I hope everyone is OK!
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It’s hard to draw too many conclusions from a non-D1 opponent. Darlan with 13 boards and Hammond with 9 was pretty impressive. It’s a lesser opponent, obviously, but 14 total offensive boards is quite helpful whenever you can get it.
It looks like Santa Clara is going to be a big 3P shooting team again and put up roughly 50% of the shot total from beyond the arc. I may be in the minority here, but I’ve generally been supportive of SCU killing off the mid-range shot in most instances. So I don’t mind 40% of shots coming from three as long as the other 60% are coming from close to the hoop–fully half the shots coming from the arc is a bit much for me if Steph Curry isn’t on the floor. But they have to convert a better percentage than last night. The five starters were 3 for 19 from three.
Ensminger was more of an offensive presence than most of last season. As the front court gets stripped bare by injury, Jake has to be at least serviceable in all aspects of the game. We know he is an excellent facilitator, rebounder, and defender. But he does have to be at least a reasonable scoring threat, too, for Santa Clara to keep its head above water.
I echo the comments here that Chukwudebelu was much more ready than I anticipated. I saw him getting lost on defense a few times, and other teams will make him pay. But that’s at least a mental error that can be fixed with film and practice (hopefully very quickly). Physically, he seems to be ready. But I hope Oboye’s boot was a precaution–I think Knapper spent a couple games in a boot last season or the season before for a sprain that healed quickly. This team is in dire straights if Oboye is out for extended time, even if Francis C. is 130% of what I think it’s reasonable to expect from him in year one.
Lastly, our prayers for Brendan and a speedy recovery. The budding community of walk-ons and team managers seems really special for this SCU team, so I hope he is back on the bench very quickly.
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Hope Brendan is doing okay today. It was very scary in the gym last night.
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Good recap Pmac. I think last night was good for Francis, Allen Graves and Jake facing a 6’11” 298 pound beast in Odunewu. Our guys are a “light” 220lbs and will face many tough, tall, and bulky bigs.
I really liked Francis 4 assists as one of Coach Sendek’s focus areas this year is/was to play through the post…IF Bukky is out for a while we’ll need Jake to play the 5 at times as we would be thin there.
I also liked Darian’s rebounding. His “reach” is great for such a slight frame.
Finally, nice to have at least 3 guards with little drop off in ability. A real plus.
Just need to get shots to fall until Bukky and Normand are ready.
McNeese is strong and capable and Xavier on the road will tell us a lot.
Go Broncos!
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Santa Clara vs. Humboldt State – Postgame Thoughts
Santa Clara opened the season with a commanding 30-point win over a non-competitive Humboldt State squad. While the margin was impressive, the execution left something to be desired. That’s probably to be expected in the first live action of the year, but the sloppiness stood out.
The Broncos only turned it over 9 times — a manageable number — but the overall play lacked sharpness. Against a quality opponent, those loose possessions could easily become costly. Around the basket, there were some questionable sequences, and a few players (notably Darlan and Gavalyugov) seemed uncertain about their assignments.
The team’s positional length and athleticism helped boost rebounding totals, but the lighter frontcourt clearly affected both ends of the floor. On the bright side, the ball movement was noticeably better — unselfish, deliberate, and often leading to high-percentage looks. Despite scoring 48 points in the paint, it was surprising to see how few free throw attempts came late in the game.
From deep, Santa Clara shot just 10-for-36 (27%), but the attempts didn’t feel forced — more like the product of first-game jitters and rhythm issues. Defensively, the Broncos were aggressive, with sharper help-side rotations and a commitment to crashing the glass to limit second-chance points. The offensive flow benefited from more ball handlers and playmakers, which helped pull defenders out of the paint and create space for cutters like Darlan, Ensminger, and Mahi.
Individual Performances
Francis Chukwudebelu – Impressive showing for a true freshman. He showed good footwork, mobility, and poise. Aside from one miscue on a fast break, his reads were solid. He did get a little swat-happy (a la Oboye last year), which could lead to foul trouble, but his energy and touch around the hoop stood out. His jumper — both midrange and from three — looks smooth. For a player once labeled “too green,” he looked far more polished, and it’s no wonder programs like Kansas, Texas, and Auburn were after him.
Christian Hammond – Hammond displayed a tight handle, great control in traffic, and mature court vision. He’s not the most explosive guard, but he changes speeds effectively and showcased a beautiful floater. His rebounding at the guard spot was noticeable — if that’s a consistent part of his game, it’s a huge plus. He’ll be key as a steady playmaker throughout the season.
Sasha Gavalyugov – Played a bit tentative early but flashed his offensive skill set. His handle is smooth, and he’s a scoring threat whenever he’s on the move. He connected on some nice looks from three and had a great lob to Graves. Once he finds his rhythm, his aggressiveness should increase.
Thierry Darlan – Oozes athleticism and poses matchup issues on both ends. Like Sasha, he played tentatively, perhaps still adjusting to game flow and comfort. The G League polish wasn’t fully visible yet, but the tools are undeniable — smooth shooting stroke, vertical pop, and lob threat ability. Expect him to settle in quickly.
Allen Graves – Didn’t shoot particularly well but battled against a tough matchup. Even when his shot wasn’t falling, he contributed in multiple ways — rebounding, sealing, defending. His footwork and post presence stood out, and his rebounding instincts are elite for his size. Graves’ maturity and physicality will anchor this team all season.
Next Up: McNeese State
McNeese State returns much of its core despite losing head coach Will Wade (now at NC State). Their longtime assistant has stepped up to lead a group that still features the Southland Conference Player of the Year, the league’s top three-point shooter, and a reliable frontcourt piece. Expect them to play with the same defensive energy — lots of switching on ball screens and pressure aimed at turning defense into offense through their strong guard play.
For Santa Clara, the focus should be on cleaning up execution, limiting turnovers, and continuing to dominate the boards after pulling down 57 in the opener. With improved rhythm and sharper offensive sets, the Broncos have the personnel to handle McNeese’s pressure and maintain momentum.
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Thanks for your analysis. Mc Neese is supposed to be good so a real test for SCU. If we can win this one it will give us a good start and hopefully lead to better things this year.
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I thought Hammond looked especially poised and effective with a nice repertoire of shots. Also nice to have 3 guards that can pick up full court and create a few open court turnovers.
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Thanks Kevin— your and PM’s insights were helpful to those of us who missed the game.
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