This is by no means a comprehensive preview of Big West Conference basketball, but given the dearth of previews this time of year, it's something.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/big-west-preview-revamped-long-beach-state-takes-120146488--ncaab.html
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
10 Potential Impact Players in the Big West Conference
http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/9/18/3353092/10-impact-players-in-the-big-west-conference-alan-williams-dj-seely
Alan Williams - UCSB, So.: He has easily been the most hyped player in the Big West this off-season; and for good reason. Averaging 6.9 PPG and 6.5 RPG in a little over 17 MPG shows great potential. Throw in the fact that he is only a sophomore this year, and you have yourself one nearly-guaranteed, impact player in the making. The problem is that this is all potential speculation; a sophomore slump is very possible. For this to be avoided, Williams has to stay focused.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Exclusive Interview with Coach Bob Williams
Gaucho Hoops (“GH”): Thanks for taking time out for this
interview, Coach Williams. Let’s get
started. First off, I have to ask. What is the status of John Green?
Bob Williams (“BW”):
Unfortunately, John broke the 5th metatarsal on his foot—the same
injury he suffered last season. It’s
primarily due to the impact and how he lands on his feet. We will try the most aggressive, state of the
art solutions for him, to give him the best chance of playing again. However, the last thing we want to do is have
him re-injure his feet, and have a long-term problem down the road, a la Bill
Walton or Sam Bowie, where basically things are all fused together. We’re looking out for John’s best long-term
interests health-wise—as a person first.
GH: John’s a great
kid—it’s sad to see that he has been injured for so long, but hopefully, he can
literally get back on his feet, and perhaps play again somewhere down the road.
The Gaucho community is rooting for him.
Let’s talk about your personnel this season.
BW: Our
biggest task is to replace last year’s senior class and their production, which
includes their points, rebounds, and size.
This year’s team is composed of very talented sophomore and freshman
classes. Obviously, we’ll be very young,
but we’ll also have more possibilities. Because we are more athletic, more of our
offense should be created off of our defense. We’ll be more similar to the team 3 years ago,
when we led the Big West in steals. We
had Orlando Johnson, James Nunnally, Justin Joyner, Jordan Weiner, and Paul
Roemer on that team. Because of our
defenders, we were able to apply more guard pressure that year. I expect this team to apply guard pressure at
least one-third of possessions.
GH: It sounds like
this will be an exciting brand of basketball—perhaps more uptempo?
BW: This team will
have to work harder, play faster, and play shorter minutes, as we are athletic
and have team depth. We’ll trap more,
and defend “into the ball”, closing any gaps between the ball and the defender.
We’ll control and contest on the
perimeter.
GH: Does this mean we
should expect to see more man-to-man defense?
BW: Actually, we will
be applying even more guard pressure with our zone defense.
GH: One of the things I
noticed about your match up zone defenses is the ability to disguise it. I recall at the University of Oregon
tournament in Eugene a couple seasons ago, I had no idea what defense the
Gauchos were playing. I wasn’t the only
one, as the players and coaches on Oregon’s bench weren’t even sure. Is it tough to disguise your defenses against
Big West opponents who have your teams well-scouted over the years?
BW: We did a very good job of disguising our defense a few
years ago. We will continue to do that
this season. We’ll also run the floor
harder…and as I said, our defense will create more offense.
GH: The infamous “jail
break” offense?
BW: Yes, and other
schemes. Last year, we ran many iso’s
[isolations] for OJ and Nunn, because they were so good at knocking down their
jumpers and turnarounds. This year, we’ll
move more…
GH: Will you be
running the motion offense?
BW: We’ll run some
elements of it. When I say we’ll move
more, I mean we’ll have more ball movement, passing and cutting. We have some outstanding shooters in Kyle
Boswell, Michael Bryson, Nate Garth, Taran Brown, and Keegan Hornbuckle.
GH: Taran Brown?
BW: Yes, Taran can
knock down 3 point shots, has a mid-range jumper, and can create off the
bounce.
GH: What about the
post players?
BW: Big Al Williams
has improved his game, his conditioning, and strength. He has added some post moves, and can step
out and hit the jumper. Freshman Sam
Beeler is more ready to contribute than we originally thought. He’s long, runs well, and jumps well. The other freshman, Mitch Brewe is already
physically ready, and the strongest on the team. He’s 6’7”, and all of 245.
GH: What about the
wings?
BW: John Green will
redshirt. Freshman Aamahd Walker will
likely redshirt. He’s talented, but not
quite ready to execute at this level yet. His high school team played mostly a zone defense, so he’ll have to adjust
to the increased intensity.
Freshmen Michael Bryson and Dalante Dunklin will definitely
play and will contribute immediately.
GH: So besides
Walker, no freshmen will redshirt?
BW: Correct, we don’t
anticipate anymore redshirts. Green
being out means we won’t have that luxury, as we normally would like to. Because of the way we will play this season,
we need three point guards and three 5’s [centers]. We’d like to get 26 – 27 minutes out of Big
Al, but things may come up. Foul trouble,
an injury here or there, and all of a sudden, your depth is wiped out.
GH: Back to Big Al,
he was usually the 4th scoring option last season. With his production, he will undoubtedly draw
more attention from opponents this season. How has his game improved?
BW: Yes, Big Al will
draw more focus from opposing defenses. He has added post moves, he can step away and
knock down the jumper out to 13 feet, and he’s developed a nice spin fadeaway. He’s making better decisions and he’s
committed to defending.
GH: What about the
other freshman—point guard Dalante Dunklin?
BW: Dalante will be a
crowd favorite.
GH: How so?
BW: Defending is his
#1 priority. He’s very similar to
Derrick Allen and Larry Bell in that aspect. Most of my point guards in the past fit that
mold. They were tough—and they
defended. They may not have been the
best shooters—it’s important for them to be able to knock down the outside
jumper, because it keeps the defenses honest, and opens up scoring
opportunities for teammates. But my
point guards have traditionally defended well.
GH: What about the
returnees? Will Lewis Thomas redshirt?
BW: No, Lewis will
play at the 4 [forward]. He’s a good
rebounder, and he started off last season well, but he tailed off a bit. We need him to be a fierce rebounder again. He has improved his shot, his bounce off the
dribble, he’s stronger, and a better rebounder this year. He’s long, runs well, and gives effort.
GH: Why is Lewis a
good rebounder? Is it because he has
good technique blocking out?
BW: Lewis has decent
technique. But the key to his rebounding
is being fierce on the boards. He has to
give maximum effort consistently.
GH: What about
Keegan? How is his summer going?
BW: Keegan had a good
summer and was playing well through July until suffering a bad ankle
sprain. We need him to play at least 20
minutes at the 4. He’ll be ready before
October.
GH: And Kyle? Will he start, after coming off the bench as
the designated shooter last season?
BW: Boswell is a phenomenal
shooter; he’s Mr. Instant Offense off the bench. I want to keep him in that role, as he gives
us a lift off the bench. But will I be
able to do that? That’s something I have
to wrestle with.
GH: Any other
comments about the Gauchos overall?
BW: This team will
have interchangeable parts at the 2, 3, and 4 positions. We’ll have ideal size and versatility at these
positions. I’ve always wanted a team of
interchangeable parts, as it gives me many options. Nunnally and Orlando played multiple
positions, which also required them to defend multiple positions.
Taran is a special talent.
He can shoot, he runs well, and has natural gifts we haven’t had here in
a while. He needs to increase his
basketball knowledge, but his ability to play above the rim is special. He can also defend the 1 through 4 positions,
and can create off the drive.
Duke Da Re will also get a look. He’s a physical point guard, and defends well
also.
GH: So you’ll
possibly have 4 point guards in the mix.
BW: Yes, we should be deep at the 1. We have two former starters returning at point guard in TJ Taylor and Nate Garth, so we should show vast improvement at that position. Shawn Moore is also solid, and a good shooter
at the 3, 4. If he increases his
competitiveness, he will contribute.
GH: What about Drew
Dickey? Why did you invite him to
walk-on?
BW: When a guy is 6’8”,
can shoot, and displays good basketball knowledge, you take him.
GH: I actually saw
him play in the CCS playoffs, and he’s also an underrated passer. He found his open teammates on numerous
occasions when double-teamed, and he also had some nice spin moves in the post.
He’s also a good shooter out to the
elbow. He’s got a high basketball IQ.
BW: He’s big, and we
like him as a developing player.
GH: Is there any news
on the recruiting front?
BW: We only have one
to give, so we are looking at a few players.
We expect to sign one in November.
GH: That’s great to
hear. That pretty much wraps it up. Thanks again for the interview, Coach, and
good luck this season. We’ll see you at
the games.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Interview with UCSB Women's Volleyball Head Coach Kathy Gregory
With the school year yet to start, several UCSB intercollegiate sports teams have already had their season openers, including the Gauchos Women's Volleyball team. Gaucho Hoops sat down with Head Coach Kathy Gregory to get an exclusive interview and preview of the season's prospects.
Gaucho Hoops ("GH"): Thanks for taking time out for this interview, Coach Gregory. Let's jump right into it. The program lost a few prominent seniors, but welcome in a celebrated freshman class. Can you tell us more about them?
Kathy Gregory ("KG"): The freshman recruits arrived on campus around June 20 - 22. It's important they arrive early so they can adjust to the highest competitive level of volleyball, as well as the academic rigors of attending classes. Physically, they also hit the weights and get the opportunity to bond together as a team.
GH: What kind of conditioning program do the players undergo?
KG: In addition to hitting the weights, some of the players get training from Marcus Elliott over at P3 Peak Performance Project, where they receive 1-on-1 undivided attention. (editor's note: several pro athletes also attend P3, including UCSB Men's Basketball player Orlando Johnson, recently drafted by the NBA's Indiana Pacers). The conditioning and training program focuses on injury prevention, promoting fast twitch muscle quickness, quick jumping strength, and faster arm swing, all necessary to excel above the 7'4" net, along the boundaries of a 30 x 60 foot volleyball court.
GH: What specific individual drills do the players perform?
KG: The skills we focus on involve precision, reach, jumping, and approach jumping. The team should have improved jumpers. Last year we had 3 players who could touch 10 feet--this year 4 players can reach that height.
GH: Describe how you plan on replacing last year's seniors.
KG: We lost 3 seniors from last year's roster, 2 of them All-Americans [Stacey Schmidt and Chelsey Lowe], and a key 4-year player [Lily Lopez]. We have 4 high-impact freshman coming in.
Taylor Formica is a 5'7" Libero. Britton Taylor is a 6'3" Middle Blocker. She may back up junior Katey Thompson, who has a great arm swing, but has been slowed by injuries in the past. Jaylen Villanueva is a 5'9" setter. Alex Barbeau is a 6'1" outsider hitter with great arm swing.
GH: Can you tell us about the other players on the roster?
KG: Ali Santi is a 5'10" setter, sophomore transfer from Georgia Tech. Jenna Wilson is a 6'1" junior middle blocker who has really improved. Erica Lau is our senior captain, and a 5'10" backcourt specialist. Also returning are junior outside hitters 6'0" Kara Sherrard and 5'11" Leah Sully, who is also a good passer and server.
GH: What schemes will you be running this season?
KG: We've traditionally run a 5-1 offense, but this year, we will also run a 6-2 offense, with 3 hitters and setters from the back.
GH: What are the biggest challenges for this group?
KG: The biggest question is leadership. With the departure of last year's seniors, who will emerge as this team's leaders? This year's team tends to be shy, so the leaders will have to emerge and be more vocal, outgoing, and competitive.
GH: What are your assessments for the other Big West squads?
KG: UH [University of Hawaii] will be tough, and all 10 teams present challenges, so we don't anticipate any redshirts. We will need all the depth we can get because we play back-to-back matches on Fridays and Saturdays. It's conducive for academics and reduces time away from classes.
GH: What are the team goals?
KG: We are capable of winning the Big West so that is one of our goals. We have 6 incoming freshmen, and they give a lot of energy. Long Beach St. and UH should be the favorites coming into the season, with CSUN picked to be 3rd.
Our defense should be good, and we will have a balanced attack on offense. We play an early tournament in August, and will also host 3 other teams in our own UCSB Invitational, of which the top-ranked UCLA Bruins will be one. This should provide a good test for the Gauchos on where the team is at.
GH: What kind of players do you recruit?
KG: High academics is a high priority. We have a 100% graduation rate over my 37-year career. The girls have to be able to handle the class load over 4 years while also being competitive in practice and in matches.
They have to be easy to coach. What does that mean? That means they want to improve, they're willing to work hard to become better, and want to be pushed to reach their potential.
What I try to instill in my players is how special this campus is. Not just the weather being good, but also how special the community is, the education, the location, and the experience they will have at UCSB. It's the whole package, and they should not take it for granted.
GH: Coach Gregory, I recall when I took your beach volleyball class years ago, you were once the #1 ranked beach volleyball player in the world--remarkably at the age of 42. What have you learned from that experience, and what message have you given your players over the years as their coach?
KG: What I have tried to instill in my players is that competitive fire and will to win. I have a competitive nature, and that's what has kept me going over the years. I'll keep coaching until I lose that fire. After 38 years of coaching, I still get up every morning ready to charge ahead.
I urge my players to give their best health-wise. Don't take for granted this opportunity to play competitive volleyball at the highest levels, and show gratitude and appreciation. Enjoy the journey, and give back to the sport. Be tough to be able to withstand the challenges standing in your way. Build a foundation for life after volleyball. And have a sense of humor to get through the rough edges.
GH: Those are great life lessons and advice, Coach Gregory. Thanks again and good luck this season.
KG: Thank you and come out and support our Lady Gauchos!
Gaucho Hoops ("GH"): Thanks for taking time out for this interview, Coach Gregory. Let's jump right into it. The program lost a few prominent seniors, but welcome in a celebrated freshman class. Can you tell us more about them?
Kathy Gregory ("KG"): The freshman recruits arrived on campus around June 20 - 22. It's important they arrive early so they can adjust to the highest competitive level of volleyball, as well as the academic rigors of attending classes. Physically, they also hit the weights and get the opportunity to bond together as a team.
GH: What kind of conditioning program do the players undergo?
KG: In addition to hitting the weights, some of the players get training from Marcus Elliott over at P3 Peak Performance Project, where they receive 1-on-1 undivided attention. (editor's note: several pro athletes also attend P3, including UCSB Men's Basketball player Orlando Johnson, recently drafted by the NBA's Indiana Pacers). The conditioning and training program focuses on injury prevention, promoting fast twitch muscle quickness, quick jumping strength, and faster arm swing, all necessary to excel above the 7'4" net, along the boundaries of a 30 x 60 foot volleyball court.
GH: What specific individual drills do the players perform?
KG: The skills we focus on involve precision, reach, jumping, and approach jumping. The team should have improved jumpers. Last year we had 3 players who could touch 10 feet--this year 4 players can reach that height.
GH: Describe how you plan on replacing last year's seniors.
KG: We lost 3 seniors from last year's roster, 2 of them All-Americans [Stacey Schmidt and Chelsey Lowe], and a key 4-year player [Lily Lopez]. We have 4 high-impact freshman coming in.
Taylor Formica is a 5'7" Libero. Britton Taylor is a 6'3" Middle Blocker. She may back up junior Katey Thompson, who has a great arm swing, but has been slowed by injuries in the past. Jaylen Villanueva is a 5'9" setter. Alex Barbeau is a 6'1" outsider hitter with great arm swing.
GH: Can you tell us about the other players on the roster?
KG: Ali Santi is a 5'10" setter, sophomore transfer from Georgia Tech. Jenna Wilson is a 6'1" junior middle blocker who has really improved. Erica Lau is our senior captain, and a 5'10" backcourt specialist. Also returning are junior outside hitters 6'0" Kara Sherrard and 5'11" Leah Sully, who is also a good passer and server.
GH: What schemes will you be running this season?
KG: We've traditionally run a 5-1 offense, but this year, we will also run a 6-2 offense, with 3 hitters and setters from the back.
GH: What are the biggest challenges for this group?
KG: The biggest question is leadership. With the departure of last year's seniors, who will emerge as this team's leaders? This year's team tends to be shy, so the leaders will have to emerge and be more vocal, outgoing, and competitive.
GH: What are your assessments for the other Big West squads?
KG: UH [University of Hawaii] will be tough, and all 10 teams present challenges, so we don't anticipate any redshirts. We will need all the depth we can get because we play back-to-back matches on Fridays and Saturdays. It's conducive for academics and reduces time away from classes.
GH: What are the team goals?
KG: We are capable of winning the Big West so that is one of our goals. We have 6 incoming freshmen, and they give a lot of energy. Long Beach St. and UH should be the favorites coming into the season, with CSUN picked to be 3rd.
Our defense should be good, and we will have a balanced attack on offense. We play an early tournament in August, and will also host 3 other teams in our own UCSB Invitational, of which the top-ranked UCLA Bruins will be one. This should provide a good test for the Gauchos on where the team is at.
GH: What kind of players do you recruit?
KG: High academics is a high priority. We have a 100% graduation rate over my 37-year career. The girls have to be able to handle the class load over 4 years while also being competitive in practice and in matches.
They have to be easy to coach. What does that mean? That means they want to improve, they're willing to work hard to become better, and want to be pushed to reach their potential.
What I try to instill in my players is how special this campus is. Not just the weather being good, but also how special the community is, the education, the location, and the experience they will have at UCSB. It's the whole package, and they should not take it for granted.
GH: Coach Gregory, I recall when I took your beach volleyball class years ago, you were once the #1 ranked beach volleyball player in the world--remarkably at the age of 42. What have you learned from that experience, and what message have you given your players over the years as their coach?
KG: What I have tried to instill in my players is that competitive fire and will to win. I have a competitive nature, and that's what has kept me going over the years. I'll keep coaching until I lose that fire. After 38 years of coaching, I still get up every morning ready to charge ahead.
I urge my players to give their best health-wise. Don't take for granted this opportunity to play competitive volleyball at the highest levels, and show gratitude and appreciation. Enjoy the journey, and give back to the sport. Be tough to be able to withstand the challenges standing in your way. Build a foundation for life after volleyball. And have a sense of humor to get through the rough edges.
GH: Those are great life lessons and advice, Coach Gregory. Thanks again and good luck this season.
KG: Thank you and come out and support our Lady Gauchos!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
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