The following is a quick take on tomorrow's nonconference game between the Gauchos and the Pilots:
In the match up between Orlando Johnson ("OJ") and Jared Stohl, the leading scorers of their respective squads, OJ should win that battle, as one can write him in for at least 20 points. The 6'5" Gaucho guard will get his points, no matter who is guarding him, even against double teams. He can post up smaller guards, or shoot over and drive past slower, bigger forwards. And he is also a good passer out of double teams.
Stohl led the nation in 3-point shooting last season with a 47.8%, and is a leading candidate to repeat. Gaucho defenders must limit his touches, know where he is at all times when Portland is on offense, and constantly have a hand in his face so he gets no easy looks.
The key to the outcome of the game could be whether James Nunnally can knock down his 3-point shot. He led the Big West Conference in 3-point shooting percentage last year, shooting 45.5%, but is only shooting 21.7% from 3-pt. range this year so far. He's had ankle problems the last 2 games, which doesn't help the elevation on his jump shot as well as his mobility, but at least he's been getting to the free throw line, where he's shooting 87.5%. Expect his 17 point per game average to increase as he improves his perimeter shooting over the course of the season. Hopefully the week off will allow his ankle to fully heal.
UCSB needs a 3rd scoring option, and that option could be Jaime Serna, who is also recovering from a leg injury (calf). He's only averaging 5.8 pps, but he should end up around 10 before the season is over.
Portland needs to have other scoring options as well, because UCSB's scrambling match up zone defense is athletic enough to contain Stohl. He's not as quick or tall as NDSU's shooters, even if his shot has good form. Luke Sikma will be a challenge for the Gauchos on the boards, but the Gauchos are much better in rebounding this year, mainly because Jon Pastorek (6'10") is now getting more minutes from Jordan Weiner (6'0"). The 7'3" Greg Somogyi should also help in neutralizing Sikma on the boards, as well as disrupting any shots from the Pilots in the interior.
The Gauchos' defense is vulnerable to smart, good passing and shooting teams, which Portland is, but if they can stay a step quicker on close outs, they should harass the Pilots' shooters enough to pull out a Gaucho win on the road, which is a tough task. The other shooter on the Pilots squad to look out for is Nemanja Mitrovic.
Prediction: Gauchos 63 - Pilots 61. OJ gets 23, and Nunnally 19.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Gauchos vs. Portland Pilots preview
The UCSB Gauchos Men's basketball team head back up to Oregon to play the University of Portland Pilots this Saturday. Orlando Johnson was the co-Big West Conference Player of the Week after posting career-highs of 35 points and 11 rebounds in a home opening win over the Fresno State Bulldogs 69 -54 last Saturday.
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ucsb/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ucsb/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Orlando Johnson scores a career-high 30 points against NDSU
Orlando Johnson scores a bucket-and-1 on his way to a career-high 30 points against North Dakota State in the BTI Invitational on McArthur Court at the University of Oregon.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Fresno State team report
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=teamreports-2010-ncaab-far
Gaucho Hoops take:
Preseason 1st Team All-WAC pick Greg Smith is the lone returning starter from last season. Thge 6'10" sophomore center was last season's WAC Freshman of the Year. He's a strong finisher inside and can also step out and hit the mid-range jumper. The other returning starter, 6'2" junior point guard Steven Shepp, is academically ineligible for Fresno State's first eight games and won't be available in Saturday's game against UCSB.
However, Shepp's replacement, 6'4" juco transfer Tim Steed, is a strong presence at the point guard position. FSU now has depth in the perimeter with transfers Bennie Rhodes and Jonathan Wills, freshmen Kevin Olekaibe and Tyler Johnson, and returnee Garrett Johnson.
Joining Smith in the frontcourt will be returnees Jerry Brown and Nedeljko Golubovic, along with newcomers Bracken Funk and John Ryan. While the Bulldogs will miss Paul George, the #10 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, head coach Steve Cleveland believes the new influx of talent will provide enough depth to make up for the attrition.
The Gauchos pulled off a 64 - 60 win in an ESPN BracketBuster game at Fresno State's Save Mart Center last season largely behind Greg Somogyi's record-breaking eight blocked shots.
Gaucho Hoops take:
Preseason 1st Team All-WAC pick Greg Smith is the lone returning starter from last season. Thge 6'10" sophomore center was last season's WAC Freshman of the Year. He's a strong finisher inside and can also step out and hit the mid-range jumper. The other returning starter, 6'2" junior point guard Steven Shepp, is academically ineligible for Fresno State's first eight games and won't be available in Saturday's game against UCSB.
However, Shepp's replacement, 6'4" juco transfer Tim Steed, is a strong presence at the point guard position. FSU now has depth in the perimeter with transfers Bennie Rhodes and Jonathan Wills, freshmen Kevin Olekaibe and Tyler Johnson, and returnee Garrett Johnson.
Joining Smith in the frontcourt will be returnees Jerry Brown and Nedeljko Golubovic, along with newcomers Bracken Funk and John Ryan. While the Bulldogs will miss Paul George, the #10 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, head coach Steve Cleveland believes the new influx of talent will provide enough depth to make up for the attrition.
The Gauchos pulled off a 64 - 60 win in an ESPN BracketBuster game at Fresno State's Save Mart Center last season largely behind Greg Somogyi's record-breaking eight blocked shots.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Gauchos Complete Talented 2011 Recruiting Class as Four Sign Letters of Intent
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111510aaa.html
John Green - G, 6-5, 180, Oakland, Calif. (Castlemont HS), Westwind Prep (Phoenix)
The 6-foot-5 Green averaged 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one blocked shot per game as a senior at Castlemont High School. As a senior in 2010, he led Castlemont to the Oakland Athletic League Tournament championship and then into the second round of the Northern California playoffs. He was an All-Oakland Athletic League, All-Bay Area and All-Alameda County selection. Green is long and athletic and has range that extends out to the three-point line. He currently leads his Westwind Prep squad in scoring. In his AAU experience, Green played Team 94 and Bay Area Hoosiers.
"John is a powerful and athletic player with a tremendous work ethic," Williams said. "He is a natural scorer more than a shooter. He played the five (post) in high school and the three-four for his AAU teams. John will fit into the mold of our scoring wings like (Branduinn) Fullove, (Alex) Harris, (James) Nunnally and O.J. (Orlando Johnson."
T.J. Taylor - G, 5-9, 160, Oakland, Calif. (Oakland HS)
Taylor is a point guard who also has outstanding shooting range and the ability to score. As a junior at Oakland High School, Taylor averaged 18.6 points and 3.2 assists per game while leading his team to the Oakland Athletic League regular season title and to the second round of the Northern California championships. He made 59 three-point baskets and scored a high of 32 points against Miramonte High School. Taylor was named Oakland Athletic League Most Valuable Player, All-Oakland Athletic League and All-Alameda County. He was ranked 22nd on Cali High Sports' list of the top-25 high school seniors in California and Scouthoops.com ranks him seventh among point guards on the West Coast. Taylor played summer circuit with Oakland Rebels AAU.
"T.J. is very quick and very strong," Williams said. "He can get anywhere he wants to get on the floor and that ability will be very valuable to us. He shoots the ball with range and is very dynamic and quick."
Alan Williams - F, 6-7, 240, Phoenix, Ariz. (North HS)
Williams was a First Team 5A All-State player and led North High School to its second straight Arizona State championship in 2010. Williams averaged a double-double at 12.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. He also averaged 3.3 blocked shots per game and made 58% of his field goal attempts. He had a season-best 26 points against Mesa High School and 17 rebounds against Browne High School of Phoenix. Williams, who has a nearly 7-foot wingspan, blocked six or more shots eight times, including a career-best nine in the Arizona State championship game against Chavez High School of Laveen, Ariz. Entering his senior season, he is a preseason All-Metro and All-State selection.
"Alan is a big, strong 6-7 post player," Williams said. "He has great, great hands and when a game is on-the-line he finds ways to help his team win. When games get close he makes free throws, put-backs, blocks shots and gets big rebounds. Alan has a phenomenal upside and has the chance to be a special player."
Taran Brown - F, 6-8, 190, Gillette, Wyo. (Campbell County HS)
As a junior, Brown helped his Campbell County High School team to the Wyoming state championship game and a 27-1 record. He averaged 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also blocked 44 shots and he was the fourth player in school history to grab 200 or more rebounds in a season. Brown scored in double-figures in 23 of 28 games. A former high jumper, he has a 6-11 wingspan.
"Taran is long, athletic and he can really run," Williams said. "He is a good shooter and plays above the rim. He can defend the two and he will ultimately be strong enough to play the four. As a player, he is a lot like (former Gaucho) Mark Hull. He also has a great family and is very coachable."
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