angle Cougar passing lane 'jumps'
Cougs then had a lg handful of late run-out,
1/subsequent breakaway throw downs
& 'borderline excessive' Coug Players' chest-thumping & woofing
Which in turn led to 'I.T' losing it
w/a couple hard fouls on Klay Thompson, ect, ect
SINCE this gm, both tms didn't fare well soon thereafterWAZZU fell completely flat;
w/worst Offensive Performance in a DOZEN YRS
43 Pts in Eugene
Washington was also sent reeling
Huskies lost all 3 Roadies (0-3 S-U & ATS)
Nevertheless, what Washington DID determine,
As #2 Scoring Tm in Country (86.2 PPG)
Was a renewed Defensive Energy
Even in LOSS at AZ (tough 1-Pt HIGH Scoring Loss)
Dawgs held Cats to 46% FG.
4% below AZ Conf-Leading FG%
Wash has made small changes to lineup
That'll likely make BIG differences in this type of Game
DEFENSIVE-MINDED Venoy Overton is Starting again
& is producing offensively (finally)
Avg 10 PT | 8½ REB | 6 ASST in AZ Weekend
ALSO. WASHINGTON is getting Post-Dominance
UW 6-9 254 Sr Bryan-Amaning allowed UW to nearly sneak out that Win
By giving Wash a very significant Advantage down low
vs AZ, AMANING 24 PTS | 8 REB
Wazzu's bubble is now gone
Real issue here w/Wazzu is a adverse match up, w/Wazzu possibly lacking
A KEY, SECOND COUGAR OFFENSIVE THREAT,
Specifically, Cougars #2 scorer,
WZU 6-4 | 185 Jr F ADEN
Is significantly bothered by a Left Knee Injury
Thus, PAC-10 TOP CONF SCORER,
WZU 6-6 | 201 Jr KLAY THOMPSON (20.3 PPG | Conf Gms)
Has struggled as only real Cougar option
Hard-pressed to play thru doubles
Thompson broke out last weekend in the two Cougar Games at the AZ Schools
THOMPSON: 30 PTS & 28 PTS
YET, Thompson fired up 28 Shots/Gm (HALF of all Cougar Shot Attempts)
Thompson shot just 38% FG & shooting 10 Pts lower in 2nd Half of PAC-10 Season
Wazzu Tm 3-Pt Shooting: 27% in 2nd Half PAC-10 Season
COUGARS SLIDING BACK TO LOGJAM MIDSECTION OF CONF
WAZZU is 2-4 & 1-5 ATS Since COUG WIN Over Dawgs
WASHINGTON SMELLS BLOOD IN WATER
Small play w/Dawgs
1 UNIT
WASHINGTON STATE
WASHINGTON -12
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Ready for some Rock-Solid RUMORS? 4 UNIT | PAC-10 Play-of-the-Month
Saturday, February 26, 2011 | 4:08 PM. EDT
TV: FSN-Pittsburgh | Comcast-Chicago | MSG Network *PLUS*
Pauley Pavilion | Los Angeles, California
ARIZONA WILDCATS 23-5 | 12-3Conf (15-12 ATS)
UCLA BRUINS 20-8 | 11-4 Conf (13-14 ATS)
UCLA LOOKS TO PULL EVEN w/1st PLACE ARIZONA
IN A FIGHT FOR #1 SEED at
PACIFIC LIFE PAC-10 Tournament
March 9-12, 2011 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
So, OUT WITH IT...? ONLY after this *DISCLAIMER*
....regarding Rumor/Conjecture/Factors
There are a lot of public knowledge mixed w/a few (possibly) lessor known, critical pieces of recent info, so bear w/me.....
I SINCERELY BELIEVE THEY ADD UP TO A CONSIDERABLE HANDICAPPING ADVANTAGE.
UCLA
FACTOR #1: UCLA's PAULEY PAVILION PROJECT
i. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
UCLA Athletic Dept has a $33-Million 'Shortfall' in Ongoing Renovations of Pauley Pavilion.
Backing up a step, a source very close to a PAC-10 Several weeks ago we'd heard this come down the pike, yet just wasn't able to be confirmed.
Leave it to our good buddie, LA Times Columnist Bill Dwyre to Stir the Pot, by backhanded skewer:
FEB 11, 2011: 'HOWLAND KEEPS COOL ON HOT SEAT
'Who said he's on HOT-SEAT?
ii. UCLA HC, BEN HOWLAND on "Hot Seat"
Real or Perceived, this is a factor here, that ties very specifically to this game. Below is more backdrop:
Dwyer & many others in LA's Glass-¼-Empty Muckraking Media (Bleeds-Leads Journalism, ect) continually preface such articles w/Caption that continually read like the circuitous, tongue-in-cheek shadiness (Dwyer is known for):
"UCLA Coach Ben Howland has done an admirable job living up to the Bruins' storied past even if his current crop of players can't be compare to John Wooden's legendary teams"
The Lakers and the Clippers play in a Taj Mahal. The Bruins play in a construction site that leaves the impression that final renovation payments may have to come from students standing on corners with tin cups. When the Bruins played Oregon on Thursday night in once-lovely-but-now-lumpy Pauley Pavilion, there were two constants: basketball and begging. Pregame and halftime presentations, live and on the video board, quickly got to the point: Write your check now.
The Pauley renovation project will cost $100 million. The amount collected so far is $67 million.
So Howland coaches on, with a $33-million deficit and the memory of John Wooden hovering nearby. Ah, what a run to an NCAA title would do to bolster the Wooden tradition. Ah, what a nice incentive for donors.
An afterthought is this season's production of Bruins basketball, which could be a hit. This is not a great UCLA team, but it is interesting and entertaining. And these Bruins are playing in an era when parity has become the norm as young superstars — some real and some delusional — take the money and run.
So, long story long, Howland & UCLA Athletic Department are up against it. Leading us into The Conjecture
FACTOR #2 | RUMOR #1
UCLA | BEN HOWLAND | PAULEY PROJECT
Ben Howland & UCLA Prez, AD & Board of Trustees in Mid-Jan when it was clear that at least verbal, high-donor level, "soft" fund streams would not materialize, & the "Pauley Project" was getting in deeper red ink. A course of action was apparently delivered to Howland, with which Howland & his Representation offered a short-term proclamation in exchange for a longer-term assurance from the Dept:
HOWLAND APPARENTLY OFFERED/PLEDGED TO ASSIST PAULEY PROJECT
ONLY WAY HE KNEW HOW - WINNING GAME
BEN HOWLAND 'PLEDGED' A 3-0 HOME SWEEP
THREE MARQUEE/NAT'L TV GAMES
ST JOHN'S | SO CAL | ARIZONA
As Reasonable 'COLATERAL' for a 5 Year Extension once the Pauley Project is completed
In other words, Howland was/supremely confident in his group....Enough to 'Walk the Plank' w/em. Vintage Howland...allegedly. OBVIOUSLY (if true), Ben Howland's Bruins have 1 Game left to complete the 3-0 Sweep
On top of all this, the more than 1 recent NCAA Tourney Projections have #9-SEED UCLA in East Bracket vs #8-SEED (and sliding 2-5 ATS) Georgia. The WINNER to FACE #1 SEED... PITTSBURGH (Irony of irony)
ARIZONA
#1 & #2 INVOLVE ARIZONA's DERRICK WILLIAMS
Again, forgive me if common-knowledge
FACTOR #1 WILLIAMS RE-INJURED/AGGRAVATED FINGER/INJURY(s)
Not surprising to hear today from AZ HC Sean Miller
Williams 'may' have re-injured/aggravated his hand injury
After Williams' Weakest Output of Season (3-11 | 8 Pts)
IN FACT, 2 factors lead us to conclude it's not only FACTUAL
(Not deflection from Williams poor showing)ALSO, Williams may have been injured far worse all along; w/injury a more serious than reportsMiller admitted today that Williams,
"Had 2 of THE 'INJURED FINGERS bent back again....
Aggravating breaks on the hand side of the knuckle"
MILLER (W/ESPN DOUG GOTLIEB/ESPN-RADIO INTERVIEW)
Also confirmed:
* Williams will keep cast ON tomorrow as a "PRECAUTION"
(He was scheduled to go w/just taped fingers;
1st time since occurrence, in 1st AZ/UCLA Gm/Tucson/Jan 27)
* CONFIRMATION that Williams' injured/broke MULTIPLE Fingers, also
We are even hearing whispers that Williams may not play.
FACTOR #2 WILLIAMS 'MENTIONED' AS POTENTIAL #1 PICK
(Highest till this Week was #2)
_____________
All of this is the overall thought that this game is
underwhelmingly 'expendable' to Arizona
&, conversely. exceedingly valuable to UCLA
I am not the only one who is picking up on this.....
In multiple interviews this week,
SEAN MILLER was heard uttering statements like:
"Who can name Regular Season Conference Champion Last Year?"
ECT.
Body Language means a lot sometimes..
Miller's sound bites are starting to tell a story....
An astute guy, preparing for a Long-Distance War
Despite the LA-Battle in front of his team
Crazy thing is, Miller has always been a fearless never-admit-defeat Character
Unless he really sees the deck stacked
On the flip, BEN HOWLAND'S TEAMS HAVE BEEN SUPREMELY PREPARED
WHEN PRESENTED W/SUCH CHALLENGES IN PAST DECADE
* LAST GM AT PAULEY
* HOWLAND'S AFFIRMATION
* WILLIAMS' INJURY
* AZ's ASSURANCE:
I. AT WORST, BEING TIED FOR CONF LEAD, HEADING HM
II. CLOSING REG SEASON SAFE-AS-THEY-COME GMS vs ORE/ORST
* UCLA, (just as SC Thu), IN REVENGE SPOT
* UCLA EQUALLY HOT AS AZ
(BRUINS 11-2 & 5-2 ATS RUN)
* UCLA (Just as SC) CONSIDERABLE SIZE EDGE
(Probably more significant - we'll add more to this w/time)
All adds up
PAC-10 Play-of-the-Month
4 UNIT
ARIZONA
UCLA -1
TV: FSN-Pittsburgh | Comcast-Chicago | MSG Network *PLUS*
Pauley Pavilion | Los Angeles, California
ARIZONA WILDCATS 23-5 | 12-3Conf (15-12 ATS)
UCLA BRUINS 20-8 | 11-4 Conf (13-14 ATS)
UCLA LOOKS TO PULL EVEN w/1st PLACE ARIZONA
IN A FIGHT FOR #1 SEED at
PACIFIC LIFE PAC-10 Tournament
March 9-12, 2011 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
So, OUT WITH IT...? ONLY after this *DISCLAIMER*
....regarding Rumor/Conjecture/Factors
There are a lot of public knowledge mixed w/a few (possibly) lessor known, critical pieces of recent info, so bear w/me.....
I SINCERELY BELIEVE THEY ADD UP TO A CONSIDERABLE HANDICAPPING ADVANTAGE.
UCLA
FACTOR #1: UCLA's PAULEY PAVILION PROJECT
i. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
UCLA Athletic Dept has a $33-Million 'Shortfall' in Ongoing Renovations of Pauley Pavilion.
Backing up a step, a source very close to a PAC-10 Several weeks ago we'd heard this come down the pike, yet just wasn't able to be confirmed.
Leave it to our good buddie, LA Times Columnist Bill Dwyre to Stir the Pot, by backhanded skewer:
FEB 11, 2011: 'HOWLAND KEEPS COOL ON HOT SEAT
'Who said he's on HOT-SEAT?
ii. UCLA HC, BEN HOWLAND on "Hot Seat"
Real or Perceived, this is a factor here, that ties very specifically to this game. Below is more backdrop:
Dwyer & many others in LA's Glass-¼-Empty Muckraking Media (Bleeds-Leads Journalism, ect) continually preface such articles w/Caption that continually read like the circuitous, tongue-in-cheek shadiness (Dwyer is known for):
"UCLA Coach Ben Howland has done an admirable job living up to the Bruins' storied past even if his current crop of players can't be compare to John Wooden's legendary teams"
The Lakers and the Clippers play in a Taj Mahal. The Bruins play in a construction site that leaves the impression that final renovation payments may have to come from students standing on corners with tin cups. When the Bruins played Oregon on Thursday night in once-lovely-but-now-lumpy Pauley Pavilion, there were two constants: basketball and begging. Pregame and halftime presentations, live and on the video board, quickly got to the point: Write your check now.
The Pauley renovation project will cost $100 million. The amount collected so far is $67 million.
So Howland coaches on, with a $33-million deficit and the memory of John Wooden hovering nearby. Ah, what a run to an NCAA title would do to bolster the Wooden tradition. Ah, what a nice incentive for donors.
An afterthought is this season's production of Bruins basketball, which could be a hit. This is not a great UCLA team, but it is interesting and entertaining. And these Bruins are playing in an era when parity has become the norm as young superstars — some real and some delusional — take the money and run.
So, long story long, Howland & UCLA Athletic Department are up against it. Leading us into The Conjecture
FACTOR #2 | RUMOR #1
UCLA | BEN HOWLAND | PAULEY PROJECT
Ben Howland & UCLA Prez, AD & Board of Trustees in Mid-Jan when it was clear that at least verbal, high-donor level, "soft" fund streams would not materialize, & the "Pauley Project" was getting in deeper red ink. A course of action was apparently delivered to Howland, with which Howland & his Representation offered a short-term proclamation in exchange for a longer-term assurance from the Dept:
HOWLAND APPARENTLY OFFERED/PLEDGED TO ASSIST PAULEY PROJECT
ONLY WAY HE KNEW HOW - WINNING GAME
BEN HOWLAND 'PLEDGED' A 3-0 HOME SWEEP
THREE MARQUEE/NAT'L TV GAMES
ST JOHN'S | SO CAL | ARIZONA
As Reasonable 'COLATERAL' for a 5 Year Extension once the Pauley Project is completed
In other words, Howland was/supremely confident in his group....Enough to 'Walk the Plank' w/em. Vintage Howland...allegedly. OBVIOUSLY (if true), Ben Howland's Bruins have 1 Game left to complete the 3-0 Sweep
On top of all this, the more than 1 recent NCAA Tourney Projections have #9-SEED UCLA in East Bracket vs #8-SEED (and sliding 2-5 ATS) Georgia. The WINNER to FACE #1 SEED... PITTSBURGH (Irony of irony)
ARIZONA
#1 & #2 INVOLVE ARIZONA's DERRICK WILLIAMS
Again, forgive me if common-knowledge
FACTOR #1 WILLIAMS RE-INJURED/AGGRAVATED FINGER/INJURY(s)
Not surprising to hear today from AZ HC Sean Miller
Williams 'may' have re-injured/aggravated his hand injury
After Williams' Weakest Output of Season (3-11 | 8 Pts)
IN FACT, 2 factors lead us to conclude it's not only FACTUAL
(Not deflection from Williams poor showing)ALSO, Williams may have been injured far worse all along; w/injury a more serious than reportsMiller admitted today that Williams,
"Had 2 of THE 'INJURED FINGERS bent back again....
Aggravating breaks on the hand side of the knuckle"
MILLER (W/ESPN DOUG GOTLIEB/ESPN-RADIO INTERVIEW)
Also confirmed:
* Williams will keep cast ON tomorrow as a "PRECAUTION"
(He was scheduled to go w/just taped fingers;
1st time since occurrence, in 1st AZ/UCLA Gm/Tucson/Jan 27)
* CONFIRMATION that Williams' injured/broke MULTIPLE Fingers, also
We are even hearing whispers that Williams may not play.
FACTOR #2 WILLIAMS 'MENTIONED' AS POTENTIAL #1 PICK
(Highest till this Week was #2)
_____________
All of this is the overall thought that this game is
underwhelmingly 'expendable' to Arizona
&, conversely. exceedingly valuable to UCLA
I am not the only one who is picking up on this.....
In multiple interviews this week,
SEAN MILLER was heard uttering statements like:
"Who can name Regular Season Conference Champion Last Year?"
ECT.
Body Language means a lot sometimes..
Miller's sound bites are starting to tell a story....
An astute guy, preparing for a Long-Distance War
Despite the LA-Battle in front of his team
Crazy thing is, Miller has always been a fearless never-admit-defeat Character
Unless he really sees the deck stacked
On the flip, BEN HOWLAND'S TEAMS HAVE BEEN SUPREMELY PREPARED
WHEN PRESENTED W/SUCH CHALLENGES IN PAST DECADE
* LAST GM AT PAULEY
* HOWLAND'S AFFIRMATION
* WILLIAMS' INJURY
* AZ's ASSURANCE:
I. AT WORST, BEING TIED FOR CONF LEAD, HEADING HM
II. CLOSING REG SEASON SAFE-AS-THEY-COME GMS vs ORE/ORST
* UCLA, (just as SC Thu), IN REVENGE SPOT
* UCLA EQUALLY HOT AS AZ
(BRUINS 11-2 & 5-2 ATS RUN)
* UCLA (Just as SC) CONSIDERABLE SIZE EDGE
(Probably more significant - we'll add more to this w/time)
All adds up
PAC-10 Play-of-the-Month
4 UNIT
ARIZONA
UCLA -1
Friday, February 25, 2011
THURSDAY PAC-10 NOTES
WEEK-9: THURSDAY RECAP OF KEY CONFERENCE GAME:
Thursday Night's Willamette Valley Games were remarkably similar.
Both contests realized mid-game momentum shifts that produced incontrovertible underdog wins.
Surprising outcome from Eugene is especially intriguing, as the Cal Win perpetuates a glorious 5/6/7th Place Conference Hodgepodge, with the Bears, Ducks & Cougs bunched at 8 Losses.
CALIFORNIA 81
OREGON 71
Homestanding Ducks played host to Cal Bears in 6th Game in 'The Matt'. Oregon entered Game on improbable 6-2 Run (7-1 ATS). Ducks particularly well-acclimated to thier sparkling new Matthew Knight Arena, were 4-1 in The Matt (S-U & ATS). Cal off an invigorating 76-72 OT Home Win, are the 2010-2011 Poster-Child for the 3-Year PAC-10 'Talent Drain' cycle. Bears, together with SC & ASU, are statistically among the thinnest 10 Division-I Teams. Bears average just 16 Bench minutes per PAC-10 contest, lowest in PAC-10.
On Thursday night in Eugene, The Ducks zoomed out to a 16-Point early lead (40-24), 16-Minutes into Game. J Catron was active participant in Oregon's push, & The Ducks, despite Attempting Zero FT's in First Half, limited Cal's League-Leading FT Attempts numbers to just 3 in 1st.
Bears trimmed a few points off Ducks Lead to Trail, 45-34 at Half.
The 2nd Half of this Bears-Ducks Game illustrated experience & savvy of a Multi-Decade Conference Coach & Staff vs the upstart.
California's HC Mike Montgomery may be putting forth his most admirable season of work in this, his 21st Year as a PAC-10 Head Coach; 18 at Stanford & now 3 at California.
SENSATIONAL STAT OF-THE-DAY:
CAL HEAD COACH MIKE MONTGOMERY
STREAK OF DOUBLE-DIGIT CONFERENCE WINS: 13 (AND COUNTING)
Oregon's momentum train slowed in 2nd, largely due to multi-game, hot-shooting Jay-R Strowbridge's repeat missed threes (Strowbridge: 0-5 Threes Second Half), & Cal's latest version of the "Bear-Big-3, Minus-1", Gutierrez, Crabbe, Smith are giving Cal exceptional production & tireless activity at both ends.
CAL'S 'BIG-3' vs ORE COMBINED: 60 PTS
19-32 FG (59.3%)
10-19 DEEP (52.6%)
15-17 FT (88.2%)
CAL 6-3 | 203 Jr GUTIERREZ:
23 PTS (8-13 FG | 2-6 DEEP | A|T-Over Ratio: 5-3)
CAL 5-11 | 192 Soph SMITH:
18 PTS (5-6 FG | 4-5 DEEP)
CAL 6-4 | 188 Fr CRABBE:
19 PTS (6-13 FG | 4-8 DEEP)
It should be Noted, that Cal's Frontcourt is playing consistent
KAMP & SANDERS-FRISON COMBINED
15 PTS (6-12 FG) 11 REB
2nd Half FG Shooting:
Cal 62.5%
Ore 42%
In the end, Bears aggressive Inside-Out Play resulted big FT Edge:
FT's Attempted: CAL +12
FT's Made: CAL +11
Bears Opened 2nd Half on 21-9 Run to pull ahead at 11:37 Mark
OREGON HAD EPIC SCORING DROUGHT
6 Minutes, 17 Seconds, w/Three Points
13:04 to 6:43 of Second Half
ORE Tenodre Williams Three at 10:11 Mark was Ducks only scoring
Cal, despite 16 Bench Minutes, appears to be back on that tenuous tightrope
With a healthy, versatile Freshman Allen Crabbe on the floor
JUXTAPOSITION Of 8-LOSS TEAMS IN PAC-10 (3)
As we indicated, Cal, Oregon & Wazzu must scratch & claw to get OUT of the Dreaded 7-Seed. Obviously, Seeds #7 thru #10 Face-Off on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Staples Center in the avoid-at-all-costs, 'Play-In' Games.' It looked like Oregon had a narrow inside track at hanging onto #6 Spot, yet their one-game, loss-column edge is a distant memory, & it genuinely looks like an toss-up between these 3 Teams, after SC upset Arizona to move above the fray, & Stanford solidified their 8th Place Footing.
POST-SEASON STATUS
Really appears The PAC-10 will have precisely three teams in the NCAA Tourney. Projections vary, yet currently look like this:
NCAA: ARIZONA #5 SEED
Still projected as Conference Champions, Cats' are expected to stay in the West Region
More than one source predicts 12-Seed, College of Charleston Cougars (22-8) of the Southern Conference as Arizona's 1st Round opponent, with 4-Seed Syracuse the potential 2nd Round opponent
NCAA: UCLA #9 SEED
Bruins are shown to head East, matched against 8-Seed, Georgia Bulldogs (18-9), of the SEC. Dawgs are on small slide (2-5 ATS | 4-5 Overall Runs), Intriguing potential rematch vs UCLA HC Ben Howland's former employer, Top-Seeded Pittsburgh.
NCAA: WASHINGTON #10 SEED
Huskies listed in Southwest by most early predictions, facing 7-Seed, Xavier (21-6) of the Atlantic 10. This would be an exceedingly difficult matchup Dawgs, as Muskies are one of this years' top overachievers. Muskies are running away w/A-10 (12-1), have Won 6-in-a-Row, and 13 of 14 Overall. Xavier ranks #1 of the 14 Atlantic 10 Teams in 5 of 8 key offensive efficiency categories. Washington would be well served to win-out to avoid this predicament, especially since this matchup, if UW should somehow beat X....matches the '7-10' winner vs 2-Seed, Duke.
So much to play out before NIT, CBI & CIT Tourneys start sorting thru the ashes for their opponents, yet the NIT Projections include:
NIT: CALIFORNIA #4 SEED
NIT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA #6 SEED
NIT Tournament is facilitated by NCAA since 2006, after NCAA Purchased the Tournament in 2005. NIT Postseason Tournament is 'Seeded' 1-8 by Committee, similar to NCAA Tourney. Top-Seed in each Bracketed Game host Home Games during First 3-Rounds of Tournament, w/NIT Final Four Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday & Wednesday, March 29 & 31.
Thursday Night's Willamette Valley Games were remarkably similar.
Both contests realized mid-game momentum shifts that produced incontrovertible underdog wins.
Surprising outcome from Eugene is especially intriguing, as the Cal Win perpetuates a glorious 5/6/7th Place Conference Hodgepodge, with the Bears, Ducks & Cougs bunched at 8 Losses.
CALIFORNIA 81
OREGON 71
Homestanding Ducks played host to Cal Bears in 6th Game in 'The Matt'. Oregon entered Game on improbable 6-2 Run (7-1 ATS). Ducks particularly well-acclimated to thier sparkling new Matthew Knight Arena, were 4-1 in The Matt (S-U & ATS). Cal off an invigorating 76-72 OT Home Win, are the 2010-2011 Poster-Child for the 3-Year PAC-10 'Talent Drain' cycle. Bears, together with SC & ASU, are statistically among the thinnest 10 Division-I Teams. Bears average just 16 Bench minutes per PAC-10 contest, lowest in PAC-10.
On Thursday night in Eugene, The Ducks zoomed out to a 16-Point early lead (40-24), 16-Minutes into Game. J Catron was active participant in Oregon's push, & The Ducks, despite Attempting Zero FT's in First Half, limited Cal's League-Leading FT Attempts numbers to just 3 in 1st.
Bears trimmed a few points off Ducks Lead to Trail, 45-34 at Half.
The 2nd Half of this Bears-Ducks Game illustrated experience & savvy of a Multi-Decade Conference Coach & Staff vs the upstart.
California's HC Mike Montgomery may be putting forth his most admirable season of work in this, his 21st Year as a PAC-10 Head Coach; 18 at Stanford & now 3 at California.
SENSATIONAL STAT OF-THE-DAY:
CAL HEAD COACH MIKE MONTGOMERY
STREAK OF DOUBLE-DIGIT CONFERENCE WINS: 13 (AND COUNTING)
Oregon's momentum train slowed in 2nd, largely due to multi-game, hot-shooting Jay-R Strowbridge's repeat missed threes (Strowbridge: 0-5 Threes Second Half), & Cal's latest version of the "Bear-Big-3, Minus-1", Gutierrez, Crabbe, Smith are giving Cal exceptional production & tireless activity at both ends.
CAL'S 'BIG-3' vs ORE COMBINED: 60 PTS
19-32 FG (59.3%)
10-19 DEEP (52.6%)
15-17 FT (88.2%)
CAL 6-3 | 203 Jr GUTIERREZ:
23 PTS (8-13 FG | 2-6 DEEP | A|T-Over Ratio: 5-3)
CAL 5-11 | 192 Soph SMITH:
18 PTS (5-6 FG | 4-5 DEEP)
CAL 6-4 | 188 Fr CRABBE:
19 PTS (6-13 FG | 4-8 DEEP)
It should be Noted, that Cal's Frontcourt is playing consistent
KAMP & SANDERS-FRISON COMBINED
15 PTS (6-12 FG) 11 REB
2nd Half FG Shooting:
Cal 62.5%
Ore 42%
In the end, Bears aggressive Inside-Out Play resulted big FT Edge:
FT's Attempted: CAL +12
FT's Made: CAL +11
Bears Opened 2nd Half on 21-9 Run to pull ahead at 11:37 Mark
OREGON HAD EPIC SCORING DROUGHT
6 Minutes, 17 Seconds, w/Three Points
13:04 to 6:43 of Second Half
ORE Tenodre Williams Three at 10:11 Mark was Ducks only scoring
Cal, despite 16 Bench Minutes, appears to be back on that tenuous tightrope
With a healthy, versatile Freshman Allen Crabbe on the floor
JUXTAPOSITION Of 8-LOSS TEAMS IN PAC-10 (3)
As we indicated, Cal, Oregon & Wazzu must scratch & claw to get OUT of the Dreaded 7-Seed. Obviously, Seeds #7 thru #10 Face-Off on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Staples Center in the avoid-at-all-costs, 'Play-In' Games.' It looked like Oregon had a narrow inside track at hanging onto #6 Spot, yet their one-game, loss-column edge is a distant memory, & it genuinely looks like an toss-up between these 3 Teams, after SC upset Arizona to move above the fray, & Stanford solidified their 8th Place Footing.
POST-SEASON STATUS
Really appears The PAC-10 will have precisely three teams in the NCAA Tourney. Projections vary, yet currently look like this:
NCAA: ARIZONA #5 SEED
Still projected as Conference Champions, Cats' are expected to stay in the West Region
More than one source predicts 12-Seed, College of Charleston Cougars (22-8) of the Southern Conference as Arizona's 1st Round opponent, with 4-Seed Syracuse the potential 2nd Round opponent
NCAA: UCLA #9 SEED
Bruins are shown to head East, matched against 8-Seed, Georgia Bulldogs (18-9), of the SEC. Dawgs are on small slide (2-5 ATS | 4-5 Overall Runs), Intriguing potential rematch vs UCLA HC Ben Howland's former employer, Top-Seeded Pittsburgh.
NCAA: WASHINGTON #10 SEED
Huskies listed in Southwest by most early predictions, facing 7-Seed, Xavier (21-6) of the Atlantic 10. This would be an exceedingly difficult matchup Dawgs, as Muskies are one of this years' top overachievers. Muskies are running away w/A-10 (12-1), have Won 6-in-a-Row, and 13 of 14 Overall. Xavier ranks #1 of the 14 Atlantic 10 Teams in 5 of 8 key offensive efficiency categories. Washington would be well served to win-out to avoid this predicament, especially since this matchup, if UW should somehow beat X....matches the '7-10' winner vs 2-Seed, Duke.
So much to play out before NIT, CBI & CIT Tourneys start sorting thru the ashes for their opponents, yet the NIT Projections include:
NIT: CALIFORNIA #4 SEED
NIT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA #6 SEED
NIT Tournament is facilitated by NCAA since 2006, after NCAA Purchased the Tournament in 2005. NIT Postseason Tournament is 'Seeded' 1-8 by Committee, similar to NCAA Tourney. Top-Seed in each Bracketed Game host Home Games during First 3-Rounds of Tournament, w/NIT Final Four Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday & Wednesday, March 29 & 31.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
PAC-10 BASKETBALL | WEEK 9 | 2 UNIT PLAY-OF-THE-DAY
PAC-10 KEY MATCHUP
Arizona at Southern California
FRONT-RUNNING 'CATS BEGIN LA WEEKEND AGAINST SUDDENLY HOT TROJANS
Thu Feb 24, 2011 | 10:38 PM, EDT | FSN-Arizona
Galen Center | Los Angeles, California
#10 ARIZONA WILDCATS 23-4 | 12-2 Conf (14-12 ATS)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS 15-12 | 7-7 Conf (16-9 ATS)
Textbook "Sandwich-Game" for Cats' here, following a signature 87-86 Arizona Home Win over Dawgs, & before Cats' final marquee Regular Season Game at UCLA Saturday.
Arizona rolls into SC's Galen Center to face the off-&-on Trojans. Unfortunately for Cats', SC is really back 'ON', coming home after an uncommonly transcendent 2-0 Bay Area Weekend (ATS & S-U).
Not to pile on Arizona, yet there are a good number of solid reasons to really like SC in this spot.
Starting w/Cats', we really have to conclude that Arizona, at long-last, feels safely slotted into NCAA Tourney, & may not move up or down from #4 to #6 Seed Range. (ESPN's Joe Linardi lines Arizona as a '5', for what it's worth). That said, AZ's seemingly secure 2-Game lead w/4 to play, Cats' are facing awfully tricky pair of LA-Roadies.
Cats' have good reason to feel confident riding an 8-Game Win Streak, includes two relatively comfortable, nine and eleven-point late-January home wins over UCLA and SC.
Nonetheless, Arizona is particularly vulnerable to SC's Inside Strength. Cats' still have an exceedingly problematic Post Matchup issues with both Bruins & Trojans.
Today vs SC, Cats face a Trojan Frontcourt on the Up-Rise. Truthfully, SC played well enough to win at Arizona.
Sat Jan 29: SC at Arizona:
* Trojans 4 Fewer Turnovers (SC 8 | AZ 12)
* Trojans Shot +6 FT Attempts (SC 25 | AZ 19)
* Trojans Frontcourt: 12-22 FG (54.5%)
* SC's Vucevic was saddled w/Fouls, only played 25 Minutes.
* Vucevic still had many good flash-looks right in his 'comfort zone'
* SC SHOT 12-25 FT'S (52%)
Aside from these one-sided numbers, Arizona (even for them), had the most effective, preposterously proficient collective shooting effort we may see:
ARIZONA'S 'CRAZY-GOOD' NIGHT, & GREAT BALANCE vs SC (1/29)
* 11 Arizona players shot at least 3 FG's
* 3 Arizona starters (Williams, Jones & Perry) were 8-8 from Deep (15-16 FG's)
* Williams & Jones were combined 12-12 FG
* Arizona Shot 61% FG's
* Arizona Shot 53% Threes
* w/SC's Vucevic in Foul Issues
Arizona still won by just 9 at Home, vs then-slumping SC
Moreover, SC is again hitting their stride, with 'NBA-Ready' Nikola Vucevic leading the charge.
* SC 6-10½ | 247 Vucevic is "finishing up" his 3-Year So Cal Stay in style
VUCEVIC's COMING IN OFF A SUPERB BAY WEEKEND PAIR OF PERFORMANCES:
* 40-POINTS
* 13-22 FG (59%)
* 5-6 From Deep
* 24 BOARDS
SC's 6-9½ Stevenson also benefited greatly from Vucevic's hot-hand, fueled Trojans w/above-average, consistent contributions.
STEVENSON's BAY WEEKEND:
* 26 POINTS & 16 BOARDS
All of this adds up to a troubling matchup for Arizona
AZ 6-8 | 244 Ultra-proficient Williams, remains only Cats' Starter over 6-7
So Cal is primed to surprise Arizona
2 UNIT ARIZONA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA +1
Arizona at Southern California
FRONT-RUNNING 'CATS BEGIN LA WEEKEND AGAINST SUDDENLY HOT TROJANS
Thu Feb 24, 2011 | 10:38 PM, EDT | FSN-Arizona
Galen Center | Los Angeles, California
#10 ARIZONA WILDCATS 23-4 | 12-2 Conf (14-12 ATS)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS 15-12 | 7-7 Conf (16-9 ATS)
Textbook "Sandwich-Game" for Cats' here, following a signature 87-86 Arizona Home Win over Dawgs, & before Cats' final marquee Regular Season Game at UCLA Saturday.
Arizona rolls into SC's Galen Center to face the off-&-on Trojans. Unfortunately for Cats', SC is really back 'ON', coming home after an uncommonly transcendent 2-0 Bay Area Weekend (ATS & S-U).
Not to pile on Arizona, yet there are a good number of solid reasons to really like SC in this spot.
Starting w/Cats', we really have to conclude that Arizona, at long-last, feels safely slotted into NCAA Tourney, & may not move up or down from #4 to #6 Seed Range. (ESPN's Joe Linardi lines Arizona as a '5', for what it's worth). That said, AZ's seemingly secure 2-Game lead w/4 to play, Cats' are facing awfully tricky pair of LA-Roadies.
Cats' have good reason to feel confident riding an 8-Game Win Streak, includes two relatively comfortable, nine and eleven-point late-January home wins over UCLA and SC.
Nonetheless, Arizona is particularly vulnerable to SC's Inside Strength. Cats' still have an exceedingly problematic Post Matchup issues with both Bruins & Trojans.
Today vs SC, Cats face a Trojan Frontcourt on the Up-Rise. Truthfully, SC played well enough to win at Arizona.
Sat Jan 29: SC at Arizona:
* Trojans 4 Fewer Turnovers (SC 8 | AZ 12)
* Trojans Shot +6 FT Attempts (SC 25 | AZ 19)
* Trojans Frontcourt: 12-22 FG (54.5%)
* SC's Vucevic was saddled w/Fouls, only played 25 Minutes.
* Vucevic still had many good flash-looks right in his 'comfort zone'
* SC SHOT 12-25 FT'S (52%)
Aside from these one-sided numbers, Arizona (even for them), had the most effective, preposterously proficient collective shooting effort we may see:
ARIZONA'S 'CRAZY-GOOD' NIGHT, & GREAT BALANCE vs SC (1/29)
* 11 Arizona players shot at least 3 FG's
* 3 Arizona starters (Williams, Jones & Perry) were 8-8 from Deep (15-16 FG's)
* Williams & Jones were combined 12-12 FG
* Arizona Shot 61% FG's
* Arizona Shot 53% Threes
* w/SC's Vucevic in Foul Issues
Arizona still won by just 9 at Home, vs then-slumping SC
Moreover, SC is again hitting their stride, with 'NBA-Ready' Nikola Vucevic leading the charge.
* SC 6-10½ | 247 Vucevic is "finishing up" his 3-Year So Cal Stay in style
VUCEVIC's COMING IN OFF A SUPERB BAY WEEKEND PAIR OF PERFORMANCES:
* 40-POINTS
* 13-22 FG (59%)
* 5-6 From Deep
* 24 BOARDS
SC's 6-9½ Stevenson also benefited greatly from Vucevic's hot-hand, fueled Trojans w/above-average, consistent contributions.
STEVENSON's BAY WEEKEND:
* 26 POINTS & 16 BOARDS
All of this adds up to a troubling matchup for Arizona
AZ 6-8 | 244 Ultra-proficient Williams, remains only Cats' Starter over 6-7
So Cal is primed to surprise Arizona
2 UNIT ARIZONA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA +1
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Just How Good is Arizona?
ARIZONA WILDCATS RE-ENTER AP TOP-10
Cats' Inch Closer to Another PAC-10 Regular Season Title
With 2 just weeks left in the 2010-2011 College Basketball Regular Season, PAC-10's Arizona Wildcats have re-entered the AP-Top 10 (at #10). The 1st Place Cats' remain conspicuously absent from National Contender Discussion. Truthfully, for all the praise these abundantly proficient Cats' continue to realize (much from me), Arizona has the look of a 'tweener-heavy', non-descript, (hard-to-say-but-true), 'Paper-Tiger' to many experts.
Of Arizona's 4 Losses, 3 have come vs Top-25 Teams. Nevertheless, the Wildcats remain, as ESPN's Andy Katz' might label, 'a weird team'; inexplicably, "painfully efficient" in stature. In fact, upon considerable analysis of Arizona's NCAA Tournament chances, The Cats' genuinely appear to have three glaring weaknesses:
ARIZONA STILL LACKING:
Nevertheless, for all of their accolades, Arizona comprises an unspeakably rare combination as a Power-6 Team, alone in 1st Place by 2-full games in late-February, yet possessing ZERO Top-25 Wins on the season. This underscoring the need, as the 2011 Pacific Life PAC-10 Tournament draws near, for Arizona to really 'Win-Out', in hopes of obtaining a 3-Seed (#3 or #4 Rated Region would help), to be taken seriously to reach Sweet-16 and/or beyond.
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS' STATEMENT:
Arizona's draw, regardless of Opponent Seed, will matter more for Arizona's opportunity to succeed in 2011 NCAA Tournament than any other factor...in my humble opinion.
10 + 2 = REGRET?
Realization that the 33-Year existence of The "PACIFIC-TEN CONFERENCE", at least in it's current, long-standing configuration is nearing its' unceremonious expiration is expectantly lacking cognizant attention or fanfare. The clandestine symmetry of TEN glorious, Idyllic "5 x 2" PAC-10 Conference Hoops Weekends each Winter will be notably absent in the 2011-2012 PAC-12 Basketball Season. For all intents and purposes, the trusty Thursday & Saturday two-fers (& occasional Wednesday or Sunday), with our familiar, traveling rival duo schools was an almost 'too-perfect', uniform piece of comfortable West Coast Sports Fabric. Basketball purists who reside in PAC-10 Communities of Pullman, Seattle, Corvallis, Eugene, Palo Alto, Berkley, Westwood, Los Angeles, Tempe, Tucson & many western-points in between may not know what they'll soon miss.
Cats' Inch Closer to Another PAC-10 Regular Season Title
With 2 just weeks left in the 2010-2011 College Basketball Regular Season, PAC-10's Arizona Wildcats have re-entered the AP-Top 10 (at #10). The 1st Place Cats' remain conspicuously absent from National Contender Discussion. Truthfully, for all the praise these abundantly proficient Cats' continue to realize (much from me), Arizona has the look of a 'tweener-heavy', non-descript, (hard-to-say-but-true), 'Paper-Tiger' to many experts.
Of Arizona's 4 Losses, 3 have come vs Top-25 Teams. Nevertheless, the Wildcats remain, as ESPN's Andy Katz' might label, 'a weird team'; inexplicably, "painfully efficient" in stature. In fact, upon considerable analysis of Arizona's NCAA Tournament chances, The Cats' genuinely appear to have three glaring weaknesses:
ARIZONA STILL LACKING:
- Sizable, "Wide-Body" Defender: Arizona has glaring need for just one better-than-average post defender. With all Cats' depth, & 7-0 | 256 Soph, Kyryl Natyazhko's offensive weaknesses, 6-8 | 240 Soph Derek Williams is Zona' biggest starter, & an out-of-position Power Forward Defender. Williams is outlandishly efficient, yet admittedly 'needs improvement' defensively.
- Legit Offensive 'Finisher': Arizona still needs one true offensive-mined individual who can 'create' a critical offensive shot. Either elite teams invariably have ‘The Guy’ to find a way to obtain a late-shot-clock or crucial game-situation shot, or effectively induces attention for an extra-pass look. Williams is a special talent, yet not a big-time shot threat for Cats.
- Leadership at Point: Cats' must continue improving in consistent, game-to-game, steady play at Point Guard from Mo Mo Jones, or Freshman Jordin Mayes. Jones had a very good weekend vs Washington Schools, and appears (again), to have turned a corner.
Nevertheless, for all of their accolades, Arizona comprises an unspeakably rare combination as a Power-6 Team, alone in 1st Place by 2-full games in late-February, yet possessing ZERO Top-25 Wins on the season. This underscoring the need, as the 2011 Pacific Life PAC-10 Tournament draws near, for Arizona to really 'Win-Out', in hopes of obtaining a 3-Seed (#3 or #4 Rated Region would help), to be taken seriously to reach Sweet-16 and/or beyond.
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS' STATEMENT:
Arizona's draw, regardless of Opponent Seed, will matter more for Arizona's opportunity to succeed in 2011 NCAA Tournament than any other factor...in my humble opinion.
10 + 2 = REGRET?
Realization that the 33-Year existence of The "PACIFIC-TEN CONFERENCE", at least in it's current, long-standing configuration is nearing its' unceremonious expiration is expectantly lacking cognizant attention or fanfare. The clandestine symmetry of TEN glorious, Idyllic "5 x 2" PAC-10 Conference Hoops Weekends each Winter will be notably absent in the 2011-2012 PAC-12 Basketball Season. For all intents and purposes, the trusty Thursday & Saturday two-fers (& occasional Wednesday or Sunday), with our familiar, traveling rival duo schools was an almost 'too-perfect', uniform piece of comfortable West Coast Sports Fabric. Basketball purists who reside in PAC-10 Communities of Pullman, Seattle, Corvallis, Eugene, Palo Alto, Berkley, Westwood, Los Angeles, Tempe, Tucson & many western-points in between may not know what they'll soon miss.
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