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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 3, 2015 19:36:15 GMT -5
University of San Diego Toreros
Record: W 8 – L 7 Home: W 4 – L 2 WCC: W 1 – L 2
Roster/PPG
01 Dee, Johnny........G 6’0” 185 SR 17.9 00 ANDERSON, Chris....G 5’7” 150 SR 8.7 15 Jacobs, Thomas.....F 6’6” 220 SR 7.5 33 Kok, Jito..........C 6’9” 232 JR 7.2 10 Sanadze, Duda......G 6’5” 210 JR 6.4 02 Perry, Brandon.....F/C 6’7” 265 SO 5.1 05 Sarbaugh, Chris....G 6’3” 200 JR 4.6 13 Pusica, Vasa.......G 6’5” 210 FR 3.7 11 Harris, Marcus.....G 6’0” 168 FR 3.0 32 Bailey, Brett......F 6’6” 205 SO 3.0 03 BEDART-GHANI, Khali G 6’4” 192 FR 3.0 22 Kerr, Nick.........G 6’3” 180 JR 3.0 25 Fajemisin, Simi....F/C 6’10” 267 SR 2.2 12 Neubauer, Cameron..F 6’7” 220 FR 1.6 21 Greenwalt, Forrest. G 5’9” 160 SO 0.0
Like the Lions, the Toreros also have an international roster: Sanadze – Tbilisi, Georgia Neubauer – Berlin, Germany Pusica – Belgrade, Serbia Kok – Wageningen, Netherlands
Their five leading scorers are veterans led by (the Marquee-named) Johnny Dee with his instant shot. The Lions match up size wise and our two bigs have been stepping up their offense lately. Patson is showing steady progress each game and is a monster on D. Hopefully Humphries breakout game against the Gaels will carry over – 10 points from him will help immensely The key is whether we handle the ball with limited turnovers in the as we did against the Gaels. If so, we have a decent shot at a win.
Gametime: Thursday, Jan 8, 8 pm in San Diego TV: TWCSN
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 7, 2015 20:51:38 GMT -5
Lions are 13.5 point underdogs tomorrow! Now I like that spread with the Lions. Toreros are coming off a loss to SCU after upsetting USF on the road.
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Post by husky on Jan 7, 2015 21:08:11 GMT -5
More than almost anything I would like to see us get a win in this contest. Full Disclosure: I have been an acquaintance of Brad Holland (my son more so) since the mid 80's when he was playing for the Laker's in the summer pro league at Cal State Dominguez (before it migrated to Gertson). We enjoyed exchanging pleasantries with him every year when USD came to town. He was at USD for 12 years and had something like 10 winning seasons. They fired him because they craved more success (specifically a la Gonzaga) so they hired Grier, an untested career assistant, to bring the glory. His initial year he did just that. Armed with talent recruited and trained by Brad, the Torreoes won the WCC tourney and advanced to the sweet 16, But that's been it. On his own the past 6 years he managed to eek out only one more "winning season" (last year's team was a full game over .500).
His overall record is solidly under .500. Two years ago his salary was credibly reported as being over $650K and at present almost assuredly much more than that since USD rewarded him with a new multi-year contract. I'm not sure why, but it annoys me greatly; perhaps it's simple jealousy. I know it would be wrong for me to hate Grier; afterall it's not his fault their administration has so much much money to waste - I just hate to see their stupidity rewarded with a victory over us. So come on guys, win one for, well, for me. GO LIONS!!
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 7, 2015 21:33:14 GMT -5
Well said and you got that off your chest! See his logic Winter?
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 7, 2015 23:11:21 GMT -5
I think it's a bit much to expect Coach Dunlap to tell his guys, "Let's win one for the Husky!"
Is Grier worth $650,000? Shoot, are any of the coaches worth what they get paid? Personally, I think Grier is a pretty decent game coach. He's had some impressive wins turn his tenure at USD. He just doesn't get enough good players for his team to win consistently (which is his fault). I attended that season opening tournament in San Diego last year. It was a good chance to compare the Toreros and the Lions against 2 common opponents during the same weekend. The contrast was striking. LMU clearly had the better players but played very disjointed games. USD, with clearly inferior players, looked like a well oiled machine. Is that worth $650,000? I don't know; but I suppose it's worth something.
And I admit, it irritates me to no end when his under skilled guys beat our Lions. How can we be 13 point underdogs to the Toreros? I sure hope our guys can prove the oddsmakers wrong ..... and give Husky his sense of satisfaction!
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Jan 8, 2015 1:45:51 GMT -5
Heard Grier interviewed on 1090 earlier this evening.
USD has had a cold/flu run through their locker room. He feels that had something to do with their lethargy on the boards against Santa Clara. USD lost 59-56, and Grier said SCU had an 18-0 advantage in second-chance points. That said, Grier made it seem that was a point of emphasis at practice this week, so don't expect the Lions to dominate the glass.
When speaking about LMU, Grier said Payne's "offense was NBA ready" and that we have "good bigs". He commented that we do a good job of converting our zone defense into a man, but that he thinks "if we can get the ball into the high post against the zone, we will have options to kick it out to the wings, or dump it down low, and get some high percentage shots." Sounds like he has Johnny Dee ready to fire away.
Go Lions!
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Post by husky on Jan 8, 2015 13:01:00 GMT -5
I am glad that being unable and/or incapable of recruiting sufficient talent is normally considered the fault of the head coach; otherwise, we might still be stuck with Charles Bradley and his marginally talented Division 2 players. Grier is out coached often; the Boise State game is one example. The key is denying the ball to Johnny Dee. Johnny also annoys me, he is a throwback to the 50’ and almost too cute; actually, he reminds me of the guy that beat me out for the last spot on my high school basketball team’s roster.
But he’s is a dead shot and his release has gotten even quicker. Let him have the ball and you better not blink. He is slow so he won’t easily get past most or our players. But he does work hard at trying to get open. We just need to minimize his touches. The other guard, Anderson can also give us fits; he’s not the shooter Dee is but piles up the assists and steals. During the Good era I think we usually split our games against Dee. Good had Deji shadowing Dee with some success. I seem to recall one game we shut Dee down effectively but little (he is really diminutive) Anderson went off on us. So for defense I don’t recommend our 2-3 in this game. Man to man could help Deji deny Dee the ball; but maybe a 1-2-2 with Deji focusing on Dee. Grier will sell the farm to stop Evan so hopefully our big guys can chip in some offense. GO LIONS!! (please)
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 8, 2015 17:04:18 GMT -5
Husky - You're 100% right on Johnny Dee. He's slow. His defense is mediocre at best. He's too short to play 2-Guard. However, the guy never stops hustling and the Toreros do a good job of setting bunches of screens for him (Grier gets at least some credit for that). If he's open, his shot is probably going into the score book as 2 or 3 points. If Viney had hustled that much and his teammates had set screens like the Toreros set screens for Dee, Viney could have set scoring records. But I digress....
Anderson is a so-so PG (although a lot better than what we have now). I think he's over-performed for 3-1/2 years, and had some really nice games. I commend him for his success. Both he and Grier deserve some credit there. Anderson for his hustle and some "cageyness." Grier for putting him in situations where he can be successful.
I agree I think a zone defense by the Lions could help USD in our game. There's too many holes in the zone for Dee (and their other shooters) to target. Putting length on a good but short shooter is usually a pretty good remedy. Deji probably is our best bet. Deji is also seasoned enough to recognize and avoid a lot of the screens Dee will be using. Our bigs should be able to handle their bigs (at least they better) so I'm not sure I see an advantage to a zone defense in this game.
And until another Lion steps up to the offensive plate, every WCC coach is going to sell the farm to stop Evan.
Husky, I'm with you ...... GO LIONS! (please)
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Post by husky on Jan 8, 2015 20:53:56 GMT -5
Yup
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 8, 2015 23:53:46 GMT -5
Lions are playing well 90% of our points were from inside 3 feet - I recall only one outside bucket that from Humphries Good defense but I'd prefer someone had stepped inside Dee on his half ending shot Payne with only 1 point - that's encouraging given the score Simon must really be in the dog house with a walk on at point instead of him Nice 2 FTs from Norris! Mornar a blocking monster Go Lions!
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Post by husky on Jan 9, 2015 0:01:14 GMT -5
Sort of a stinker so far. Evan has only 1 point at half vs Dee's 10. Only a couple of 3's made by USD out of only maybe 4 taken. In the meantime don't think we have even tried a 3. So far Monar is turning in a good performance including at least 4 points and almost as many blocks and Siame has been aggressive. Although we had 3 turnovers in our first 4 possessions we seem to have righted the ship somewhat. Flint not making many mistakes. Even if it isn't exactly a masterpiece so far, it proves USD can and should be had. Evan needs to step out and collect his points and we need to keep after Dee. I can't say the 2-3 is working passably because it's just as likely that the low score is because USD basically sucks.
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 9, 2015 1:27:22 GMT -5
Husky - Sorry. Another disappointing outing.
This game was almost as brutal to watch as the Nebraska game. Patson continues to show previews of the player he can become. Money played well. When Dave first came into the game, he showed good aggression but it then disappeared and didn't come back. After that, I'm having a hard time finding anything positive to note. It's going to be a tough season.
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Post by aussielion on Jan 9, 2015 1:35:08 GMT -5
ALioninWinter i watched it from Aussie and David got a hell of a hit to the head i saw him stumble and shake his head a few times i wouldnt be surprised if he isnt concussed dont really know though
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 9, 2015 1:56:52 GMT -5
Aussie - there may have been a cause and effect. David came back in the second half, but was fairly passive. I hope he's alright. I'd really like to see him cut loose.
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Jan 9, 2015 3:06:03 GMT -5
Up 43-40 and Humphries gives a great pass to Siame who missed, they come down and hit a 3. Could have been up five.
Another turning point was a little earlier, with Mornar getting fouls 3 and 4 on consecutive possessions.
I was so frustrated I already deleted the game off my DVR, but was Simon even on the bench? I did not see him.
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