Monday, November 30, 2009

SCU visits UCSB at the Thunderdome

The UCSB Men's basketball team hosts the Santa Clara University Broncos Tuesday, December 1 at 7 pm in the Thunderdome. The Gauchos (4 - 0) aim to make it a trifecta against West Coast Conference teams, as they have already defeated USF and LMU.

Orlando Johnson leads the Gauchos in scoring and rebounding averaging 19.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a game. James Nunnally is averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Broncos (3 - 3) are led by Kevin Foster's 20.2 points per game and Troy Payne's 8.7 rebounds per game.

SCU Game Preview

Sunday, November 29, 2009

UCSB downs LMU in a 89-84 shootout

The UCSB Men's basketball team defeated Loyola Marymount University 89 - 84 in a high-scoring game at Gersten Pavilion. James Powell led a balanced Gaucho (4 - 0) attack with 21 points, making 5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. Powell also snared six rebounds, dished out four assists, and had two steals. Other Gauchos in double figures were Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally with 16 points each, Sam Phippen with 14, and Jaime Serna with 12.

Johnson led the Gauchos with eight rebounds, followed by Nunnally's seven, and six each by Serna and Powell. Serna, Powell, and Paul Roemer each had four assists.

The Lions (2 - 5) were led by Drew Viney's 25 points and 20 points. But the Gauchos out-rebounded the Lions by a 39 - 26 margin, and made 10-of-16 3-point shots, despite committing 21 turnovers in their first road victory.

The Gauchos return to the Thunderdome Tuesday, December 1 for another match up against a West Coast Conference foe, Santa Clara University. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Box Score

Friday, November 27, 2009

UCSB travels to battle LMU

The UCSB Men's basketball team visits Gersten Pavilion to battle the Loyola Marymount Lions in Los Angeles Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 pm. The Gauchos are led by Orlando Johnson, who is averaging 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. James Nunnally is averaging 13.5 points--including 20 in a win over USF last week, and Jon Pastorek averages 6.0 rebounds a game.

The Lions are led by Drew Viney, Larry Davis, and Vernon Teel. Jarred DuBois led the Lions with 17 points in a victory over USC.

LMU Game Preview

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

UCSB defeats USF 76 - 65

The UCSB Men's basketball team avenged last year's loss to University of San Francisco by defeating the Dons 76 - 65 in the Thunderdome. Orlando Johnson led the Gauchos (3 - 0) with 25 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while James Nunnally scored 20 points. Jaime Serna had seven rebounds and also chipped in 13 points. Will Brew handed out six assists to the lead the Gauchos in that category.

Dior Lowhorn led the Dons (2 - 2) with 26 points, followed by Dontae Bryant with twelve, and Kwame Vaughn with eleven.

Nunnally carried the Gauchos in the first half with 12 points, including two 3-pointers to start the game. Johnson secured the win with 19 points in the second half.

The Gauchos travel to play Loyola Marymount Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.

Post-Game Interviews

Box Score

Monday, November 23, 2009

USF visiting the Thunderdome

The University of San Francisco Dons will be visiting the Thunderdome in a game against the UCSB Men's basketball team. USF enters the match up with a 2-1 record, including a lopsided loss at ASU 104-65.

The Gauchos enter with a 2-0 record, including a 66-57 win over Weber State last week in the Thunderdome. Orlando Johnson leads the Gauchos in scoring, averaging 19 points per game, and is among the team leaders in several offensive categories. Jon Pastorek, also a transferee, leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game.

A possible bonus is the anticipated return of Justin Joyner, who has been sitting out the season-opening games due to an ankle injury. The junior point guard is a valuable floor leader both on offense and defense, and was a crucial missing piece last year when he redshirted due to a broken wrist.

USF is led by senior forward Dior Lowhorn and sophomore guard Kwame Vaughn.

USF Game Preview

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

UCSB beats Weber State 66 - 57

The UCSB Men's basketball team defeated Weber State Wildcats at the Thunderdome 66 - 57 last night at the Thunderdome. Orlando Johnson again paced the Gauchos (2 - 0) with 19 points and 10 rebounds, recording his first double-double as a Gaucho. Jon Pastorek pulled down 11 rebounds against the physical Weber State frontcourt.

The Gaucho defense limited last season's Big Sky champions to 7 - 38 shooting from behind the 3-point line. The Gauchos opened the game with a 14 - 0 run, on the strength of 7 consecutive points by Johnson. The Wildcats (1 - 1) stormed back in a second half, led by Damian Lillard, who scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the latter half. However, the comeback attempt was cut short when Paul Roemer closed out the game with 5 free throws in the final minute.

The Gauchos host the University of San Francisco Dons Monday, November 23rd at the Thunderdome at 7 pm.

Post-game Interviews


Box Score

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

UCSB hosts Weber State tonite

The UCSB Men's basketball team hosts the Weber State Wildcats tonite in the Thunderdome at 7 pm. The Gauchos are led by Orlando Johnson, who scored a game-high 19 points against Cal. State-Los Angeles last Saturday. Other probable starters include James Powell and Paul Roemer on the perimeter, and Jon Pastorek and Jaime Serna in the post.

UCSB Summary


Weber State, picking to repeat as Big Sky champions this season, beat the Gauchos 70-63 in the ESPN Brackbusters in Ogden, Utah last season. The Wildcats are led by guards Damian Lillard and Nick Hansen, center Steve Panos, and forward Kyle Bullinger.

Scouting Weber State


The game may also be viewed online at: http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=bigw

Sunday, November 15, 2009

UCSB beats CSULA 85 - 57 in season opener

The UCSB Men's basketball team beat Cal. State, Los Angeles 85 - 57 in the Gauchos' regular season opener at the Thunderdome. Orlando Johnson paced the offensive attack with 19 points, shooting a perfect 7 - 7 from the field, including 1 - 1 behind the 3-point line. Veterans James Powell and Sam Phippen both added 14 points apiece--a career-high for Phippen, while Jon Pastorek chipped in 11 points.

Pastorek led the Gauchos (1 - 0) with 6 rebounds, Powell dished out 5 assists, and Jordan Weiner led the defense with 3 steals.

Despite James Nunnally, Justin Joyner, and Chris Brew not playing, the Gauchos' depth overwhelmed the Golden Eagles (0 - 1) in the second half, after UCSB had opened up a 40 - 36 halftime lead. Johnson and Powell led a 19 - 2 run to start the second half, breaking open a tight game.

Dwayne Jones led the Golden Eagles with 15 points, while Nuno Furtado had 11 rebounds.

Post-Game Interviews

Box Score

Friday, November 13, 2009

UCSB signs two players for 2010

The UCSB Men's basketball program signed two players from southern California to a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the Gauchos starting in 2010.

Troy Leaf, a 6'2" guard from El Cajon, CA, averaged 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 steals per game for Foothills Christian High School his junior season. He is a two-time East County League Player of the Year and all-CIF San Diego Section selection, and helped his team to their third consecutive Section Division 4 Championship. Troy's ability to shoot and handle the basketball will allow him to play both guard positions for the Gauchos.

Kyle Boswell, a 6'2" shooting guard from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA, can bury the outside jumper with consistency, averaging 21.0 points a game during an injury-riddled junior season. After an outstanding sophomore season, he was named to the All-Sunset League First Team and Sophomore All-State First Team by Cal-Hi Sports.

According to high school scouting services, Boswell is one of the best pure shooters on the west coast, who can also create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

The Gaucho backcourt should be very solid for the next few years with Leaf and Boswell now in the fold.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111309aaa.html

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Cal. State-LA visits UCSB in the Thunderdome

The Cal.-State, Los Angeles Golden Eagles visit the Thunderdome this Saturday, November 14, to play the UCSB Men's basketball team in the Gauchos' regular season opener. Game time has been moved to 3:00 pm.

Jaime Serna is expected to make his season debut after missing last week's 101 - 64 exhibition win over Sonoma State due to a biceps injury. Justin Joyner will probably miss his second game until his sprained ankle fully heals.

Expected to start at point guard is Paul Roemer. The wings will be manned by James Powell and Orlando Johnson, the leading scorer in the Sonoma State game with 21 points. Either one of forwards Jon Pastorek or Greg Somogyi will start alongside Serna.

The Golden Eagles are led by Chris Fields and Dwayne Evans.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111209aac.html

Sunday, November 8, 2009

UCSB blows out Sonoma State in exhibition opener

The UCSB Men's basketball team crushed Sonoma State 101 - 64 in a season-opening exhibition game. Orlando Johnson paced five Gauchos in double figures with 21 points, hitting all three of his 3-point field goals. Other players in double figure point totals included James Nunnally with 13, and Jon Pastorek, James Powell, and Lucas Devenny with ten each.

Powell and Devenny led the Gauchos in rebounding with six each. Other categorical statistical leaders were Jordan Weiner with six assists, Johnson with three blocked shots, and Will Brew with five steals.

The Gauchos went on a 25-2 run in the first half, breaking open a tight game up until that point against the out-manned Seawolves. By halftime, the Gauchos had opened up a lead of 53 - 28. The Seawolves were led by Sterling Arterberry and Mike Nelson with eight points each.

The depth of the Gaucho squad helped the victors in their romp, as expected starters Justin Joyner (ankle) and Jaime Serna (bicep) sat out the exhibition due to injuries. Serna is due back in action next week, while Joyner is expected to return the following week.

The regular season begins next Saturday against Cal.-State, Los Angeles at the Thunderdome, November 14 at 7 pm. Game time may change on further notice. See sidebar for ticket information.

UCSB recap

Box score

Friday, November 6, 2009

Justin Joyner out with an ankle injury


Justin Joyner, UCSB's projected starter at point guard, will have to wait a couple games before his much-anticipated return to the hardwood court. Joyner, a 6'0" redshirt junior, had to sit out last season due to a broken wrist, and his return this season was expected to relieve much of the anxieties the Gauchos had with ball-handling duties.

His assist/turnover ratio his first two seasons was one of the best among Big West Conference point guards. Without him, the Gauchos suffered more turnovers and missed his floor leadership last season.

The good news is that the ankle sprain appears to be minor, as he will only miss the Sonoma State exhibition game, and perhaps their next game against Cal. State-Los Angeles. Here's to a quick recovery for JJ!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Gauchos vs. Sonoma State in season opener

The UCSB Men's basketball team opens up their season with an exhibition game against Sonoma State in the Thunderdome this Saturday, November 7 at 3 pm. The Sonoma State Seawolves are a Div. II program in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

The Seawolves are led by a pair of returnee guards, 6'2" junior Ben Washington and 6'4" senior Keith Garner, who averaged 10.9 and 7.3 points a game last year, respectively. Washington also led the team with 81 assists and 39 steals last season.

The Gauchos return a core nucleus of letterwinners, and also add a crop of newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. Experienced returnees on the perimeter include Justin Joyner (out last year with a broken wrist), James Powell, James Nunnally, Will Brew, Paul Roemer and Jordan Weiner. Freshman Chris Brew and transferee Orlando Johnson join an already deep backcourt.

Jaime Serna, Greg Somogyi, and Sam Phippen return in the frontcourt, joined by transferee Jon Pastorek and freshman Lucas Devenny.

The Gauchos appear deep this year so expect the coaches to experiment with multiple line-ups during the game. Depending on the pace of the game, walk-ons Seth Kamphoefner, Brad Lewis, Christian Peterson, and Jacob Mercer could also see minutes.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Mid-Major Poll

The CollegeInsider.com released its Mid-Major Top 25 College Basketball Poll, and the UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos received 69 points, good for 31st place.

http://www.midmajortop25.com/


See sidebar for future updates.

The Sports Network preview of the Big West

The Sports Network previews Men's basketball teams in the Big West Conference: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/previews/2009/file.aspx?f=bigwest

Monday, November 2, 2009

Gaucho preview: Greg Somogyi


Greg Somogyi enters his sophomore season as a much-improved player from last season, when he terrorized opposing shooters with his 7'8" wingspan and blocked 37 shots, while altering numerous others. The center played for his native Hungarian under-20 national team in the European Championships this past summer, improving on offense and defense. He has also added 20 pounds of muscle to his 7'3" frame by spending hours in the weight room.

Somogyi averaged 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game last year, making 54.8% of his field goal shots. However, his biggest impact was on the defensive end, as he swatted 1.2 shots a game, including a career-high 5 against an athletic San Diego State team. Somogyi also showed a knack for a making a variety of shots, including mid-range jumpers, reverse layups, and thundering dunks.

Already a solid passer, Somogyi will increase his scoring and rebounding numbers with the added strength, while continuing to patrol the paint and blocking more shots.