Santa Clara Men's Basketball - "Don't Stop Believin" - The Roller Coaster Continues

 

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Don't stop Believin' 

     

                                                                                                               

Last week allowed Bronco season ticket holders, alums, and fans to experience the pride and thrill of a resounding season sweep of the USF Dons on Saturday in San Francisco, followed by pure frustration after a dominating loss in Moraga to St. Mary's.  

After a resounding SCU win versus the Gaels in Leavey eight days ago, we witnessed that our team has as much talent and grit as the perennially dominant top two teams Gonzaga and St. Mary's.  That reality came crashing down Wednesday night as the roller coaster of this season hit its apex and slid down the tracks having lost the opportunity to secure the second seed in the WCC tournament AND put a legitimate NCAA tournament invite in doubt.

It was a reminder of last year at Leavey when we played a good first half and then collapsed in the second half in another St. Mary's rout.  Our "Chairmen of the Boards" were on sabbatical Wednesday night, surrendering 51 Gael rebounds; 21 that were offensive for a +30 margin.  The last time that happened was in 2015 against Gonzaga.  

It happens to lots of other good teams as well.  I mean Gonzaga lost to 5-12 Portland this season.  It's not so much that we lost in one of the toughest road arenas to play in, but it was the way we lost.  On offense we had only 8 assists; half our average.  We were not moving and cutting and were left with late in the clock tough shots or a difficult drive into traffic in the paint.  I guess the best news from this game is that Allen Graves appears healthy and scored 20 points in the loss. 

Despite this, all is not lost with the higher expectations for finishing this season.  The only game that matters is the next one - Oregon State.  Another must win.  Following that, as the 3rd seed in the WCC tourney, we will play in the quarterfinals against either Oregon State, Pacific, or USF to get into the semis and another shot at - you guessed it, most likely St. Mary's.  Love to have that on a neutral court!  

Everything considered, given the newness of this roster and the transfer out of key players, a record of 23-7 is great and, frankly, unexpected except by our coaches.  So let's not stop "believing" and get behind this team for a strong finish and post season opportunities!

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Don't Stop Believin' - The Roller Coaster Ride Continues

Last week for the Broncos allowed Bronco season ticket holders, alums, and fans to experience the pride and thrill of a resounding season sweep of the USF Dons on Saturday in San Francisco followed by a dominating loss in Moraga to St. Mary's.  

Don't stop Believin'

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - An "Ike" End To A Strong Week

                                                                                                                 

   

The Broncos entered last week at 12-1 with both momentum and confidence after great road wins at Pacific and Washington State.  After our gritty home win versus a tough Seattle team Wednesday, we looked ready to deliver a memorable home win and send the Zags off to the Pack 12 losers in their final game at Leavey.

Unfortunately, the Zags had other ideas and left a boisterous Leavey full house with an "Ike" (pronounced Icky) feeling after a convincing 92-84 win. 

The Broncos' game plan was to make it as difficult as possible for their star, and likely WCC MVP, Graham Ike to get the ball down low or in the middle of the paint.  When he did get the ball, we were to collapse on him and force a pass out to his teammates who would have to shoot from distance versus Ike at the rim.  It worked for six minutes before he erupted for 17 first half points; carrying his team to a five point halftime lead.  More of the same occurred in the second half, yet the Broncos regained the lead 60-55 before the Zags final onslaught secured the game and win.  Two thirds of our game plan worked, in that they shot 17% from 3pt and 65% from the FT line. 

Our guys fought hard all game and we can be proud of their effort and competitiveness.  Once Ike opened up the paint, we were unable to stop the Zags parade of easy shots and putbacks from offensive rebounds.  The numbers are staggering.  They shot 63% from the field in the second half; including a woeful 1-9 from 3pt range.  They were 72% from 2pt range for the game.  Lots of layups.  Their more experienced roster's defense was uber aggressive forcing key turnovers down the stretch of both halves.  

Gonzaga will leave a legacy that may never be matched again in the WCC.  From 1999 through 2025, they've won 25 regular season WCC conference titles and 21 conference tournament titles.  Fortunately, for the rest of the WCC, they are off to the PAC 12 to build a new legacy and will be investing to become dominant as a high major program. 

The Broncos are 22-6 and have a lot to play for.  The three remaining games are at USF, St. Mary's, and the final game versus Oregon State at Leavey.  Winning these games will secure the second seed in the WCC tournament, complete the first ever season sweep of St. Mary's in Coach Sendek's tenure and finish with his teams best ever record.

Last but not least, the above scenario leaves the hope of an NCAA at-large bid alive after 30 years of not a sniff.  NCAA selection committees are prone and pressured to selecting power conference schools with lesser resumes for the almighty TV revenues, but nothing hypes ratings more than Cinderella teams advancing.  If we win out, why not SCU?  

In his post game comments, Mark Few said "the Broncos gave us all we could handle in both games this year and make no mistake, they are an NCAA tournament team and will likely win games in the Tournament."  Maybe that's a compliment to us or more likely a ploy to get a them a higher seed in the NCAA tournament by playing up their level of competition.

Our other option to get into the NCAA Tournament is to win the WCC conference tournament and get the automatic bid.  This season, all things considered, has been remarkable, but now it's time to "make our mark" and finish what we started.  It will also make the taste of the "Ike" loss last Saturday sweet revenge!

  

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - The Ball Is In Our Court

 

                                                                                                                     

The Broncos have won eight in a row and stand atop the WCC standings at 12-1, ahead of Gonzaga and St. Mary's.  We haven't been able to say that since 1997.  Feels good.  

This run included signature wins over USF, St. Mary's and running the table on the remaining six; four of which were on the road.  Previous season's troubles with away games at LMU and Pacific were avoided with our defense and offense responding to close out those games.  

It has been fun to watch this cobbled together, young roster of recruits from high school, and the portal come together and playing their best basketball of the season.  We have three freshman and two sophomores that play significant minutes alongside our two juniors and two seniors. It's hard for opponents to figure out how to play and beat this team.  We can do a bit of everything.  We can shoot you out, rebound you out, full court press you out, and steal you out of any game.  We have 11 guys that can just keep on coming with high energy.  In this inaugural season of the NCAA settlement, NIL has made Men's Basketball a pay for play sport, with the transfer portal the talent marketplace.  It's amazing for us to have this opportunity.  

The growth and emergence of our younger players include leading scorer Christian Hammond, Bukky Oboye, KJ Cochran, Sash Gavalyugov, and, last month, the meteoric rise of Allen Graves, who just earned his fourth freshman of he week award, has us playing at a high level.  Elijah Mahi, Brenton Knapper, and Jake Ensminger have provided important stability and on court leadership.  We have 4 players ranked in the top 10 in overall performance in the WCC - a first.  Creds to the Coaching staff who have tailored our game plans to take maximum advantage of our rosters unique skill sets.  

We have five games remaining while the Zags and SMC have six.  We have three at home - Seattle, Gonzaga, Oregon State and two away at USF and SMC.  None of the top three teams have an easy run to end their schedules, and, in fact, all play each other with Gonzaga playing at St. Mary's in the final game of their season.

That's why I say the ball is in our court.  Continue on with the same strategy of going 1-0 five more times.  We are 12-0 on our home court and need to "hold" court in the two away games. Be swarming, physical, opportunistic, and energetic.   With Graves on a roll, it gives our offense a real inside - outside punch where opponents must protect the rim opening up better 3 point shot options for our best shooters.  On defense, Graves and Oboye present a shot snuff factor teams respect.  If Graves doesn't swat it, he steals it, with nearly 30 steals in Conference play alone.

The WCC conference is ranked sixth best in the NCAA.  Anyone can beat anyone as proven by Portland knocking off Gonzaga last Wednesday.  The WCC tournament and post season bids are there to be earned.  Normally, the WCC is a two bid max conference, but may possibly get three this season as the conference is now ranked 6th out of 32 in the NCAA.  Nevertheless, the Broncos need to play their way into the NCAA tournament to leave no doubt they belong.   

Great opportunity knocks.  The ball is in our court.  Can we answer?  Let's let the horses run wild!