SCU Men's Basketball - Breaking News!! A Bash for Nash

It's been nearly twenty-four years since a crew-cut freshman from British Columbia led the Bronco's to a stunning 64-61 upset over Arizona in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.  Up until then, just the second time in NCAA history that a #15 seed beat a #2 seed!

Today, we know it was just the beginning of a stellar college and two-time MVP pro career. 

Sources from The Bucking Bronco readers, have confirmed Steve Nash will be inducted into the Bronco Hall of Fame on May 13, 2017.   Also honored, as teams, will be the NCAA tourney qualifiers of 1992-93 and 1995-96.  

This is a don't miss event and a deserving honor for not just Steve, but his teammates and Coach Dick Davey.  In 1992,  Davey had just taken the reins from Carroll Williams, who left him with a good core roster to build upon.  Enter Nash.  Under Davey, the teams during Nash's career qualified for three NCAA tourneys, reaching the second round twice.

You my recall how Steve Nash came to SCU.  

A former SCU assistant had seen Nash, but didn't feel he was a fit for their program.  He called Dick Davey to suggest he take a look.  Nash had sent VHS tapes to many colleges hoping to get interest.  No takers. According to Coach Davey, "the SCU coaches saw the tapes and knew this guy can play!"  Off to B.C. where they watched him live and were blown away.  Coach Davey told me, "I knew when I saw him warm up before the game he was a great talent."  Their major concern was if other schools knew.  They kept looking around the gym to see if any other schools were there.  Fortunately, none were.  

The 1993 take-down of Arizona was a classic.  Coach Davey said, "We had two weeks to prepare for what we knew would be a high seed, not knowing it would be Arizona.  Practices were run with our 5 on offense against 6 defenders allowing for the extra speed and athleticism we would play against.   Rebounding, limiting second chance points was vital."  

SCU got off to a great start to lead by 11.  Then, we stopped a furious Arizona second half comeback with Nash hitting 6 clutch free throws in the last 48 seconds.   This was followed by freshman Kevin Dunne's offensive rebound with 4 seconds left to preserve the upset.  That rebounding thing!  Pete Eisenrich led the Broncos with 19 points followed by DeWayne Lewis with 13.  Nash scored 10.

This was a "stacked" Arizona team; 24-4 on the year with a roster of five future pros, including Damon Stoudamire, Chris Mills, Khalid Reeves, Reggie Geary and Ed Stokes.  

Click the link below for the last 2 minutes of that game.  Awesome!  Proud!

SCU Upsets #2 seed Arizona in 1993 NCAA Tourney

Fantastic memories that create a "pining" in all of us for the future.  The timing of the honor, a rallying point for all Bronco fans.  Hopefully, a harbinger for our future of returning to national relevance.

The "seeds" of our own national resurgence are being sown.  As season ticket holders and fans we relish the day when we'll take down the next #2 seed! 

So, let's have a "Bash for Nash."  Show Steve and his teammates some Bronco love.  They deserve it!

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SCU vs Gonzaga - Coaches Preview - "Game On!"

Gonzaga comes to town Thursday "walking the dog" with a 17-0 start and lots of confidence.  Rightly so. Their stat sheet is uber. Nearly first in every key area.  Their roster, relatively young, big, solid, and deep. They expect to win.  They probably will...

But, to me, that's not what's this game is about.

It's a measuring stick of not just where we are, but where we want to go.  An examination of the learning curve of where our re-booted program is against the standard bearer in the WCC and the national relevance we are seeking.  

In talking with coaches this week, there is no fear, just excitement to compete against another highly ranked team and test our mettle.

The game plan.  Focus on the things we can execute to maximize our opportunities to put a leash on the Dogs and steal one from a team who hasn't been road tested much this season.  

Mark Few hates playing at Leavey.  Too many bad memories of great escapes.  Last minute victories that are haunting to coaches.  For the Zags, the stakes are much higher, carrying the weight of soaring national expectations.  Few knows teams with nothing to lose often don't...

Coaches keys.  Disrupt.  

Everything in the half court flows through the bigs,  Karnowski and Collins.  They can both score it and are good passers.  We'll show a variety of defensive looks here.  Straight up with "E", show and release double teams, try to bait so we can either get some steals or force a late in the clock three.

Their guards are big, quick, and can shoot and drive it.  Williams-Goss is their main "go to".  We'll try to guard with a posse of JB, KJ, Hauser, Wardlow, and Healy.  Force the action over the high screen/rolls and try to make their looks as hard as possible.  Having Wardlow back is a plus for us because his size can stop some of their one on one success. 

It's a pick your poison, defense by triage plan.

For us, it's about executing our screen/rolls and moving the ball to spots where we know we can be successful.  Jared, as always, will be hounded and doubled to limit his looks.  This can create openings for Feagin, Hauser, Healy, Henrik, and Nate to do some damage.

If KJ can penetrate, that creates options for him to dish or finish and draw fouls.  We'll push the ball when opportunities arise and be patient otherwise - try to control the tempo to our pace.

It's a tough test.  I know our coaches and players will give it their best.  Our "grade" my not be reflected in the final score; more a progress report on our journey to national.

As fans, we can try to make Leavey SO loud to make it claustrophobic for the Zags and do our part to disrupt.  

I know one thing for sure.  We'd all love it if the Zags left Leavey with one "Fewer" win.

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Who's Going To Be The "Dog" Catcher in the WCC?

Let's just get it out of the way.  Two games in, the WCC final standings predictions are all over the place. Depending upon your source, SCU will finish fifth, seventh, or eighth.  For me, it's actually OK that we're not predicted to win the WCC - this year.  

BUT....We can be "unpredictable."

We can be the "wild horse" in the corral.  You know, the one nobody wants to ride or try to break.  For my "buck" that's a good edge for us to take to the floor.  Be feisty, stubborn, and unpredictable.   

As this team learns a whole new system under Coach Sendek, we're a bit schizophrenic right now.  That may be our wild card.  A team that takes Arizona to the final minutes, beats Valpo on the road and a team that let one slip away at Washington State.  

Ask USF.  Coming to Leavey touting an 11-3 non-con record and a swagger to go with it.  "Stampeded" by a harassing defense and solid offense,  left with a cold bus ride home and a lousy New Year's.  Nice!

Unpredictable...

I don't really care where we finish in league.  I do care about being strong against the "top three."  Winning two vs them would at least send a message:  "We're coming for you!"

You may remember, Mark Few started a "Fewd" at the end of last season when he basically called out the "middlers" in the WCC as needing to step it up.  His digs were both blunt and smart.

It definitely rattled cages around the league.  EVERYONE is upping the ante to be better.  SO, let's give him what he wants.  

The question is, who's going to be the "dog" catcher?  Maybe St. Mary's who has had success versus the Zags last season.  BYU?  BYU must beat Gonzaga once and probably finish second to salvage a chance for an NCAA bid.  

The answer?  It has to come from the middlers.  The teams Few called out.  SCU, USF, Portland, etc. have to be the dog catchers. You know the dog catchers?  They always show up when you least expect them.  That's how it's going to happen.  A loss or two when least expected.

A good spot for the dog catchers is either February 2, 4, 9 or 11. Three Zag road games deep into the season. At BYU.  SCU in Spokane on the 4th.  Down to LMU on the 9th and then at St. Mary's on the 11th.  IF, it happens, that could put the Zags in a 3 loss league situation.  In the "doghouse" where they may HAVE to win the WCC tourney.  Game on!

I'd love us to have that mindset, that edge.  The spoilers.  A win for SCU and "Fewer" wins for the dogs, would not only be a "step up" but a big step in the right direction.  Sounds great, but not easy.

Let's be honest.  The Zags have a 15 year head start.  While we we're building out our beautiful campus, they were building a Men's Basketball WCC dynasty.  That, oh BTW, put them on the national map and has created a fundraising bonanza.  

Now, at least, visible steps are in place to cause Mark Few to hear footsteps in the near future as we build back our tradition of MBB success.  

I predict we will get there.  We can start by being unpredictable this WCC season.  Be one of the wily dog catchers.  Using our "nets" by raining jumpers when the dogs come to Leavey.  

For all the middlers in the WCC, the disrespecting by Few has created a posse, bent on getting their man.   Every posse needs a great Bronco to ride and here we come.

He started the "Fewd."  Now we need to finish it!  Hopefully sooner than later...

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