MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

However, I do agree it is quite impressive that a schools with such rigorous academics can compete year in year out.

??

I think it's just the opposite.  Besides the state schools....cough, cough....(WIAC).....I think you will find the high academic "destination" schools able to compete at a high level every year.

Rag on the WIAC if you must, but they're far from the only public schools in d3. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota,  even California all have public schools in the division.

For the record,  UWSP's team GPA after the first semester was 3.4. That's academic success no matter where it is.

Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut as well ...

At no point did I infer that UWSP, or any WIAC school is poor academically.  I think that it is great that the Pointers are successful both on and off the court.  That is the epitome of Division III.  What I meant to infer is that particularly the WIAC schools, of all the state schools, have the foundation to be successful every year.

Actually, you meant to imply it, not infer it. The speaker or writer implies, and the listener or reader infers.

[sciacguru]

Actually, you meant to imply it, not infer it. The speaker or writer implies, and the listener or reader infers.

Well I guess I'm right and wrong. I like to listen and read what I say and write.

But that's why I only got into State schools!!

[dahlby]

In SCIAC action tonight, Oxy came back  from a 15 point deficit in the middle of the first half to lead 46-42 at the break and take a 99-94 OT win. Oxy moves to 7-8 and 3-4, while Chapman drops to 9-7 and 3-4.
Box and recap at:

www.chapmanathletics.com

[OxyBob]

Oxy broke a 4-game losing streak with a 99-94 OT nonconference win at Chapman. Kris Montoya ended his own 4-game slump with 24 points. Spencer Levy had 18, Kory Hamane scored 14, and Juwan Rice had 13 and 10 rebounds.

Oxy gets back to SCIAC play on Wednesday @ La Verne.

Saturday's conference scores:

Cal Lutheran 71, Redlands 69: Ricky Peetz's 3-ball gave UR the lead with 7 seconds left, but Arik Smith's 3-pointer at the buzzer won it for CLU.

CLU: Powdrill 25 and 10 rebs, Sulker-Hall 12, Quintana 10
UR: Peetz 20, Bjekovic 10 and 12 rebs, Calhoun 10, Radford 10

Claremont 75, Caltech 50: Easy win for Claremont.

CMS: Gaffaney 28, Harrington 12
CIT: Hogue 11

Whittier 82, La Verne 79: ULV's Kendall McClain missed a possible game-tying 3-pointer with 2 seconds left, and Whittier got a road win.

WC: Demusis 23, Jennings 14, Landrum 10 and 15 rebs, Barnes-William 10
ULV: See 26, Becker 10, Reyes 10

OxyBob

[Gregory Sager]

Actually, you meant to imply it, not infer it. The speaker or writer implies, and the listener or reader infers.

Well I guess I'm right and wrong. I like to listen and read what I say and write.

But that's why I only got into State schools!!

[Bigcat]

Hello all,
Long time Chapman fan, first time poster. I have made it out to a lot of Chapman games this year, most recently against La Verne, and would like to offer my opinion about the team so far and would love to see what you guys thought.

Strengths
The team's strength has to be their guard play. Hamasaki and Zavrsnick are one of, if not the most talented backcourts in the SCIAC. Both are athletic, can shoot, and are crafty around the basket. Both seem like good leaders and seem to have very good chemistry with each other. They definitely are a tough duo for any SCIAC team to handle. Their PG James is very solid as well, not much of a scorer but he runs the offense efficiently. They have some tough, gritty, big men in Joyce, Dragovich, and Justin Young, although they are a little undersized. However, all three have enough post game to score around the block and can provide a scoring punch if Hamasaki or Zavrsnick are having an off night.

Weaknesses
There are three main weaknesses I see with this team.
1. I hate to say it, but the guards on this team are SOFT. Like does Chapman not have a weight room??? They routinely get bullied by bigger, stronger, guards. These guys have to man up, take some pride in their defense and at least put up a fight.
2. Help side defense is horrendous, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. The coaching staff either fails to make proper adjustments or just ignores the issue entirely.
3. Coaching. Not only X's and O's but just the coaching staffs ability to get the most out of their team seems to be lacking.
Ill start off by saying this, I am biased when it comes to Bokosky. He is an ass, who appears to be more concerned with his own ego than developing his players into better athletes and people. As a parent and a coach myself, I would never allow my son to play for him. There is a difference in being tough on a kid and just being a total a-hole. I became close with a parent of a former player, who told me about an incident in practice last year that caused me to lose all respect for the guy. I won't go into details on here, but I was appalled and disgusted to hear any person, much less a coach, who should be a role model and mentor for these young men, say some of the things I was told he said. 
Despite my bias when it comes to Bokosky, speaking as a basketball coach, player and fan, I believe he is doing a very sub-par job when it comes to this team. I know his all time record speaks for itself, but now that they aren't playing high school girls teams on a nightly basis, his true colors as a coach are starting to show.
This team is best in transition. They have been able to put up big numbers on offense because of their guards athleticism and ability to get out and run. Half court is a different story. That offense is perhaps the most robotic, mechanical offense I have ever seen. It's like the guys aren't even looking to score. It seems like they are just running through the motions to please the coach. When they do score, it usually comes from a baby hook from one of the bigs from the low block, or a backdoor cut. The offense is very predictable and easy to defend. You take away the back door cuts, take advantage of Chapman's lack of size by fronting the post and forcing them to try and throw a lob pass to an undersized big, and live with Hamasaki or Zavrsnick taking a tough shot at the end of the shot clock, which is what usually happens. 
Aside from the X's and O's, it appears this team has no identity, no heart, and no fight in them. Last year they were young...what's the excuse this year? To me, that's on the coach. These guys don't look like they are having any fun out there. As a coach, I believe it's important to coach in a way that makes a player to want to "play hard for their coach". It's apparent that Chapman is not one of those teams. Look at a team like La Verne, who is clearly a less talented team than Chapman. Coach Reed had those guys so fired up for that game, and you could feel their energy. Every damn player on that team was diving for loose balls, cheering after every basket, and letting the guys on the floor know the shot clock time. Chapman squeaked out a W, but if they played with half the energy and pride La Verne did it would have been a blowout. Anything less than that type of effort should be inexcusable.

Sorry for the rant, it's just frustrating to see such a talented team under perform like they have been doing.

[OxyBob]

Strengths
The team's strength has to be their guard play. 

Weaknesses
I hate to say it, but the guards on this team are SOFT.

Make up your mind.

OxyBob

[sciacguru]

This team is best in transition. They have been able to put up big numbers on offense because of their guards athleticism and ability to get out and run. Half court is a different story. That offense is perhaps the most robotic, mechanical offense I have ever seen. It's like the guys aren't even looking to score. It seems like they are just running through the motions to please the coach. When they do score, it usually comes from a baby hook from one of the bigs from the low block, or a backdoor cut. The offense is very predictable and easy to defend. You take away the back door cuts, take advantage of Chapman's lack of size by fronting the post and forcing them to try and throw a lob pass to an undersized big, and live with Hamasaki or Zavrsnick taking a tough shot at the end of the shot clock, which is what usually happens.

I would think baby hooks from 5ft, and back door cuts would be wanted in an offense - worked for John Wooden.  Last time I looked, Chapman is shooting 49% from the field (2nd in SCIAC) and 42.4% from 3 pointers (1st in SCIAC).  And they arent playing against high school girls' teams any more.

[Bigcat]

Strengths
The team's strength has to be their guard play. 

Weaknesses
I hate to say it, but the guards on this team are SOFT.

Make up your mind.

OxyBob

Never said they weren't good players. If Hamasaki or Zavrsnick had some more muscle on them they would be playing in a better league than the SCIAC...

[Bigcat]

This team is best in transition. They have been able to put up big numbers on offense because of their guards athleticism and ability to get out and run. Half court is a different story. That offense is perhaps the most robotic, mechanical offense I have ever seen. It's like the guys aren't even looking to score. It seems like they are just running through the motions to please the coach. When they do score, it usually comes from a baby hook from one of the bigs from the low block, or a backdoor cut. The offense is very predictable and easy to defend. You take away the back door cuts, take advantage of Chapman's lack of size by fronting the post and forcing them to try and throw a lob pass to an undersized big, and live with Hamasaki or Zavrsnick taking a tough shot at the end of the shot clock, which is what usually happens.

I would think baby hooks from 5ft, and back door cuts would be wanted in an offense - worked for John Wooden.  Last time I looked, Chapman is shooting 49% from the field (2nd in SCIAC) and 42.4% from 3 pointers (1st in SCIAC).  And they arent playing against high school girls' teams any more.

I would argue much of that 49% shooting comes from easy buckets in transition, which is where they are at their best. I also don't see how being first in the SCIAC in 3pt shooting has anything to do with backdoor cuts or baby hooks. If anything, it shows me the coaching staff is not running it's half court offense to their team's strengths. Why try to force the ball in the post when your bigs are undersized and you're the best 3pt shooting team in the league? Let the guards play their game!!! Let the guards attack the rim to get 3pt looks for shooters and layups by a big man when help D comes. You would think a team that shoots it so well would be better than 3-4 in the conference.
And I know they aren't playing high school girls teams anymore, hence the reason they went 13-10 last year as opposed to 26-3.

[madzillagd]

Bigcat's entrance onto the boards ===> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xljA6zJn4I

[Evolution]

Madzilladg..that was hilarious. 

Bigcat, I for one enjoy your comments.

And your observations.

I also noted the fabulous chemistry that LaVerne brings to the court.  That team appears to be having a great time playing ball together even though playing time has to be divided amongst many players.

Caltech was down by twenty with 20 seconds to go and a guard dove from the elbow to half court for a ball.  Most of the entire gym gave the player a standing ovation.

Something is going right when a team is shooting 49% ...just saying.  Shouldn't coaches be allowed mulligans every once in a while?   Much more difficult job than it appears.  Coaches observe players behind the scenes ten hours a week at practice, fans see them for 40 minutes at most.

[West Coast Bias]

First off I would like to acknowledge that CMS plays fantastic defense. They play hard, solid team defense and really make it tough on opposing defenses. If you want to look at stats, I would say ranking #14 in the nation in Field Goal Percentage Defense is a much more impressive stat than their current ranking #2 in Points Per Game Allwowed. I was just pointing out that PPG is not always a function of good defense, but the pace at which a team plays...and CMS plays SLOW ...

Through 7 SCIAC games (6 for CMS and Whittier), Average Shots per game (Opponents Shot Attpempts Per Game + Team Shot Attempts per game)

PP - 126.5
Whittier - 126.2
Redlands - 124.5
Oxy - 118.1
Cal Tech - 115.3
Chapman - 112.3
Cal Lu - 111.3
ULV - 107.3
CMS - 98.9

They make 4 corners look like 40 minutes of hell!

- I think the academic argument is one of my favorite arguments in D3. The high academic schools like to whine about how difficult it is to find good players that can get into school. The schools with less competitive academic situations will often point to the advantage in resources the academic schools often have. My take is that it is just plain hard to recruit good players and win basketball games. If you are winning, then you are doing something right. Those other guys are trying too...

- How dare anyone call Stag44 unbaised! The Stag44 I knew would take offense to that comment. He is unabashedly proud of his Stag roots, president of the Scali fan club, and still sleeps in his maroon and gold underoos. I take offense to your attempts to be unbaised. We all know where you stand. I expect more of  you.

- How can WooStar possibly say Cal Tech is any tougher to get into than Pomona or Claremont? They have 10 FRESHMAN ON THEIR TEAM!!! So for you non Cal Tech math wizards out there, that means 6% of the males in their freshman class are basketball players. I would venture to say that is by far the highest percentage in the country. They are a basketball factory!

- If (Fill in the blank SCIAC player) had (Fill in the blank missing skill) they would be playing in a better league than the SCIAC...But they don't. Hence they are in the SCIAC...

[Evolution]

Yes, indeed Coach Eslinger had a great recruiting year. And the statistics could be represented with even more awe. 

There are 162 "MALE" freshman at Caltech, and 10 of them are on the basketball team, all with SAT scores of 2300 and north.  LOL -- one of six males in the Caltech freshman class has a basketball jersey. (Unfortunately no seniors have a jersey, only one junior, and three sophomores).

Coach did a pretty thorough search of the universe to find candidates who meet the three criteria--scoring in the upper 99.9%, experience in science research and able to bounce a basketball. (To be totally candid, only two of the players had the time to play AAU ball.)

A much more interesting stat is that five players opted for Caltech over MIT, a team which during at least part of the application cycle was ranked number one, coming off the heels of a successful bid to the Final Four the previous year.

It certainly isn't Coach's fault this freshman team is shooting a dismal 27% from three, and aghast, 60% from the line. If Caltech is going to win another game the players will need to find a way to improve their shooting.

We can hope Coach Eslinger finds a player this year who can meet a 4th criteria -- one who can hit a three point shot with consistency!

The simple fact that the other coaches in the SCIAC are spending time scouting Caltech shows that there has been a turn in the dial, ever so slight, but a turn never-the-less.

On a more realistic note, Gaffney had 28 against Caltech.  He could have had 68 if he wanted.   He scored at will.  Truly a joy to watch such a talented player.

Hoping the Caltech boys can develop a physics program tonight which demonstrates a method to magically shoot threes against the colossal Pomona zone tomorrow night.

[Bigcat]

Something is going right when a team is shooting 49% ...just saying.  Shouldn't coaches be allowed mulligans every once in a while?   Much more difficult job than it appears.  Coaches observe players behind the scenes ten hours a week at practice, fans see them for 40 minutes at most.
[/quote]

Of course, all coaches make mistakes.
However, I just think something's gotta give when you have 2 of the top 5 leading scorers in the conference (Hamasaki is 1st overall), are the best 3 point shooting team in the conference, shoot 51% from the field (updated stats, also best in the conference), are the 2nd highest scoring team in the conference, and are still in the bottom half of your conference standings. The defense isn't horrible either. Definitely could be better (last in the conference in FG%) but they are still in the middle of the pack when it comes to PPG.  Chapman is the only team in the conference that is scoring more than they are giving up and has a losing record.