SB Nation Blog: SactoBruin

It's time to be honest about $C Basketball

SactoBruin — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:46:22 -0000

I know it's been a popular position around here to bash on U$C's basketball program, particularly in light of the lavish media attention it has been receiving recently. However, as much as it kills me to say, it's time to acknowledge that the Trojans are actually a pretty good team this year and are a program on the rise.

After we narrowly escaped the Galen Center with a win after a rather sub-par performance (and I don't buy the excuse that Shipp was out of the lineup), there was a lot of talk within this community about how $C "sucks" and don't deserve the hype they were receiving. But in all fairness, I watched that game and the Filthy Swine of Troy actually looked like a very talented team playing with heart and energy. I recognize that my comments probably border on blasphemy, but it's pure myopia to suggest that $C hasn't at least "narrowed the gap" between their program and ours.

Now, following $C's victory over Arizona last night and their other quality wins this season, I think we need to at least accept the fact that $C is an improved team and has to be considered a viable contender in the Pac-10 this year. Which in my mind, just makes the victories over $C all the more satisfying. And it makes trips to the LA area that much more intimidating for the other Pac-10 schools.

OJ Mayo

SactoBruin — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:47:20 -0000

Seriously now...something is seriously wrong when an elite hoops prospect like OJ Mayo is giving real consideration to the University of South Central. And I sure as hell don't buy the "I want to play for a coach with NBA experience" because Tim Floyd was about as successful in the NBA as Rick Pitino was in Boston.

The truth probably goes something more like this: "I'm OJ Mayo and now that there is a 19 year-old age requirement in the NBA, I might as well go play my one year in college for a school corrupt enough to pay me an NBA salary for the year." In that case, $C looks like a perfect match.

The reality about Farmar

SactoBruin — Wed, 24 May 2006 16:30:30 -0000

OK, from the 10-12 mock NBA drafts I've seen, almost everyone projects Jordan Farmar to be taken in the first round. Assuming this to be true, and assuming that this is the same thing he is being told by NBA teams and scouts, I think we can safely assume that Jordan will not be back next year. On the other hand, I haven't seen a single projection of Afflalo being a first round choice and several don't have him being taken until the last 2nd round, if at all. Thus, I suspect that Aaron will be back.

Of course, this is very unfortunate for the program, as I feel that with Jordan back in Westwood, we had an excellent chance of returning to the Final Four. Without him, we may still be a Sweet 16 team, but I can't see us being a legitimate title contender.

Personally, I don't know why he would leave early just to be a late first round pick. If he returned for his junior year, he would most definitely be an improved player under the continued tutelage of Howland, possibly an All-American. He would also likely be a lottery pick with another season of experience. As far as I know, he doesn't have a family and/ or children that depend on him for financial support, so why not come back for another year? This would certainly not be tantamount to dumb-ass Leinart returning for a senior season after wining a national championship and the Heisman, and already virtually assured being selected with the #1 pick.

Alas, perhaps I am too caught up in my own selfish desires to see #12 raised in Pauley and I should defer to Jordan's dreams of playing in the NBA. And maybe there isn't such a big dropoff from Jordan to Darren Collison, but I sure did love watching Jordan run the floor this year. He is such a talent and could be something truly special for the Bruins this year. And maybe we will still have enough talent to seriously contend for the title this year. But damn, I would love to have another year of Jordan at the helm.