"What happened to UCLA?"

[GoUconn7961]

Good defense happened.

 

[SVCBeercats]

The major news outlets gives Uconn more credit for the way they beat UCLA than some posters on the Boneyard. Most outlets did not mention any negative things about the way Uconn played.

Their oversight happened for a reason, the absence of negative things by UCONN. Did you not watch the game?

 

[SVCBeercats]

Based on the few games played so far, UCLA and Oregon look to be the two co-favorites. Oregon State could be in the mix as well. I'm still not sleeping on Stanford, though. I've learned the hard way not to count Tara out. They'll be a much better team by February than they are now.

UCLA will clean Oregon's clock. UCLA stands alone as the PAC12 favorite.

 

[wallman]

Where do I start. I was hoping for so much more. It's not happening and I want to start with this years team compared to last years team. Last years team IMO was better and that is totally due to outside shooting. How can we compete at the top without any shooters? Teams that can scout now know we don't have any and if we cannot fast break, what do we have.

My next concern is defense. Are you kidding me, how many times were we beat down the floor, giving up lay ups which wasn't due to a lack of athleticism, it was because of poor transition defense, a lack of communication and a lack of heart. The PAC will be another slug fest as I don't currently see a team including us who can simply walk in the gym and expect a win if they can execute their game plan. It seems to be the same old complaint and we were all hoping this was our year but unless Close finds some kind of consistency from the outside it's not happening.

The most disappointing part for me personally was the missed opportunity against Uconn. I did not think you looked like the usual Uconn team on the offensive end which was expected. Even defensively, there were players we could have exploited, particularly on some of the lack of help side defense. That is coaching and some of our players not wanting the ball. Sure Uconn does that but if you can't take advantage now, no-one is going to have a snowballs chance when you are back at full strength.

 

[oldude]

Where do I start. I was hoping for so much more. It's not happening and I want to start with this years team compared to last years team. Last years team IMO was better and that is totally due to outside shooting. How can we compete at the top without any shooters? Teams that can scout now know we don't have any and if we cannot fast break, what do we have.

My next concern is defense. Are you kidding me, how many times were we beat down the floor, giving up lay ups which wasn't due to a lack of athleticism, it was because of poor transition defense, a lack of communication and a lack of heart. The PAC will be another slug fest as I don't currently see a team including us who can simply walk in the gym and expect a win if they can execute their game plan. It seems to be the same old complaint and we were all hoping this was our year but unless Close finds some kind of consistency from the outside it's not happening.

The most disappointing part for me personally was the missed opportunity against Uconn. I did not think you looked like the usual Uconn team on the offensive end which was expected. Even defensively, there were players we could have exploited, particularly on some of the lack of help side defense. That is coaching and some of our players not wanting the ball. Sure Uconn does that but if you can't take advantage now, no-one is going to have a snowballs chance when you are back at full strength.

I have to say, I think you’re being a little hard on your Bruins. They faced a much better Husky team that’s playing a lot faster and much tougher on defense than last year, even without Lou on the court. I don’t think there’s another team in the PAC12 that can match up with UCLA.

 

[donalddoowop]

Their oversight happened for a reason, the absence of negative things by UCONN. Did you not watch the game?

Yes, I watched the game. They did too. They just did not focus on the negative like Boneyarders do.

 

[UcMiami]

This was something I hadn't realized till I read this article: ZERO transition points for UCLA. Probably the single most astounding stat from the game. As Geno says, that is a huge part of their identity and production.

That is a very misleading stat because they had a number of steals and breakaways where they missed the first shot (so no transition basket) but had a player follow up with the rebound and put-back basket. So they scored the bucket, but because it was a rebound it became a 'second chance' basket and not a transition basket. That happened at least three times in the 4th Q alone.

 

[Plebe]

That is a very misleading stat because they had a number of steals and breakaways where they missed the first shot (so no transition basket) but had a player follow up with the rebound and put-back basket. So they scored the bucket, but because it was a rebound it became a 'second chance' basket and not a transition basket. That happened at least three times in the 4th Q alone.

It's funny because I was remembering that as well after I typed my message. It seems to me that it shouldn't be either-or, since some transition buckets are both second-chance points and the direct result of transition.

 

[JordyG]

If UCLA makes a few more outside shots, different game. UConn, Danger in particular, pushed them outside of their comfort zone. Put a strong rebounder on this team and they would make case for one of top 3 in US.

If Kia hit a few 3's, if Z a little more effective offensively, a far different game. If's and buts my friend. If's and buts. Nevertheless, UCLA is at least in the top 2 right now after UConn.

 

[JordyG]

That is a very misleading stat because they had a number of steals and breakaways where they missed the first shot (so no transition basket) but had a player follow up with the rebound and put-back basket. So they scored the bucket, but because it was a rebound it became a 'second chance' basket and not a transition basket. That happened at least three times in the 4th Q alone.

Agreed. That's called secondary transition. Nonetheless, UConn kept that figure low as well simply because UCLA's outside shooting isn't so good.

 

[Carnac]

I have to say that UCLA is certainly a better basketball team than either Stanford or Cal. While I haven't seen Oregon yet, I have to believe that the Bruins should be the favorites to win the PAC12 with a good possibility to make it to the FF.

While I'm not able to see the Huskies in person as much as some of my fellow Boneyard posters, I must admit that I was impressed with the physicality the game has evolved to. You come away with a completely different perspective seeing the game in person than you do watching on TV. UCLA is a very physical team. No one on their team backed down or gave any quarter the entire evening. UConn gave them all they wanted in terms of competition and physical play.

A poster wrote that Gabby alone is worth the price of admission, I agree. While I watch all of their games on TV, it's much more enjoyable in person. Megan may make that sophomore leap THIS year. She played well against a highly ranked opponent on the road. She'll be in the short rotation the rest of the year. She'll get better and continue to amaze as the season progresses.

This UCLA team bears watching, they have a very talented team, and a very good coach. They have the talent to have a very successful run this year. To say I enjoyed this game would an understatement. I'm in Las Vegas, and will see Stanford this weekend in Las Vegas against Kent State in the "Play4Kay" tournament.

Six teams that participated in last season's NCAA Women's Tournament will be among the eight-team field for the second-annual Play4Kay Showcase on Nov. 23-25, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The event supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, an organization that funds women's cancer research, and will immediately follow the MGM Resorts Main Event men's tournament earlier that week at T-Mobile Arena.

Teams competing this season are Belmont, DePaul, Florida Gulf Coast, Gonzaga, Kent State, Memphis, Ohio State, and Stanford. Stanford was a final four team in 2017 and six teams won at least 20 games a year ago. In addition to the Play4Kay tournament, there's also the Sout Pointe shootout at the Sout Pointe Casino , and UNLV is hosting a tournament beginning Friday. If you're in Las Vegas this weekend, it's wcbb nervana. Pick your poison.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[MilfordHusky]

So far, as I said before the game, they appear to me to be the 2nd best team in WCBB.

Yeah, they appear to be somewhere between 2 and 4 to me. Maybe Texas and SC are better, maybe not. UCLA seems better than Louisville to me.

 

[MilfordHusky]

That is a very misleading stat because they had a number of steals and breakaways where they missed the first shot (so no transition basket) but had a player follow up with the rebound and put-back basket. So they scored the bucket, but because it was a rebound it became a 'second chance' basket and not a transition basket. That happened at least three times in the 4th Q alone.

Crystal made a great play last night that I’ve rarely seen. On one of the UCLA fast breaks, she ran very hard and caught up to the UCLA player. Instead of trying to block the shot or foul the player to possibly prevent the layup, she sped up and ran in front of the UCLA player. She was far enough away that even a bad official wouldn’t have called a foul, but she totally distracted the shooter, who missed badly. Unfortunately, the third player downcourt was a Bruin, and she scored on the putback. Crystal’s play showed intelligence, effort, and athleticism—it was amazing. Moriah would have been proud.

 

[JordyG]

Yeah, they appear to be somewhere between 2 and 4 to me. Maybe Texas and SC are better, maybe not. UCLA seems better than Louisville to me.

I love A'ja, but I'm not quite sold on SC this year. I'm not sold on the supporting cast and their ability to shoot from the outside or their ability to make plays down the stretch. We'll see. I'd like to see UCLA and Texas play each other. I think 'LA matches them up front and they'll have no answer for Canada.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I love A'ja, but I'm not quite sold on SC this year. I'm not sold on the supporting cast and their ability to shoot from the outside or their ability to make plays down the stretch. We'll see. I'd like to see UCLA and Texas play each other. I think 'LA matches them up front and they'll have no answer for Canada.

The SC transfer from Penn State may be their outside shooter. Plus, Cuevas-Moore is still around, I believe. Last year’s freshman PG should be improved.

I’d like to see McCarty vs. Canada. I don’t think that many teams can defend Canada effectively.

 

[jaundicedeye]

Yes, I watched the game. They did too. They just did not focus on the negative like Boneyarders do.

Regretfully, I must say there is a lot of truth to this post.