Gaucho preview: Paul Roemer

Paul Roemer, a 6-foot senior guard, returns for a 4th year in the Gaucho program. The scrappy combination guard started 18 games, averaging 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds a game last season. He was also second on the team in assists with 56 and contributed 30 steals.

In fact, that is where Roemer is at his best, usually checking the opponents' best perimeter player. Along with backcourt mate Justin Joyner, who was a high school teammate at De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, Roemer will be expected to provide senior leadership for the younger guns in the program. Whether it's handling the ball or taking a charge on defense, Roemer will lead by example as the Gauchos seek a Big West Conference title for the 2009 - 2010 season.

Gaucho preview: Jordan Weiner

Jordan Weiner will continue his role as a designated 3-point shooter. The 6-foot junior averaged 3.5 points per game last season, and shot .382 from beyond the 3-point line. His 29 3-point field goals ranked second on the team, a remarkable feat considering his minutes played ranked 10th on the team.

Weiner also collected 12 steals on the defensive end. Look for the sharp-shooter to be a zone buster from the perimeter again, and scoring more 3-point buckets this season.

Gaucho preview: Chris Brew

Chris Brew is a highly-decorated true freshman from St. Mary's High in Berkeley, CA. The 6'3" guard averaged 26.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.3 steals, and 8.6 assists per game as a senior last year. As a junior, along with older brother Will Brew, Jr., Chris helped St. Mary's win the CIF championship and finish 2nd in the State tournament. Will, now a Gaucho sophomore, and Chris bring aggressive styles of play both on offense and defense.

Chris attacks the basket and finishes at the rim in traffic. Known for being extremely athletic, he excels in transition. Due to his length, he also causes havoc on the defensive end. With a developing outside jumper, Chris also needs work in the weight room to withstand the rigors of Division 1 play.

While a candidate to redshirt in order to adjust to NCAA basketball on and off the court, Chris may be too talented to redshirt, despite quality depth in the Gaucho backcourt. Whether he redshirts or not, Gaucho fans can expect plenty of excitement at the Thunderdome the next few years from both Brew brothers.

Gaucho preview: Jaime Serna

With practice starting next week, and the season a month away, it's about time to re-visit Gaucho returnees, and get acquainted with the newcomers. Up first is Jaime Serna, the 6'7" sophomore power forward / center for the Gauchos.

Serna averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a true freshman last season, shooting .538 from the field, and .662 from the free throw line. Serna will be called on to play tough interior defense, and grab rebounds on both ends of the floor, especially with frontcourt mate Jesse Byrd out for the season due to a lingering knee injury. Serna will also be counted on to score more inside, expanding his repertoire of offensive moves in the post. His physical presence inside will be important for the Gauchos, as the Gauchos appear loaded on the perimeter.

Serna will probably start at one of the forward positions, which he did for the last 16 games last season. He is one of four returnees who were part of a vaunted freshman class from 2008, and if form holds true that the biggest improvement occurs between the first and second seasons, look for the Gauchos to have a much better team this season.

Byrd's Gaucho career ends

Jesse Byrd's career with the UCSB Men's basketball team has prematurely ended. A second injury to the senior center's left knee has resulted in his decision to no longer play for the Gauchos.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/100909aaa.html

Gaucho season tickets on sale

The UCSB Men's basketball program is now offering tickets for the 2009-2010 season at the Thunderdome.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/091409aab.html

Also, check out the newly painted floor in the Thunderdome:

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/091409aad.html

The Gauchos return a lot firepower and add a talented corps of newcomers in their pursuit of a Big West Conference championship.

Justin Joyner

With the UCSB Men's basketball season just around the corner, it's time to get re-acquainted with returnees as well as introduce ourselves to incoming players. Here is an article from the UCSB official athletics site on two-year starting point guard Justin Joyner.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/083109aae.html

Justin redshirted last year to recover from a broken wrist and he looks ready to lead the Gauchos back to a Big West title. Good luck Justin!

All-time list of NCAA basketball programs

Based on subjective criteria, the UCSB men's basketball program is ranked #142 among Division 1 programs, in a survey created by ESPN/Sagarin.

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2009/1004/cbe1.pdf

Troy Leaf verbals to UCSB basketball

Combination guard Troy Leaf from San Diego, CA gave a verbal commitment to play basketball for the UCSB Gauchos Men's team starting in 2010. The 6'2" senior from Foothill Christian High in El Cajon, CA has averaged 25.5 points per game over three years. Leaf originally committed to San Diego State after his freshman year, but de-committed last month, citing concerns of over-recruitment of guards by SDSU.

Leaf was named the All-State Junior Basketball Player of the Year last year by CalHiSports.com.

Here are photos of Troy Leaf in action:

http://www.maxpreps.com/photo/gallery.aspx?athleteid=1eff71c3-8fe8-454b-a95c-7ca7e4b27812&imageid=370afdcc-1b30-49c2-82c6-2f3bd237f1a5&ssid=08e31156-1f2d-4c08-b687-afb41d9f9601#imageid=370afdcc-1b30-49c2-82c6-2f3bd237f1a5

Orlando Johnson dunk

Orlando Johnson, playing in the San Francisco Summer Pro-Am league, dunks on an opponent. Hope we see more of this from the sophomore transfer in the upcoming season.

Chris Devine signs to play in Belgium

Chris Devine, former UCSB Men's basketball player, signed a professional contract to play for Voo Verviers-Pepinster in Belgium's first division league. Devine ended his career as the third-leading scorer and fifth-leading rebounder in Gaucho history.


http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/080509aaa.html

Gaucho Summer Hoops

Several UCSB Gaucho hoopsters are playing well in various venues this summer.

Greg Somogyi, a 7'2" sophomore center, is representing his native Hungary in an under-20 age group European championship tournament.

James Nunnally and Orlando Johnson are playing in the San Francisco Pro-Am League, while Jaime Serna and James Powell are in the Rod Smith Say No Classic in Los Angeles.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072109aaa.html

Guard Kyle Boswell verbals to UCSB

According to the Orange County Register:

Edison guard Kyle Boswell, 6-foot-1, has committed to UC Santa Barbara, Edison coach Rich Boyce confirmed today.

Boswell missed much of the 2008-09 season, his junor year, because of a back injury. He set the school single-season scoring record as a sophomore. He can sign a letter of intent with UCSB in Novemeber.

Here is ESPN's evaluation of the 2010 recruit from Huntington Beach, CA:

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=54709&season=2010&action=login&appRedirect=http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player%3frecruitId%3d54709%26season%3d2010

Apparently, the shooting guard can fill it up from the perimeter. Good luck to Kyle and welcome to the Gaucho program.

Somogyi will represent Hungary in 20-and Under European Championships

UCSB Gauchos freshman center Greg Somogyi will represent his country in the 20-and Under European basketball championships. The 7'3" Budapest native will train with the Hungarian national team this summer.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/060909aab.html

Orlando Johnson article

There is a great article on the UCSB Gauchos athletic website about Orlando Johnson, a redshirt freshman transfer from LMU. OJ had to sit out the past basketball season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will be eligible to play his upcoming sophomore season.

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061709aaa.html

It chronicles the struggles he's overcome, and the great support system his two brothers have provided him. He has become one of the team leaders and a player Gaucho fans can look forward to following.

UCSB Recruit Lucas Devenny Highlight

2009 UCSB Men's basketball incoming freshman Lucas Devenny runs the floor and dunks:

Academic Progress Report for 2007-2008 is out

http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/apr2008/104_2008_apr.pdf

The UCSB Men's basketball program recorded a score of 872, which means they will be limited to 11.0 scholarships, instead of 13.0. They will also be limited to 16.0 hours of countable activity per week.

UCSB Signee Chris Brew

Check out videos of Chris Brew, who signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for UCSB next season.

UCSB Basketball Banquet

According to the Santa Barbara News Press, by Mark Patton:

April 30, 2009 7:41 AM

Coach Bob Williams lined up his entire UCSB basketball team for next season, minus his two recruits, for everyone to see during Sunday's fete at the university's Corwin Pavilion.

"I've never done this in 11 years," Williams said, "and I'm only doing it now because of how excited I am about things."

And with Somogyi, there is a "We Are The World" kind of feel to this group.

The big Hungarian ranked last among UCSB's four freshmen in scoring average last year and third in rebounding . But Williams thinks the longest Gaucho may also have the longest career.

"He teased you guys all year long," he said. "He teased us. He teases everybody. But the light has gone on with him.

"The difference in him this spring has been huge in terms of his commitment to being great. His commitment to being in the weight room. His commitment to playing harder and fighting those demons that would keep him from being the best."

"When everything gets lined up, and he's stronger and 15-to-20 pounds heavier, we are all going to be asking him for tickets somewhere down the line," Williams continued. "He can play at that next level."

Other banquet observations by Williams:

On junior center Jesse Byrd, who'll be trying to keep Somogyi from shooing him out of next year's starting lineup: "When Mr. Byrd went down (with a knee injury), our season went down. And Mr. Byrd came back and played on one leg. He gave us all he had. He didn't come back healthy this year, but he is going to have a great senior year."

On junior point guard Justin Joyner, who missed the entire season as an injury redshirt: "He is going to play and be a warrior for us again next year with a broken bone in his wrist. It's held together with a screw, and he's going to compete. He doesn't want the surgery because he wants to play, heart and soul."

On Will Brew, who shared the Gauchos' most improved award with fellow freshman James Nunnally while sharing point-guard duties with "utility man" Paul Roemer: "He'd never played point guard in high school. That's like taking a guy who had never been a quarterback in football lining up behind the center. But we got better as Will got better."

On Nunnally, a 6-5 wingman who led the Gauchos in scoring in four of their last five games: "James Nunnally is all talent, and now the work ethic is starting to meet the talent. He's serious about getting better."

On his other freshman starter, 6-8 forward Jaime Serna: "He's physical, he's tough, he's quick off his feet. The reason Jaime doesn't get most improved? He came in this way."

On wing guard James Powell, who slumped badly as a junior after a record-setting sophomore season from the 3-point line: "He's going to bounce back and have a great senior year and contribute in a variety of ways for us."

On 6-9 sophomore Sam Phippen, who progressed much the way Williams hopes his Hungarian teammate will: "He was longer, bigger and stronger, and he played well during the season. It's a pivotal time for him, and he's going to step up."

On 6-5 sophomore transfer Orlando Johnson, who set several freshman records at Loyola Marymount: "Orlando is a beast. He has an NFL body in a basketball player. You're going to love Orlando. He's going to take the role that (team MVP) Chris Devine had: A guy who's going to be physically throwing his body around."

On 6-10 junior transfer Jon Pastorek, who played two seasons at San Diego State: "He came in here and his back was absolutely a mess. Now his back is healthy and he's moving and he can play. And he's very good. He might be as good a passer as anybody that we have in the program."

Next season will be decided by this off-season, Williams concluded.

It starts that early ó as early as 7:30 a.m., when the gym starts filling up with Gauchos shooting jump shots.

"I've been here for 11 years," he said, "and I can never remember having the attitudes where they are right now, the work ethic and commitment for where they are right now.

"The excitement ó you can taste it. I can taste it. And more important than that, they can taste it."

It was that kind of banquet.

Coach Williams all-Gaucho Team

The results are in for Coach Bob Williams' all-Gaucho team fan poll. In order: Mark Hull, Alex Harris, Chris Devine and Branduinn Fullove (tie), with Cecil Brown rounding out the first team. Adama Ndiaye and BJ Bunton (who was inadvertently omitted) made the honorable mention team.