Yes, fouling is certainly an advantageous strategy in certain situations. I don’t doubt that Cam could battle with anyone (but the art of fouling needs to be taught and conditioned) to take full advantage.
Calls not tending to favor SCU??? again there’s no conspiracy here.
I explain all of that as USF was fouling the daylights out of SCU everywhere and the refs were calling like 1 of every 6 fouls. Once Herb saw that’s how the game was going to be called he needed to adjust. He didn’t.
As far as rising above, this isn’t a lesson in Christianity, it’s basketball. Turn the other cheek in hoops and all you’ll get is a L.
I don’t believe that SCU guys are more likely to get called for fouls. There is no conspiracy
Strategic fouling can greatly impeade ball movement, footwork, and use of your body. On offense the answer was super simple last night. When D is all over you the only response is to take the ball to the basket. USF was crowding Podz every time he moved toward the basket. SCU needed the other guys to take the ball to the rack. That didn’t happen much.
I have no doubt that the refs would have called it the same on both ends if SCU were fouling too. Problem was Herb’s no contact D. The only time his players even get near an opponent is when there is a possibility for a shot (hence you see SCU getting called for fouls on the shot).
Ill hav to ask Cam how they are being instructed. As for overplaying on D. WHY would any player not drive inside for the foul?
Some guys are much more capable on the bounce than others (another reason why starting an offensive set with a big getting the ball 24 ft from the rim is simply idiotic). This SCU team doesn’t have a lot of options in terms of creating offense by themselves by driving to the basket.
That sucked. Especially the last 13 minutes, which felt like some of SCU’s worst basketball.
I still think SCU is likely for the NIT.
We will have to see about Podz. But next season, BYU is leaving the conference. Timme and probably Strawther are gone. Logan Johnson is gone from SMC. Shabazz and Roberts gone from USF. That leaves some real potential for Santa Clara to force its way even further into the top rung of the conference if this group can stick together (minus Key, who is another great all-time Bronco).
3 Likes
Timme said he is not coming back. San Fran is losing three 5th yr players.
Podz will get drafted. But I see tons of progress in Knapper and Stewart. I cannot wait to see what a 6 ft 8 in guard can do when Jake joins us next yr. Kosy has tons of athleticism and I think he will elevate. We have another physical big coming from East Coast. (Seems that will help in these kind of games). Cam will go into 150% focus to be an effective 3-4 player. Be nice to see him get back to his double double games he enjoyed every game as a Jr and Sr in HS. Tilly was a shocking great finesse big and I look forward to his continued development. I think Holt is gonna surprise us all too.
Braun will have a chip on his shoulder that will make him tougher. Hopefully Bediako will toughen up and learn to dominate with that size of his.
Dont think G Will is coming back. Carlos lost his 5th yr so he has to move on.
1 Like
It was a crushing loss and I appreciate all the takes because this talk board is alive.
I’m not sure if all the herb criticisms are fair - a lot is on the players on this one in my opinion.
It sucks to have 2 nba players in two years and not even a wcc championship appearance to show for it, but nothing is a given and we didn’t earn it last night.
At the very least our program is FAR FAR FAR better than it was 6 years ago in a league that has gotten more competitive.
I hope no one is calling for herbs head, because that could be a massive step backward. I think the best is still yet to come.
Sucks in the moment, but this year went beyond my expectations.
7 Likes
It does suck not having a WCC appearance. . But then I look at Pepperdine. It could be worse!
2 Likes
Incredibly frustrating and disappointing loss but before the negative first the positive and maybe some hope…
We still have a chance for the NIT. If both players and coaches can learn a few lessons from this loss and if we can get the mojo back we’ve displayed for the last month then maybe just maybe the Broncos can go on a bit of run, win several games and who knows, maybe make it to the Final 4 at Madison Square Garden (assuming they’re still playing there)…would still be a nice outcome and soften the blow of this WCC tourney failure.
NIT downside…this loss likely eliminates any hope of a Top 4 seed and home game…would have been nice to get a home game against a Power 6 ‘name’ in the NIT.
And USF…pains me to lose to the those guys but you have to give it to Shabazz and Roberts, played with a ton of heart and effort. Shabazz is typically a very streaky shooter, we caught him on one his ‘on’ nights but also made it much easier on him with the dumb switching all ball screens scheme. Sorry, not going to let it go, and sure hope the coaches reevaluate their approach in the off-season and adjust, teach and use alternative ways to defend balls screens. Why in the heck would you continue to employ a scheme that forces Bediako and Tilly to guard the opposing point guard…Bediako one great play and block shot on one possession doesn’t change the fact that the scheme hurt us on a two dozen other possesions. And Roberts…dude is listed at 5-11 which means he’s probably 5-9-1/2; impressive defensive job he did on Podz, battled and didn’t let up for 50mins…were there some fouls in there? sure, but he took advantage of what refs were allowing.
4 Likes
Concerning an NIT invite, BYU is now ranked ahead of SCU in NET rankings… It would only piss me off even more if the NIT selectors decide that 1 WCC team is enough and take BYU over SCU. SCU deserves an NIT showing, but honestly I think it’s 50/50.
That said I would rather have nothing than CBI or CIT joke appearance (hopefully they have the sense and dignity to pass on that if that is what it comes to).
2 Likes
Can ANYONE explain the BYU obsession? They tanked all season.
1 Like
They might be enticing to the NIT as they have a loyal fan base and always pack the house. Let’s face it for LDS members BYU sports is pretty darn high on their list and their fan base is pretty much the same size as their church.
Personally, I hate BYU (I’ll let you guess what I think of their religion).
3 Likes
“For starters, the fix was in…”
Thanks for letting me stop reading there.
2 Likes
In hindsight, finishing the regular season with Portland, Pepperdine, and USD was the worst thing to happen to us. All three of those teams are truly atrocious on defense (272, 224, 336 in defensive rankings) and lack any sort of physicality. We played well on offense in those games but they had more of an “open gym” feel to them. USF has their warts on defense too but at 124th in defense, they seem like St Mary’s in comparison to those other three. Also, letting Mike Meadows of Portland go for 39 should have been a warning sign for our own defense.
Would be thrilled if we got the NIT and it would be quite the accomplishment
Agree on the CBI/CIT. If the players really want to play then of course we should be for it. However, with Finals and Spring Break the last two weeks of March, they might prefer the extra study time and a chance to return home before Spring Quarter. We did not get a next season “boost” from winning the CIT and CBI last time.
Even if Podz moves on to the pros, this team should still be good next year if everyone else returns. From the Academy games in Europe I watched of Ensminger online, he has incredible feel. He won’t score it and rebound it like Podz, but he can keep a team organized in the half court, make slick cross court passes, and knock down shots. He should pair nicely with Stewart and Knapper on the perimeter. I feel good about our young bigs. Assuming we do get one transfer portal player, would love an elite physical perimeter defender. Maybe that can be Kosy? Or maybe he needs another year of development? He certainly has all the physical gifts to be that.
1 Like
I don’t think BYU gets in unless they beat SMC, and I doubt that it takes SCU out of the field either way. Both John Templon and Barking Crow, the two NIT watchers that I check in with, seem to have SCU in fairly comfortably. But losing to USF probably dropped us from a likely home game in the first round.
3 Likes
DRatings has SCU in as NIT #4 seed and down one slot from top line of 4 seeds. It will be updated daily, and this takes into account last night’s loss.
So, I think we should feel pretty confident about Broncos chances of getting an at large bid. BYU is NOT in this latest projection as an at large.
I agree on refusing invitation to CBI/CIT. Been there, done that, and won both.
IMO, season is still a success with a NIT bid, so let’s plan to stick around a little longer this time. Time to look ahead, and not behind.
Go Broncos!!
1 Like
Other random thoughts…mostly criticisms…sorry, hard to find many silver linings or excuses in last night’s game.
-
Needed to get a few more post touches for our bigs, especially late 2nd half when Podz and Stewart were struggling to find space and get decent shots. We had an advantage in there and needed to exploit it.
-
The two end game possessions resulting in desperation 25ft heaves from Podz were painful. Had timeouts, opportunity to set something up and the best we could do is…give Podz the ball at 35feet and ask him to beat Roberts 1on1 and get a decent shot when he was hardly ever able to do so during the game…complete head scratcher. Virtually every successful drive Podz had was when someone else was switched off on him, not with Roberts guarding him. I understand wanting to get the ball in Podz hands but given Roberts success to that point you needed to give Podz some help…let him set up off the ball or on the block and let him curl off a pin down screen to try to get him the ball at the elbow or mid range…then he simply shoot over Roberts from 15ft or try to back him down, if help comes, he’s capable of finding the open man for a decent shot. Just about anything would be better than what we got.
-
Ball screen defense…I’ve made my stance clear on this what feels like 100 times. Unfortunately Sendek and Co. and the results/outcomes keep proving my point.
-
This loss takes the luster off the 11 win, 3rd place finish. Feels hollow…BYU and USF are in the semi-finals, we aren’t.
-
I guess I don’t subscribe to the same satisfaction in where this season stands that others seem to have. The modest expectations most had of somewhere between a .500+ and ~20win season was a result of not realizing what we had in Podz. But we did in fact have a potential future NBA guy and WCC POY which changes the calculus. We can’t count on landing a transfer of Podz’ stature each season, when you do, you have to capitalize on it. It’s a bit deflating that we’ve had an NBA guy on the roster along with decent supporting casts the past two seasons and yet we haven’t even been in the conversation for an NCAA bid let alone actually get there and we’re left crossing our fingers that we get an NIT invite.
4 Likes
I do think things are looking up. Still not sure about NBA prospects for Podz. I think another year would help him like it did Williams. As to your earlier comments on the game I agree. USF had 16 more free throws than SCU and this is a recurring issue. I get it with Gonzaga and SMC when their reputation influences the refs. But USF? You can’t tell me that a 14 point differential from the line did not impact the game. Some people here don’t like Herb but I think he is now getting SCU back to long ago relevancy. Maybe he should be more emotional and get a T when the refs need a reminder. Very frustrating loss and I think our NIT chances are in jeopardy. Glad to hear Cam is coming back and I hope everyone that can does and we may have something very special next year. GO BRONCOS!
7 Likes
I still think Podz is more likely to stay another year than go. He could pop, and I think that scouts will pay more attention after Jalen. But Jalen had physical attributes and athleticism that shot him up the board. Podz doesn’t have that and will ride on pure skill and IQ. He has that in spades, but I think the scouts are likely to want to see one more year of production before they buy him in the first round.
That’s motivated reasoning for sure. I want one more year with Podziemski. But he’s gotta do what’s right for him, and he’ll be a great SCU story however this goes.
7 Likes
The free throw differential was painful, but we lost the rebound battle 50-33 and came up short on second chance points 17-3. Those stats are controllable with effort. A rebound is an opportunity to compete for possession of the basketball.
4 Likes