SB Nation User Blog: Bald Eagle

The apple doesn't fall from the tree and the potential recruiting quandary...

Bald Eagle — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:23:09 -0000

I saw this in the local fish wrap a few days ago and thought Nester or one of the other front pagers would have picked it up. Maybe because it isn't directly a UCLA story, but it appears CRN's oldest boy has been named QB1 at Loyola HS as a junior.

Question for the Nation:

If the young "gun slinging" Neuheisel turns out to be a top notch D1 QB prospect, does CRN and Coach Chow actively recruit him or would such a recuit produce cries of nepotism resulting in unwanted pressure on CRN, the program and Jerry causing the staff to "pass" (bad pun intended). Do you take a top recruit even if he is the coach's son or avoid the scrutiny and potentially have to scheme against him in the future?

Thoughts?

Are we really that young? A cathartic analysis

Bald Eagle — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:04:59 -0000

Since the beginning of this season, many here on BN have contended that this is a young, inexperienced team, with lots of freshman who are new to the system. This has been done in part, I believe, to temper expectations for this team. While I applaud the rationale for trying to make such a claim, (keep expectations modest so as to not disappoint) I have secretly taken issue with the assessment believing in my gut that any team that starts three seniors all of which play considerable minutes, can not truly be considered “young”. Then, consider that the three reserves used most this year are juniors, one of which (MR) is a redshirt Junior who has been in CBH’s system four years, it becomes nearly impossible to subscribe to the belief that this team will underachieve because of too many Freshman.

So in the spirit of BN, where numbers and analysis are what carry the day, I went back and looked at each of the teams from the 03’/04’ seasons through the present to see if I could come up with some evidence to support my theory that this team is as seasoned as some, if not most of CBH’s previous squads.

Disclaimer: I’m a lawyer and while I fancy myself a decent “numbers guy” I’m no CPA or statistician. I’m going to show you all my calculations and assumptions to make sure there is complete transparency related to my argument, as I know I’m taking a position contrary to the belief of many who post here.

For each year I looked at the players from the roster who played the majority of minutes in that year and what year they were in school. Freshman got a 1; Sophomores a 2; Juniors a 3; Seniors a 4 and any player who redshirted while playing for CBH got another year added for the years they were actually in the system (for example, Josh Shipp got a 5 for this year because he redshirted while playing for CBH). My analysis is admittedly somewhat flawed in that I did not have the actual minutes each player played, but having followed the Bruins pretty closely during these years, I have decent recall of which players played the most minutes in a given year. If I made any glaring mistakes, I’m sure you’ll let me know.

So here goes:

03’-04

Ariza -1

Bozeman – 3

TJ Cummings 4

Fey – 2

Hollins – 2

Josiah Johnson – 3

Dijon Thompson – 3

18/7 = 2.57

04’-05’

Brian Morrison - 4

Farmar – 1

Afflalo – 1

Bozeman – 4

Shipp – 1

Fey – 3

Hollins – 3

Josiah Johnson 4

Dijon Thompson – 4

25/9 = 2.77

05’-06’

Farmar – 2

AA – 2

Bozeman – 4

Shipp – (RS DNP)

Fey – 4

Hollins – 4

LRMBM – 1

Mata – 2

Collison – 1

AA2 – 1

21 / 9= 2.33

06’-07’

Westbrook – 1

AA – 3

Keefe – 1

Shipp – 3 (Includes RS)

Roll -2

LRMBM – 2

Mata – 3

Collison -2

AA2 -2

19 / 9 = 2.11

07’-08 ‘

Westbrook – 2

Keefe -2

Shipp – 4

Roll – RS _DNP

Love – 1

Drago – 2 (I didn’t include him last year as he didn’t play much as a freshman)

LRMBM – 3

Mata – 4

Collison – 3

AA2 – 3

24 / 9 = 2.66

08’-09’

JK – 3

Shipp – 5 (Includes RS)

Roll – 4

Drago – 3

Collison – 4

AA2 – 4

JA – 1

DG – 1

JH – 1

ML – 1

27 / 10 = 2.77

So here is what it looks like:

03-04 – 2.57

04-05 – 2.77

05-06 – 2.33

06-07 – 2.11

07-08 – 2.66

08-09 – 2.77

While not a perfect analysis, I am fairly convinced that compared to the teams in the past, this is not a young, inexperience team. Our final 4 team from 06’-07’ was clearly our youngest and this year’s is in fact one of the most mature.

So, maybe going forward we can ease off the youth/lack of experience argument here to mitigate expectations or try and make people feel better after a difficult loss. I don’t buy it anymore. I really never did, and this analysis has helped confirm this belief.

Others have trotted out more plausible rationales for these losses such as a lack of heart, or a lack of real commitment to defense or no true “go-to-guy” (which I also don’t subscribe to because I believe DC is that guy – at least as much as any of our previous leaders (Farmar, AA, Westbrook or Love)). Some have chosen to hang it on the refs (not one I’m fond of either). However, I for one, refuse to buy into the assertion that youth and inexperience is an excuse for underperforming this year. I just don’t see the numbers supporting such a contention.

This has been a tough week for the Bruin faithful. I have been in a terrible funk since Thursday night. Which is why I probably went though this exercise on a Valentines Saturday night (my 4 Valentines were asleep at the time). Not sure I feel any better (or worse for that matter), now that I’m done, but what I do know is that I expect more from this team. I expect it because we have one of the best coaches in the country and a team that is one of the most experienced CBH has had while at UCLA.

Don’t misunderstand, please. I’m not one of those people who can only be satisfied hanging banners or winning championships. I expected 4 or 5 losses this year. I knew there would be ups and downs. But I also expected to pull out games like the one this past Thursday. And I expected to win at least half of the games we played against ranked opponents, which I don’t think is possible anymore. What I didn’t expect was the kind of effort I saw yesterday. And I certainly don’t think our poor effort had anything to do with youth or inexperience.

This is a good team. Not great yet but I hope we’ll get there. I do think this team has as much potential to win the Pac-10 and get to another Final Four as any we have seen in recent years. Whether they live up to that potential remains to be seen. But youth and inexperience is not an excuse I’m willing to accept if we don’t. I hope we do live up to my lofty expectations. I know all our Ben Ball warriors want to win a National Championship as do most people here on BN. And so do I. But if we don’t, I for one will have enjoyed the ride.

Let's try and continue to enjoy the ride. It’s far from over.

No excuses. High expectations. No regrets.

Holiday takes the Point

Bald Eagle — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:30:55 -0000

Holiday takes the Point

Last night was magical. The crowd was rocking (even some of the blue hairs stood up!) and our BB Warriors came out to play and gave TrOJies a fierce spanking.

But one thing that stood out for me last night more than anything else. It was the play of JH at the point. I didn't read the game thread so I don't know if anyone saw how much he played there, but he was just masterful at executing the pick-and-roll finding DG and AA and others several times cutting to the basket or open on the wing after he came off a pick or drove to the rack. He finished with 7 assists which is very impressive.

The reason I believe he is effective in this roll is his length and finishing ability. I think teams have to continue to help on defense as he slashes to the hoop, and his strength and height make it much easier to find the open man than DC or JA (who also played big minutes at the point last night).

This is still DC's team and he will be at the helm during crunch time in games, and I still think JH exposes the ball a bit too much on his first move, but having him at the point opens up the offense and makes the other team have to alter their defenses which creates easy opportunities for our Bruin big men in the paint.

Tough game on Saturday with an early start and a hungry Irish team looking to snap a 6 game losing streak. I am sure N and the boys with highlight this more over the next couple of days, but I'm worried about a let down on Saturday.

Any thoughts???

The Den last night...

Bald Eagle — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:09:20 -0000

The Den last night...

Was at the game last night vs. Cal and loved what the Den was doing before each foul shot. Just blurting/screaming out load right before the opposing team's shooter releases. It was effective and fun to experience. Have not seen this before in the previous games I've attended this year. Something new? Either way, great job! Keep it up!!

Calling a foul when we hedge a screen...

Bald Eagle — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:28:06 -0000

While atching last nights game at Pauley, a question came to mind. The question arose as a result of our usual inconsistent Pac-10 officiating and the answer just may be that. . . Pac -10 refs are just sub par and inconsistent.

But over the course of the game as our bigs were hedging on screens, there were fouls called a few times (AA2 and JK) where our guys seemed to be in perfect position, but got called for a foul and other times where they made what seemed to be identical plays, no whistles were blown.

Are these types of calls subjective? Is there a rule/standard?

Seeing as this is a critical element to our defensive strategy, I for one would like to know when the call was "right" and when the refs blow it, so I can scream and rant appropriately.

Any help from BN would be appreciated?

Musings from Maui

Bald Eagle — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:43:08 -0000

The Bald Eagle family traveled west to the beautiful isle of Maui for Thanksgiving and to visit the brother-in-law. Upon arrival we were pleased to find out that Maui Invitational Basketball tournament was in full tilt. My boys and I passed a few of the Texas players in the lobby after they beat their first round opponent and casually struck up a conversation, telling them we were coming to get them next week in Austin and to be ready for a little retribution for last years loss at Pauley. Then my 3 and 6 year-olds tried to teach the UT players the 8-clap (wish I had the video camera). Before we parted, and after my 3 year’s failed attempt at a Bruin cheer, he proceeded to blurt out, “teach that to your mother”. Not sure where he learned it, but the UT guys loved it! Very funny moment.

Anyway, the second round included a not-to-be missed match-up between UT and Notre Dame, two top-10 ranked, talent-laden squads. My brother-in-law and I scored 4 tickets last minute and we took a 5 minute cab ride with my two oldest boys to Civic Auditorium, a small, quaint little high school-esq facility where the tournament games are played. Since our Bruins will play both these squads later this year, I thought I’d do some live scouting for BN. While not as detailed as Nestor and others will provide us during the actual game weeks, here is my casual observations from seeing these two future Bruin opponents live.

Notre Dame: This is a very talented, balanced team with a solid inside game and some deadly outside shooters. Luke Harangody, the Big East Player of the Year last year, returns bigger and possibly more skilled. He struggled in the first hal to score in the paint against UT’s very athletic front line, but really started to click in the 2nd. He has quite possibly the quickest release that I’ve seen in basketball making it almost impossible to block his shots from 15 feet in. Kyle McAlarney, a sharp-shooting guard from Staten Island NY, can really fill it up. He provides solid senior leadership on the floor and always seem to hit big shots when the game got tight.

Seniors Zach Hillesland and Ryan Ayers split time at power forward and have different games but both can play. Ayers is a bit more athletic and a shot blocker, while Hillesland was just solid defensively and had some nice scores around the hoop.

ND was not the most athletic team on the court but they were the most sound fundamentally. They played very solid defense and got the ball easily into Harangody in the post who is very tough to stop when he turns to the hoop.

Texas: As expected, this is a very athletic team. They return 4 starters and 9 of their top 10 scorers from last year’s team that went 31-7, including a gut-wrenching, last second victory at Pauley last year. They return 73 percent of their scoring from last year.

Their backcourt is absolutely terrific. A.J. Abrams is their floor leader. They went to him consistently at the end of the game to make threes to bring UT back from a late 7 point deficit. Justin Mason also ran the point some and was lighting fast on D and created numerous shots driving to the hoop.

Dexter Pittman started at center and he is Tight End in hoops shorts. At 6-10 298 he is a load down low. Thankfully he is a foul waiting to happen. Worse than AA2 on his worst day. Connor Atchley, a 5th yr. Senior was active around the hoop but really nothing to write home about. I got the same impression last year when I watched him at Pauley. If you don’t put a body on him he’ll sneak in for some put-backs and easy hoops.

Damion James is arguably their best player. He killed us last year. A 6-7’ G/F who can leap out of the building, he is a nightmare match-up. He didn’t have a huge game today, but every time you looked up he was flying above the rim grabbing rebounds or slashing to the hoop for easy points off the glass. If JA can’t guard him this year, he could be our Achilles Heel again.

The game was amazing. For those who didn’t get to see it live or catch the highlights, it was very well played, back-and-forth battle. Very few turnovers, well executed offense, great three pt shooting by both teams and a great ending. Texas was down by as much as 9 late in the game and proceeded to shoot enough threes, foul and then have ND miss some key free throws down the stretch to get to within 1 point with 4 seconds left. After a second missed free throw, UT dribble down the floor and Mason or Abrams (I forget who) launched a desperation 3 from just over half court that hit the front of the rim. I know many of you saw the highlights but seeing it live was electric!! We were sitting in the UT section and they were really hoping for a miracle last minute victory, but everyone left knowing that they just seen a really well played college hoops game… in Maui!!

Overall impressions: We can beat either of these teams but we’ll really need to play well. The thing that really stuck out for me was how physically strong both teams looked. UT’s guards are really physical and attack the rim to grab rebounds and ND’s bigs are all upper classmen who just look imposing. James is a beast and while Atchley is frail, he is really active around the basket. I hope we’re physically strong enough to play with these teams, given our youth.

As for NC, they exceed the hype. Several people have posted here about how they are a lock to win it all. Based on what I saw this past week, I would have to agree. Something catestrophic would have to happen in March for the Tarheels not to win it all. Hansbrough was the best player on the Island, even on one leg. With an outstanding supporting cast, it seems incomprehensible that they aren't cutting down the nets in Detroit.

I’m certain Nestor and the boys here at BN will have much more on these squads during the respective game weeks, and I don’t want to get caught looking ahead to either of these two games, but we could easily loose both if we don’t come out and play some trademark Howland –D and get some production from our bigs and wing players.

I know this post is a bit late but vacation time with the fam made it hard to get this cleaned up and posted. We all have lots to be thankful this year. I’m thankful to be here with my family; thankful for my health and the health of my family; and thankful for my Bruins. Enjoy your Holidays BN’ers.

See you on the Mainland.

Aloha.

Nunes coming to Stanford

Bald Eagle — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:17:45 -0000

Nunes coming to Stanford

According to ESPN and as heard on ESPN radio this AM, Josh Nunes, a top QB prospect from California, has decommitted from Tennessee and is now coming to play for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford.
Looking forward to some great games managed by Nunes and Brehaut at the Rose Bowl in about 2 or 3 years.

Anyone who doubted Harbaugh in the past has to give him props for bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the Pac 10 next year.

A Stat Worth Noting

Bald Eagle — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:37:59 -0000

A Stat Worth Noting

The total of the combined 14 losses by SuC under Sneaky Petey add up to less than the 59-0 margin of loss UCLA had against BYU. Wow that was tough to read and makes the road to recovery that our football program has under Coach Neu even more daunting.

Plans for Saturday? An Evening at Drake

Bald Eagle — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:26:03 -0000

Mrs. Bald Eagle alerted me to the fact that we have plans this Saturday night. That's right, she is taking me and 2 of my 3 little Bald Eagles to an evening of fun at Drake to watch our gridiron warriors have a little scrimmage.

G-d I love that woman. No expensive dinners, or boring movies or reconnecting with old friends. Just some quality time on a beautiful summer evening with the family and our favorite football team on the campus of the best University in land.

The boys will get a poster, meet some of our Bruin Warriors, get some autographs, we'll dine in the Food Zone (not my first choice as for culinary experiences, but I have to be mindful of the whole experience). Here is the link to the official site for all the details.

Sorry all you non-locals won't be able to join me on my "date" but I'm sure we'll get a recap from some of the Nation faithful who will be out there with me and fam. I may even invite greatgymnasticsschool to join me and the Mrs on our magical date at Drake, if I wasn't worried that the Mrs would be tempted to go home with him instead of me and the kids.

Go Bruins.

My Passion Bucket is Overflowing!!

Bald Eagle — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:26:11 -0000

I was there last Saturday when CRN had everyone drinking from the passion bucket; from the fans in top rows, near the rafters and banners, to those paying top dollar sitting courtside. Every person at Pauley was on their feet cheering wildly. Even the Zona fans sitting next to me were impressed. "This guy is really good," was their reaction.

And the loudest and longest cheers were for CW, as the Bruin fans appreciated that he could have easily jumped ship and sought greener and possibly richer pastures elsewhere, but instead chose to remain at the University he loves and become part of one of the all time best coaching staffs in college football history.

Having worked at several large companies for a number of CEO's, both good and not-so-good, CRN has shown the characteristics of what it means to be a true leader. KD gave it lip service but never lived it. CRN giving equal and substantial praise and recognition to his two right-hand men is exactly what leaders do. If they fail, CRN will remain accountable. When we succeed, he will again douse them with the praise they deserve. No more sidestepping issues and passing off blame or making excuses. This is no longer "football 101". CRN is the generous, passionate professor who makes sure you understand, even though the answers may be obvious to him.

While there were moments during CRN's rousing speech and introductions that it appeared he was going a bit "Howard Dean", once you remembered this is football and not politics, you appreciated that CRN may not be the guy you want leading our country, but there is no one better right now to run the UCLA football program.

CRN has done more in the few months as our head coach then KD did in five years. From managing the media, creating positive buzz about the football program, to recruiting exceptional talent (coaches and players) and making UCLA fans believe that a National Championship in football is a realistic and attainable goal.

I am one of those fans Kristy spoke of on her post at Bruinzone.com. I dress my sons in Bruin gear, from the Crocks to the Jerseys. My mood is affected by whether the Bruins win or lose. I scream at the bad calls and go berserk when we make great plays! My sons have had birthday parties at Bruin home baseball games. I wear my Bruin wear proudly, win or lose, outside, so the other half of LA sees that even in defeat, I'm still proud to be part of the Bruin family. And right now, wearing my gear has never felt better!!!

Go Bruins.