Santa Clara Men's Basketball - "Third" Times A Charm?

 

        

After one of our best weeks of the season, the Broncos have a lock on third place in the WCC.  This makes back to back seasons placing third in league.  While third is two below our ultimate expectations, we have played our way into establishing us as legitimate top three in the WCC; ousting not only USF, but also BYU in that hierarchy over two successive seasons.  

Will this third place be the charm for the Broncos?  The proverb suggests that on the third time, we'll succeed.  We came close in last year's WCC tourney semi-final losing by "three" to St. Mary's.  We'll see.  But, there's still meaningful work to be done this Thursday at Leavey vs Pepperdine and away at San Diego on Saturday.

Pepperdine is young and explosive and are ranked third in points scored per game.  The Waves rank 10th in the NCAA in tempo with about 73 possessions per game.  They run and shoot.  The Waves had a recent win against BYU at home and an 11 point loss to Gonzaga last Saturday; where they were within one point with under four minutes to go.  They are 0-11 on the road, but desperately want to get off the schneid.  It's a talented team.  Four of their five starters can put up 20 or more; as three of them did versus the Zags.  We need to play like we did last week against BYU and defend, rebound, and move the ball.   We cannot afford a "Pacific" let down; raining 17 three's on us.  

San Diego is much of the same challenge who is playing well lately.  They boast wins at USF and LMU at home, then lost at home by three to St. Mary's.  Remember, they were ahead of us by nine at half and by six points at Leavey late in the second half.  Enough said.  

The Broncos have played really well the past two weeks.  After winning five in a row, we are # 1 in total rebounding, # 2 in offensive rebounding, # 2 in FG%, # 3 in 3pt %, and 3rd in overall offensive efficiency in the WCC.  Pretty stout.  In addition to the great play of our guards, the emergence of Christoph Tilly and Cameron Tongue has been huge to our success.  Tilly brings size, speed, and mobility around the rim.  Tongue is an energetic, physical defender, and finisher at the rim.  These positive minutes are sorely needed to spell our starters who, in turn, have played better as a result.  Witness Parker Braun with 15 points and 3 assists vs Portland.  Our defense has held our last five opponents well below their shooting percent averages; particularly from 3pt range.

Thursday is Senior night at Leavey.  It will be fun to honor our seniors and thank them for their contributions to Bronco basketball.  

Two more games to go and then we'll see if we can complete the "Third Time's a Charm" proverb by getting to and beating St. Mary's in the WCC tourney semi-finals and have our run at an NCAA automatic bid in the tournament finals!