Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Who are These Guys?

                                                                                                          

Despite a 23-10 record and a second consecutive NIT berth, Bronco fans and season ticket holders were left with the feeling we let a great opportunity slip away to make some noise in the NIT and raise our national profile.  It was a season to remember as we sent BYU packing with two wins and turned heads with big wins over name opponents. 

The optimism for the 2024 season got a big shot of adrenaline after Brandin Podziemski was drafted # 19 by the Golden State Warriors.  This quickly subsided as fans realized the key piece for a 2024 NCAA tournament run was gone.  Departures by Carlos Stewart, Giordan Williams, Jaden Bediako, Parker Braun, and Jacob Holt also added more fuel that a down year of rebuilding was ahead.  Fans wondered, what if anything would back to back NBA first round picks mean for the Broncos?  All our starters are gone!

Then, the phones started ringing.... Times past, WE did the calling.  Now, as a result of Jalen and Brandin's NBA successes, transfers want to talk to US.  They've read the J & B stories and see themselves as the next potential under the radar, underappreciated, player who wants to prove they are worthy of the NBA conversations.  They are leaving National Champions like Virginia and Arizona, and turning down power conference teams like Ohio State.  While many thought the transfer portal put SCU at a major disadvantage the opposite has happened.

Begs the question, why?  Why would these potential top level players choose to come to SCU given their abundant choices?  While each player has slightly different reasons, the common denominator is the ability to showcase their game in an up-tempo offense mentored by a proven, experienced coaching staff.  Oh, and by the way the AEC and Campus are homeruns.

An example is 6' 10" transfer Johnny O'Neil, from American University, was the Patriot League Freshman of the Year and all league defensive team last season with 27 steals and 51 blocked shots.  Not a typo and he wasn't their center.  American, as a team, was # 342 in the NCAA in offensive tempo.  A snail pace.  They were # 275 in offensive efficiency.  O'Neil averaged 10 shots per game with an 11.3 ppg scoring average.  By contrast, SCU  was # 46 in offensive tempo and Brandin averaged about 16 shots per game.  We'll see what O'Neil unhinged can do with 6-10 more shot per game.  

He's not alone.  Adama Bal, Tyree Bryan, Jalen Benjamin, and 7' 1" Francisco Caffaro all want the opportunity to have their talent on display in an high octane team setting.  Add returnees, Knapper, Tongue, Tilly, Akametu, Carlos Marshall, Redshirt Ensminger, and add freshman 7' 1" Oboyu, 6"10" McClendon, and 6' 4" shooting guard Hammond and this roster is as big as it is "DEEP". 

Our coaches have dealt with the Zags when they substitute to players on their bench who would start for any other team in the WCC.  Quote: "We have that depth this season."  So, given the hefty bench, how are all these guys going to get playing time with only 40 minutes to divide?  Herb's rule:  You earn minutes in practice and keep them if you perform.  Simple, straightforward.  

To say practices will be intense competition is an understatement.  Every teammate wants your minutes.  Hard to think of a better preparation formula than needing to win your daily battles.  The trick for the coaches will be to make the right move at the right time with a full complement of chess pieces.  Expect a tsunami and rolling thunder on offense.  A non-stop assault to the rim.  Opposing coaches might have to invoke the famous Butch Cassidy line when they can't shake the posse not matter what they do, "Who are these guys?"  With this depth, we shouldn't have guys run out of gas late in a tight game as we saw last season.  

In a short time we'll know who these guys are and how they'll play.  We may even discover "who" might emerge as the next Bronco NBA prospect or prospects.  We've waited more than 25 years for the last NCAA bid.  Is this the year?

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Trajectory

                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                               

Thirty something years ago in a gym far away, Santa Clara head coach Dick Davey found a great soccer player who wanted to play basketball, but couldn't get a look from Division One schools.  In 2016, coach Ludwig saw a smallish 5'10" sophomore from Arizona who believed his work ethic could lead to a pro career.  He arrived on campus a 6'6" shooting guard and led SCU to its first post season in over 25 years.  Last year, coach Sendek and his staff found a great baseball player who wanted to play basketball, but didn't get the chance at Illinois and chose SCU to prove he had the game to play at the next level.  

Each of these Bronco's, Steve Nash, Jalen Williams, and Brandin Podziemski, shared a common perception similar to Santa Clara:  one of being overlooked, undervalued, and unappreciated in Men's Basketball.  No more.  Their grit, talent, and achievements have given Santa Clara something sorely missing - trajectory. 

Trajectory is position and momentum toward an upward path.  A progression.  Clearly, that's happening.  Twenty win seasons, top three in the WCC, and back to back post season NIT invites.  

Fans and season ticket holders wonder, what happens now that these greats have moved on?  As we all hope - more.

More didn't seem to be on the horizon after this season with seven departures via the transfer portal, graduation, and the NBA.  All last year's starters gone.  That's where the boost from the great players above has kicked in.  

Think about it.  There are many high school recruits and D1 players who feel the same as our initially overlooked NBA players.  Santa Clara offers a bona fide path, facilities, and coaches to help players maximize their potential.  Santa Clara is now a beacon for those players.  Our phones are ringing and talent is committing.  Many believed the transfer portal would hurt SCU, but after two consecutive first round NBA draftees its actually become a great pipeline.

Seven players lost - seven gained.  Our roster will have three seven footers, six players 6'6" to 6'10", and the balance 5'10' to 6'5".  We will have speed, experience, depth, and enough firepower to replace what we lost from last season.  As a testament to this roster, the schedule will be one of strongest in the Sendek tenure.  More on that next article.

A big challenge for this upcoming season will be all the newcomers learning Coach Sendek's system.  The competition for minutes will be fierce which is a big advantage with a deep roster.  The team will face tough practices every day as the players compete for floor time.

While NIT's are an improvement, it's NCAA bids we covet.  

Trajectory can get us there.  It all starts with keeping our momentum.  A third NBA potential player or players is the type of momentum we all can't wait to see!

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Will Brandin Podziemski "Measure" Up

                                                                                                                   

When Jalen Williams was drafted # 12 last year by the Oklahoma City Thunder, he became the second Bronco since Steve Nash to go from being an unknown to a breakout star in the NBA.  It would be difficult to be more "under the radar" for Nash and Williams playing for Santa Clara.  Is Brandin Podziemski the next undercover breakout talent and a "one and done" for the Broncos? 

The current media chatter at the NBA combine is trending upward fast with his early projection mid second round (40th or so) to now as high as #18 according to the Bleacher Report mock draft.  

For those not familiar with the combine, it's a tryout where NBA scouts and teams determine which of the 78 players are draft worthy and where they could be picked.  It all starts with a crazy number of physical measurements and tests and ends with two days of on court scrimmages where players are evaluated on everything.  

So far for Podz, the physical tests have gone well.  Vertical jump, how high can you sky, T - 6th at 39.0".  Shuttle run, how fast to you shuffle backwards and forwards around obstacles on a floor.  Measures speed, burst footwork and agility: T-5 at 3.09 seconds.  For reference, both of the above are as good or better than Jalen last year; who was also at the top in those stats.  There's everything from body fat measurements to standing reach, hand width/size, bench press and on and on.  

While those stats matter, the real deal is the shooting tests and full court playing sessions.  Show what you can do against your draft class AND individual selected matchups on the court.  It's about showcasing your basketball I.Q. and the range of things you can do to help a real NBA team win.  As expected, Podz has done well in his first set of "shootout" drills.  

I think the 5 on 5 play is where Podz will stand out.  He can do a lot besides fill it up from everywhere.  If Drew Timme wasn't in his like 9th year at Gonzaga, Brandin was hands down the POY in the WCC.  He had more rebounds, the same number of assists, similar number of steals, and points.  All as a guard.  Impressive.  

5 on 5 Scrimmage Results

In Wednesday's scrimmage, Brandin was the Brandin we saw at SCU; filling up the stat sheet with his all around play.  He was heralded as one of the standouts from day one by several scouts who wrote recaps from the day.  

His line for the day:

In 21 minutes:  FG: 40%. 3pt FG: 40%. 10 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, no turnovers and 2 steals.  Comments from scouts were that he surprised them with his on ball play, easily moving in the open court and finding teammates for open looks with his ability to make reads and crisp passes for baskets.  His work off screens was equally impressive including hitting an eye opening three from the deep corner.  One scout said, "he was easily the best all around player on the court and validated his projection as a first rounder."  

The Thursday 5 on 5 was more of the same with Brandin pushing the ball up the floor and finding teammates for easy looks.  He also dropped a bomb from half court to end the first half.  

Our coaches in attendance weren't surprised at all and feel he showed his full range of athleticism and skills.  Prior to the combine, feedback from scouts expressed doubts about whether his athletic skills were at an NBA level.  Heads turned with his 39" vertical jump, and a near triple double in the Wednesday scrimmage.  IMHO Brandin also stood out as a team player, not forcing shots and unselfishly distributing the ball.  Other prospects had a  "me first" attitude and tried to score one on one nearly every possession.  A bad look. 

All in all, a great start under huge pressure.  

Next up is the Pro Day in Santa Barbara where more testing and evaluations occur; followed by more measuring and workouts with specific teams.  Don't be surprised if the Oklahoma City Thunder take a hard look at Podz.  He is a combo guard they lack in their rotation although he may not be available when the Thunder might want to pick him.  BTW, his agent already has two players on the OKC roster - Chet Holmgren and our own Jalen Williams....

One thing for sure - Brandin absolutely "measured up" at the combine as an NBA caliber player.

A proud day for Brandin and Santa Clara Basketball!

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - A Season of "Pros and Cons"

 

After back to back twenty wins seasons and NIT selections, was this Santa Clara Men's Basketball coming out party as a legit rising mid-major team?  For the second consecutive year, we finished third in the WCC, ahead of USF and BYU, and in front of pre-season "experts" picks of LMU and Portland; who placed fourth and seventh.  

So much for all the experts and stat rags predicting outcomes.  Witness the NCAA tournament.   The highly touted NET ranking system, used to make tournament selections, was about as accurate as a WCC referee making the right call on a charge or blocking foul.  Awful.

Facts are the WCC and, in particular Santa Clara, is better than the talking heads think.  In addition the "gap" between the perennial top teams, Gonzaga and St. Mary's, and the rest, is narrowing.  Our late game losses to the above loom large as our potential for an NCAA bid went down with two hail Mary's three pointers against the Zags and the Gaels.  As good as this season was, those losses, as well as, meltdowns versus Pacific, San Jose State, and USF in the WCC quarterfinal were the "cons" - consequences to not making the NCAA Tournament.  

There are those who say Coach Sendek is too "old school", set in his ways, doesn't make enough in game adjustments, and that the rest of coaching staff is sticking around because they're aren't opportunities for them to move on and grow.  Truth is, they like what's happening at SCU even though there are offers of bigger coaching opportunities.

There are those who look at our records, momentum, and four consecutive winning seasons against better competition and feel we are on the right track.  Twenty-Five years between post season invites that begin with an "N" are evidence of consistent progress.  Of course, for some it's too slow.

Amongst the "pros" mentioned above, there's been the recruiting and development of NBA pros.  The progression we as fans and season ticket holders have witnessed with Jalen William's, the # 12 pick and now Brandin Podziemski testing the NBA draft waters has been fun to watch.  BTW, it's been 27 years since Steve Nash began his NBA career.  These successes make us want more. 

In today's college basketball, there are LOTS of players who fly under the radar that have seen what Jalen and Brandin have accomplished.  They now view SCU as a place where they can stand out and develop with a team rising and a WCC conference that competes at a higher national level.  

It makes a difference.  Our phones are ringing with prospects vs us making all the calls.  The AEC and the SCU campus are powerful drawing cards; giving our coaching staff more options than ever in this "transfer portal" world.  SCU student turnouts and noise levels have improved as well. 

We could have a many as five roster spots available if Brandin formally enters the draft after the May NBA combine.  Holt, Bediako and Giordan Williams have entered the transfer portal.  Brandin will test the NBA and Carlos Marshall is likely to look for Pro opportunities abroad.

Odds are with more "Pros" and fewer "Cons" we will again be a very good team and looking to challenge the top two teams in the WCC.  Those are the kind of odds we should all look forward to!

More on the 2023-2024 roster next column.

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - What Happened in Vegas Needs to Stay in Vegas

 

After wining seven straight games to finish the league season, the Broncos were poised to make some noise in the WCC tournament.  Unfortunately, the noise they made was from the motor on the bus pulling away from the Orleans Arena after a double overtime loss.   

As the third seed, they had earned a first round bye and would play USF after the Dons dispatched Pacific the night before in round one.  It was a great scenario.  The odds were in our favor; riding the momentum from a 23-8 record and a season sweep of the Dons.  The win would set up a chance to knock off Gonzaga and raise our profile for loftier post season consideration.

While we can be totally proud of a 23 win season, this finish was not what the coaches, players, or Bronco fans expected.  With us ahead ten with 4:35 to play, USF capitalized on a series of mishaps that resulted in a 16-6 run that sent the game into overtime and an eventual double overtime loss.  It was the Khalil Shabazz show; dismantling our 3 point defense scoring 14 of the 16 points in the run. 

Despite all of our late game lapses of missed shots early in the clock and turnovers, we were a rebound away from wining this game.  A rebound we couldn't grab with 17 seconds left followed by a foul that enabled Shabazz to make two free throws to tie the game with 13 seconds left.  We had one more opportunity in the last 13 seconds, but opted for a long three point shot against a double team that fell woefully short with 5 seconds left.  Unfortunately, we passed up a wide open Keshawn Justice shot who was left alone 10 feet away from our final shot.  

Las Vegas is known for both making and breaking fortunes and we folded with a winning hand.  That's why I say, what happened in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas.  

Moving up into the top three in the WCC has been a nice progression.  Our body of work at 23-9 has put us in the mix for a second straight NIT invite. While it's not an NCAA bid, it is an important step in continuing to build our rep as a program on the rise that can attract better talent both from the high school ranks and, more importantly, the transfer portal.  

If we get the NIT invite, we are likely to play on the road, another consequence of our USF loss.  Today is selection Sunday with the NIT invites happening at 7:00 PST.  There is still a lot at stake for the Broncos.  Getting past the first round will present more television exposure and help raise our profile for years to come.  Ironically, if we can win our first two rounds, we head back to Las Vegas to the Orleans Arena and a chance to exorcise the daemons from the WCC Tourney.  

We'll know our 2023 future tonight.  We hope as Bronco fans and seasons ticket holders it incudes the NIT invite where we can get on a run back to Vegas and hit the jackpot!

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!

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Intangibles

 

It was a great week and a half for the Broncos with a convincing win at USF and two nail-biters at home versus San Diego and LMU.  In third place at 7-5 in league and 19-8 overall we are in position for another post season berth in a tournament that begins with an N.  Our current league standing is higher than any of the pre season "experts" predicted with four games remaining.  

How we've gotten to 19-8 and third place is a tale riddled with "are you kidding me's".  In the WCC, we've either been within one point, tied, or behind at the half in eight of our twelve games, winning five of those.  We have won every game when we have had a lead at halftime by more than one point.  Translation, we rarely wake up before the second half.  But when we do - "are you kidding me!"  We have scored 538 second half points compared to 345 first half points.  

We are either ice cold or en fuego shooting.  Our leading scorers are our guards.  The trio has had periods of 21% three point shooting in the first half followed by 65% in half two.  Keshawn Justice is a prime example.  Against San Diego, he goes 0-4 from three in the first half, with some air balls.  In the second half, he goes 6-7 including three in a row in transition rhythm. "Are you kidding me?"

Our defense is ranked 6th in the WCC in overall efficiency, but like our shooting, it evaporates often in the mid first half then, at times is suffocating mid to late second half.  We rank 4th for the MOST three point shots given up (109).  That's 20 more than we've made WCC season to date as a team!  That's nearly a full game number of points.  "Are you kidding me".

Despite the above, we are on track for our third 20 win season in the last four years which includes the 2020-21 abbreviated 20 game Covid season.  To put this in perspective, this has happened only two other times in Bronco history.  You'd have to go back 1982-83 through 1984-85 when the Broncos had three-straight 20-win campaigns under head coach Carroll Williams or 54 years to find that the only other Coaching staff besides Coach Sendek's staff to accomplish this are the Dick Garabaldi teams from 1967-69.  

While more consistent winning is great, it's National legitimacy and rankings we seek and need.  For some Bronco fans, the progression upward is too slow.   Other teams in the WCC are stepping up and have rebooted with high profile coaches at Portland, San Diego, LMU, and Pacific.  Those teams have gone full transfer portal reloads, finding players who are making immediate big impacts.  The parity between teams 3rd - 10th in the standings has narrowed quickly, while St. Mary's and Gonzaga continue to dominate, albeit suffering an unusual upset here and there.  

Our results just don't add up on paper.  In fact, National stat houses can't figure it out either and attribute it to a stat named luck.  It's a real stat and get this, we are ranked 16th in the nation in "luck!"  At least we're top 20 in something.  

My view is while luck plays a part, it's our teams "intangibles" that are carrying us.  Things stats can't and don't measure.  Examples.  If this were the NFL, Podz would be leading the league in fumble recoveries.  He must have more floor burns than a hardwood floor installer from all his diving for loose balls.  Carlos Stewart would be leading in interceptions.  His cat quick reflexes are undetectable by our opponents and he has become a master thief.  Our offensive rebounding is # 2 in the WCC and those result in second chance points.  Justice, Braun, and Podz are the sweep masters for us, keeping possessions alive.  We've also gone more to our bench with Tilly and Tongue contributing valuable minutes.

While these are all good qualities, I think our top two intangibles are selective amnesia and confidence.  We just don't linger on our mistakes.  That, and our players believe in themselves at crunch time.  They forget they missed 10 shots in a row and then, when needed, make a bunch in a row.  Justice, Podz, and Carlos all have stepped up time and time again to make key shots back to back to back to retake leads.  Minutes of misery vanquished in seconds.  That's where the confidence brews strong.  A season ticket holders we see Justice or Podz take a three from, well outrageous distance and we say "Oh, no" only to say "Oh yeah" when it drops. 

That's not luck.

Three of next four are away games at BYU, Portland, and San Diego.  All are "Jones-ing" for revenge.  Especially Portland.  They left Leavey last year with a monster chip on their shoulder.  They are now healthy and their leading scorer is back in form.  That will be a war. 

I think 2-2 gets it done for post season positioning.  I also think if we can go 3-1 it will keep us in third - a BIG deal for the WCC tourney.

Not matter what, it's fun to watch.  Where else do you get to see the lowest of lows and the highest of the highs in one place - Leavey!  That's my new moniker for this team - "The Intangibles!"