https://www.ucsbgauchos.com/sports/w-baskbl/2021-22/releases/20211120z6qivo
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Friday, November 19, 2021
Three Keys to Success for UCSB Women's Basketball Against Pepperdine
Coach Bonnie Henrickson defines the 3 keys to success against the Pepperdine Waves at the Firestone Fieldhouse, 6 PM Pacific time, November 20, 2021.
1) Taking care of the ball on offense (limit turnovers)
2) Defensive transition (getting back on defense)
3) Defend the 3 point line
Chicago St. vs UCSB Men's Basketball Preview, by Gaucho Freg
UCSB (0-1) vs Chicago State Cougars (2-1)
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 1 pm PST
Quick Bite: The Gauchos open their home D1 season with the Chicago State Cougars of the WAC. The Cougars are a surprising 2-1, defeating D1 newcomer St. Thomas and SIUE before getting rocked by 36 at mid-major power Loyola Chicago on Tuesday. Last year they suffered an 0-9 season in which their average loss was by 33 points and they finished as the lowest rated team in D1. They ran out of players and (mercifully) pulled the plug after losing to Northwestern by 44 on Dec 5. Adding to the misery of the program, they were kicked out of the WAC and will be independent come July.
CSU-UCSB History
This will be the first game between the two schools.
CSU Head Coach:
Gerald Gillion is in his first season in what is the toughest job of D1 hoops. He spent one year as an assistant coach at Samford before moving to Chicago. Known as an excellent recruiter but his ties are in the Southeast.
Roster & Overview of the Cougars
Coach Gillion hit the reset button with 4 starters, three of them freshmen, brand new to the team. Only two players from last year are playing meaningful minutes this season. Unlike the other Cougars the Gauchos faced in Pullman, these Cougars lack height yet they are still managing to outrebound their opponents by 6.4 per game. 43% of their fg attempts are from beyond the arc and they hit 40% of them.
Probable Starters
Guard Brandon Betson #11 Junior, 6’1”, 180 lb 20.3 ppg, 3 apg, 2.7 rpg, 34 mpg
JC transfer. Team’s leading scorer and 3pt shooter. Also leads teams in assists and free throw makes. Accurate, an outstanding 56% from deep, 54% overall, 7-8 from the stripe.
Guard Bryce Johnson #3 Freshman, 6’3”, 172 lbs 6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 20 mpg
4-9 from deep
Guard Andrew Lewis #1 Senior, 6’3”, 180 4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 15 mpg
Came off the bench the first two games, started vs Loyola. Shooting just 30% from the field this season. Was the team’s starting SG at season start last year but played just two games due to injury.
Wing Jahsean Corbett #24 Freshman, 6’6”, 195 6.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 24 mpg
Forward Coreyoun Rushin #15 Senior 6’6” 200 lbs 8.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 30 mpg
Leading rebounder. Transferred from Idaho St previous year playing just 2 games for the Cougars due to transfer rules.
The Cougar’s best returning player by far.
Probable Top Reserves:
Guard Kedrick Green #21 Freshman, 6’2”, 180 6.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 3 rpg, 22 mpg
Started first two games. Second on team in assists
Guard Jameon Harris #0 Freshman, 6’3”, 190 lbs, 5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 13 mpg
Guard Dominque Alexander #2 Senior, 5’10”, 160 lb, 4.3 ppg, 14 mpg
JC transfer
Forward Teddy Bayi Ba Mandeng, #22 Junior 6’9”, 200 lb, 10 mpg
JC Transfer
Injured/Unavailable:
Match-up & prediction:
Given their lack of height, much of the damage done by the Cougars has been done by their backcourt, particularly from beyond the arc. Norris should get untracked vs. this smaller opponent while Sow can do even more damage than he already has been doing. The Cougars turn the ball over a lot (18 pg) and this is an opportunity for the Gaucho perimeter defense to improve. Gauchos should be able to extend their defense out, with Norris & Sow able to help.
After an icy cold night of shooting from beyond the arc up in Pullman, expect at least some improvement in this area, especially if Cole Anderson gets a bit more time in the rotation.
Prediction: UCSB 83 CSU 64
Official Site: https://www.gocsucougars.com/sports/mens-basketball
Hey Guys! https://csnbbs.com/forum-987.html
How to Watch: ESPN+
CSU Season Preview and Game Preview Links:
https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/wac-2022-preview
Fun (?) facts about CSU:
CSU is a predominantly African-American public school in Illinois. It was founded in 1867 as Cook County Normal School, undergoing several iterations & names, eventually becoming Chicago State University in 1971. In the late 1890s, the school began to focus on underserved (but still white) communities laying the groundwork for the school to later focus on serving the African American community. The last century has been a struggle for the school with very low graduation rates, declining enrollment and some corruption scandals in the leadership.
In 1984 their basketball team finished 3rd in the NAIA and moved to D1 right after.
Monday, November 15, 2021
Saturday, November 13, 2021
UCSB vs Washington State Game Preview, by Gaucho Freg
UCSB @ Washington State
Monday, November 15, 2021, 8 pm PST
Quick Bite: The Gauchos open their D1 season on the road Pullman to take on the Washington State Cougars of the Pac 12 who sit at 2-0 after easy wins over Alcorn St and Seattle U.
WSU-UCSB History
All-time record vs. WSU: 2-1
Last game: At the Thunderdome in 2014, the Gauchos, behind Zalmico Harmon’s 17 pts and Big Al’s 12 boards, walloped the Cougars 71-43. The first game played between the two schools was won by the Cougars in Pullman, 80-69, in 1984. The Gauchos won the return game the following year in Santa Barbara, 73-70.
The Arena:
Beasley Coliseum was built in 1973 and seats 12,058. Friel Court is nearly brand new, installed in 2020. In 2019 (pre-pandemic and during a very poor season, the Cougars averaged about 3,100 fans and this year they are averaging 3,225. UCSB is their toughest OOC opponent to visit Pullman this season so they may get a decent turnout but maybe not as it is a Monday.
Head Coach:
Kyle Smith enters his third season with the Cougars after a successful 3 year stint at USF. While with the Dons he twice faced Pasternack and UCSB with the Gauchos winning both games. He is 32-29 in Pullman.
Roster & Overview of the Cougars
Coach Smith took a risk in leaving USF for arguably the most difficult job in the Pac 12 but has done a very nice job in getting the Cougars back to a competitive level. After two seasons where they finished near the bottom of the P12, many are picking the Cougars to finish in the upper half of the P12 this season. After their first two games against low level teams the Cougars are averaging 82 ppg while giving up 65. They are outrebounding their opponents by 11 per game and are shooting 46%, 32% from deep.
Although the Cougars lost their leading scorer and assists man in Isaac Bonton to graduation, they return the very productive guard Noah Williams, 14 ppg and 2.7 apg. They also add a player of interest to Big West fans in 5’11” guard Tyrell Roberts who led UCSD to perhaps their best season in school history when they were the #1 team in D2 before the season was cut short by Covid. After sitting out last season he hasn’t skipped a beat and is now the leading scorer for the Cougars. They also added guard Michael Flowers, a transfer from South Alabama where he was the #4 scorer in the country last year. Their front court is experienced with two returning starters plus they possess a lot of depth with guys who played significant minutes last year returning.
Probable Starters
Tyrell Roberts #2 Guard, RS Junior, 5’11”, 170
Transfer from UCSD, team’s leading scorer. where he was considered their best player. Sat out last year. Three point specialist, 8-18 for the season.
Michael Flowers #12 Guard, Senior, 6’1”, 190 lb
Transfer from S. Alabama where he was the #4 scorer in the country. Hasn’t found his touch yet shooting just 33% from the field, 8ppg. Grabbed 11 boards and had 6 assists vs. Alcorn St then 0 boards and just 1 assist vs. Seattle. He is due, just hope that doesn’t happen Monday.
Noah Williams #24 Guard, Junior, 6’5” 187 lbs 14.5 ppg 5.5 rpg
Leading returning player in most statistical categories. Williams looks to be a Pac-12 first-teamer this season. In addition to being one of the best scorers in the Pac-12, Williams is a superb defender, leading the conference in steals last season
Mouhamed Gueye #35 Forward Freshman, 6’10”, 205 lb 10.5 ppg, 2 rpg
Touted freshman from Prolific Prep in Napa (Sow, Toure, Bland). Had 3 steals in his last game.
Dishon Jackson #21 Center, Sophomore, 6’10”, 235 lb
13pts and 9 boards in his last game off the bench. He started the first game.
Probable Key Reserves:
Efe Abogidi #0 F/C Sophomore 6’10”, 225 lb 3 blocks per game
Led team in blocked shots last year. Will shoot the three, 27%. Good free throw shooter. Had a good game off the bench vs. Alcorn St, but was not a major contributor in his start vs. Seattle. Could start vs. SB.
TJ Bamba #3 Guard, Sophomore, 6’5”, 208, 10 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 20 mpg
Has been getting to the line, 7-11 on the season.
Andrej Jakimovski #23 Forward Sophomore 6’8”, 215 lb 4.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 20 mpg
Third on team in 3pt makes last year at 32%.
Jefferson Koulibaly #3 Guard, RS Freshman, 6’3”, 180 9.5 ppg, 19 mpg
Medical RS. From Canada.
DJ Rodman #11 Wing, Junior 6’6” 215 lbs
Playing just 6 mpg this year but averaged 6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 23 mpg 41% from deep last season.
Injured/Unavailable: None
Match-up & prediction:
Despite success in scrimmages & a D2 opener, it is a new season and much is unknown about the Gauchos. The biggest question mark is how the guards will defend a high quality backcourt. JPL is a terrific defender but defense was Sanni’s weak spot last season and Wishart is an unknown to us fans. Conversely, WSU has looked solid but did not dominate lower level teams. The Gauchos probably have an advantage in their front court with Sow-Norris-Idehen though the Cougars are by no means weak in the frontcourt.
Keys to the game for the Gauchos:
· Defending the talented Cougar backcourt. These guys can score. Perhaps underappreciated from last year was how good our guards, especially Ramsey, were on defense. A huge challenge in our opening D1 game. If Sanni has improved and Wishart is solid, the Gauchos can limit the Cougar’s strength.
· Win the battle of attrition and make FTs at the end. These teams are very well matched. A missed FT in the closing minute could very well be the difference maker.
Prediction: A very tough season opener and I see it being close with WSU pulling it out at the end, WSU 76 UCSB 73
Official Site: https://wsucougars.com/sports/mens-basketball
Hey Guys! https://247sports.com/college/washingto ... um-103297/
How to Watch: P12 Network
WSU Season Preview and Game Preview Links:
https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/pac-12-2022-preview
https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/19631
https://cbbreview.com/2021/08/30/washin ... rank-2021/
https://www.si.com/college/2021/08/23/w ... -moneyball
https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/11/01/ ... -season/9/
Fun facts about WSU: WSU was founded in 1890 as a Land Grant University and was originally called Washington State College. It is located in the far southeastern part of the state near the Idaho border, an agriculture region called the Palouse & characterized by rolling hills. Known as a party school so there’s that connection.
Athletics history is pretty quiet compared to the other P12 schools. They have one National Championship, in Indoor Track back in 1977. In football they’ve won only one Rose Bowl, way back in 1915 and haven’t won the conference since 2002. In 1917 their basketball team went 25-1 and were retroactively awarded the unofficial national title by the Helms Foundation. They had a nice run under Tony Bennett from 2006-2008, winning 26 games each year, before he departed for the University of Virginia.
Friday, November 12, 2021
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
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