Awful 3-point shooting and the last five minutes it’s like the ball is coated with Vaseline.
Offensive rebounding has been impressive, but that’s about the only good thing about this game.
5 Likes
Hung with zags for 30 min. Not going to beat zags or Gaels without incredible shooting and limited turnovers
1 Like
Looks like another year with no chance to make the Big Dance…
@ Leavey is very winnable.
8 Likes
Beat the KP number by 4. 
I’ll say something nice about this team.
Sash, KJ, Graves, and Chulwudebelu are all freshmen (granted, Sash saw like 5 min of play or something last season at Villanova). Bukky and Hammond are sophomores.
I think Santa Clara is doing better than I could have ever expected running 60% frosh and soph players.
Still, this one was in reach.
14 Likes
As a parent of a player who had four yrs only - (I’m starting to think Cam is the only NCAA player who did just four). But all those guys you mention have already had a full year of development and are returning players - so they really should know better in these instances.
I read an article today that NCAA is no longer about player development. Most guys coming from high school won’t play at D1 level - so they should go D2 or JUCO for a development year. Because the redshirt option is going to start dwindling with all the pros coming in now.
Thought that was an interesting observation.
3 Likes
We had no answer for Ike who blitzed us with a double double (34/11) and the 17pt run or so in the second half where Ike took over really impacted us along with our turnovers and took the wind from our back. Hopefully we get them back at Leavy as we can beat them.
The Broncos hold serve in all of the analytics, dropping a spot or two in NET and KP, and rising a little in Torvik.
Flush it and win the next two easily (if you can) to be ready for a very beatable SMC team.
6 Likes
Graves hit a bucket with 2:52 left in the first half, putting SCU up 37-29.
But as many of us have pointed out in the past, historically the Broncos have a penchant for not finishing up first halves well. Happened again last night, with Gonzaga tying the game up going into halftime.
Coming out of half, it was clear that Few (or a team leader) fired them up. There was clearly a different energy level from their side. At the 1:04 mark, they had added another 5 points.
That’s a 13-0 run in 4 minutes. I understand the wheels fell off later in the second half, but I’ll argue those 4 minutes is when the game changed.
The box score was fairly balanced. The difference? SCU took 6 more shots than Gonzaga, and made 6 fewer FGs.
Onward and upward. Time for the team to prepare for LMU, while we bide our time until the next (and possibly last) chance to beat Gonzaga before they exit the conference.
P.S. Darlan had a horrible game. His decision making leaves a lot to be desired. Four turnovers for a non-PG player is not acceptable.
6 Likes
I am encouraged only because during that 21-2 run its not as if the Broncos were getting outplayed we spotted them about 16 points with sloppy play. The Broncos diverted from their olay all game to throw soft passes in traffic, dribble drive to the corner where theres an inevitable trap only to turn their shoulder and get picked by the double team. The truth is, like many of these Bronco teams they have the talent to beat anybody but too often they beat themselves. This game was still winnable up until about 12:00 min left in the 11:30 in the second half. They will grow, and I hope they stay together because one of these teams will figure it out.
4 Likes
Yeah, I don’t want to get caught constantly pining for next year–isn’t a 30 year drought long enough?–because there is still something (a lot, actually) to be accomplished this season.
But…next year’s team could be just awesome if they all stay together. It will be the greatest test yet of Sendek’s (and the donors’, let’s be honest) retention abilities.
4 Likes
I honestly think any talk of next year in 2025 is a complete mistake. There is a very realistic chance the whole team is gone.
The continuity we’ve experienced is RARE in today’s game. Graves is going to have an opportunity to make real money.
4 Likes
From the 11:12 mark to 8:31, the Broncos turned the ball over on 5 consecutive posessions, turning a 59-55 game into a 70-55 deficit. As they say, that was all she wrote.
6 Likes
Darlan looked very uncomfortable but nonetheless determined to drive the basketball. Good idea but not yet game ready.
3 Likes
He’s neither a good dribbler nor a good passer. He’s very good at rebounding and, when he stays in his plane and doesn’t reach, he’s a very good defender. He’s a streaky shooter. I’d rather see him in a motion offense with lots of back cuts. He needs to stay away from back-to-the-basket iso.
3 Likes