[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Have a feeling that most people have been watching Syracuse upsetting Louisville, but I was watching my alma mater take on the UCLA Bruins. Turns out, these Oregon Ducks might be for real! 16-2 now after our 76-67 win at Pauley, sweeping the LA schools who we do not have to play again until likely Pac-12 tournament time. Due to the 12 team structure, we also miss out on the Arizona schools until that time as well, plus we swept them. Still think we are the 9th best team in the Pac-12, llperez (kidding bro, though I told you we were better than that).

I thought that Zona, UCLA and Stanford were the three teams better than the Ducks, now I think we are showing this team is indeed near the class of the conference. Think that Dana Altman has been a fantastic coach, preaching defense and getting some major pieces to take us from the CBI to the NIT to (hopefully) the NCAA. Dominic Artis switching from UCLA was major for the Ducks and Damyean Dotson was one of the more slept on recruits this season, finishing outside most HS Top 100’s.

For UCLA, it is once again incredibly difficult to watch them run their half court offense. Everything runs through the hands of Drew and Anderson, very little movement, rushed shots, just ugly. The Wears are incredibly soft, them stretching the offense can only get you so far when they are supposed to be your post threats. Kyle Anderson is a great all-around player, the issue is his lack of speed on defense and of course very limited range. 

Shabazz Muhammad came off of the bench due to being late for practice, took him a while to get going, though when he did they actually built up a nice lead. In the second half, he was held completely scoreless, rushed shots and just flat out did not get the ball in optimal spots on the floor. Feel that Larry Drew’s high assist total actually comes at the price of UCLA actually distributing the ball around the court. Very little slashing, as Siggy points out a complete lack of Kyle Anderson using the high post to his advantage. 

Big win for the Ducks, disappointing game for UCLA. I am still very high on Shabazz in relativity to this years draft class, just think that Ben Howland’s offense is excruciating to watch. I know UCLA has scored at a much higher rate this season, this game had next to know transition game for the Bruins and very little energy on the glass or in the 2nd half in general. Larry Drew would kill me if he were my PG, despite the high assist to turnover ratio. Bruins lacked a great deal of toughness, something that our team has had instilled in it ever since Altman came to Eugene.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

UCLA needs to give Shabazz more touches, plain and simple. There is no reason why one of the top all around scorers in the nation doesn’t at least touch the ball on some possessions on offense.

[drk3351Participant]

I was at the game and it was laughable how practically every time he got the ball he shot it, he was forcing fadeaways and its been like that the whole season. He’s a great talent and UCLA should run the offense through him and Anderson, but he needs to be more selective on his shots.

[SiggyParticipant]

Kazemi doesn’t have great pro potential but I love his game. He’s capable of so much more, but he sacrifices his game for the team. He’s basically a skilled, hustle player and he dominated the Bruins on the glass.
Hope some NBA gives him a shot at camp. he could maybe play a Lou Amundson type role.

I’ve said it before, but Dana Altman is the best X’s and O’s coach in the PAC 12.

[ph90702]

This shows that UNLV didn’t lose to a crappy team.

[drk3351Participant]

Tony Woods played excellent with 18 points on 8-9 shooting, and i don’t know what his draft stock is, but what i saw he could be a late second round pick and if not at least be solid in the d-league and get a chance at the NBA

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

Uhhh Tony Woods is going to have to average more than 3 rebounds per game at 7-0 to get a shot in the NBA.

I liked him when he was at Wake thought he had a high ceiling but he’s never reached it.

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