MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WoostAr]

Caltech with a new website and roster upload in the same day... http://gocaltech.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/roster

11 freshmen, 2 sophomores, 2 juniors, zero seniors (again).

This is the most talented and athletic team Caltech has had in ten years (if not ever)...they are very young and have been heavy on the turnovers in their scrimmages, but they have some serious size: 6'10" 220, 6"6 215, 6'5" 210, 6'7" 240, 6'5" 205....9 players over 6'4", none of which is awkward and all of which will likely see playing time.  There has already been a lineup on the floor in a scrimmage where Andrew Hogue at 6'4" was the shortest player on the floor.  Now to see if/when this team gels...I'm looking for them to start the season slowly/awkwardly and improve as the year goes on.  That said, they have demonstrated the ability (and desire) to rebound with anybody which can keep them in a game even if their shots don't fall.

This is all the more interesting because Willamette (Caltech's first opponent) has no one taller than 6'6" on their roster....one guy at 6'5" 215.  On the face of it, Caltech should have a size advantage Friday which is the first time I can remember that being the case.

Exciting time for Caltech basketball...can't wait for the season to start already!!

[Hemingway13]

WoostAr,
Thanks for your very helpful report, and it will be interesting to see how they do in the SCIAC this year. I went to both Redlands and CIT.   

[WoostAr]

Season preview just posted...this provides info on all of the new players

http://gocaltech.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/20132014MBBOutlook

[Hemingway13]

As WoostAr has posted the CIT preview, I'll return the favor with today's Redlands preview.


Seems to me UR has plenty of Guards, but lacks depth with other positions.


http://www.goredlands.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/20131113nwzo0e

[WoostAr]

Caltech wins 58-55!

[Hemingway13]

Congratulations to the Beavers. Last season Willamette had three very narrow losses to La Verne, Redlands and Chapman, so this is a good start to the season for CIT.

[Hemingway13]

Finally able to get Redlands stats from our loss to George Fox, and UR's field-goal percentage was rather disquieting. Last season GF defeated Cal-Lutheran and Whittier.

[WoostAr]

Eyewitness account from tonight at Caltech:

The most exciting part about the game tonight is that Caltech went down by 9 and then 12 and came roaring back each time.  As expected, they rebounded very well...they had a 50-33 rebound advantage.  Also, as expected, they turned the ball over with 22 turnovers.  The team strung together some very good stretches, but their offense hasn't seem to come together completely yet.  Fortunately, that didn't affect their defensive effort.

Luke Lango was a particularly bright spot tonight scoring on pull up jumpers and beating whatever double teams were thrown at him.  It looks as though he may be the primary ball handler for the Beavers this year.  This pushed Bryan Joel to an off-ball roll which particularly suits him with all the activity inside -- he went off ball in the second half and that is when he started hitting his 3-balls.

Lawrence Lee was quiet in the first half playing in the middle of a zone, but he was the impetus for the Beavers second half run. He ended the night with 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Andrew Hogue scored zero points tonight, but had 13 rebounds with a solid defensive effort. He was on the floor fighting for rebounds all night and is proving to be a great leader for this young Beaver's squad.

KC Emezie was very efficient on the evening to lead Caltech with 18 points.

Caltech was very aggressive all evening...if they can continue their energy level and defensive effort they will be a tough matchup for anyone they play this year.

[WoostAr]

In other news congrats to Pomona pitzer for taking down a perennial power house in St Thomas!

[Hemingway13]

WoostAr,


Thanks for a most informative report, and perhaps the CIT and P-P wins will generate

for the SCIAC a higher level of respect from D3 pundits than our football teams have been given.

[stag44]

CMS with a great win over San Diego Christian. The Stags jumped out of the gate and were up 40-21 at halftime. Gaffaney and Pinson were strong as the best buddies were reunited after a year off.  as they combined for 36/13/7asst and showed some great senior leadership.

GREAT to see the SCIAC show up vs the NWC and other national powers. Outside of the George Fox / Redlands result which was very surprising, the SCIAC represented well last night.

Congrats to Caltech for a great win over Willamette and starting the year on the right step. This is the year they get their SCIAC win!!!

Another great slate of games tonight:

Caltech vs Pacific
Whitter vs George Fox
La Verne vs Willamette

Here's to seeing a 3-0 night and 5-1 weekend vs the NWC!

Oxy vs St Thomas
Redlands vs New Paltz St
Chapman vs La Sierra

I'll try to be at the Oxy or Caltech game - not sure tonight given the great win from CIT last night!

[Gosox]

Attended the CIT game last night and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and the style of play.  There were bright spots and things to improve on, as with any team opeing a season.  But when you have watched for over 4 years, it was a great joy to see a win to start the season.  Congrats on a well fought game.  Looking forward to some more positive surprises as the year progresses.

On another note.  Mike Edwards goes to camp with the PeeDee Vipers of the Premier Basketball League in South Carolina.  Looking forward as he starts his professional basketball career.  Congrats to him and Go Beavers!

[Hemingway13]

Yes, good luck to Mike Edwards who engendered great respect in the SCIAC by setting a sterling example of sportsmanship for all younger players in the conference.

[(509)Rat]

for the SCIAC a higher level of respect from D3 pundits than our football teams have been given.

The PP win was the most impressive (assuming St Thomas doesn't implode in the MIAC this year)...but like football you guys are gonna have to get over the NWC hump before you start getting a lot of respect.

Unfortunately, the NWC has a dominant basketball program as well. Tall task to come up to Spokane in the playoffs and knock Whitworth off at home.

[Hemingway13]

(509),


You're spot on about the NWC domination of West Coast D3 footy, as many preseason games have made abundantly clear. In 2014, Redlands is taking a break from NWC and opening at Mary Harden Baylor, but extremely difficult to see things going more positively than this years preseason.


Cheers!
Hem