2022-23 Postseason

[ALioninWinter]

St Mary’s experienced a disappointing drubbing at the hands of an athletic UCONN team. Coach Bennett does a great job of recruiting and building methodical, well oiled machines. But those teams are always vulnerable to teams that can “out-athlete” them. Gonzaga used to have a similar problem. But Coach Few finally built enough reputation that he could pull in a few athletes to fold into his system. Coach Bennett needs to do the same.

The Zags were in a real battle last night. Miserable first half shooting by Gonzaga gave the Frogs hope … and those guys took full advantage. TCU has some very good players, and a star who kept them in the game. Foul trouble induced by Timme definitely hurt TCU. THE Zags need to shoot consistently well to beat UCLA this next weekend.

Santa Clara’s loss does not reflect well on the conference. I don’t understand it. Everyone says Herb Sendak is a great coach … and he’s brought in some real talent. But that talent sure seems to underperform.

[LIONS90045]

The Gaels played even in the first half then lost one of their scorers- Ducas- with a bad back.
The roof caved in afterwards.
Agree WCC doesn’t look all that strong especially with the Bronco loss in the NIT

[LIONS90045]

The Zags - UCLA game was a real classic!
UCLA was missing two starters and the bench was thin, which helped the Zags. What tenaciousness was displayed by the Zags with a big second half comeback. Makes the WCC proud to have them carrying our flag.

Saturday’s game versus UConn will be the next challenge - the huskies have several “husky” big men including a 7’2” fellow.
No one said it would be easy, did they?

[slblions08]

Whoa whoa Stan Johnson guest appearance with Jim Hill.

[slblions08]

I was also going to mention regarding the Gonzaga- UCLA game that I’m surprised that Mick Cronin doesn’t scout his opponents. Because anybody who followed WCC ball this year knew that Strawther has hit that late-game straightaway 3 multiple times this season already.

He’s over there blaming officials but man he absolutely blew that last defensive possession.

[LIONS90045]

Slb - you are 100% right: Strawther hit that same shot to beat BYU (I think) - Few said they actually practice that shot regularly.
And Coach Johnson was on with Jim Hill, who mentioned a “big 3” in LA basketball - UCLA, USC and LMU. I think the latter is a bit premature.

[frankieboy]

Mar 24, 2023 10:53:45 GMT -5 LIONS90045 said:

Slb - you are 100% right: Strawther hit that same shot to beat BYU (I think) - Few said they actually practice that shot regularly.
And Coach Johnson was on with Jim Hill, who mentioned a “big 3” in LA basketball - UCLA, USC and LMU. I think the latter is a bit premature.

With UCLA/USC leaving for the Big10 (a big mistake IMHO)-might the Pac12 look for a non-football member in LA along with SDSU? If so-LMU will be top of the list.

The new Pac12 needs the LA TV market. Since there are no other football schools in LA-a non-football only member makes sense. LMU (if the school wants to upgrade facilities, etc) is the logical candidate-near LAX, gorgeous campus, in LA. Academic snobbery in play also-while the likes of Stanford, Berkeley will begrudingly associate with SDSU (as a Cal State campus), LMU more to their liking (as is SMU).

[LIONS90045]

That’s hopeful thinking but original I must say.
Our “arena” might be a sore point
In the PAC-12.

[lmu2008]

Mar 24, 2023 12:17:04 GMT -5 frankieboy said:

Mar 24, 2023 10:53:45 GMT -5 LIONS90045 said:

Slb - you are 100% right: Strawther hit that same shot to beat BYU (I think) - Few said they actually practice that shot regularly.
And Coach Johnson was on with Jim Hill, who mentioned a “big 3” in LA basketball - UCLA, USC and LMU. I think the latter is a bit premature.

With UCLA/USC leaving for the Big10 (a big mistake IMHO)-might the Pac12 look for a non-football member in LA along with SDSU? If so-LMU will be top of the list.

The new Pac12 needs the LA TV market. Since there are no other football schools in LA-a non-football only member makes sense. LMU (if the school wants to upgrade facilities, etc) is the logical candidate-near LAX, gorgeous campus, in LA. Academic snobbery in play also-while the likes of Stanford, Berkeley will begrudingly associate with SDSU (as a Cal State campus), LMU more to their liking (as is SMU).

I'd bet my life savings that we don't join the Pac-12 (or ten?) in the foreseeable future. I'm not sure LMU athletics would capture the LA market. The sad truth is that most Angelenos don't know we exist.

[lmu2008]

Mar 24, 2023 10:53:45 GMT -5 LIONS90045 said:

Slb - you are 100% right: Strawther hit that same shot to beat BYU (I think) - Few said they actually practice that shot regularly.
And Coach Johnson was on with Jim Hill, who mentioned a “big 3” in LA basketball - UCLA, USC and LMU. I think the latter is a bit premature.

Hindsight is 20/20. I'd argue it was the right defensive approach. The Zags were down just 1 before that Strawther 3 so you have to play the 2 strongly. Even though Strawther has hit that shot before, the defender in my opinion should go under that screen while Strawther is near the halfcourt "Madness" logo, because if the defender goes over the screen, Strawther can use the screen to get a full head of steam driving towards the lane. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap if the other team makes a big play, and congrats to Strawther for hitting that shot.

Note that UCLA was without 2 starters against the Zags (Bona and Clark who will be high draft picks soon).

[julia6]

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

Thanks for sharing, who will make 7 three pointers against Wake Forest this upcoming season?

[ALioninWinter]

Pretty obvious … the big guy from Cal!

[LIONS90045]

The Deacons want revenge! We better be ready to play!