Bruins Struggle Against 49ers, Lose Third Straight
By Bruin Basketball Report
UCLA finished the 76 Classic tournament with a disastrous exclamation point, losing in the seventh place-game to Long Beach St., 79-68.
The Bruins, now 2-4, lost to the 49ers for the first time in history in the debacle.
The only two bright spots in the game for UCLA were Michael Roll with a season-high 23 points and freshman Reeves Nelson who came off the bench to add 11 points and 8 rebounds.
UCLA's individual and team defense were horrendous, allowing Long Beach St. to hit 53.6% for the game and 64.3% in the second half.
In a more competitive contest against Butler on Friday, the Bruins went inside for many of their scores but abandoned the strategy against Long Beach and instead tried to strike from the perimeter.
But UCLA struggled from the outside, hitting just 3 of 20 three-pointers. Nikola Dragovic was 0-6 from beyond the arc.
The Bruins do not catch a break with upcoming tough games against Kansas and Mississippi St. in what already has the makings for a very long season for UCLA basketball fans.
BBR :: Article Link :: 12:08 PM ::
12 comments
12 Comments:
Ughhhhhhhhhh! Definitely a long season!
Keefe is not a division I player and should get limited playing time. Both Lane and Nelson are far better than him and need the playing time to improve their games. Roll is not starter material and should be used as he was last season. Indeed, a long season.
What about Morgan? Is it his lack of defense or something else? Seems like he should be a much needed inside threat
It is obvious that Howland sees something "missing" in Morgan or he would be out there this year. I disagree with the Roll assumption. He does better when he has more playing time and the freedom to take a bad shot and not get yanked like past seasons. Where we are really hurting is inside presence and point guard weakness... And why does Drago keep firing the 3s when his game is so off? He has proven he can go inside at times but maybe not having a Collison to pass the ball around doesn't help. One thing certain, Coach Howland needs to light a fire under Anderson's *ss!
I agree with the comment about Keefe, I also think Anderson should be coming off the bench, if he is to play at all.
My ideal starting lineup would include Lee as PG, Roll as SF, Reeves as PF, Gordon as center, and I guess Dragovic as SF if he stops playing so terribly.
At this point Keefe, Anderson, and Dragovic are turnover machines.
And for the love of god can someone break the zone!!!
I think you have a good point in the post about the Bruins taking way too many 3s. Gordon and Nelson are so efficient inside...over 50%, why take outside shots when you have a couple of beasts inside.
Come on guys, lets get the ball inside and forget the 3s.....you guys are not making them....<25%.... Yikes!
Reeves Nelson needs to start! Keefe has been a solid sub for 3 years, should be Four! Anderson is a permanent back-up as well. Almost a Lamar Odom over-thinker type that plays better(lower expectations) off the bench. Moser is the most intriguing player on the squad. Ben should fast-track him to hedge/double team and help him with rebounding. Think Luc Richard with those arms. I agree with everyone, feed the ball inside to Nelson and Gordon. The 3 should not be the first option with this group. I can't wait to see what Honeycutt has to offer. Until then I won't give up on the season quite yet. My .02.......
Al of these assessments are insightful and well thought out, but unless the Bruins bring up their defensive intensity like our squads the past 4 or 5 years, no amount of offensive firepower will matter. I am disgusted on how easy the opposing guards are just penetrating at will and making "lay ups" like a scrimmage almost.
Where our guards (Collison, Farmar, etc) would get beat off the dribble in the past, our Bigs would fill the lane and take a charge or alter the shot. I do not even remotely see this on our squad this year. Where is that defensive intensity?
As promising as Nelson is starting to appear, he needs a Howland defensive transformation. And if Lee is suppose to be our best defensive stopper (next to Gordon), I really don't see it yet! I certainly hope they get their D in order in the next couple of practices.
Heck, I haven't even had the opportunity to crack open a cold one yet during a single game so far...
Fire Howland! Why does he deserve tenure. STOP shooting threes...why do college kids think they can make these with ease. UCLA has athletes...slashing and dunking are our bread and butter.
I appreciate Howlands emphasis on defense but I am also at a loss as to why UCLAs athleticism is not being utilized on offense. It scares me that a talented guy like Jrue Holiday who barely made a splash at UCLA impressed the NBA enough to make him into a first rounder. Howland gets his choice of the top recruits in the country. How can they lose to teams who wouldnt be able to recruit one future Bruin? I thought Howland built heart.
Holy crap-Gordon just quit the team! What's going on in Westwood. Best player on the team! Oh the humanity!
Fire Howland and replace him with ... He needs to teach the basics; drible penetration; kickouts, motion, soft spot in the zone (they'll be seeing it all year); and run with the young legs (make sure they are hydrated ... Mr. Lee). It's going to be tough for this group to get 10 wins this year. Worse, they already have a decommit from a top recruit. Hope Lamb and Smith stick around.
Get off Roll. The guy is a role (no pun intended) player at best, and not the go to guy in any offense. Bobo, Nelson, Lee and Anderson need to see the 4 letters on the jersey and have some pride.
Until they have some inside game; teams are going to crowd the perimemter and let Drags bomb away and he will keep on missing.
Keep it close and dont get humiliated by Kansas.
The silver lining ... they should have no pressure ... go out and play with passion and see what happens.
Good luck Bruins. There will be brigher days.
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