Back from Vegas, and somehow I lost two hours in my day. Wait, what time is it again? ... Without further adieu, straight to the action.
Today in the bag, I'm talking the Pac-12 final in Las Vegas (along with my All-Tournament team), the Buffs in the NIT, and women's lacrosse.
Click below for the bag...
Showing posts with label Pac-12 Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pac-12 Tournament. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Saturday, March 11, 2017
2017 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 4
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 11th --
The final is set here in Las Vegas, and it's the rematch we've been waiting for -- Oregon/Arizona. These two have proven a clear separation between themselves and the rest of the conference over three months of play, now it's time to finally decide who will get to claim supremacy in the Conference of Champions.
Oregon earned their spot in the final thanks to a grueling, industrial effort over Cal. The Golden Bears weren't really supposed to be in this spot, and, with star guard Jabari Bird out early in the action with a possible concussion, looked to be at long odds to survive 40 minutes with the vaunted Ducks. But they battled ferociously all night, even cutting the lead to two points with 45 seconds to play. UO would not be denied, however, with Dylan Ennis throwing the team on his back to secure the winning points. In the end, the 73-65 scoreline belies how close Oregon really was to coughing this one up.
The second half here was a weird one. The Ducks were robbed of the services of star point forward Dillon Brooks as he was called for his fourth foul as part of a bizarre stretch of five called on one Cal possession early in the frame. That staccato burst of whistles knee-capped the game, sending it into a listless spiral of empty possessions as both teams looked to make sense of the new landscape on the court. Play would eventually recover, as Ennis and Tyler Dorsey began to pick up the slack in Brooks' absence. Ennis, especially, seemed to fill the Brooksian role, barrelling into the lane to force the defense to react and open up shooters. Dorsey was all too happy to oblige, and he started nail repeated attempts from the field. In all, the young shooting guard would finish with 23 points on 13 attempts, with Ennis finding five assists.
Oregon needed everything those two could provide, as Grant Mullins couldn't miss. The senior specialist for Cal was 5-5 from deep, and kept the Golden Bears in the game, despite their at times archaic offense. It wasn't enough, though, to overcome sputtering play from Ivan Rabb and Charlie Moore, the inside-outside duo that had generally fueled whatever California got in the regular season. With those two struggling to inconsistent 9-23 shooting, there were simply too many empty possessions for the Bears against a quality opponent.
Those Ducks will face the Wildcats this evening after they spent 40 minutes suffocating the life out of UCLA. The second half itself was a treatise on frustrative offense for the Bruins, with then repeatedly failing to find any traction against the Arizona 'D.' I didn't think it could happen, at least not so easily, but they were completely shut down. All credit to the 'Cats, then -- they earned their 86-75 victory.
The Bruins, considered by some to be the best offensive club in a generation, were abysmal from the field, shooting just 16% from behind the arc. Arizona wasn't completely to blame, with the Bruins forcing some heedless takes and missing some open looks, but it's hard not to note that UCLA's best weapon - the three-point shot - was almost completely taken away by a team that prides itself on defense. You could see the exasperation on the faces of the Bruins' shooters, especially Lonzo Ball and Bryce Alford. That pair, usually so effusive, combined for just 13 points and 2-16 shooting from deep. Ball was, himself, visibly shaken in the first half, focusing on a jammed finger and struggling with turnovers. If Arizona can do that to Lonzo, in contention for the top pick in this summer's NBA Draft, then they should have high hopes in the coming Tournament.
For the 'Cats, probably their best takeaway from the evening was the play of Lauri Markkanen. The big Finnish shooting star has finally seemed to break a weeks-long shooting slump here in Las Vegas, first against Colorado, then against the Bruins. He got 29 Friday night on 22 shots, and seemed to be much more comfortable and aggressive with his shot than in previous weeks. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, though, also deserves a lot of credit. Every time the Bruins tried to drop into zone, his speed and ability to knife past the top-line kept UCLA's 3-2 from having any shot of taking effect.
All things considered, the pair of games could've been better (they certainly didn't live up to the legacy of last year's Pac-12 Final Four). UCLA, for sure, could've played much better than they did to help the evening game reach expectations. But the final is the one that makes the most sense for the league, and the one that should give us out truest champion. Can't wait for tip!
--
Best pep band of the day: Oregon
I'm going to give it to the Ducks over Arizona, though it was close. Both of these bands made their competition across the stadium pale in comparison, playing good music loudly and with good energy. The Ducks, though, had I thought the far superior bass player, and I'm a sucker for someone who lays down the funk.
--
Today's action:
- #2 Arizona vs #1 Oregon - 9pm MT - ESPN -
The previous meeting between these two was, of course, a massive blowout in Eugene. There was no return trip to McKale, however, meaning this pseudo-home game in a red-packed T-Mobile Arena will have to suffice for the Wildcats.
I really like the way Arizona has played this week. They've been hitting their shots, playing great defense, and Sean Miller seems to have an excellent grasp of his rotation when to pull the trigger on situational changes. Oregon, conversely, has seemed, at times, to be going through the motions against teams they should be blitzing. Arizona, then, seems to have the rhythm advantage, but I have never liked the way they matchup against the Ducks. Boucher and Bell have the length and athleticism to negate Markkanen, and I'll take Dillon Brooks over Alonzo Trier every day at this level. To that end, if Brooks can stay in the game, avoiding foul trouble, I expect Oregon to win. If not, the wave of depth in the paint that Arizona can leverage should hold sway. Keep an eye on that foul count.
GO DUCKS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND REPEAT!
The final is set here in Las Vegas, and it's the rematch we've been waiting for -- Oregon/Arizona. These two have proven a clear separation between themselves and the rest of the conference over three months of play, now it's time to finally decide who will get to claim supremacy in the Conference of Champions.
Oregon earned their spot in the final thanks to a grueling, industrial effort over Cal. The Golden Bears weren't really supposed to be in this spot, and, with star guard Jabari Bird out early in the action with a possible concussion, looked to be at long odds to survive 40 minutes with the vaunted Ducks. But they battled ferociously all night, even cutting the lead to two points with 45 seconds to play. UO would not be denied, however, with Dylan Ennis throwing the team on his back to secure the winning points. In the end, the 73-65 scoreline belies how close Oregon really was to coughing this one up.
The second half here was a weird one. The Ducks were robbed of the services of star point forward Dillon Brooks as he was called for his fourth foul as part of a bizarre stretch of five called on one Cal possession early in the frame. That staccato burst of whistles knee-capped the game, sending it into a listless spiral of empty possessions as both teams looked to make sense of the new landscape on the court. Play would eventually recover, as Ennis and Tyler Dorsey began to pick up the slack in Brooks' absence. Ennis, especially, seemed to fill the Brooksian role, barrelling into the lane to force the defense to react and open up shooters. Dorsey was all too happy to oblige, and he started nail repeated attempts from the field. In all, the young shooting guard would finish with 23 points on 13 attempts, with Ennis finding five assists.
Oregon needed everything those two could provide, as Grant Mullins couldn't miss. The senior specialist for Cal was 5-5 from deep, and kept the Golden Bears in the game, despite their at times archaic offense. It wasn't enough, though, to overcome sputtering play from Ivan Rabb and Charlie Moore, the inside-outside duo that had generally fueled whatever California got in the regular season. With those two struggling to inconsistent 9-23 shooting, there were simply too many empty possessions for the Bears against a quality opponent.
Those Ducks will face the Wildcats this evening after they spent 40 minutes suffocating the life out of UCLA. The second half itself was a treatise on frustrative offense for the Bruins, with then repeatedly failing to find any traction against the Arizona 'D.' I didn't think it could happen, at least not so easily, but they were completely shut down. All credit to the 'Cats, then -- they earned their 86-75 victory.
The Bruins, considered by some to be the best offensive club in a generation, were abysmal from the field, shooting just 16% from behind the arc. Arizona wasn't completely to blame, with the Bruins forcing some heedless takes and missing some open looks, but it's hard not to note that UCLA's best weapon - the three-point shot - was almost completely taken away by a team that prides itself on defense. You could see the exasperation on the faces of the Bruins' shooters, especially Lonzo Ball and Bryce Alford. That pair, usually so effusive, combined for just 13 points and 2-16 shooting from deep. Ball was, himself, visibly shaken in the first half, focusing on a jammed finger and struggling with turnovers. If Arizona can do that to Lonzo, in contention for the top pick in this summer's NBA Draft, then they should have high hopes in the coming Tournament.
For the 'Cats, probably their best takeaway from the evening was the play of Lauri Markkanen. The big Finnish shooting star has finally seemed to break a weeks-long shooting slump here in Las Vegas, first against Colorado, then against the Bruins. He got 29 Friday night on 22 shots, and seemed to be much more comfortable and aggressive with his shot than in previous weeks. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, though, also deserves a lot of credit. Every time the Bruins tried to drop into zone, his speed and ability to knife past the top-line kept UCLA's 3-2 from having any shot of taking effect.
All things considered, the pair of games could've been better (they certainly didn't live up to the legacy of last year's Pac-12 Final Four). UCLA, for sure, could've played much better than they did to help the evening game reach expectations. But the final is the one that makes the most sense for the league, and the one that should give us out truest champion. Can't wait for tip!
--
Best pep band of the day: Oregon
I'm going to give it to the Ducks over Arizona, though it was close. Both of these bands made their competition across the stadium pale in comparison, playing good music loudly and with good energy. The Ducks, though, had I thought the far superior bass player, and I'm a sucker for someone who lays down the funk.
--
Today's action:
- #2 Arizona vs #1 Oregon - 9pm MT - ESPN -
The previous meeting between these two was, of course, a massive blowout in Eugene. There was no return trip to McKale, however, meaning this pseudo-home game in a red-packed T-Mobile Arena will have to suffice for the Wildcats.
I really like the way Arizona has played this week. They've been hitting their shots, playing great defense, and Sean Miller seems to have an excellent grasp of his rotation when to pull the trigger on situational changes. Oregon, conversely, has seemed, at times, to be going through the motions against teams they should be blitzing. Arizona, then, seems to have the rhythm advantage, but I have never liked the way they matchup against the Ducks. Boucher and Bell have the length and athleticism to negate Markkanen, and I'll take Dillon Brooks over Alonzo Trier every day at this level. To that end, if Brooks can stay in the game, avoiding foul trouble, I expect Oregon to win. If not, the wave of depth in the paint that Arizona can leverage should hold sway. Keep an eye on that foul count.
GO DUCKS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND REPEAT!
Friday, March 10, 2017
2017 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 3
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 10th --
There will be no dream run to the Dance, there will be no cinderella story for our Black and Gold heroes. Despite the best efforts of Derrick White and Xavier Johnson, the Buffaloes just didn't have enough talent at their disposal in their quarterfinal matchup against Arizona, coming up 14 points short, 92-78.
That's not to say that CU was well out of this one from the tip. After trading some early blows, then starting to slip behind, the Buffs fought back right before halftime, fueled by the devil-may-care attacking tenacity of White. They would even, briefly, take a lead before Arizona stole back the one-point advantage at the break. The problem here was two-fold: reserve forward Tory Miller was in deep foul trouble, already saddled with three personals in seven minutes of play, and Arizona was creating havoc off the dribble-drive. Colorado was in the game, but another half of play was a daunting proposition.
Indeed, into the final frame, the UofA's execution on the offensive side began to show. With precious few resources in the paint to slow them, forwards Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic started to go off, while their guards were busy knifing into the heart of Colorado's defense to create open looks. CU would allow 64% shooting from the field and 54 total points in the second half -- the relative equivalent of a bloodbath.
Still, staring back into the face of this hellish math, White and Johnson would not go quietly into the night. Derrick, especially, was on fire, slipping past would-be defenders and letting it fly. He would tally an awe-inspiring total of 31 points against a good defensive team determined to stop him, humbling just as many combined recruiting stars in the process. If there were any lingering doubts that he belonged at this level, they were erased here in Las Vegas. Xavier Johnson was similarly into the action, flying around on both ends. He would chip in 20/7 against a series of tall trees in the paint.
The problem was, those two seniors got relatively little support from the rest of the roster. Past them, only one other Buff finished with multiple made baskets, George King, and it was a constant struggle to find the right defensive combination with players like Miller and Wes Gordon fighting foul trouble. Frontcourt depth was always going to be an issue for Colorado this season, and it reared its ugly head with semifinal dreams on the line.
So, with that, CU exits stage left into the post-season. There is still some solid hope that a NIT bid might be forthcoming, but I doubt at this point that it will involve a home game. Regardless, I feel that the Buffs, after their rocky start to the season, did themselves proud both down the stretch of conference play and here in the conference tournament. They deserve another chance to run out of a tunnel, wherever it may be. Hopefully, come Sunday evening, they will be afforded just such a chance.
In the day;s other action:
--
Today's action:
- #5 Cal vs #1 Oregon - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
Of this final grouping, Cal sticks out like a sore thumb. They've done good work here, solidifying their Tournament status with yesterday's win over Utah, but they simply do not belong with teams like Oregon, Arizona, and UCLA. As such, I would expect the Ducks to carve them up in prep for a grueling final battle with the survivor of the nightcap. Might be a low-scoring affair, though.
- #3 UCLA vs #2 Arizona - 9:30pm MT - ESPN -
Before the tournament started, I put my money on UCLA to win it all, figuring they had the best guards in town, and that such things matter this time of year. This is where that bet comes to a head. They were able to stun the UofA in Tucson, ripping away their shot at a league title, but revenge is often a bitch. With the crowd at their back, the Wildcats could very well overcome the best backcourt in the West. We'll just have to wait and see -- should be a good one with a boatload of points scored.
GO BRUINS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND KEEP WINNING!
There will be no dream run to the Dance, there will be no cinderella story for our Black and Gold heroes. Despite the best efforts of Derrick White and Xavier Johnson, the Buffaloes just didn't have enough talent at their disposal in their quarterfinal matchup against Arizona, coming up 14 points short, 92-78.
That's not to say that CU was well out of this one from the tip. After trading some early blows, then starting to slip behind, the Buffs fought back right before halftime, fueled by the devil-may-care attacking tenacity of White. They would even, briefly, take a lead before Arizona stole back the one-point advantage at the break. The problem here was two-fold: reserve forward Tory Miller was in deep foul trouble, already saddled with three personals in seven minutes of play, and Arizona was creating havoc off the dribble-drive. Colorado was in the game, but another half of play was a daunting proposition.
Indeed, into the final frame, the UofA's execution on the offensive side began to show. With precious few resources in the paint to slow them, forwards Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic started to go off, while their guards were busy knifing into the heart of Colorado's defense to create open looks. CU would allow 64% shooting from the field and 54 total points in the second half -- the relative equivalent of a bloodbath.
Still, staring back into the face of this hellish math, White and Johnson would not go quietly into the night. Derrick, especially, was on fire, slipping past would-be defenders and letting it fly. He would tally an awe-inspiring total of 31 points against a good defensive team determined to stop him, humbling just as many combined recruiting stars in the process. If there were any lingering doubts that he belonged at this level, they were erased here in Las Vegas. Xavier Johnson was similarly into the action, flying around on both ends. He would chip in 20/7 against a series of tall trees in the paint.
The problem was, those two seniors got relatively little support from the rest of the roster. Past them, only one other Buff finished with multiple made baskets, George King, and it was a constant struggle to find the right defensive combination with players like Miller and Wes Gordon fighting foul trouble. Frontcourt depth was always going to be an issue for Colorado this season, and it reared its ugly head with semifinal dreams on the line.
So, with that, CU exits stage left into the post-season. There is still some solid hope that a NIT bid might be forthcoming, but I doubt at this point that it will involve a home game. Regardless, I feel that the Buffs, after their rocky start to the season, did themselves proud both down the stretch of conference play and here in the conference tournament. They deserve another chance to run out of a tunnel, wherever it may be. Hopefully, come Sunday evening, they will be afforded just such a chance.
In the day;s other action:
- Oregon blew past Arizona State with little difficulty, 80-57.
- Cal clipped the Utes to become the first lower seed in 24 tries to win in this tournament, 78-75.
- UCLA survived a late push from the Trojans to advance, 76-74.
--
Best pep band of the day: Utah
The Utes brought five tubas and no woodwinds with them to Las Vegas. That is serious business, folks. Overall, they're not a spectacular band, but they play clean and loud with a very basic style. They won't wow you, but, when compared to some of the other bands in town, Utah gets a lot of things right.
--
Today's action:
- #5 Cal vs #1 Oregon - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
Of this final grouping, Cal sticks out like a sore thumb. They've done good work here, solidifying their Tournament status with yesterday's win over Utah, but they simply do not belong with teams like Oregon, Arizona, and UCLA. As such, I would expect the Ducks to carve them up in prep for a grueling final battle with the survivor of the nightcap. Might be a low-scoring affair, though.
- #3 UCLA vs #2 Arizona - 9:30pm MT - ESPN -
Before the tournament started, I put my money on UCLA to win it all, figuring they had the best guards in town, and that such things matter this time of year. This is where that bet comes to a head. They were able to stun the UofA in Tucson, ripping away their shot at a league title, but revenge is often a bitch. With the crowd at their back, the Wildcats could very well overcome the best backcourt in the West. We'll just have to wait and see -- should be a good one with a boatload of points scored.
GO BRUINS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND KEEP WINNING!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
2017 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 2
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 9th --
I will not be seeing the Hoover Dam, at least for one more year. Thanks to a furious 2nd half comeback, the Colorado Buffaloes were able to forestall the ignominy of a 1st round exit, storming back to upend the Washington State Cougars 73-63.
The first half performance from our Black and Gold heroes was simply awful. The Cougars were able to get whatever shot they wanted on offense, tickling the twine to the tune of 57% shooting from the field and 65% from downtown. In all, they would make 17 baskets in that opening frame, assisting on 12 of them. Colorado was getting carved up, to the point that it almost didn't matter that they themselves were struggling with the ball, knocking down under a third of all shots and just 2-11 from deep. The Buffs were in a bad way headed into the break, relatively lucky to only be down 14 after WSU had raced out to a 19-point lead after only 13 minutes of action.
Then, CU found the safe harbor of halftime, and everything settled down. Seniors, like Derrick White, Xavier Johnson, and Josh Fortune seemed to say, 'to hell with this, we're going down swinging,' and started to take over. White, especially, was on fire. In just over five minutes, he dropped 13 points (along with a block and a steal), all but erasing the halftime deficit in dragging the Buffs to within two. The Cougars were suddenly on the ropes, and, with two-thirds of the half still to play, were looking lost. Derrick would finish with 26/5/5 against zero turnovers.
WSU would adjust, doubling White off the screen, and trying to deny him the attacking lanes he had abused early in the frame. That just meant it was time for XJ to step up. He would add 12 second half points of his own, most of which came down the stretch, highlighted by this thunderous dunk off the break. What you'll also notice on that play: Josh Fortune making a beautiful pass in transition. He had a nice, solid performance on the afternoon, chipping in seven points, five turnovers, and two assists against just one turnover. His last points, on a three-pointer with two minutes to go, put Colorado up by five, and finally seemed to put the Cougs away for good. XJ's final line was 19/6.
I can't say enough about how decisive the turnaround was in the second half. The seniors, as a group (Wes' performance was more off-the-board, but still provided 8/4/3/2/1), were outstanding, helping to pick the team up off the mat to rebound with postseason hopes on the line. I'm still not 100% confident that Colorado will make the NIT, but they're certainly in a better position now with 19 wins then they would've been with another bad loss on their resume.
In the day's other action:
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE WILDCATS!
I will not be seeing the Hoover Dam, at least for one more year. Thanks to a furious 2nd half comeback, the Colorado Buffaloes were able to forestall the ignominy of a 1st round exit, storming back to upend the Washington State Cougars 73-63.
The first half performance from our Black and Gold heroes was simply awful. The Cougars were able to get whatever shot they wanted on offense, tickling the twine to the tune of 57% shooting from the field and 65% from downtown. In all, they would make 17 baskets in that opening frame, assisting on 12 of them. Colorado was getting carved up, to the point that it almost didn't matter that they themselves were struggling with the ball, knocking down under a third of all shots and just 2-11 from deep. The Buffs were in a bad way headed into the break, relatively lucky to only be down 14 after WSU had raced out to a 19-point lead after only 13 minutes of action.
Then, CU found the safe harbor of halftime, and everything settled down. Seniors, like Derrick White, Xavier Johnson, and Josh Fortune seemed to say, 'to hell with this, we're going down swinging,' and started to take over. White, especially, was on fire. In just over five minutes, he dropped 13 points (along with a block and a steal), all but erasing the halftime deficit in dragging the Buffs to within two. The Cougars were suddenly on the ropes, and, with two-thirds of the half still to play, were looking lost. Derrick would finish with 26/5/5 against zero turnovers.
WSU would adjust, doubling White off the screen, and trying to deny him the attacking lanes he had abused early in the frame. That just meant it was time for XJ to step up. He would add 12 second half points of his own, most of which came down the stretch, highlighted by this thunderous dunk off the break. What you'll also notice on that play: Josh Fortune making a beautiful pass in transition. He had a nice, solid performance on the afternoon, chipping in seven points, five turnovers, and two assists against just one turnover. His last points, on a three-pointer with two minutes to go, put Colorado up by five, and finally seemed to put the Cougs away for good. XJ's final line was 19/6.
I can't say enough about how decisive the turnaround was in the second half. The seniors, as a group (Wes' performance was more off-the-board, but still provided 8/4/3/2/1), were outstanding, helping to pick the team up off the mat to rebound with postseason hopes on the line. I'm still not 100% confident that Colorado will make the NIT, but they're certainly in a better position now with 19 wins then they would've been with another bad loss on their resume.
In the day's other action:
- Arizona State needed overtime to slip past Stanford, 98-88.
- Oregon State put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell to Cal, 67-62.
- USC coasted against a Washington team without Markelle Fultz, 78-73.
--
Best pep band of the day: Cal
I'm giving it to the Golden Bears because their tubas were HOT FIRE. They grabbed my attention from the first note, and laid down the phat beatz on songs like 'Come on Eileen.'
The Cal band has long been an interesting phenomena for me to take in. With a big bass drum and a glockenspiel, they have a very unique core to their sound. Not one that I generally prefer, mind you, but one that clearly stands out against their peers... especially when rival Stanford is outsourcing their work to some high school band. Where have you gone, Stanford Band?
--
Today's action:
- #8 Arizona State vs #1 Oregon - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The league champion Ducks hit the court this afternoon, and I cannot be more excited. Such a fun team to watch play, they feature an exciting style both on and off the ball. I expect them to quickly dispatch the Sun Devils, completely shutting down the ASU guards who cut up Stanford yesterday.
- #5 Cal vs #4 Utah - 3:30pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
Cal continues in this tournament, but does anyone really want to see them play? The slow, negative Bears make for a tough watch, and playing the similarly pedestrian Utes will not help improve their style. Utah's precision with the basketball will ultimately help them prevail in an ugly one.
- #7 Colorado vs #2 Arizona - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The Buffs and Wildcats have met each other in four of the five previous Pac-12 Tournaments. While the 'Cats have won the last three, rather decisively, Colorado can still claim the one meeting that really mattered -- the 2012 tournament final. The Buffs will need a lot of that '12 magic this afternoon because they will be up against it in T-Mobile. I expect a thunderous herd of Arizona fans in attendance, largely filling up the cavernous area that lay mostly empty yesterday for the game with Washington State.
I think CU can play with Arizona, even given the antagonistic crowd. I look for them to come out of the gate, and play well in the opening half. Once in the final frame, however, I expect the 'Cats to take over, and the Buffs to slip behind. Not without a game effort, though.
- #6 USC vs #3 UCLA - 9:30pm MT - ESPN -
I think CU can play with Arizona, even given the antagonistic crowd. I look for them to come out of the gate, and play well in the opening half. Once in the final frame, however, I expect the 'Cats to take over, and the Buffs to slip behind. Not without a game effort, though.
- #6 USC vs #3 UCLA - 9:30pm MT - ESPN -
A rivalry game to close out the evening. There's a lot of independent money flowing in on the Bruins in this tournament, to the point that I would call them the 'people's favorite.' They boat-raced their rivals in the second half of their last meeting, but don't look for them to duplicate that feat today. I look for UCLA to win, but struggle to put the Trojans away. This one could come down to the wire.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE WILDCATS!
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
2017 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 1
 |
| From: Pac-12.com |
Over at the MGM, the league had the perfect setup. Their fans, boosters, officials, bands, teams, and media could all stuff into the same facility, sleeping, partying, eating, and playing under the same roof. If I didn't want to, I never had to leave the MGM property during tournament week, having all my needs attended to while staying within walking distance of where the action was taking place. That made it so that I felt a part of the action in a way that I hadn't in previous Pac-12 and Big XII tournaments -- as intimate and personal a feel as you can get. While I'm sure the new arena is beautiful and well-equipped, it is, by definition, separate from any other hotel on the Strip. As a result, no matter what the league does, the new venue won't be able to replace this beloved aspect of the old, and I fear the league will have scrapped what made the annual Pac-12 fest special for little relative gain.
That said, I still anticipate a wonderful week of hoops. While the action won't really get going until Thursday, when the three heavies hit town, any time you attend a conference tournament, something weird is bound to happen. Throw in some Vegas love, and a short ride to a craps table, and you'd be at a stretch to keep a frown on your face.
For Day 1, the best games are the first of each session. With Washington and Oregon State being decidedly a step behind the rest of the league, I wouldn't expect much from either. But, the 8/9 and 7/10 affairs could be electric. Early season meetings between Stanford/Arizona State and Colorado /Washington State each produced high-scoring showcases, with the prospect of a repeat in the desert a tantalizing proposition. Usually, 1st days ca be a little staid, but, if either of these games gets going, it should be worth the cost of tuning in.
--
Hype Music for the Week: "Party Hard" by Andrew W.K.
Making it through a tournament week in Vegas is not for the weak of spirit. To fuel you through those long hours spent straining to see through the cigarette smoke at the craps table, get yourself a drop-shot and some Andrew W.K. Enjoy!
--
Today's Games:
- #9 Stanford vs #8 Arizona State - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Networks - STAN -3
This is, by far, the hardest to project of the four games today. It's a matchup of a pair of losing teams with more success in conference play than they probably 'should've' enjoyed; both chaotic and unpredictable. Stanford, especially, escapes my ability to understand. They have some good talent, especially on the wings and in the paint, but their guard play is scatter-shot at best. Conversely, the Sun Devils have a strong backcourt, but relatively nothing up front (all apologies to Obinna Oleka) and a short bench. It's a good example of two opponents with alternate strengths, the kind of thing that usually makes for a fun game.
The Cardinal actually lost both tilts this season to ASU; the first a high-scoring affair in Maples, the most-recent a more demure result in the desert. Usually, I would be saying here that it's hard to beat a team three times, and that you should expect Stanford to claim the revenge game in LV, but that's not the case today. This time of year, I generally defer to the better guard play, and State gets that checkmark here. As such, give me the Sun Devils and the points. Regardless, should be a high scoring affair.
- #12 Oregon State vs #5 Cal - 3:30pm MT - Pac-12 Networks - CAL -14
As interesting and entertaining as that first game might be, this meeting of the Beavers and Bears should be an absolute dog. With two painfully slow teams, one of whom, Cal, loves to close the distance and go for the body, this with be an ugly, grainy battle. Expect a number of missed baskets, slothful possessions, and the overall pace of grass growing. Essentially: unwatchable.
Cal should win easily, but that may not mean the 14 points necessary to win you some money. In a low-scoring affair, getting out to that big of a lead may be difficult.
- #10 Washington State vs #7 Colorado - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Networks - CU -10
OK, so here goes. Colorado has never lost an opening-round conference tournament game under Tad Boyle, 6-0. While it is also true that they have always had to play an opening round game under Coach, at least the program enjoys a tradition of winning them. The joke has always been that, should CU ever drop one of these, I'd wake up early the next day and take a trip of shame to the Hoover Dam, basically just to get out of town. I don't want to have to make that trek this year. *knocks on wood, furiously*
Problem is, Washington State is no pushover. Coach Boyle this week was calling them 'sneaky good,' which makes a lot of sense. They have a lot of good role players, the kind of guys who excel at one or two areas, making theirs a delicate puzzle of balance. Generally, better than the sum of their parts. When the pieces lay on the table well, as they did when the Buffs went up to Pullman this season, it looks pretty good, and they can boat-race you. When they don't fit, however, like in the return game in Boulder, the Cougs can get blown out. I would certainly expect something more akin to the road visit to Eastern Washington than what we saw on the Front Range, but exactly how much closer remains to be seen.
Off the top, all those cheeky back cuts the Buffs employed in the home fixture will probably be cut-off by a better-prepared WSU defense. In the same way that Colorado was able to calm the Charles Callison worries given a game's worth of tape to prepare, the Cougars will be much more attentive off the ball. From there, it'll all be about rebounding margins and who is making shots. Ike Iroegbu is due for an explosion, but I expect Derrick White to counter. Xavier Johnson vs Josh Hawkinson, then, could be the difference. In the end, this rematch of last year's tournament opener will probably be closer than the 10 points afforded by Vegas, but CU should claim a scary one to survive and advance.
- #11 Washington vs #6 USC - 9:30pm MT - Pac-12 Networks - USC -11
The nightcap could've been a showcase for the absurd if Markelle Fultz was going to play, but I highly doubt that he'll step out of the phone booth this late in the season. He's got the upcoming NBA Draft to think about, after all. As a result, the Huskies will walk into the gym severely under-manned, and will probably end up getting party-wiped by the Trojans. No wooden horse needed.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE COUGARS!
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Tuesday Grab Bag: The Dance Begins
Back from Las Vegas, I'm still wobbly on my road to recovery. Looking back on the week, it was a wonderful time, as always, made all the more wonderful by the opportunity to meet so many Buff fans who admitted to reading this space; some who even claimed to like what they find here! Thank you all for your continued patronage, and here's to many more years of whatever this is.
Of course, this season is not yet over. As everyone is aware of by now, the Colorado Buffaloes are Dancing for the fourth time in five seasons -- something wholly unprecedented in the history of this program. With the Madness officially descending this evening (the opening tip-off in Dayton has already commenced, as of the writing of this piece), it's officially March. Whatever you thought you knew about this season is about to change dramatically, and I can't wait to cover it. My preview of the first round action against UConn will drop Thursday morning, with hopefully many more to come in the following days and weeks.
But, for now, it's grab bag time!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the drowsy Pac-12 final, my All-Tournament Team and Best Band in Vegas awards, my view of the Buffs' NCAA Tournament seeding, and a shakeup to the Colorado coaching staff.
Click below for the bag...
Of course, this season is not yet over. As everyone is aware of by now, the Colorado Buffaloes are Dancing for the fourth time in five seasons -- something wholly unprecedented in the history of this program. With the Madness officially descending this evening (the opening tip-off in Dayton has already commenced, as of the writing of this piece), it's officially March. Whatever you thought you knew about this season is about to change dramatically, and I can't wait to cover it. My preview of the first round action against UConn will drop Thursday morning, with hopefully many more to come in the following days and weeks.
But, for now, it's grab bag time!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the drowsy Pac-12 final, my All-Tournament Team and Best Band in Vegas awards, my view of the Buffs' NCAA Tournament seeding, and a shakeup to the Colorado coaching staff.
Click below for the bag...
Saturday, March 12, 2016
2016 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 4
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 12th --
It's the morning after, and I still can't completely grasp what I watched last night. I talked about it before Day 3 began, promising insanity and ridiculousness from the Pac-12 semifinals, but I didn't really expect a pair of games going to overtime based on final-buzzer pandemonium. It was electric! It was intense! It was random as hell and marred by officiating 'issues.' It was pure distillate of everything it means to watch Pac-12 basketball over an entire season. In essence, it lived up to the hype.
In the first game, the league champions Oregon seemed to be on the front foot for most of the action against Arizona. They closed the half on a blistering 15-2 run, capped by a final-second exclamatory dunk, and expanded their lead out to 17 points early in the second frame. But, in an effort to avoid foul trouble with their short bench, the Ducks stopped playing defense, and the Wildcats began to chip away. By the 10-minute mark, momentum had shifted, and the heavily pro-Arizona crowd was getting back into it. It would be a fight to the finish.
While the lead was shrinking, Oregon had always been able to keep the UofA at arms length. Powered by the fantastic shooting of Tyler Dorsey, the energetic attacking of Dillon Brooks, and the all-encompassing fury of Elgin Cook, they continued to put up points, and went into the final seconds with a four-point lead. Arizona's Gabe York, who struggled for much of the night against the Ducks' length on the perimeter, hucked in a desperation three that went in with only .7 seconds to play, cutting the lead to one point. Apparently too little, too late. But, the Ducks didn't call a timeout to set their inbounds play, and the wayward pass that followed went into the waiting arms of Mark Tollefsen. The refs called a foul on his resulting frantic heave, and suddenly, with an 82% free throw shooter headed to the line, Arizona was in position to flat steal their way into the final.
Tollefsen never looked comfortable headed to the line, though. With the extended review time acting as a natural freeze, he fidgeted and paced for minutes while he waited for his chance to shoot. When he finally got the ball, he fired the first free throw off to the side, forestalling an Arizona win in regulation. His second make sent the game to overtime, and the crowd was in a tizzy. The Ducks, however, are made of stern stuff, and responded like the champions they are. They dominated the extra frame, pulling away throughout. Buoyed by the return from in-game injury of Dwayne Benjamin, Oregon finally settled into a 95-89 final. An incredible, dramatic stretch of basketball.
The nightcap, featuring Utah and Cal, was just as exciting. There were 16 lead changes and nine ties; the action back-and-forth from the onset. The atmosphere in the building was a little muted, with the Arizona hordes off to drown their sorrows in booze and gambling, but the game on the court was one of the better I've seen all season. Heroes on both sides, it eventually devolved into a battle between Utah's Jakob Poeltl and Cal's Ty Wallace. Poeltl had the run of the paint, as Cal refused to double-team him down low; he would finish with 29/11. Wallace was a one-man wrecking ball, launching into the lane to open up options both for himself and others; he ended with 26/6. Eventually, after another moment of Lorenzo Bonam last-second brilliance (BuffNation knows him well from that game in Boulder this season), the Utes pushed the game to overtime, and rode Poeltl's un-checked grace to an 82-78 win.
All-in-all, I couldn't have asked for a better, more dramatic pair of games. The Pac-12 answered the bell, serving up exactly what was called for; I'm glad I was in attendance to watch. The shame of it was, as exciting as the games were, they were played either too late or on a channel no one gets, keeping most of the country from joining in. An ugly situation, the Pac-12 has purposefully sequestered themselves on a regional network of their own choosing. It is what it is.
--
Best pep band of the day: Utah
Why?: Utah always surprises me. As a former Mountain West program from what could be considered a "flyover state" (one that, per Trey Parker and Matt Stone, does not allow music), I just wouldn't think they'd be great off the top of my head. But they come to play. Fun, loud, brass-forward sound, built around a good tempo. Much like Arizona, they get good crowd involvement, and are quick to jump into tags and cheers after playing a standard tune. Loved my time listening to them!
I also considered Oregon, but they played "Walking on Sunshine" twice. While a good arrangement, there's no reason to play a non-fight/cheer tune twice. Expand your book!
--
Today's action:
- #2 Utah vs #1 Oregon - 8pm MT - FS1 -
Well, here we are. The final, the 'ship, the whole tamale. The tournament has been chalk the whole way. While there's been some scares for the higher seeds, and both probably should've lost last night, but a win's a win, and there's a reason this bracket has played out this way. The good news here is that it leaves us with a terrific final matchup to watch. The Ducks took both meetings this year, including an early blow-out victory in SLC. Utah is a completely different team now, however, and, on a neutral (leaning-Utah) court, things could be very different.
Real talk, the combination of Brooks and Cook is a difference maker, and I don't think Utah can answer. If UO can hold Poeltl in even a little bit of check, probably by double-teaming, then the Utes will be in big trouble. As fun as the Ducks are to watch, I cannot bring myself to root for Altman. While I think Oregon will pull it out, I'll be rooting for the Utes tonight.
GO UTES! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND TAKE THIS THING!
It's the morning after, and I still can't completely grasp what I watched last night. I talked about it before Day 3 began, promising insanity and ridiculousness from the Pac-12 semifinals, but I didn't really expect a pair of games going to overtime based on final-buzzer pandemonium. It was electric! It was intense! It was random as hell and marred by officiating 'issues.' It was pure distillate of everything it means to watch Pac-12 basketball over an entire season. In essence, it lived up to the hype.
In the first game, the league champions Oregon seemed to be on the front foot for most of the action against Arizona. They closed the half on a blistering 15-2 run, capped by a final-second exclamatory dunk, and expanded their lead out to 17 points early in the second frame. But, in an effort to avoid foul trouble with their short bench, the Ducks stopped playing defense, and the Wildcats began to chip away. By the 10-minute mark, momentum had shifted, and the heavily pro-Arizona crowd was getting back into it. It would be a fight to the finish.
While the lead was shrinking, Oregon had always been able to keep the UofA at arms length. Powered by the fantastic shooting of Tyler Dorsey, the energetic attacking of Dillon Brooks, and the all-encompassing fury of Elgin Cook, they continued to put up points, and went into the final seconds with a four-point lead. Arizona's Gabe York, who struggled for much of the night against the Ducks' length on the perimeter, hucked in a desperation three that went in with only .7 seconds to play, cutting the lead to one point. Apparently too little, too late. But, the Ducks didn't call a timeout to set their inbounds play, and the wayward pass that followed went into the waiting arms of Mark Tollefsen. The refs called a foul on his resulting frantic heave, and suddenly, with an 82% free throw shooter headed to the line, Arizona was in position to flat steal their way into the final.
Tollefsen never looked comfortable headed to the line, though. With the extended review time acting as a natural freeze, he fidgeted and paced for minutes while he waited for his chance to shoot. When he finally got the ball, he fired the first free throw off to the side, forestalling an Arizona win in regulation. His second make sent the game to overtime, and the crowd was in a tizzy. The Ducks, however, are made of stern stuff, and responded like the champions they are. They dominated the extra frame, pulling away throughout. Buoyed by the return from in-game injury of Dwayne Benjamin, Oregon finally settled into a 95-89 final. An incredible, dramatic stretch of basketball.
The nightcap, featuring Utah and Cal, was just as exciting. There were 16 lead changes and nine ties; the action back-and-forth from the onset. The atmosphere in the building was a little muted, with the Arizona hordes off to drown their sorrows in booze and gambling, but the game on the court was one of the better I've seen all season. Heroes on both sides, it eventually devolved into a battle between Utah's Jakob Poeltl and Cal's Ty Wallace. Poeltl had the run of the paint, as Cal refused to double-team him down low; he would finish with 29/11. Wallace was a one-man wrecking ball, launching into the lane to open up options both for himself and others; he ended with 26/6. Eventually, after another moment of Lorenzo Bonam last-second brilliance (BuffNation knows him well from that game in Boulder this season), the Utes pushed the game to overtime, and rode Poeltl's un-checked grace to an 82-78 win.
All-in-all, I couldn't have asked for a better, more dramatic pair of games. The Pac-12 answered the bell, serving up exactly what was called for; I'm glad I was in attendance to watch. The shame of it was, as exciting as the games were, they were played either too late or on a channel no one gets, keeping most of the country from joining in. An ugly situation, the Pac-12 has purposefully sequestered themselves on a regional network of their own choosing. It is what it is.
--
Best pep band of the day: Utah
Why?: Utah always surprises me. As a former Mountain West program from what could be considered a "flyover state" (one that, per Trey Parker and Matt Stone, does not allow music), I just wouldn't think they'd be great off the top of my head. But they come to play. Fun, loud, brass-forward sound, built around a good tempo. Much like Arizona, they get good crowd involvement, and are quick to jump into tags and cheers after playing a standard tune. Loved my time listening to them!
I also considered Oregon, but they played "Walking on Sunshine" twice. While a good arrangement, there's no reason to play a non-fight/cheer tune twice. Expand your book!
--
Today's action:
- #2 Utah vs #1 Oregon - 8pm MT - FS1 -
Well, here we are. The final, the 'ship, the whole tamale. The tournament has been chalk the whole way. While there's been some scares for the higher seeds, and both probably should've lost last night, but a win's a win, and there's a reason this bracket has played out this way. The good news here is that it leaves us with a terrific final matchup to watch. The Ducks took both meetings this year, including an early blow-out victory in SLC. Utah is a completely different team now, however, and, on a neutral (leaning-Utah) court, things could be very different.
Real talk, the combination of Brooks and Cook is a difference maker, and I don't think Utah can answer. If UO can hold Poeltl in even a little bit of check, probably by double-teaming, then the Utes will be in big trouble. As fun as the Ducks are to watch, I cannot bring myself to root for Altman. While I think Oregon will pull it out, I'll be rooting for the Utes tonight.
GO UTES! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND TAKE THIS THING!
Friday, March 11, 2016
2016 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 3
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 11th --
This season has been full of a number of 'what-ifs' for the Colorado Buffaloes. Games against SMU, Utah (twice), Oregon State, and USC in the regular season were the difference between a good team and a standard-setting exclamation point for the program. After yesterday's 82-78 loss to Arizona, our Colorado heroes have another rueful log for the 'coulda-woulda-shoulda' pile, as CU wasted a commanding second half effort on the coattails of a disastrous opening 20 minutes.
From the moment the ball tipped, you could tell the Buffs were tight. They were missing bunnies, passing up open looks, and failing to stand up to the Wildcats in an admittedly tough environment. Stumbling out of the gate, they committed the worst sin imaginable: they allowed the heavily pro-Arizona crowd in the MGM Grand Garden Arena to become a factor. Possession after possession of stagnant, empty offensive basketball only made the situation worse (26% shooting, 0-6 from three in the first half), and they quickly fell behind an ever growing eight ball. Coach Boyle threw the kitchen sink at the problem, taking an (I assume) personal record of three first half timeouts and swapping out the lineups constantly, looking for some traction. None was to be found, however. In all, the team would play -17 basketball in the opening frame, and, honestly, should've been down by more at the break.
Then, CU came out of the locker room, and looked like a completely different team. Shots started falling, they gained some rhythm, and they leaned on typically tenacious defense and rebounding (finished +16 on the glass for the game). Slowly, but surely, the gap between them and Arizona began to shorten. By the time the final TV timeout hit, they were within striking range, and continued to push into the final seconds. That 17-point gap, however, proved to be too much of a hill to climb, and the team eventually fell into a four-point loss.
There's nothing to be ashamed of here. Yes, the opening half was ugly, and I had hoped the team would've shown better in a big spot. But that comeback was impressive, coming in the face of a hostile crowd and a tough whistle ('Zona shot 19 extra free throws, albeit while CU was in scramble mode). They can head into Selection Sunday with their heads held high, knowing that not only will they be in the Dance, but in a position to make a lot of East Coast also-rans sweat when they draw the Black and Gold.
In the day's other action:
Much more entertaining day, overall, than Day 1. Each game had some drama, even though chalk still reigned. The nightcap was probably my favorite. I was a little bleary-eyed, and on the verge of a walking hangover, but the sights of Gary Payton II (20/17, dismantled Jaylen Brown with his defense) mounting a desperate run at Cal was awesome. Ivan Rabb, though, stepped up when he needed to (21/15/4).
What it all means is that we get the final four we all secretly wanted. Oregon, Utah, Cal, and Arizona will make for a titanic semifinal Friday, one that projects to be the best of any Power 5 conference in the country. The atmosphere in the arena, with AZ and UT fans fighting over precious tickets, will be next level. The talent on display will be enviable. If these two games tonight aren't great, I'll eat my hat.
--
Best pep band of the day: Arizona
Why?: I didn't want to pick the same band twice in a row, so OSU is out (though they played quite well last night, particularly on "Radar Love.") The UofA band's sound was nice and meaty, they worked well with crowd interaction, and seemed to be much improved over last year's version. Overall, very entertaining and at ease with the fact that a basketball game is not a concert setting.
Looking forward, their matchup with Oregon today is, by far, the most interesting of the band pairings today. Utah/Cal is, well, the equivalent of an 8/9 game (though that Cal bass drummer has my respect).
--
Today's action:
- #4 Arizona vs #1 Oregon - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The reigning league champions vs the crowd. This is going to be like a heavyweight fight where everyone in the audience wants to see the champ knocked on his ass. I want to say Oregon is up for the challenge, having capped the 'Cats in McKale earlier this year, but Arizona hasn't lost a game in this gym since two years ago, and that was to a UCLA squad with oodles of NBA-ready talent. I'm putting my money on the Ducks, mostly because the red-clad fans will move the line in my favor, but any result here is possible.
- #3 Cal vs #2 Utah - 9:30 MT - Pac-12 Network -
Both teams played with their food a bit last night, and both teams are a bit lucky to still be playing today. Cal, especially, looked shaky, putting my tournament-winning bet on them into some doubt. I'm still on their side, though, and expect that Jaylen Brown will have a much better game with GP2 in his rear-view. Add in their ridiculous strength on two-point shot percentage defense, and I think Cal will get the best of this one.
GO BEARS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND KEEP WINNING!
This season has been full of a number of 'what-ifs' for the Colorado Buffaloes. Games against SMU, Utah (twice), Oregon State, and USC in the regular season were the difference between a good team and a standard-setting exclamation point for the program. After yesterday's 82-78 loss to Arizona, our Colorado heroes have another rueful log for the 'coulda-woulda-shoulda' pile, as CU wasted a commanding second half effort on the coattails of a disastrous opening 20 minutes.
From the moment the ball tipped, you could tell the Buffs were tight. They were missing bunnies, passing up open looks, and failing to stand up to the Wildcats in an admittedly tough environment. Stumbling out of the gate, they committed the worst sin imaginable: they allowed the heavily pro-Arizona crowd in the MGM Grand Garden Arena to become a factor. Possession after possession of stagnant, empty offensive basketball only made the situation worse (26% shooting, 0-6 from three in the first half), and they quickly fell behind an ever growing eight ball. Coach Boyle threw the kitchen sink at the problem, taking an (I assume) personal record of three first half timeouts and swapping out the lineups constantly, looking for some traction. None was to be found, however. In all, the team would play -17 basketball in the opening frame, and, honestly, should've been down by more at the break.
Then, CU came out of the locker room, and looked like a completely different team. Shots started falling, they gained some rhythm, and they leaned on typically tenacious defense and rebounding (finished +16 on the glass for the game). Slowly, but surely, the gap between them and Arizona began to shorten. By the time the final TV timeout hit, they were within striking range, and continued to push into the final seconds. That 17-point gap, however, proved to be too much of a hill to climb, and the team eventually fell into a four-point loss.
There's nothing to be ashamed of here. Yes, the opening half was ugly, and I had hoped the team would've shown better in a big spot. But that comeback was impressive, coming in the face of a hostile crowd and a tough whistle ('Zona shot 19 extra free throws, albeit while CU was in scramble mode). They can head into Selection Sunday with their heads held high, knowing that not only will they be in the Dance, but in a position to make a lot of East Coast also-rans sweat when they draw the Black and Gold.
In the day's other action:
- Oregon survived an early scare from UW to make the semi finals, 83-77.
- Utah traded blows with USC, but eventually secured an 80-72 win.
- GP2 and Derrick Bruce went off for OSU, but too much Ivan Rabb was enough for Cal; 76-68.
Much more entertaining day, overall, than Day 1. Each game had some drama, even though chalk still reigned. The nightcap was probably my favorite. I was a little bleary-eyed, and on the verge of a walking hangover, but the sights of Gary Payton II (20/17, dismantled Jaylen Brown with his defense) mounting a desperate run at Cal was awesome. Ivan Rabb, though, stepped up when he needed to (21/15/4).
What it all means is that we get the final four we all secretly wanted. Oregon, Utah, Cal, and Arizona will make for a titanic semifinal Friday, one that projects to be the best of any Power 5 conference in the country. The atmosphere in the arena, with AZ and UT fans fighting over precious tickets, will be next level. The talent on display will be enviable. If these two games tonight aren't great, I'll eat my hat.
--
Best pep band of the day: Arizona
Why?: I didn't want to pick the same band twice in a row, so OSU is out (though they played quite well last night, particularly on "Radar Love.") The UofA band's sound was nice and meaty, they worked well with crowd interaction, and seemed to be much improved over last year's version. Overall, very entertaining and at ease with the fact that a basketball game is not a concert setting.
Looking forward, their matchup with Oregon today is, by far, the most interesting of the band pairings today. Utah/Cal is, well, the equivalent of an 8/9 game (though that Cal bass drummer has my respect).
--
Today's action:
- #4 Arizona vs #1 Oregon - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The reigning league champions vs the crowd. This is going to be like a heavyweight fight where everyone in the audience wants to see the champ knocked on his ass. I want to say Oregon is up for the challenge, having capped the 'Cats in McKale earlier this year, but Arizona hasn't lost a game in this gym since two years ago, and that was to a UCLA squad with oodles of NBA-ready talent. I'm putting my money on the Ducks, mostly because the red-clad fans will move the line in my favor, but any result here is possible.
- #3 Cal vs #2 Utah - 9:30 MT - Pac-12 Network -
Both teams played with their food a bit last night, and both teams are a bit lucky to still be playing today. Cal, especially, looked shaky, putting my tournament-winning bet on them into some doubt. I'm still on their side, though, and expect that Jaylen Brown will have a much better game with GP2 in his rear-view. Add in their ridiculous strength on two-point shot percentage defense, and I think Cal will get the best of this one.
GO BEARS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND KEEP WINNING!
Thursday, March 10, 2016
2016 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 2
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 10th --
Colorado had struggled twice this season with Washington State, succumbing to personal demons in two difficult, taught affairs with the league's worst team. Yes, CU won both regular season meetings, but neither was convincing, and you could make an argument at the Cougs deserved to win at least one, if not both, games outright. Facing them in the first round of the 2016 Pac-12 Tournament was a kind of a litmus test for the Buffs: is Colorado really ready for March?
Well, after a resounding 80-56 clubbing of the Cougars here in Las Vegas, I think the answer is 'yes.' The Buffs controlled the action throughout, hitting all their numbers against the lower seed. For the game, they held Washington State to just 35% shooting, grabbed an extra 11 rebounds, and limited turnovers to a reasonable 10. Anytime Colorado does that, they've going to win. In this case they won big by also knocking down 40% of their three point attempts and sharing the basketball on offense (17 assists on 30 made baskets). Really, there's nothing to complain about after this one. It was a springy, bright little display from CU, one that even allowed them to play the 'Larry Bird All-Stars' late (Brett Brady even knocked down a three!). Essentially, they looked like a 21-win team should.
Delving into the numbers, the big key, as admitted by WSU coach Ernie Kent, was that the Cougars focused a little too much on stopping Josh Scott. While they managed to hold the All-Pac-12 forward to just six points, the Young Fundamental welcomed the double teams, and wrecked the Cougs with five assists on kickouts. Throw in a dose of George King going off (21 points, most of those in the first half) and the Buffs were able to play about as clean a game as you could expect this time of year. Elsewhere, big Tory Miller put up a huge 8/7, looking like a bull-in-a-china-shop should. Some defensive lapses, sure, but that's the version of Tory we in BuffNation hope will translate into the future.
Of course, everything that happened yesterday against the Cougars can be thrown out the window. As was always the case this season against those from Pullman, Colorado was expected to win, and win big. CU simply lived up to expectations... finally. The trick will be translating that good mojo into what will be a very difficult test this afternoon against Arizona in "McKale North.' The defending champs may not have had the most resounding season, indeed requiring a late push against Cal last week to avoid the indignity of a first round game, but they're still a very tough out (in fact, all mighty KenPom has installed them as the statistical favorite to win the whole tournament). Falling back on an old crutch, my only advise for those in attendance today: gird your loins.
In the day's other action:
A lot of chalk, a lot of blowouts. Even the closest game of the day, OSU/ASU, was ugly and essentially unwatchable. Not a good start, overall, if I'm honest. But, as is often the case with any tournament, early chalk usually begets later-round craziness. The big dogs hit town today, and will all play lower-seeded entrants advancing in emphatic fashion. I would imagine one or two will be able to put a big scare into a top-four seed this afternoon.
--
Best pep band of the day: Oregon State
Why?: They played the loudest. They played the fastest. The tubas were the phatest. Were one of the few groups who seemed to understand that they were playing at a basketball game, and not sitting a concert. (Looking at you, USC and UCLA).
Of special note, Stanford wasn't here for their one game, and didn't bring the Tree, either. Apparently, this is a result of that Iowa silliness; just lost a lost of respect for the decision makers who came to that conclusion. Accordingly, the Cardinal got whupped on the court. While there were basketball reasons for this, I'm putting it down for coming to Las Vegas without their band.
Up today, the Oregon/Washington game projects to be the best band matchup of the day. Can't wait for that one.
--
Today's action:
- #8 Washington vs #1 Oregon - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
Oregon come in the league champions, but probably the least talked about top-four team, in terms of hype. I bet they will even be underdogs if they advance to play Arizona tomorrow evening. That could be all the edge Dana Altman needs to get them going. UW is getting a lot of points, and it wouldn't surprise me if they back-door covered, but UO should win this one handily.
- #5 Colorado vs #4 Arizona - 3:30 MT - Pac-12 Network -
Does it have to be Arizona? Yes, Colorado looked comfortable against the red-clad horde in Boulder, which was something considering the previous two visits from our Four Corners neighbors, but here, in Las Vegas, CU might as well be playing them in a road game. Any of the top-four would be an elite-level challenge, but throwing in the extra difficulty of facing a good UofA team in a pseudo-road environment is a little too intense of a test for me. I think the Buffs will be able to cover the 10 points being offered right now, but I highly doubt they will be able to win. Even with a loss, however, NCAA Tournament status has already been assured, so this one's on the house.
- #7 USC vs #2 Utah - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
If Arizona has the largest fanbase here, Utah is a strong #2. Utes from everywhere will be here in force for the second session, making this a tough environment for the Trojans. This ain't playing the slap-dick Bruins anymore, USC, welcome to a whole new level of basketball. Give me UU.
- #6 Oregon State vs #3 Cal - 9:30pm MT - FS1 -
I followed through on my pre-tournament promise, and bet the Bears to win it all (6-1 odds). Accordingly, I like them to win this evening against OSU. The fighting GP2s just don't have enough firepower to keep up with the Berkeley boys.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE WILDCATS!
Colorado had struggled twice this season with Washington State, succumbing to personal demons in two difficult, taught affairs with the league's worst team. Yes, CU won both regular season meetings, but neither was convincing, and you could make an argument at the Cougs deserved to win at least one, if not both, games outright. Facing them in the first round of the 2016 Pac-12 Tournament was a kind of a litmus test for the Buffs: is Colorado really ready for March?
Well, after a resounding 80-56 clubbing of the Cougars here in Las Vegas, I think the answer is 'yes.' The Buffs controlled the action throughout, hitting all their numbers against the lower seed. For the game, they held Washington State to just 35% shooting, grabbed an extra 11 rebounds, and limited turnovers to a reasonable 10. Anytime Colorado does that, they've going to win. In this case they won big by also knocking down 40% of their three point attempts and sharing the basketball on offense (17 assists on 30 made baskets). Really, there's nothing to complain about after this one. It was a springy, bright little display from CU, one that even allowed them to play the 'Larry Bird All-Stars' late (Brett Brady even knocked down a three!). Essentially, they looked like a 21-win team should.
Delving into the numbers, the big key, as admitted by WSU coach Ernie Kent, was that the Cougars focused a little too much on stopping Josh Scott. While they managed to hold the All-Pac-12 forward to just six points, the Young Fundamental welcomed the double teams, and wrecked the Cougs with five assists on kickouts. Throw in a dose of George King going off (21 points, most of those in the first half) and the Buffs were able to play about as clean a game as you could expect this time of year. Elsewhere, big Tory Miller put up a huge 8/7, looking like a bull-in-a-china-shop should. Some defensive lapses, sure, but that's the version of Tory we in BuffNation hope will translate into the future.
Of course, everything that happened yesterday against the Cougars can be thrown out the window. As was always the case this season against those from Pullman, Colorado was expected to win, and win big. CU simply lived up to expectations... finally. The trick will be translating that good mojo into what will be a very difficult test this afternoon against Arizona in "McKale North.' The defending champs may not have had the most resounding season, indeed requiring a late push against Cal last week to avoid the indignity of a first round game, but they're still a very tough out (in fact, all mighty KenPom has installed them as the statistical favorite to win the whole tournament). Falling back on an old crutch, my only advise for those in attendance today: gird your loins.
In the day's other action:
- Washington rolled over Stanford 91-68.
- USC thrashed cross-town rival UCLA 95-71.
- Oregon State pushed past Arizona State 75-66.
A lot of chalk, a lot of blowouts. Even the closest game of the day, OSU/ASU, was ugly and essentially unwatchable. Not a good start, overall, if I'm honest. But, as is often the case with any tournament, early chalk usually begets later-round craziness. The big dogs hit town today, and will all play lower-seeded entrants advancing in emphatic fashion. I would imagine one or two will be able to put a big scare into a top-four seed this afternoon.
--
Best pep band of the day: Oregon State
Why?: They played the loudest. They played the fastest. The tubas were the phatest. Were one of the few groups who seemed to understand that they were playing at a basketball game, and not sitting a concert. (Looking at you, USC and UCLA).
Of special note, Stanford wasn't here for their one game, and didn't bring the Tree, either. Apparently, this is a result of that Iowa silliness; just lost a lost of respect for the decision makers who came to that conclusion. Accordingly, the Cardinal got whupped on the court. While there were basketball reasons for this, I'm putting it down for coming to Las Vegas without their band.
Up today, the Oregon/Washington game projects to be the best band matchup of the day. Can't wait for that one.
--
Today's action:
- #8 Washington vs #1 Oregon - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
Oregon come in the league champions, but probably the least talked about top-four team, in terms of hype. I bet they will even be underdogs if they advance to play Arizona tomorrow evening. That could be all the edge Dana Altman needs to get them going. UW is getting a lot of points, and it wouldn't surprise me if they back-door covered, but UO should win this one handily.
- #5 Colorado vs #4 Arizona - 3:30 MT - Pac-12 Network -
Does it have to be Arizona? Yes, Colorado looked comfortable against the red-clad horde in Boulder, which was something considering the previous two visits from our Four Corners neighbors, but here, in Las Vegas, CU might as well be playing them in a road game. Any of the top-four would be an elite-level challenge, but throwing in the extra difficulty of facing a good UofA team in a pseudo-road environment is a little too intense of a test for me. I think the Buffs will be able to cover the 10 points being offered right now, but I highly doubt they will be able to win. Even with a loss, however, NCAA Tournament status has already been assured, so this one's on the house.
- #7 USC vs #2 Utah - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
If Arizona has the largest fanbase here, Utah is a strong #2. Utes from everywhere will be here in force for the second session, making this a tough environment for the Trojans. This ain't playing the slap-dick Bruins anymore, USC, welcome to a whole new level of basketball. Give me UU.
- #6 Oregon State vs #3 Cal - 9:30pm MT - FS1 -
I followed through on my pre-tournament promise, and bet the Bears to win it all (6-1 odds). Accordingly, I like them to win this evening against OSU. The fighting GP2s just don't have enough firepower to keep up with the Berkeley boys.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE WILDCATS!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
2016 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 1
... and here we... go...
Ladies and gentlemen: we made it. WE MADE IT TO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! I look forward to the next two weeks more than any others in the entire calendar. Wall-to-wall non-stop basketball action, with games being played around the country at all hours; what could be better?
What's more, this 2016 Pac-12 Tournament - the fifth ever and the fourth played in Las Vegas - projects to be the craziest on record. In a conference this deep, with as many star-studded lineups as will be on display, nothing is guaranteed. I figure as many as nine teams are capable of making a semifinal, leaving almost the entire action to chance. And even if there is chalk, could there be anything more exciting than a final four pairing of Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Cal? Friday night at the MGM Grand is going to be epic!
The best part? I'll be your guide once again, living life on the edge in the heart of Sin City. Keep your eye on this space throughout the week for daily analysis and reaction, as well as on my twitter page for random ephemera. Additionally, due to popular demand, I'll be keeping an ear out for the pep bands at the arena, selecting my daily best, and eventually picking my top band in Vegas at week's end. Should be a fun and interesting perspective to focus on.
With that business out of the way, let's get to the action.
--
Hype Music for the Week: "Shots" by LMFAO, Ft. Little John
A week spent in Las Vegas watching basketball is absurd. LMFAO was absurd. This was a match made in heaven. Enjoy!
--
Today's Games:
- #9 Stanford vs #8 Washington - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Networks -
The tournament will start off with what could be a very interesting game (and the Stanford band!). Were this played a month ago, I would say Stanford would have no chance, but the Huskies collapsed in February, losing six of their last eight games. It's to be expected, I guess, with that pack of freshmen slowing down into this, their fifth month of collegiate-level basketball. Comparatively, the veteran Cardinal has been on fire (OK, sort of a quiet smoldering), winning four of their last seven. It's a battle of teams headed in opposite directions, playing dissimilar styles. That's a good set-up, right?
UW won the only regular season meeting, a rather dour 64-53 affair in Seattle played to only 70 possessions (UW's 'slowest' game since December). I would expect a few more fireworks this time, though; 70 possessions is like only reaching second gear for these guys. The Dawgs love to run, and they should be able to do just that on a neutral floor. Given that, I find it hard to believe the Cardinal could keep pace. I'll be betting Washington.
- #12 Washington St vs #5 Colorado - 3:30 MT - Pac-12 Networks -
The story here is the same as it has been all season between the Cougars and Buffaloes: there is no reason Colorado should lose. I'm serious, there just wouldn't be a rational explanation for a loss this afternoon; WSU has lost their last 16 straight, after all. However, as we saw in the games played in Pullman and Boulder, CU loves nothing more than playing down to their opponent. That scare in the Feb. 11th fixture was especially real, and served as a pseudo wakeup call. If Colorado comes into this one just as flat, just as willing to let Wazzou hang around, things could be just as scary upon approach to the final buzzer.
The big difference here, though, is that Josh Scott is healthy. If you remember, Jelly was out with his ankle issue for the home game, allowing Josh Hawkinson free rein to run amok. Josh is back, and on his final post season run. 'Baby-Face' Hawkinson, then, has his work cut out for him, and so do the Cougs.
I fully expect Colorado to stumble around for a bit, watch a few open jumpers clang off the rim, and generally allow WSU to hang... just as we saw in both meetings this season. But, just as we saw in both meetings this season, the Buffs will pull it out when they need to, and steal away into Thursday's matchup with the Wildcats. Give me WSU on the cover, though.
- #10 UCLA vs #7 USC - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Networks -
Ooooo, a rivalry game! The night session begins with this tasty little meeting between the two LA schools, featuring a reversal of seeding fortune as the Trojans come into the game as the 'favorites.' It's legit, though. Power program UCLA has played like trash this year, and clearly deserve their double-digit spot in the bracket. The Bruins, losers of their last four and seven of nine, certainly seem to be in a tailspin, and don't strike me as capable of anything resembling winning basketball right now. Not to be out-paced in the 'L' column, however, the Trojans have also struggled the last few weeks, losing six of their last eight. Really, these two deserve each other!
I expect this one will be a wide-open free for all, featuring ugly shot selection, questionable coaching decisions, and some righteously ridiculous shit. Essentially, what I'm saying is: if you're going to be next-level drunk for only one game today, make it this one. Give me the Trojans with a cover.
- #11 Arizona St vs #6 Oregon St - 9:30 MT - Pac-12 Networks -
Last, but not least, the Beavers and Sun Devils are ready to provide the night cap. Really, this one is all about the Gary Payton II show -- how good he is in this tournament will determine exactly far OSU can go, and how secure their NCAA Tournament position is. The run starts here, and I just can't imagine the 'Mitten' bowing out after only one game. Behind his all encompassing performance, the Beavers should win big, sending the masses out to the tables with plenty of time left on the clock.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE COUGARS!
Ladies and gentlemen: we made it. WE MADE IT TO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! I look forward to the next two weeks more than any others in the entire calendar. Wall-to-wall non-stop basketball action, with games being played around the country at all hours; what could be better?
What's more, this 2016 Pac-12 Tournament - the fifth ever and the fourth played in Las Vegas - projects to be the craziest on record. In a conference this deep, with as many star-studded lineups as will be on display, nothing is guaranteed. I figure as many as nine teams are capable of making a semifinal, leaving almost the entire action to chance. And even if there is chalk, could there be anything more exciting than a final four pairing of Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Cal? Friday night at the MGM Grand is going to be epic!
The best part? I'll be your guide once again, living life on the edge in the heart of Sin City. Keep your eye on this space throughout the week for daily analysis and reaction, as well as on my twitter page for random ephemera. Additionally, due to popular demand, I'll be keeping an ear out for the pep bands at the arena, selecting my daily best, and eventually picking my top band in Vegas at week's end. Should be a fun and interesting perspective to focus on.
With that business out of the way, let's get to the action.
--
Hype Music for the Week: "Shots" by LMFAO, Ft. Little John
A week spent in Las Vegas watching basketball is absurd. LMFAO was absurd. This was a match made in heaven. Enjoy!
--
Today's Games:
- #9 Stanford vs #8 Washington - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Networks -
The tournament will start off with what could be a very interesting game (and the Stanford band!). Were this played a month ago, I would say Stanford would have no chance, but the Huskies collapsed in February, losing six of their last eight games. It's to be expected, I guess, with that pack of freshmen slowing down into this, their fifth month of collegiate-level basketball. Comparatively, the veteran Cardinal has been on fire (OK, sort of a quiet smoldering), winning four of their last seven. It's a battle of teams headed in opposite directions, playing dissimilar styles. That's a good set-up, right?
UW won the only regular season meeting, a rather dour 64-53 affair in Seattle played to only 70 possessions (UW's 'slowest' game since December). I would expect a few more fireworks this time, though; 70 possessions is like only reaching second gear for these guys. The Dawgs love to run, and they should be able to do just that on a neutral floor. Given that, I find it hard to believe the Cardinal could keep pace. I'll be betting Washington.
- #12 Washington St vs #5 Colorado - 3:30 MT - Pac-12 Networks -
The story here is the same as it has been all season between the Cougars and Buffaloes: there is no reason Colorado should lose. I'm serious, there just wouldn't be a rational explanation for a loss this afternoon; WSU has lost their last 16 straight, after all. However, as we saw in the games played in Pullman and Boulder, CU loves nothing more than playing down to their opponent. That scare in the Feb. 11th fixture was especially real, and served as a pseudo wakeup call. If Colorado comes into this one just as flat, just as willing to let Wazzou hang around, things could be just as scary upon approach to the final buzzer.
The big difference here, though, is that Josh Scott is healthy. If you remember, Jelly was out with his ankle issue for the home game, allowing Josh Hawkinson free rein to run amok. Josh is back, and on his final post season run. 'Baby-Face' Hawkinson, then, has his work cut out for him, and so do the Cougs.
I fully expect Colorado to stumble around for a bit, watch a few open jumpers clang off the rim, and generally allow WSU to hang... just as we saw in both meetings this season. But, just as we saw in both meetings this season, the Buffs will pull it out when they need to, and steal away into Thursday's matchup with the Wildcats. Give me WSU on the cover, though.
- #10 UCLA vs #7 USC - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Networks -
Ooooo, a rivalry game! The night session begins with this tasty little meeting between the two LA schools, featuring a reversal of seeding fortune as the Trojans come into the game as the 'favorites.' It's legit, though. Power program UCLA has played like trash this year, and clearly deserve their double-digit spot in the bracket. The Bruins, losers of their last four and seven of nine, certainly seem to be in a tailspin, and don't strike me as capable of anything resembling winning basketball right now. Not to be out-paced in the 'L' column, however, the Trojans have also struggled the last few weeks, losing six of their last eight. Really, these two deserve each other!
I expect this one will be a wide-open free for all, featuring ugly shot selection, questionable coaching decisions, and some righteously ridiculous shit. Essentially, what I'm saying is: if you're going to be next-level drunk for only one game today, make it this one. Give me the Trojans with a cover.
- #11 Arizona St vs #6 Oregon St - 9:30 MT - Pac-12 Networks -
Last, but not least, the Beavers and Sun Devils are ready to provide the night cap. Really, this one is all about the Gary Payton II show -- how good he is in this tournament will determine exactly far OSU can go, and how secure their NCAA Tournament position is. The run starts here, and I just can't imagine the 'Mitten' bowing out after only one game. Behind his all encompassing performance, the Beavers should win big, sending the masses out to the tables with plenty of time left on the clock.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE COUGARS!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Tuesday Grab Bag: It's March!
No time for idle chitchat. IT'S MARCH!
Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over ASU, how the rest of the Pac-12 fared, and what's at stake over the final week of conference play.
Click below for the bag...
Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over ASU, how the rest of the Pac-12 fared, and what's at stake over the final week of conference play.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, April 2, 2015
On the Pac-12's Basketball Bands
From time to time I've expressed my opinions on the basketball bands of the Pac-12. Some of you enjoy these delves into band geekdom, and have requested more. This post is for you.
Of course, I've also received the occasional push-back on those opinions, like I did last week when I agreed with Rush The Court's Andrew Murawa that the Arizona band appearing in Los Angeles was... less than awesome. Maybe, in that light, I should provide my qualifications to comment on the league's pep bands, so that you can better understand where I'm coming from.
The large tuba player in the picture above is me. *waves* I played with the CU marching and basketball bands from 2002-2006. During that time, I rose to become tuba section leader, and have stayed close to the program since graduation. To this day, you can occasionally find me strapping up as part of the Silver Buffalo Alumni Basketball Band. While not an 'expert performer,' per se, I would consider myself an expert participant in all that is life as a basketball band geek. It's this experience and passion that underscores my opinions on the subject.
(Note on the label 'band geek:' I have never found this term to be offensive, and self-identify as such. If you, as a band member, do find offense, I apologize, but would hope you understand that I use it here with love)
Of course, the very subject - the quality, or lack there of, of various collegiate pep bands - is itself highly subjective. There are no right or wrong answers here, and, much like beauty, what you like in the arena is a very personal concept.
For me, I key on a few areas:
Unfortunately, while I've heard every band in the league play in person (via the Pac-12 Tournament), I'm still deprived of their full-force effort. (I'll be looking to rectify that in future years, eyeing more travel during January and February.) Still, at the very least, the tournament in Vegas provides an equal-footing setting. While not perfect, it will at least provide a standard for comparison. And so, based on my impressions from last month in Sin City, I have compiled a ranking of the league's pep bands for 2015.
A caveat - This is a particularly brutal way to judge musical groups, and I ask that you take this with a grain of salt. It's purely a reflection of my id's interpretation of the tournament, obscured, in no small measure, by alcohol and sleep deprivation. Really, there are no winners and losers here. Bands are there to enhance your enjoyment of the event, and, to that measure, every band in the Pac-12 hit their marks. Basketball in the Left Coast wouldn't be the same without any of them.
Without further ado:
1) Stanford
The Cardinal are the gold standard in the Pac-12. No one has more fun, and that bleeds into my enjoyment of their product. The damn Tree - notably the band's mascot, not the team's - also helps. Leaves flopping, always spinning, it's an endearing part of the ensemble. Oh, and don't forget the cowbell. You can never have too much of that. Loud, exuberant, fast-paced, and with a varied book. Just wonderful, the whole package.
2) Oregon
They have a great book, a great arrangement of players. I kept wanting to turn against them, for Dana Altman reasons, but, damnit, they kept winning me over. Out-played every band they came up against in Vegas; not kidding. That first trumpet either needs to learn to hold that high note on Stone Cold or hand it off to someone else, though.
3) Oregon State
Oregon State stole Dana Biggs, CU's former director, a few years ago, and their product has steadily improved, as a result. I've always like Dana's tempos - lightning quick, and impactful - and his players at OSU have really taken to them. The notes are crisp, clean, and they have the noise to back it up. It doesn't hurt that the Kentucky product brought many of my old Colorado favorites with him to Corvallis, either. Solid package.
4) Washington
In a surprise, the Huskies caught my eye by having some of the best tubas in Las Vegas. My word, could they play. I honestly didn't pay much attention to the rest of the band, my ear was tuned to the big heavies in the back. Beefy, brassy sound that thundered throughout the arena. Hell of a show, kids, keep up the good work!
5) CU
In 2012, I though Colorado boasted one of the best basketball bands in the whole country. You may say 'oh, that's just you speaking as a faithful alum,' but I'd put that group up against any (even mighty VCU). The intervening years haven't been kind, however. Three directors in as many years have upended the apple cart, and there has been some noticeable slippage in the product. The new guy (Dr Dockendorf) seems to have things on a positive track, and further continuity will help them regain their standing near the top of this league.
Still, a fun group to listen to. Generally fun, peppy, fast, and brassy. I'm a little too familiar with the book at this point, but I still like to hear hits like 'Separate Ways,' and 'Hey Pachuco.'
6) UCLA
The Bruins are very technically good, playing all their songs at an elite level. Some of the best pure musicians in the Pac-12. If this were a concert setting, I'd have them much higher on this list. The problem is they're very quiet. I have to strain myself to hear them, even from good seats. Maybe it's a product of playing for all the blue hairs in Pauley, but they need to be able to turn the amp up to 11 once they hit the Strip.
7) ASU
I found myself really liking this group, much to my surprise. Nice and brassy, with a fun book. They make for a really entertaining bunch. However, they have an Achilles' heel. Wayyyyyyyy too much electric bass. It's distracting. Pull that beast back in, yo.
8) Arizona
I really like the drummers from Arizona. As long as I've been listening, they lay on the cymbals, creating a very unique sound. I can always tell when 'Zona is playing, just from the tone of the kit. The rest of the band, though... *shrugs*. Pretty quiet, and a little plain musically. The self-indulgent trombone in the first row doesn't do them any favors; dude loves himself some him.
9) Cal
Another band where I kind of just *shrug*. With the hats and flair, they seem like a corporatized version of Stanford. Kind of quiet and reserved, I lose track of them, and start staring at Oski... damn is that bear creepy.
10) USC
Speaking of corporatized fun, the USC band gets a lot of pub, but, much like their basketball program, are never what they could/should be. They're probably down here simply because I expect more from a leading brand.
11) Utah
Honestly can't remember what they sounded like. I've been wracking my brain, and simply can't remember. I had to sit in the cheap seats for both of their games, so maybe it's just that I was too far removed from their sound, but I'm drawing a blank. I'll pay closer attention to them next March - they should probably be higher up this list, as a result.
12) WSU
No, they're not the middle school band I made them out to be a few years back. Much better than that, really. But, they're still solidly at the bottom of this list. I will say, however, that they have the best free throw chant in the league. 'You let the whole team down' owns.
Of course, I've also received the occasional push-back on those opinions, like I did last week when I agreed with Rush The Court's Andrew Murawa that the Arizona band appearing in Los Angeles was... less than awesome. Maybe, in that light, I should provide my qualifications to comment on the league's pep bands, so that you can better understand where I'm coming from.
The large tuba player in the picture above is me. *waves* I played with the CU marching and basketball bands from 2002-2006. During that time, I rose to become tuba section leader, and have stayed close to the program since graduation. To this day, you can occasionally find me strapping up as part of the Silver Buffalo Alumni Basketball Band. While not an 'expert performer,' per se, I would consider myself an expert participant in all that is life as a basketball band geek. It's this experience and passion that underscores my opinions on the subject.
(Note on the label 'band geek:' I have never found this term to be offensive, and self-identify as such. If you, as a band member, do find offense, I apologize, but would hope you understand that I use it here with love)
Of course, the very subject - the quality, or lack there of, of various collegiate pep bands - is itself highly subjective. There are no right or wrong answers here, and, much like beauty, what you like in the arena is a very personal concept.
For me, I key on a few areas:
- I need to be able to hear you. You could be the most technically brilliant set of performers around, but if you're not playing loud enough for a noisy, distractive environment, that brilliance is wasted. Remember - you're at a basketball game; play like it.
- Play fast, damnit. Get in, get out. You have my attention for about 80 seconds... get moving. In my day, the CU band used to whip out 'Minnie the Moocher' each and every night. Great song, but it dragged ass, and killed the mood. Give it some gas, kids.
- You must be brass heavy. All apologies to woodwinds, but... MOAR BRASS! Bonus points: The louder and fatter your tubas sound, the better.
- Play the hits. Don't play some intricate, jazzy/blues track to indulge your music majors; I better know what I'm listening to. Also, if you've got a great song you're known for, I'd better hear you playing it. USC - I want to hear 'Tusk.' Stanford - light up 'All Right Now.' Oregon - Stone Cold's entrance song, if you please. But don't play something modern and popular just to play it. You'd better have a good arrangement.
- ...but not just the top-40. You should have more than a few songs that you play every game. I used to mock Oklahoma mercilessly for having one - and only one - song in their book (you know the one). Expand your horizons.
- Appropriate genres. In general, I prefer the following genres - funk, blues rock, disco, soul, 80s hair metal, big band/swing, and ska (highly underutilized). Some hip hop, R&B, metal, and modern pop tracks (but those can get you in trouble with flobby arrangements). These aren't requirements - the odd country song can be fun - but just what I prefer. If you have a lot of ska tunes in your folder, you will win me heart over immediately.
Unfortunately, while I've heard every band in the league play in person (via the Pac-12 Tournament), I'm still deprived of their full-force effort. (I'll be looking to rectify that in future years, eyeing more travel during January and February.) Still, at the very least, the tournament in Vegas provides an equal-footing setting. While not perfect, it will at least provide a standard for comparison. And so, based on my impressions from last month in Sin City, I have compiled a ranking of the league's pep bands for 2015.
A caveat - This is a particularly brutal way to judge musical groups, and I ask that you take this with a grain of salt. It's purely a reflection of my id's interpretation of the tournament, obscured, in no small measure, by alcohol and sleep deprivation. Really, there are no winners and losers here. Bands are there to enhance your enjoyment of the event, and, to that measure, every band in the Pac-12 hit their marks. Basketball in the Left Coast wouldn't be the same without any of them.
Without further ado:
1) Stanford
The Cardinal are the gold standard in the Pac-12. No one has more fun, and that bleeds into my enjoyment of their product. The damn Tree - notably the band's mascot, not the team's - also helps. Leaves flopping, always spinning, it's an endearing part of the ensemble. Oh, and don't forget the cowbell. You can never have too much of that. Loud, exuberant, fast-paced, and with a varied book. Just wonderful, the whole package.
2) Oregon
They have a great book, a great arrangement of players. I kept wanting to turn against them, for Dana Altman reasons, but, damnit, they kept winning me over. Out-played every band they came up against in Vegas; not kidding. That first trumpet either needs to learn to hold that high note on Stone Cold or hand it off to someone else, though.
3) Oregon State
Oregon State stole Dana Biggs, CU's former director, a few years ago, and their product has steadily improved, as a result. I've always like Dana's tempos - lightning quick, and impactful - and his players at OSU have really taken to them. The notes are crisp, clean, and they have the noise to back it up. It doesn't hurt that the Kentucky product brought many of my old Colorado favorites with him to Corvallis, either. Solid package.
4) Washington
In a surprise, the Huskies caught my eye by having some of the best tubas in Las Vegas. My word, could they play. I honestly didn't pay much attention to the rest of the band, my ear was tuned to the big heavies in the back. Beefy, brassy sound that thundered throughout the arena. Hell of a show, kids, keep up the good work!
5) CU
In 2012, I though Colorado boasted one of the best basketball bands in the whole country. You may say 'oh, that's just you speaking as a faithful alum,' but I'd put that group up against any (even mighty VCU). The intervening years haven't been kind, however. Three directors in as many years have upended the apple cart, and there has been some noticeable slippage in the product. The new guy (Dr Dockendorf) seems to have things on a positive track, and further continuity will help them regain their standing near the top of this league.
Still, a fun group to listen to. Generally fun, peppy, fast, and brassy. I'm a little too familiar with the book at this point, but I still like to hear hits like 'Separate Ways,' and 'Hey Pachuco.'
6) UCLA
The Bruins are very technically good, playing all their songs at an elite level. Some of the best pure musicians in the Pac-12. If this were a concert setting, I'd have them much higher on this list. The problem is they're very quiet. I have to strain myself to hear them, even from good seats. Maybe it's a product of playing for all the blue hairs in Pauley, but they need to be able to turn the amp up to 11 once they hit the Strip.
7) ASU
I found myself really liking this group, much to my surprise. Nice and brassy, with a fun book. They make for a really entertaining bunch. However, they have an Achilles' heel. Wayyyyyyyy too much electric bass. It's distracting. Pull that beast back in, yo.
8) Arizona
I really like the drummers from Arizona. As long as I've been listening, they lay on the cymbals, creating a very unique sound. I can always tell when 'Zona is playing, just from the tone of the kit. The rest of the band, though... *shrugs*. Pretty quiet, and a little plain musically. The self-indulgent trombone in the first row doesn't do them any favors; dude loves himself some him.
9) Cal
Another band where I kind of just *shrug*. With the hats and flair, they seem like a corporatized version of Stanford. Kind of quiet and reserved, I lose track of them, and start staring at Oski... damn is that bear creepy.
10) USC
Speaking of corporatized fun, the USC band gets a lot of pub, but, much like their basketball program, are never what they could/should be. They're probably down here simply because I expect more from a leading brand.
11) Utah
Honestly can't remember what they sounded like. I've been wracking my brain, and simply can't remember. I had to sit in the cheap seats for both of their games, so maybe it's just that I was too far removed from their sound, but I'm drawing a blank. I'll pay closer attention to them next March - they should probably be higher up this list, as a result.
12) WSU
No, they're not the middle school band I made them out to be a few years back. Much better than that, really. But, they're still solidly at the bottom of this list. I will say, however, that they have the best free throw chant in the league. 'You let the whole team down' owns.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: Brackets!
This weekend was just too busy. From travels to and from the Pac-12 Tournament to news breaking across the basketball landscape, I'v never had so much to throw in one grab bag. It's so stuffy in here that I even had to leave a couple of important items on the cutting board.
For example, did you know CU is scheduled to play a non-conference basketball game with Iowa State in South Dakota this November? They are! In a tiny-ass gym, no less. That's pretty cool and newsworthy. Arielle Roberson isn't returning for her senior year. Also newsworthy, but far more sucky. Or, what about the Spring Game? Didn't watch, didn't care, but I know a lot of people do. There was so much breaking news this weekend that I don't even have time to halfheartedly struggle through three paragraphs on that!
The point is, there's a lot of stuff after the jump, each item worthy of its own, dedicated column. Please, bear with me as I dive through everything from an insane weekend. I'm talking the Pac-12 finale, bracket snubs, the CBI, a pair of new basketball recruits, and the Frozen Banana Stand winning number 20. *whew*, let's get started.
Click below for the bag...
For example, did you know CU is scheduled to play a non-conference basketball game with Iowa State in South Dakota this November? They are! In a tiny-ass gym, no less. That's pretty cool and newsworthy. Arielle Roberson isn't returning for her senior year. Also newsworthy, but far more sucky. Or, what about the Spring Game? Didn't watch, didn't care, but I know a lot of people do. There was so much breaking news this weekend that I don't even have time to halfheartedly struggle through three paragraphs on that!
The point is, there's a lot of stuff after the jump, each item worthy of its own, dedicated column. Please, bear with me as I dive through everything from an insane weekend. I'm talking the Pac-12 finale, bracket snubs, the CBI, a pair of new basketball recruits, and the Frozen Banana Stand winning number 20. *whew*, let's get started.
Click below for the bag...
Saturday, March 14, 2015
2015 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 4
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 14th --
Chalk reigned, once again, on day three of the Pac-12 Tournament, but not as overwhelmingly as it did in the quarterfinals. The two top seeds, Arizona and Oregon, each survived to live another day (by the skin of their teeth) to set up a dramatic final on Championship Saturday.
In the opening game, Arizona saw their first test in weeks from the UCLA Bruins, who held a solid lead deep into the second half. The underdog utilized a changeup 3-2 zone to confuse the 'Cats, holding them to 36% shooting in the first half. Suddenly, the physical, slashing Arizona offense was reduced to a jump shooting apostay. While UCLA struggled with foul trouble, and the 'Zona defense stayed formidable, it at least made an upset conceivable.
The inevitable - a dramatic, table-turning run from Arizona - always seemed to loom, however. Eventually, the moment came, as the 'Cats raced into a 15-0 sprint midway through the second half to turn a seven point Bruins' advantage into a 55-47 Arizona lead. Based on the efforts of Brandon Ashley, who's having one of the best runs in Vegas, momentum was flipped on its head. UCLA still had some fight left in them, and even brought it back to within two with 20 seconds to play, but the Wildcats hit their free throws to win a 70-64 final.
In the night cap, a back-and-forth affair between Utah (the lower seed, but betting favorite) and Oregon stayed tight until the end. Neither team ever pulled away by more than six, and the fans were treated to seven ties and four lead changes. With the Utes only leading by one at the break, this one had all the makings of a dramatic finish.
Just as they had against Colorado, Oregon would utilize a second half surge to gain an advantage. They upped their shooting percentage to 58% from the floor, and cracked down on the Utes' three point looks. This flip helped make up Utah's dominance on the glass, where they were +12. In the end, it was the Joe Young show, who capped his 25 point performance with a game-winning three pointer in the final seconds. 67-64, Oregon. Bring on the 'ship.
Chalk reigned, once again, on day three of the Pac-12 Tournament, but not as overwhelmingly as it did in the quarterfinals. The two top seeds, Arizona and Oregon, each survived to live another day (by the skin of their teeth) to set up a dramatic final on Championship Saturday.
In the opening game, Arizona saw their first test in weeks from the UCLA Bruins, who held a solid lead deep into the second half. The underdog utilized a changeup 3-2 zone to confuse the 'Cats, holding them to 36% shooting in the first half. Suddenly, the physical, slashing Arizona offense was reduced to a jump shooting apostay. While UCLA struggled with foul trouble, and the 'Zona defense stayed formidable, it at least made an upset conceivable.
The inevitable - a dramatic, table-turning run from Arizona - always seemed to loom, however. Eventually, the moment came, as the 'Cats raced into a 15-0 sprint midway through the second half to turn a seven point Bruins' advantage into a 55-47 Arizona lead. Based on the efforts of Brandon Ashley, who's having one of the best runs in Vegas, momentum was flipped on its head. UCLA still had some fight left in them, and even brought it back to within two with 20 seconds to play, but the Wildcats hit their free throws to win a 70-64 final.
In the night cap, a back-and-forth affair between Utah (the lower seed, but betting favorite) and Oregon stayed tight until the end. Neither team ever pulled away by more than six, and the fans were treated to seven ties and four lead changes. With the Utes only leading by one at the break, this one had all the makings of a dramatic finish.
Just as they had against Colorado, Oregon would utilize a second half surge to gain an advantage. They upped their shooting percentage to 58% from the floor, and cracked down on the Utes' three point looks. This flip helped make up Utah's dominance on the glass, where they were +12. In the end, it was the Joe Young show, who capped his 25 point performance with a game-winning three pointer in the final seconds. 67-64, Oregon. Bring on the 'ship.
--
Today's action
- #1 Arizona vs #2 Oregon - 9pm MT, ESPN -
The Ducks are hotter than hot right now. With Joe Young scoring seemingly at will, they've looked like the two-seed they earned in the regular season. The Wildcats are an intimidating presence, however, and will only further leverage the rebounding deficiency that Oregon showed against Utah. Between the length, activity, and physicality of the Arizona defenders, I just don't see a way that the Ducks can pull this off, even if Young goes bonkers. Give me Arizona - maybe not to cover, but to finally break through in the Pac-12 Tournament.
- #1 Arizona vs #2 Oregon - 9pm MT, ESPN -
The Ducks are hotter than hot right now. With Joe Young scoring seemingly at will, they've looked like the two-seed they earned in the regular season. The Wildcats are an intimidating presence, however, and will only further leverage the rebounding deficiency that Oregon showed against Utah. Between the length, activity, and physicality of the Arizona defenders, I just don't see a way that the Ducks can pull this off, even if Young goes bonkers. Give me Arizona - maybe not to cover, but to finally break through in the Pac-12 Tournament.
Friday, March 13, 2015
2015 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 3
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 13th --
A top-heavy league showed its true stripes in the quarterfinals. The Pac-12 Tournament, that had started out bonkers, slumped under a wave of double-digit blowouts. Heavy favorites Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and UCLA all rolled - after some early nervous moments - setting up a chalk pair of semifinals this afternoon.
For Colorado, they had their shot against the Ducks. They lead by as many as 11 in the first half, and were up by three at halftime. For much of the game, they were not only playing with favored Oregon, but beating them. Through the opening 20 minutes, the Buffs had held UO to only 33% shooting from the field, and largely kept one of the nation's best offenses silent. But, as would be expected, you can't keep a good team down for long, and, eventually, Oregon began to find traction against the porous CU defense. A wave of UO points in the second half proved to be too much, and the Buffs saw their season end to the tune of a 93-85 final.
The big problem was defensive switches - some of them unintended. In the second half, Oregon was able to get whomever they wanted on their elite set of guards - particularly the great Joe Young - by running a screen off a Colorado forward. For his end, Young dropped 30 points, including a back-breaking layup off of a bad switch from Askia Booker, to knife the Buffs. In total, the Ducks would shoot 76% from the floor in the second half, en route to a painful 59 points over only 20 minutes of action.
This was never the type of game that CU could win. Played to 75 possessions, this was to Oregon's tempo and style. Colorado kept running into mistakes, keyed by coughing up turnovers against the Ducks' trapping press. The Buffs would commit 13 TOs for the game, leading to 27 points for the league's two-seed. Not only were the turnovers ugly, but they were fueling the Oregon attack.
There was some late hope, as Colorado managed to cut the deficit to only four in the waning minutes of action. But any dreams of the great Booker single-handedly leading a noble comeback to stave off the end of his career were short lived. Booker did get a little warm down the stretch, finishing with 12/5/5, but it wasn't enough.
At their best on Thursday, CU was going through Josh Scott. The Colorado Springs native was nigh unguardable against Oregon, dropping 16 mostly-early points. He helped get elite rim protector Jordan Bell in foul trouble quickly, and was a terror in the paint. The Buffs struggled to get him the ball in the second half, however, and his post touches diminished.
Overall, this was Colorado's season in a nutshell. Good enough to compete, but not focused or composed enough to get the needed results on high leverage possessions. It's a frustrating end to a frustrating year. CU now heads into the offseason needing a lot of reformative work. Unless I've completely overestimated Coach Boyle, the version of the Buffs we will see in November will be a completely different animal.
A top-heavy league showed its true stripes in the quarterfinals. The Pac-12 Tournament, that had started out bonkers, slumped under a wave of double-digit blowouts. Heavy favorites Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and UCLA all rolled - after some early nervous moments - setting up a chalk pair of semifinals this afternoon.
For Colorado, they had their shot against the Ducks. They lead by as many as 11 in the first half, and were up by three at halftime. For much of the game, they were not only playing with favored Oregon, but beating them. Through the opening 20 minutes, the Buffs had held UO to only 33% shooting from the field, and largely kept one of the nation's best offenses silent. But, as would be expected, you can't keep a good team down for long, and, eventually, Oregon began to find traction against the porous CU defense. A wave of UO points in the second half proved to be too much, and the Buffs saw their season end to the tune of a 93-85 final.
The big problem was defensive switches - some of them unintended. In the second half, Oregon was able to get whomever they wanted on their elite set of guards - particularly the great Joe Young - by running a screen off a Colorado forward. For his end, Young dropped 30 points, including a back-breaking layup off of a bad switch from Askia Booker, to knife the Buffs. In total, the Ducks would shoot 76% from the floor in the second half, en route to a painful 59 points over only 20 minutes of action.
This was never the type of game that CU could win. Played to 75 possessions, this was to Oregon's tempo and style. Colorado kept running into mistakes, keyed by coughing up turnovers against the Ducks' trapping press. The Buffs would commit 13 TOs for the game, leading to 27 points for the league's two-seed. Not only were the turnovers ugly, but they were fueling the Oregon attack.
There was some late hope, as Colorado managed to cut the deficit to only four in the waning minutes of action. But any dreams of the great Booker single-handedly leading a noble comeback to stave off the end of his career were short lived. Booker did get a little warm down the stretch, finishing with 12/5/5, but it wasn't enough.
At their best on Thursday, CU was going through Josh Scott. The Colorado Springs native was nigh unguardable against Oregon, dropping 16 mostly-early points. He helped get elite rim protector Jordan Bell in foul trouble quickly, and was a terror in the paint. The Buffs struggled to get him the ball in the second half, however, and his post touches diminished.
Overall, this was Colorado's season in a nutshell. Good enough to compete, but not focused or composed enough to get the needed results on high leverage possessions. It's a frustrating end to a frustrating year. CU now heads into the offseason needing a lot of reformative work. Unless I've completely overestimated Coach Boyle, the version of the Buffs we will see in November will be a completely different animal.
--
Today's action
- #1 Arizona vs #4 UCLA - 7pm MT, Pac-12 Network -
Now we get serious. Arizona has looked unstoppable in recent weeks, crushing all comers by buckets of points. These next two games, however, will decide how we perceive the league champs. The Bruins have been the ones to take out the Wildcats each of the last two years, and they may be the only hope to do so this season. They're young and inconsistent, however, and I'm not expecting any dramatics in the first semi. Give me the 'Cats and the under.
- #2 Oregon vs #3 Utah - 9:30pm MT, ESPN -
Utah looked refreshed and reinvigorated against Stanford last night; a complete reversal from their slumping effort in Seattle last Saturday. With their length and activity on defense, they should prove to be a much tougher challenge to the Ducks offense than Colorado. I like the Utes, behind another Delon Wright explosion, to slip into the final.
- #1 Arizona vs #4 UCLA - 7pm MT, Pac-12 Network -
Now we get serious. Arizona has looked unstoppable in recent weeks, crushing all comers by buckets of points. These next two games, however, will decide how we perceive the league champs. The Bruins have been the ones to take out the Wildcats each of the last two years, and they may be the only hope to do so this season. They're young and inconsistent, however, and I'm not expecting any dramatics in the first semi. Give me the 'Cats and the under.
- #2 Oregon vs #3 Utah - 9:30pm MT, ESPN -
Utah looked refreshed and reinvigorated against Stanford last night; a complete reversal from their slumping effort in Seattle last Saturday. With their length and activity on defense, they should prove to be a much tougher challenge to the Ducks offense than Colorado. I like the Utes, behind another Delon Wright explosion, to slip into the final.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
2015 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 2
VEGAS, The Pac-12 Tournament, March 12th --
March - n. - A time of year where insanity becomes the norm.
March descended on Vegas with a crashing bellow yesterday, with all four games defying expectations. Overall, it was a rough day for the overachievers, as Washington State, Arizona State, and Oregon State - teams that all finished above their predicted place - fell out of the Pac-12 Tournament to teams that had underachieved this season.
For the Buffs, that meant a win over the OSU Beavers, and it took an extra special dose of Askia Booker to make it happen. The senior spark plug, who had struggled in the first half, came alive over a three minute stretch in the second. Out of the under-twelve timeout, with the Buffs trailing 52-50, Booker hit on a pair of free throws to even the score. He then proceeded to nail a trio of three point attempts and a slashing layup to sling-shot CU into a nine point lead. It was a lead the team would never relinquish, skating home with a 78-71 final.
The previous meeting in Corvallis was a fit of frustration, as Colorado never found traction against the Oregon State zone. Yesterday, however, CU played particularly well on offense, using incisive passes to carve up the Beavers. Eventually, OSU had no other option but to ditch the zone for man-to-man, as CU shot 50% from the floor against one of the nation's best defenses. That effort was supported by fantastic free throw shooting, with the Buffs getting near full value out of their 26 attempts. Just an outstanding performance all around.
For Booker, his 20 points lead the team. He had been off his game in the first half, finishing without a made field goal, but still found a way to contribute by repeatedly catching the Beavers in the air on pump fakes. Josh Scott, continuing his recent run of strong play, was vital in support, posting a 16/14 double-double against zero turnovers.
This was a tight game from start to finish. Back-and-forth action made for a very engaging affair, and Ski's three minutes of insane brilliance were the only difference. The Buffs now move on to face Oregon in day two, looking to claim a Beaver State sweep.
In the day's other action:
March - n. - A time of year where insanity becomes the norm.
March descended on Vegas with a crashing bellow yesterday, with all four games defying expectations. Overall, it was a rough day for the overachievers, as Washington State, Arizona State, and Oregon State - teams that all finished above their predicted place - fell out of the Pac-12 Tournament to teams that had underachieved this season.
For the Buffs, that meant a win over the OSU Beavers, and it took an extra special dose of Askia Booker to make it happen. The senior spark plug, who had struggled in the first half, came alive over a three minute stretch in the second. Out of the under-twelve timeout, with the Buffs trailing 52-50, Booker hit on a pair of free throws to even the score. He then proceeded to nail a trio of three point attempts and a slashing layup to sling-shot CU into a nine point lead. It was a lead the team would never relinquish, skating home with a 78-71 final.
The previous meeting in Corvallis was a fit of frustration, as Colorado never found traction against the Oregon State zone. Yesterday, however, CU played particularly well on offense, using incisive passes to carve up the Beavers. Eventually, OSU had no other option but to ditch the zone for man-to-man, as CU shot 50% from the floor against one of the nation's best defenses. That effort was supported by fantastic free throw shooting, with the Buffs getting near full value out of their 26 attempts. Just an outstanding performance all around.
For Booker, his 20 points lead the team. He had been off his game in the first half, finishing without a made field goal, but still found a way to contribute by repeatedly catching the Beavers in the air on pump fakes. Josh Scott, continuing his recent run of strong play, was vital in support, posting a 16/14 double-double against zero turnovers.
This was a tight game from start to finish. Back-and-forth action made for a very engaging affair, and Ski's three minutes of insane brilliance were the only difference. The Buffs now move on to face Oregon in day two, looking to claim a Beaver State sweep.
In the day's other action:
- Cal crushed Washington State 84-59 in a game DaVonte Lacy played little to no part in.
- USC stunned everyone by storming back in the second half to clip Arizona State 67-64.
- Stanford survived 71-69 in the day's best finish, thanks to senior Chasson Randle's three pointer in the waning seconds.
Just a bonkers day in Las Vegas, as the muddled middle scrapped for the spoils. This is a top-heavy league, however, and the behemoths hit town this afternoon. It's about to get real.
--
Today's action
- #1 Arizona vs #8 Cal - 1pm MT, Pac-12 Network -
The red horde is about to wash over the Strip, as the league champions finally start their run. It's hard not to expect some serious noise from the Wildcats, who dominated competition this winter, winning 16 conference games. It would take a near-perfect effort from Cal to beat them on their worst day, and I'm not expecting that sort of shenanigans. Give me the 'Cats.
- #4 UCLA vs #12 USC - 3:30pm MT, Pac-12 Network -
A surprise LA showdown in the second game won't be much fun for those in attendance. For all the faults with the Bruins, they should have no difficulty with their cross-town rival. Give me UCLA, big.
- #2 Oregon vs #10 Colorado - 7pm MT, Pac-12 Network -
We saw in Eugene what happens if the Buffs try to get into a track meet with the Ducks. It's not a pretty sight. Colorado's best chance this afternoon is to bring #TadBall to Vegas, and turn this one into a grind-it-out clencher. I've been told I can no longer pick CU to win this season, however. Fair enough. Ducks and the over.
- #3 Utah vs #6 Stanford - 9:30pm MT, ESPN -
This one could be interesting, as the Chasson Randle/Delon Wright matchup is fantastic, and Stefan Nastic will be able to use all his wily veteran skill against freshman Jakob Poeltl. I'm expecting another close finish in the night cap, with the Cardinal covering in a close loss.
GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE DUCKS!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
2015 Pac-12 Tournament Teaser: Day 1
A little less than a month ago, as CU was wrapping up their win over Stanford, friend of the blog @DavidScarffe and I endeavored to pick the Pac-12 Tournament winner via fantasy draft. I got first pick (I don't remember how), and selected Arizona. The rest of the results are as follows:
Team RumblinBuff: Team Scarffe:
Arizona Utah
UCLA Stanford
Oregon Oregon State
Cal Arizona State
CU Washington
WSU USC
What's on the line? A nice cigar Saturday evening in Vegas. In that pursuit, I think I have a great team. Not only do I have the front-runner, Arizona, but I also have the two teams I'm actually going to bet money on today: Oregon and UCLA. I don't like to put the cart before the horse, but I got this one in the bag.
--
Today's games:
- #8 Cal vs #9 WSU - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be a great game. Washington State plays with a Devil may care attitude, and Cal can get funky given ample possessions. This game also features a great upperclass guard matchup: Ty Wallace vs DaVonte Lacy. If those two get hot, this could get interesting in a hurry.
I'm going to say the tournament gets out of the gate with a cracker, as these two play to a score fest. I'll even say the Cougars earn the mild upset. The Golden Bears have just been struggling too much after their win in Boulder for me to take them.
WSU 81 - Cal 79
- #5 Arizona State vs #12 USC - 3:30pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
As much as I am high on the Cal/WSU matchup, I'm down on this potential clunker. ASU will bring out the worst in you, and USC has plenty of 'worst' to bring to the table. Certainly, the Devils deserve the five-seed, closing well on the regular season with five wins in seven, but I've just never been enamored with either their personnel or their playing style.
For those who haven't been keeping up with everything Trojan (and why would you), star freshman point guard Jordan McLaughlin is out for the remainder of the season with shoulder issues. That leaves them with precious little talent with which to attack the Sun Devils. With that in mind, give me ASU in a snoozer.
ASU 67 - USC 55
- #7 Oregon State vs #10 Colorado - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
It's do-or-die time for the wayward Buffs. They've played better of late, with Josh Scott looking healthier and healthier as the games go by, but are up against a team in Oregon State that seems designed to take advantage of them. In the first meeting, the Beavers strangled Colorado in the opening minutes, ending the competitive portion of the proceedings before it even began. Through a combination of devastating zone defense and crystal clear outside shooting, OSU never gave the Buffs a chance.
Unfortunately, that's how I see today's affair going. CU put up a lot of points in Washington last week, but that was against paper-thin defenses. Oregon State, a top-15 defensive club, is a whole different animal. They play the zone like they've been weaned on it since birth, and will cause the Buffs fits. On defense, CU still gives up too many open looks, letting the typically sluggish Beavers play like they know what they're doing. Add it all up, and I'm seeing a game that quickly slips out of control. Out of the locker room in the second half, Colorado will show some end-of-season spunk, but it'll be too little too late.
For the first time in the #RollTad era, a team not named Arizona or Kansas will beat them in a conference tournament, and the year will end with a whimper.
OSU 67 - CU 52
- #6 Stanford vs #11 Washington - 9:30pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The night cap is kind of intriguing. Point guards Chasson Randle and Nigel Williams-Goss are worth the price of admission, and Stanford likes shooting themselves in the foot enough for me to hope that this will be a good game. Ultimately, however, this game will be won in the paint, and it won't even be close. Cardinal senior forward Stefan Nastic should have a monster game against the non-existent UW front line, which will end the battle. Give me Stanford in a landslide.
Stanford 72 - UW 58
HAPPY MARCH! GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE BEAVERS!
Team RumblinBuff: Team Scarffe:
Arizona Utah
UCLA Stanford
Oregon Oregon State
Cal Arizona State
CU Washington
WSU USC
What's on the line? A nice cigar Saturday evening in Vegas. In that pursuit, I think I have a great team. Not only do I have the front-runner, Arizona, but I also have the two teams I'm actually going to bet money on today: Oregon and UCLA. I don't like to put the cart before the horse, but I got this one in the bag.
--
Today's games:
- #8 Cal vs #9 WSU - 1pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be a great game. Washington State plays with a Devil may care attitude, and Cal can get funky given ample possessions. This game also features a great upperclass guard matchup: Ty Wallace vs DaVonte Lacy. If those two get hot, this could get interesting in a hurry.
I'm going to say the tournament gets out of the gate with a cracker, as these two play to a score fest. I'll even say the Cougars earn the mild upset. The Golden Bears have just been struggling too much after their win in Boulder for me to take them.
WSU 81 - Cal 79
- #5 Arizona State vs #12 USC - 3:30pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
As much as I am high on the Cal/WSU matchup, I'm down on this potential clunker. ASU will bring out the worst in you, and USC has plenty of 'worst' to bring to the table. Certainly, the Devils deserve the five-seed, closing well on the regular season with five wins in seven, but I've just never been enamored with either their personnel or their playing style.
For those who haven't been keeping up with everything Trojan (and why would you), star freshman point guard Jordan McLaughlin is out for the remainder of the season with shoulder issues. That leaves them with precious little talent with which to attack the Sun Devils. With that in mind, give me ASU in a snoozer.
ASU 67 - USC 55
- #7 Oregon State vs #10 Colorado - 7pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
It's do-or-die time for the wayward Buffs. They've played better of late, with Josh Scott looking healthier and healthier as the games go by, but are up against a team in Oregon State that seems designed to take advantage of them. In the first meeting, the Beavers strangled Colorado in the opening minutes, ending the competitive portion of the proceedings before it even began. Through a combination of devastating zone defense and crystal clear outside shooting, OSU never gave the Buffs a chance.
Unfortunately, that's how I see today's affair going. CU put up a lot of points in Washington last week, but that was against paper-thin defenses. Oregon State, a top-15 defensive club, is a whole different animal. They play the zone like they've been weaned on it since birth, and will cause the Buffs fits. On defense, CU still gives up too many open looks, letting the typically sluggish Beavers play like they know what they're doing. Add it all up, and I'm seeing a game that quickly slips out of control. Out of the locker room in the second half, Colorado will show some end-of-season spunk, but it'll be too little too late.
For the first time in the #RollTad era, a team not named Arizona or Kansas will beat them in a conference tournament, and the year will end with a whimper.
OSU 67 - CU 52
- #6 Stanford vs #11 Washington - 9:30pm MT - Pac-12 Network -
The night cap is kind of intriguing. Point guards Chasson Randle and Nigel Williams-Goss are worth the price of admission, and Stanford likes shooting themselves in the foot enough for me to hope that this will be a good game. Ultimately, however, this game will be won in the paint, and it won't even be close. Cardinal senior forward Stefan Nastic should have a monster game against the non-existent UW front line, which will end the battle. Give me Stanford in a landslide.
Stanford 72 - UW 58
HAPPY MARCH! GO BUFFS! PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE BEAVERS!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Monday Grab Bag: On to Vegas
Busy, busy week ahead as the basketball world steams towards Selection Sunday. I hope to have the Rumblin' Awards up tomorrow, with daily previews posted from Vegas as the week rolls along. For now, however, it's time for some weekly business.
Today in the bag, it's all about basketball. I'm talking the men's regular season finale in Pullman, the women's statement in Seattle, and how the rest of the Pac-12 ended their seasons.
Click below for the bag...
Today in the bag, it's all about basketball. I'm talking the men's regular season finale in Pullman, the women's statement in Seattle, and how the rest of the Pac-12 ended their seasons.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: A Senior Day Exorcism
I'm late!
Straight to the action:
Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over ASU, wrapping senior day, and looking ahead to Vegas.
Click below for the bag...
Straight to the action:
Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over ASU, wrapping senior day, and looking ahead to Vegas.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Tuesday Grab Bag: A Ticket to the Dance
I'm finally back from Vegas, fatter and poorer for my efforts. The Pac-12 has the perfect setup at the MGM Grand, and I hope all parties involved do the right thing and keep the tournament in place for the foreseeable future. It's a great venue for both the league and the teams, and it makes for an easily justifiable trip for the fans. If you haven't been either of the past two years, I highly suggest you start making plans for next March. You won't be sorry, I promise.
--
Today in the bag, I'm going to mostly talk NFL free agency... LOL, of course I'm not. It's March, so I'm talking basketball and brackets, like a true, red-blooded American should.
'Murikuh.
Click below for the bag...
--
Today in the bag, I'm going to mostly talk NFL free agency... LOL, of course I'm not. It's March, so I'm talking basketball and brackets, like a true, red-blooded American should.
'Murikuh.
Click below for the bag...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)