Bruins Can't Handle The Pressure Again and Lose
By Bruin Basketball Report
For the second consecutive game the Bruins couldn't handle the defensive pressure and lost again, this time to crosstown rivals USC, 68-64.
After trailing by just 3 points at the half, 32-29, the Bruins came out in the second with hopes for a possible upset on the road. But USC started applying full court pressure and quickly sensed UCLA were unable to cope with it.
The Trojans forced the Bruins into 20 turnovers. UCLA point guards Malcolm Lee had 6 turnovers and back-up Jerime Anderson had 2.
But Anderson's turnovers were big momentum changers.
With UCLA down by just 4 and making one final push down the stretch late in the game, Anderson was dominated and picked one-on-one at half court by USC's Marcus Johnson who converted and pushed the Trojans ahead for good.
It begs the question. Considering how poorly he had been playing, why was Anderson even on the floor at such an important juncture in the game?
By now it should be clear to most anyone that Jerime Anderson is not a UCLA level point-guard, or possibly a Pac-10 level for that matter, especially considering the important role a point-guard plays in UCLA Coach Ben Howland's offense.
Senior Nikola Dragovic had another poor offense showing hitting just 1 of 7 from three-point distance. As a team the Bruins were just 7 of 26 for 27% from beyond the arc.
Although the Bruins outrebounded the Trojans 36-23, it could not compensate for the lack of UCLA's composure and ability to withstand the aggressive defensive pressure by USC.
The Trojans were once again quicker, more athletic, and aggressive than their Bruin opponents.
UCLA (6-6, 11-13) was swept by USC for only the sixth time in the last 50 years, and the Trojans beat the Bruins for the first time at the Galen Center which opened in 2006.
BBR :: Article Link :: 2:07 PM ::
20 comments
20 Comments:
Arghhhh!!! I can't wait until we get rid of Anderson,Dragovic and Lee...They need to be gone before the screw up our incoming recruits. This is UCLA, UCLA! Excellence, nothing less!
2 words: "Donte Jones" - talk about typical SC material, he'd hit his chest and make a face like an owl...
Howland is officially on the hot seat!
Jerime, it's official you need to transfer.
Moser played minutes - unfrickin believable...doesn't look like a diaper dandy, instead he was a nervous pansy...
Lee- disappeared...u r not a Pro until your Senior yr.
Honeycutt fouled out - that kid can ball
Lane - Raw, but I'll pull for you...
N.I.T. - I think not...
Who's going to be the nxt coach at UCLA. Our team is going to score 50 pts a game next yr.
What's my name? BRUINFAN
With 3 weeks left in what will be considered as a terrible year, the Bruins still don't have a starting lineup that is competitive.
Its time for Howland to step up. He was outcoached yet again and 20 turnovers will kill you every time.
The new class will be okay. Don't think it will be much better unless McCallum signs with them. Is Jones even going to be academically eligible?
Howland isnt going anywhere. That would put the program back even further than it is now.
We made out bed with this guy who has not recruited well and has not kept his good players. If Holliday was still here, that would have ben at least another 5 wins and a NIT bid.
Smith is slow and out of shape. Jones and Lane along with Honeycutt and Reeves will be raw and young. They still need to learn how to shoot free throws.
Why does Drag see the court at all. He is supposed to be a gifted shooter. He just jacks it up and does nothing at the other end.
How do you outrebound your opponents by sucha wide margin and still lose? Poor shooting and turnovers.
Howland needs to sit this guy at the end of the bench and get him ready for is hearing in criminal court, because that's the court he should be thinking about.
It's not even funny to discuss these guys anymore. They are a joke.
The Swami's predictions are easy this week:
1. Dragovic will play in Europe next year, and maybe just at his local playground.
2. We won't see much of Anderson next year, even assuming he stays. Take heart that Lazeric Jones will be a Bruin next year, and, if that Bruin in the sky is watching over us, Ray McCallum will be a Bruin next year also.
3. Lee will be much better next year as a 2 guard.
Swami, I am on ya side for all 3...
add Moser, Stover to that list...
UCLA=diaper dandies not soft pansies...
I can't believe we don't have recruits coming in ready to play their freshman year...
Check out BruinVille.com for some awesome basketball articles....not to mention every UCLA sport
Still think people are too fair weather on this site. Howland deserves your support after what he has done. Agree Andersen is bad and Drago is worthless, but think Moser is an athlete and will get better and same with reeves, honeycutt & lane. Outside of Ohio St & Calapari we probably have recruited the best in the last 4 years minus last year. Farmar, Affalo, Ship, Collision, Love, Holiday, Westbrook, Ba Mute etc. Disappointed in all the fair weatherness and you need to have a little more bruin love.
Swami: Lee can't shoot. Jones better be academicaly eligible and Smith needs to come to Westwood in shape.
Honeycutt and Nelson are the only legit returns. Let the other bigs go and free up some scholarships.
The turnovers and inability to beat a press is on Howland. What does he work on in practice? Why does he let Drag see the floor? What's with makeshift starting lineup?
Howland is getting rocked and his complacency is trickling down on his team.
His AD has already stated that his job is safe ... why should he perform knowing his boss has his back.
It's a joke.
Rick Neuheisel had it right, the Monopoly in Los Angeles is over. It's just that no one thought he was talking about basketball. Three loses in the last four meetings. What has happened to Bruin basketball???
NorCal Bruin -
You are so right. This site gets more hits when the Bruins lose than when they win. But please stay with the site. Some of our fellow Bruin fans get so desolate that they need us to bring a little perspective.
Agreed
Worst fear realized! Being swept by that probabtion school across town was my biggest worry from about the fifth game on this year. The arrogant SC-ites around my work have been jabbing me with what feels like lit cigars...
Howland will need to prove he has the recruiting magic and rebound IMMEDIATELY with next year's squad!
Losing to those guys in basketball would be the equivalent to our football team beating them by 20 points... Hmmmm, I believe Cade McNown is the last time I remember that happening...
We need BOTH Lazeric Jones and Ray McCallum next year. I have never seen a Bruin squad that can't handle the ball like this!!!
Give me three rrasons why Ray McCallum would come here? The kid is a winner and UCLA is not in the top 50 programs in the country.
Howland needs to go. Buy his contract out and say thanks.
Who would replace him? God knows! Who would want this job? UCLA is not the place for top notch athletes anymore. GFootball is a Div II program; mighty volleyball is getting blitzed in recruiting by Northridge and Long Beach; Water Polo U, baby!
Jammer - Pick any three of these reasons why McCallum would and should come here:
1. Jordan Farmar
2. Aaron Afflalo
3. Russell Westbrook
4. Darren Collison
5. Lazeric Jones (experienced point to take some early pressure off a freshman point)
6. Nelson, Honeycutt, Josh Smith and probably other good bigs to dish to.
Gee whiz, Jammer, you sound like you work for USC.
I cannot give you three reason let alone one. Only because he has UCLA still in his final choices. If I had to say one, it may be the chance to make an immediate impact and a lot of playing time.
I cannot condone your throwing Howland under the bus. One losing season after 3 final fours and 4 NCAA tourmanent appearances? What if you used that analogy for the Lakers and never brought back Phil Jackson after their first crappy season post Shaq? Or if Buss listened to people calling for the head of Kupchak prior to the Gasol (steal) trade.
Now if Howland can't turn it around next year, or land one more big recruit prior to, then I may listen a little more to what you are saying.
Swami,
I did not want to go quite as far to say that, but I sure hope Jammer isn't a fair weathered type and starts wearing cardinal and gold like all those soccer moms around L.A. who know nothing about sports but just follow the latest trendy, fashion craze!
I think it would take a lot more than that to get me off the Howland train. He recruited the top center out of high school this year and am pretty sure Arizona, Washington, Cal or Stanford would be pretty pumped to get that guy. Regardless, sometimes this site doesn't seem like Bruin fans at all. Jammer you are extremely negative and although I understand feelings of frustration, you pretty ridiculous for wanting Howland out and thinking this isn't a great spot for athletes. One bad season(and it is not even over yet) and you throw in the towel. Pretty sad and am not even sure you went to Ucla. I would say EVERY program in America would be jealous of our last 4-5 years(except Florida & Memphis) and am very proud of Howland. Love the baby blue and looking forward to the Washington games!
I have read both sides of the posts. I'm leaning with Jammer. CBH has done a gr8 by getting to the Final Four however, times have changed. With next year's squad, due to our youth, we may score 50-60 a game.
We have no bigs and need another guard.
No NIT this yr.
Maybe the NIT nxt yr = Bye Bye Howland
I've met John Wooden. Coach Howland, you're no John Wooden. Get it done or get out! The UCLA Program is bigger than CBH.
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