There have been many comments in various threads about the Memphis game. I'm starting to get over this loss, but it's hard - I'm probably still a week a way.  I took parts of this from a comment I wrote previously.

1. We should not have gone zone! The main reason is that WE DON'T PRACTICE IT as far as I know. To institute a defense at that point when you don't practice it would not be wise. We are a man to man club and we double the post, we practice this and usually do it well. If CBH actually practiced zone or derivations of (box and one, triangle and 2, etc) then yes, consider it. USC used the triangle and 2 effectively on Memphis earlier in the year. I can explain the different zone defenses for anyone if you'd like.  We shouldn't use what we don't practice so it really was not an option. Would you want a corporate lawyer to defend you in a criminal case. Would you want a pediatrician to treat your mother?
2. We are defensive club, and I firmly believe (from CBH philosophy) that our best defensive match-ups and team should be on the floor. DC was a matchup liability and he should have played limited minutes (unless Memphis had a sub in that DC could match up with).  This defensive liability was clear early on. DC guarding Rose also forced another poor matchup with RW on CDR. RW gives up 4 inches in that battle and CDR easily took advantage of it. So really having DC out there gave us 2 poor match-ups and unfortunately they were on the only real scorers for Memphis.

We should have stuck with our traditional man defense, but changed our personell.

a. RW on Rose
b. Luc on CDR
c. JS on Anderson
d. KL on Dorsey
e. Other of 3 bigs on Dozier
f. could swap matchups on d and e.

Everyone prior to the game wanted a grind it out "unwatchable" game - that would give us the best chance to win. The only way to do this was to have the above match-ups and DC out. A lot of people seem to be worried about our offense with DC out, that is not our priority. The way I see it, JS would be forced to do more in this scenario and hopefully would have stepped up. With DC out, we would still have JS, RW, and KL to give us some offense. Also with the bigger line-up I'd hope for more garbage buckets. Regardless, limiting Rose and CDR should have been our main goal.

Bottom line - we needed a dirty, defensive game.  Please comment either way.

Bumped from the diaries. Slightly reformatted to include more amazing shots from bluejoe. If you are in San Jose, find a way to get your a$$es into HP pavillion. GO BRUINS. -N

I just went down to HP pavilion and bought 3 tickets from the ticket office. I got upper level, but center court (section 215) 6 rows back - pretty good seats. If you live near San Jose and really want to go, I would call 408-287-7070 for info - however, they may not have much information on if there are tix available. It's best to go there in person and ask. I was amazed to score these seats $76 each. They were only taking cash though - there is an ATM next to the box office.

I'm obviously ecstatic about getting these seats and I only waited 30 mins in line (which was pretty short). There are tickets that are occassionally being turned in to the box office and then are put up for sale. I really would encourage you to keep checking at HP Pavilion the hours are 9:30-5. If you have a friend you could split up the ticket checking duty.

There isn't much time left, but I could not let myself miss seeing this game live and it's in my home town.

Photo: thank you bluejoe! (N)

Two goliath basketball programs will Duke (pun is intended) out and leave nothing on the floor.

This game was a greatly needed and well-deserved victory for our BRUINS. The best part is that we earned this win. There were no phantom penalties, instant replay debacles, or controversial turnovers that gave us the W. SUC can't whine or make any legitimate excuses for their loss - they were flat out beaten. This makes the vicory that much sweeter (and no NC game for SUC). The mass media with all their comments about how UCLA had no chance whatsoever - and could only stay in the game if we played perfectly and SC totally collapsed (e.g. a slew of turnovers) can all now take their heads out of SUC asses and now lick our nuts. We did not play perfectly (holding penalty for a saftey) and SUC did not completely collapse - we just outplayed them (esp on the defense) and legitamitely won.

Important/Key performances:

1. PC (that's Cowan - not pom-pom) hanging tough, getting the job done with his feet. This guy took some huge (some illegal) hits while trying to get his team some well needed yards and the TD early in the game. Not the most gifted passer, but has a lot of courage and gives the team everything he's got. KD nice choice in giving PC the nod over BO. Let the QBs fight it out in the off-season for the starting position.
2. Tremendous effort from Bruce Davis and Hickman on the tenacious pass rush and bottling up the run. The defense as whole played well but the D-line deserves much of the credit. Also great comment by Davis on the CorStreit idiots at EastSPN - way to make your point in a classy, Bruin manner.
3. Eric McNeal - what a great individual effort to seal the victory. He jumped high to tip that pass and immediately turned to dive for the INT after his tip. I've watched that play a million times and I still have no idea how he knew where that ball was going after his tip - if he hesitates after his deflection, he doesn't make the INT.

Please add your thoughts.
GO Bruins - end the FBall season strong and lets wrap up a NC in BBall

I want us to play something that resembles Defense. I'm tired (even going back to the Toledo days) of watching pathetic defensive performances. I'm sick of all the missed tackles year in and year out. Anytime the opposing team is on offense, I'm expecting them to break off a big run. Our run defense (which is typically the worst part) has been atroscious in the last 10 years. I'm just sick and tired of it.

What else could go wrong for SC?
A summary of the last month:

1. Sanchez with an alleged sexual assault.
   
2. Reggie Bush with the housing scandal (with more negative findings daily - may be yahoo sports will be correct in this story).
   
3. LenDale with his weight issues and lack of conditioning and work ethic.
   
4. Matt Leinart stock seems to be dropping - lack of arm stregth and questions raised about him performing well because of the talent around him and the offensive system rather than true ability. He's being compared to Ken Dorsey and Steve Walsh.
   

Did I miss anything?

I would have liked to see the frontline of AA2, RH, and Luc (with Mata in relief). AA2 on Halford, Luc on Brewer, and RH on Noah. For the backcourt JF on Green (with DC for relief) and AA on Humphrey (with Ced for relief). Brewer is too long for AA, but AA would have locked down Humphreys. Only RH would need help on Noah and I think all the other defenders would shut down their guys. This would have given use the best size match-up. Just some thoughts. In the end, I couldn't be more proud of our team and can't wait till next year.

I'm surprised all the analysts and commentators were able to bring themselves to watch such a boring and ugly UCLA team. A big FUCK YOU to those idiots! Was that win over LSU ugly too - or were they not able to watch this ugly team's play. What comes out of their ass makes more sense than that out of their mouths. Again, a big Fuck you to all the assalysts at EastSPN and other MNM outlets. I'm sick of these assholes - and Billy Packer you can rest now that undeserving GM is out and btw it's Aboya not Aboooya and Farmar not Farmer - you'd think the jacknut would get it right by now - fucking idiot.

Go Bruins - 5 down and 1 to go for #12

Duke Athletics shows it's class (or lack there of) again. Not only do they have Kurse K coacking their bball team, but their LaCrosse team has just been implicated in a huge scandal. Members of the LaCrosse team allegedly hired 2 black strippers for a house party. One of the strippers claims to have been raped and strangled by multiple members of the team. There were also several racial slurs used as well per the victims and according to neighbors. The AD has suspended the team until further investigation is completed. This is alarming and disturbing on so many levels. I can't imagine any scrupulous high profile recruit in any sport wanting to be part of Duke athletics. Dukie V, what do you have to say? The link can be found at http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2387151