MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[(509)Rat]

Caltech: the only "Solid" team who probably won't win a game in their own conference....

[stag44]

Video Witness of CMS game

I tuned in for the second half of the CMS game and in an exciting finish and game that showed where both teams excel and can improve.

For the Stags, Blees was simply at his finest for a bulk of the game. They got him in iso situations on the block, where he has much improved his physicality and finishing with post moves as well as off screen roll with shot clock winding down. He provided basket after basket around the rim. In somewhat of a "Kobe" effect though, I think some of the other Stags got stagnant watching Blees go to work. This turned out to be an issue late in the game as the Stags were passive and passing around the perimeter until the end of the shot clock. ALL the players need to remain aggressive while the game is going so they aren't cold come end of game situations. Anderson and Maciera continued to remain active on the boards, but rather than token screening for 20 seconds, the Stags should really be punishing teams with their aggressive motion offense late in games. This will be key for them in the coming games. La Verne was very discombobulated on defense -some chasing screens, other sagging - it should give the Stags opportunities to really attack them. Though they may condense their spacing, running the motion inside the 3 will actually allow them to spring free on fade and wall screens for wide open 3s. They need to continue to take up space when defenders sag and step up if an open shot or opportunity presents itself.

Defensively, the Stags showed at moments why they give up the 3rd fewest pts in the nation, while at others showed how lapses can create issues. They really focused on shutting down and making life difficult for Napolitano, forcing him into 8 turnovers! They stuck to the game plan and really forced him to pass out of aggressive doubles or go over 4 hands to score. From what I heard, the first half they were aggressive with Woodland and forced him into difficult spots. However, when I started watching, Woodland was getting to his spots and able to get some space for shots. Anderson did a good job chasing him around, but still got lost a few times or gave him a little extra space. Give credit to ULV and Coach Reed though, they were able to get Woodland into iso situations and also get him open off baseline screens coupled with penetration from the guards. They ran a very nice set at the end of the game to get him free for the tying 3pointer. It seemed that in the 2nd half the stags went away from their aggressive style, giving up open 3s and letting ULV dictate the flow on that half of the court. I'm sure there are going to be great teaching points for Scali and his staff to point out from this film.

From ULV perspective, this has got to be devastating. Back to back OT losses to start conference, and just another crushing close defeat. They have shown they can compete with any team, but also have mental lapses. After the intentional foul in OT (which I thought was the right call - there was contact to the head and in the air), they lost their composure and quickly went from down 2 to down 10. They really had their chances to pull off the upset in regulation as well - Jeremy Lay had a wide open 3 he missed to tie or take the lead. They could never get over the hump and only tied the game with Woodland's three.

[breakfromcoaching]

Rat,
We'll agree to disagree about Caltech.  They may not win a conference game, but I still don't think they are a "bad" team taking into account all DIII teams.  I can't argue your point about not winning a conference game though...

Right now they're definitely in a funk.  Hopefully they can right the ship (and soon).

They have a rough stretch with three road games in a row.  Maybe they'll rise up, maybe they won't, but we'll see...

[WoostAr]

There is definitely trouble for the Beavers.

Last night is the worst I've seen them play in two years: they didn't move the ball, they were passive as no one wanted to attack, their screens were merely an afterthought as opposed to solid, and they continually left shooters wide open.  They managed to get shots off, they just didn't go in. Even layups were difficult for them to make.  They continued their rebounding woes to the tune of 53-23!!

I'll eat crow, I thought this game would be tight....the result speaks for itself however.  Hopefully they can rectify some (or all) or these issues in practice this week.  Going in to PP will be a rough game for them.

Clearly Cramer's absence is affecting this team -- he created shots for everyone (leading assist guy, 3rd in the nation for a while), could create his own shot, and he was their leading rebounder.

In other news...tough loss for La Verne...hopefully they can break through soon.

First close game for CMS in a looong while...not sure their starters have played that much since early december?

[oldchap]

Fun facts regarding Cal Tech this year:

Cal Tech handily beat West Coast Baptist by a score of 95-79. That game wasn't even close as Cal Tech led from about half way through the first half to win by a comfortable margin. The same West Coast Baptist College team went on to beat Oxy and Chapman, who both beat Cal Tech without much contest.

So, what does it prove? It proves that Cal Tech lacks consistency but can be competitive on any given night. While I would not say that Cal tech is "solid", I won't say that they are "terrible" either. They are a team that has improved tremendously over the last couple of years under the leadership of a new coach and is trying to earn some athletic respect (they have plenty in the academic department). They will undoubtedly continue to get better, as their target is none other than their academic archrivals MIT, who has been consistently ranked in D3 top 25 over the last few years. It goes to show that academic prowesses doesn't necessarily equate to poor athletic abilities. In other words, you don't have to be a nerd to excel in School.

[dahlby]

WoostAr probably has it right regarding Cal Tech in that losing a team impact player like Cramer really hurts the team. Cal Tech doesn't have a strong bench to make up the difference.

Also, I really feel for ULV...they have had more than their fair share of heart breakers. Hopefully, someone on the team will step up and become the leader when the game is on the line. CU played them 3 times this year and all games were tightly contested.

[(509)Rat]

Rat,
We'll agree to disagree about Caltech.  They may not win a conference game, but I still don't think they are a "bad" team taking into account all DIII teams.  I can't argue your point about not winning a conference game though...

Right now they're definitely in a funk.  Hopefully they can right the ship (and soon).

They have a rough stretch with three road games in a row.  Maybe they'll rise up, maybe they won't, but we'll see...

Woostar's post is fair. And for the record I never said Caltech isn't improving or will never be good. They've got their hurdles, sure. But I also don't understand why so many posters on this board seem to baby these kids and this team. I'm sure the players don't believe in moral victories, so why do their supporters?

breakfromcoaching deserves some type of award. Something like the "First Poster to Believe the SCIAC is A Deep League" Award.

[OxyBob]

But I also don't understand why so many posters on this board seem to baby these kids and this team. 

I look forward to the next Todd Cramer eulogy.

OxyBob

[WoostAr]

Redlands @ CMS -- Should be exciting rematch of last years SCIAC championship...expect CMS to win at home.

Caltech @ PP -- Maybe I can catch some of each of these games?!...will be a tough task for Caltech to keep this close...PP with some great freshman this year...looking forward to seeing them live.

Cal Lu @ LaVerne -- I got a feeling LaVerne finally breaks through at home, but expect this game to be tight....no Wolpe inside to deal with Van Klaveren...guessing Hoyt (and maybe Bauer?) will have their hands full.

Whittier @ Oxy -- Not sure Oxy has the firepower to stay with Whittier, let's see if Oxy can handle Whittier's press and uptempo style.

[stag44]

Some early season battles on Saturday night:

Redlands @ CMS
Big game for both teams - CMS looks to continue its winning ways and play a sharper game than they have in their first 2 SCIAC games, while Redlands looks to rebound from a tough loss to Pomona on Wednesday.

This game also provides a rematch of last years SCIAC tournament championship where Redlands went on an early 17-0 run to bury CMS and then provide counterpunches to every CMS rally in the second half. Redlands also swept CMS which last happened to the Stags in 07-08 when PP swept them in the same manner.

I have a feeling this matchup will get the Stags refocused and back to playing the way they were earlier in the season. They realized they are no longer invincible and have to tighten up the screws in conference as every team has scouted them and had a real chance to see them play.

Students should be filtering into campus Saturday to give the them so much needed fan support. I think the Stags clamp down and avenge last years sweep.

CMS 72 Redlands 56

Caltech @ PP
PP rolls, setting up a HUGE matchup with CMS early in the year on Wednesday for 1st place.

PP wins 73-49

CLU @ ULV
In a compelling game of 0-2 teams that have had tough losses, this should be a fun game to watch. It matches teams with different styles and who are looking to kickstart their SCIAC season. I think ULV is the better team, but CLU has the better coaching and system. I think ULV wins this game in the Supertent

ULV over CLU 64-58

Whittier @ Oxy
Oxy is undefeated and I think this has all the makings of a high scoring shootout. Both teams have multiple weapons on offense and this game should be wide open. Whittier imposes their will and style to cause Oxy to play too fast.

Whitter wins on the road 88-74

[cmsme]

Looked like a good game against Redlands.

[CMSfan]

Eyewitness Report from Claremont:

CMS 76, Redlands 67

Box Score: http://www.cmsathletics.org/sports/mbkb/2011-12/files/UR-CMS.HTM

Good win for the Stags.  With the exception of a couple lapses in the second half, they played smart, aggressive ball and capitalized on Redlands's mistakes.  The lead was up to 16 or 18 at one point in the second half.  Redlands made a run to get within 7 thanks to some impressive shooting from Mychal Estrada, but the outcome was never really in doubt.

Other Notes:

• CMS out-rebounded U of R 46-29. Joey Anderson helped CMS hold of the late Redlands charge with some big offensive boards.
• The CMS attack was more balanced tonight, with six players scoring at least 8 points and four in double digits.  The offense flowed much more smoothly.
• Blees went to the line 25 times! And made only 14.  CMS has been struggling from the line, which could be an issue on Wednesday the game vs. P-P is a closely contested as expected.

[OxyBob]

Wednesday's SCIAC schedule, all games 7:30 p.m.

Whittier (10-4, 2-1 SCIAC) @ La Verne (4-10, 1-2)
Claremont (14-0, 3-0) @ Pomona (8-5, 3-0)
Redlands (6-8, 1-2) @ Oxy (7-7, 2-1)
Caltech (5-9, 0-3) @ Cal Lutheran (4-9, 0-3)

The big game is Claremont @ Pomona, which is always a big game no matter what. Claremont has established itself as the SCIAC top dog, but never count out Coach Kat and the Sagehens, especially in Rains Center, which will be rocking. I say Pomona knocks the Stags from the unbeaten ranks in a low-scoring defensive game.

Whittier pressed and harassed Oxy into 22 turnovers in its easy 19-point win over the Tigers. The Poets will get another road win at La Verne, which will put up its usual good fight before succumbing.

Claremont, Pomona, and Whittier look to be the top three teams in the SCIAC. The Redlands-Oxy game will give the winner a leg up for the 4th spot. Edge to Oxy at home, but only a slight edge.

Cal Lutheran gets its first conference win against Caltech.

OxyBob

[etule]

I like Oxy but I think that Redlands wins this one! They can put up the points and play hard! They are also bigger than Oxy. So McCoy and Handly are going to have big nights for them to win! I hope they do but Im doubtful!

CMS looks like they may run the table. PP game will be telling! Whittier is a team that could cause problems. They are playing well! Fun year!

[WoostAr]

Claremont at Pomona will be a big game...we probably all agree on that...I think Claremont should be favored in every game they play this season (barring injuries), and they'll probably pull this one out.

I'm torn on the La Verne/Whittier game...La Verne can clearly keep up with anyone, the question is can they win.....if La Verne can keep their turnovers down and play a slower pace, I like their chances.

Redlands @ Oxy...I'm taking Redlands....hung tight with Claremont @ Claremont...I think they handle Oxy with relative ease.

Caltech played better this weekend...Pan Wang has become more aggressive which is nice to see.  Michael Edwards has been relegated to the post while Runkel is out with an ankle sprain in an attempt to help with rebounding.  End result is Edwards (a perimeter shooter) plays the post where his team-mates don't pass him the ball (and he looks uncomfortable to start with) and then ends up frustrated because he doesn't get the ball.  In other words...the Beaver's offense (on top of the Cramer absense...had to throw it in just for you OxyBob) presently has players in in-effective positions.  That said, if Runkel can come back and guard Van Klaveren and Edwards can move back to the perimeter, maybe he can hit enough shots to give the Beavers a fighting chance?....barring a Michael Edwards shooting explosion, I'll take Cal Lu.