Why the Zags CAN "Brag"

The word of the day is Enormous.  

Tonight the Broncos have both an enormous challenge AND an enormous opportunity....

The Challenge:
Most SCU fans may think the Gonzaga Bulldogs are "bullies" as they steamroll opponents in both the WCC and regular season.  I mean really, 22-1, # 2 ranking, RPI 6.  Wins over the Johnnies, Memphis, SMU and the one loss to Arizona in a game they should have won!

Well, we'd be wrong.

Not bullies.  More like Uber efficient.  Maybe like Top Chef - they can slice and dice you in SO many ways. You know what else, it's nothing NEW....

As I write this, my "acid reflux" is kicking in, as I compare a few stats that give them "bragging rights".  Not just this year - but for more than 15 YEARS...

They can flat out shoot it.  58% on 2's, 40% on 3's. The next best is BYU - a full 9% lower.  We are 14% lower. They are # 1 in the NCAA.  At those deltas, it's like having a 10 point lead before they show up...

They can Board it.  At the top in rebounds with BYU.

They can Defend it.  Allowing the fewest PPG.

They don't turn it over.  Tied for fewest with - Yeah! Us.

I feel like Butch in the Sundance Kid.  "Who are these guys"?

And one, I promise, last nugget.  They have 15 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament AND in those 15 seasons, only once has their RPI ranking been over 60, with the average around 28.

Our last dance was 20 years ago.....

THE Opportunity:
Show we can back up the words in our new pregame video...

Perform like Broncos of storied tradition..   Dish like Nash.  Rebound like Awtrey.   Defend like Ogden... Shoot it like Sears..

They DON'T like playing at Leavey.  Too many close calls.   At times we've had them on the ropes and they know this...

The Ghost of us ending their home court win streak..  It's all there.

A chance to turn some heads and mean "We're on a Mission".

Everything tonight will be enormous.  

As fans and Season ticket holders, we hope we come up BIG...

For more Bronco basketball new follow me on Twitter @Fcrary.

SCU Baseball Makes "Waves" in Men's Basketball Victory

Season Ticket Holders have wondered all year:  where are the Ruff Riders?  

I get it, the SCU Men's WCC season has been a fight for "middle earth" in league as the "Big 3" did battle to sort out good win-loss records vs good teams.  It's now all sorted out with the "alpha dogs" Gonzaga proving it's in a different league.

All that said, something happened this week at Leavey.   Something good.   Not only did the Broncos finish off two games for wins; one of which was against a touted Pepperdine team coming off a 5-2 league start and a BYU upset, the other, the emergence of a new force in our student rooting section:  The SCU Men's BASEBALL team.

You read this right - The Baseball team.

They "rocked" Leavey AND totally rattled our opponents.

In the minds of all the Season Ticket Holders, they annihilated the so-called Ruff Riders' reputation; not just by showing up in volumes, but yelling in a "volume" that shook up the other teams and set a new season decibel record!   Joined by the Bronco band they were a chorus to be reckoned with. 

So much so, that with the game in the balance and LMU shooting critical one and one free throws, they shouted down the LMU shooters who missed 3 shots that turned a nail biter into an easy finish. 

Awesome.  Check them out.

So, on behalf of our Season Ticket Holders and fans, I wanted to give both a "shout out" and a challenge.   A shout out to the Baseball team and Band and a challenge to the Ruff Riders.  Show up...Anyone can come to one big game, Gonzaga, but that doesn't cut it...

OK, you can blame the team, the schedule, and make all kinds of excuses - but the team SHOWS UP - and you don't do your part to support them.  

At least the team is making the effort...

So, to Coach Dan O'Brien and the team - you rock - keep the mojo going... And THANKS for the energy.  The Zags will feel and hear your presence on Feb 5th!

For more Men's Bball info, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary.

The Broncos "Mid-Term" Report Card

SCU students are in winter quarter classes and mid-terms are ahead.  

Since it's a little past mid-season, I thought it is appropriate to give our Broncos a mid-term report card.  I'll focus on conference results and give a grade at the end.  

BTW, I do not grade on a "curve".

My pre-season forecast was a 13-16 season, with possible upside to 16-13 and a WCC record of  8-10.  As of this article, with 11 games to go, the team is right on those numbers.  

Current Season Record:  9-10

Current WCC Record:      3-4

Predicted Season "Final" Record:  13-16   Upside: 15-14

Predicted WCC "Final" Record:       8-10    Upside:  9-9

To reach those final numbers, they must pass an upcoming series of 11 "tests".  

The WCC syllabus is unfolding as most thought:

Gonzaga is dominating. 

St. Mary's (7-0) is hanging around; having played the easiest part of their WCC schedule first.  BYU (5-3), once considered the threat to the Zags, is now focused on trying to get an NCAA at-large bid; after a shocking loss to Pepperdine at home and St. Mary's on the road.  

Pepperdine (5-2) is the "surprise" so far; beating BYU and taking Gonzaga to the last 2 minutes.

The Broncos results - middling along at 3-4 - no upsets and expected losses to the "big" 3 and Portland on the road.

Our "homework" assignments for the last 11 games:

Plug the "D"  Our opponents are getting way too many good looks and out shooting us on 2pt field goals 46% to 39%.  The man-man match ups have not been in our favor and teams have our zone figured out.

Give the "O" Some Flow  We need to "move it, move it".  Teams are all over Jared and Brandon.  We are 9th in the WCC in FG%, PPG, and average # of Possessions/game and we've shown we can't dribble our way out. I like the move to have Denzel "handle" more up the floor and that he's shooting more aggressively.  If we can get our spacing right, we can pass to an open Jared or Brandon vs settling for the one-on-one dribble drive late in the clock.

Get a "go to" Play  Call it a "reset" button.  We tend to get lost in the flow of the game and have long scoring lapses known as "runs" by the other team.  

WCC teams have us wired.  Stop Jared and control Brandon.  It's working.  Jared is shooting 34% and Brandon 32%.  It may not be necessary to always try to go to JB or BC.  Maybe we can look at the spots on the floor where Denzel (46%), Matt (44%), or Nate (47%) shoot their highest percentage based upon their shot charts as an option?  The data is there.  Might help us find some rhythm and stop a drought. Making their "go to's" might create better shot opps for both our big scorers.  

Sounds easy, right?  NOT.  These are hard assignments.  You can't just memorize them.  You can't "cram".  You have to learn, react and answer in "real time" with the court as their classroom.

Based on the body of work thus far, my mid-term grade is a C.

We've won the games we should have and, so far, haven't won a "statement" game.  I hope the "MO" from beating USF carries on for the next 11 "tests".  

Tonight begins the road to their "final" grade.  Maybe we can amp it up by living up to our pre-game video that this is OUR house.

If we can beat Pepperdine on Saturday, I would me give them, in the words of the late, great Stewart Scott a "B" for Boo-yah....and some swagger as we go on the road to BYU.

Classes start at 8:00 pm tonight in Leavey.

I'll be taking attendance and have my gradebook.....

The Broncos Need to Get "Out of the Zone" for WCC Wins

Most teams dream of being "in the zone" when they take the floor.

Our Broncos need to get "out of the zone" to win more this important weekend in the Northwest and the remainder of their WCC schedule.

Before you say I'm crazy, let me explain.

The WCC has us figured out.  Talented guards, perimeter oriented. More than 33% of our points come from 3 pt shots; much higher than the WCC average.  

Their game plan:  make it as hard as possible to get good looks from the 3 pt area.  Play an up top, switching man-man focused on Jared and Brandon.  THEN, use a 2-3 matchup zone to shut down Jared running off baseline screens.  

It's working......

We are 9th in the WCC in scoring, 9th in FG%, 6th in 3 pt FG%, and 9th in FT%.

We average 10-12 LESS possessions(chances to score) than the top 4 WCC teams. (Portland 73, Zags 70).  

But, maybe the BEST evidence that our opponents strategy is working is that our best shooter - Jared is not getting enough shots - and the ones he's getting are tough looks.  

Would you believe Matt Hubbard has almost as many shots? Brandon has taken nearly 30 more than Jared and shooting a much lower percentage. 

We in the Chairbacks thought rebounding was the issue, too many put-backs.  Nope, we can still be better, but we're 6th in the WCC. We are 4th in offensive rebounding.

To counter the above, we went "down" to Nate against San Diego and he was productive, maybe his best game.  BUT, Jared got only 6 shots....

It's not all about Jared but he's a key piece of this team growing AND going places...

So this weekend, that's why we need to get "out of the zone".  Solve it, bust it, shoot it - literally.

How?  That's what our coaches will need to create in their game plan against two very tough inside-out teams and coaches who know us very well.

Let the chess game begin.  

As season ticket holders and fans we'll be "zoned in" - watching and listening.....

A "split" would be great - a shocker even better.  That would be a zone we haven't been in - but want to be.....

For more Bucking Bronco info, follow me on twitter @Fcrary.

'Tis The Season....

For the Broncos, quarter finals are done but the "tests" are just beginning with WCC play starting December 27th.

But wait, before that is the 48th Cable Car Classic....  This is a "bonus" year, where we can see 3 games vs 2, one of which is a home game we don't play in....  True enough.  Today's Mercury News has the details.

I like it...  The game this Wednesday is interesting.  A pre-test measuring stick before league.  Northeastern, (RPI 61) is a good team and Cal Poly just beat USF at USF...  I applaud SCU for keeping the Cable Car going. Another tradition that would be great to reestablish....

So, back to league.  Instead of Ho-Ho-Ho, the schedule looks like Whoa-Whoa-Whoa.  

In a span of 14 days we play 6 games, 4 on the road against St. Mary's, Portland, Pacific, and Gonzaga! THEN, BYU and San Diego come to Leavey....  It's like taking your final exam at the start of the quarter... 

We need to "cram".   

That's why the Orlando Classic was, and the Cable Car is important.  Playing tougher opponents.  

Measuring, grading....

I hope by January 11th, we have a GPA over 3.0...  In terms of basketball performance, that would make my "Dean's" list....

On a final note, you may have heard Yannick Atanga underwent surgery today to repair his knee.  We hope all goes well and we get to see his energy and passion return in 2015-16...

For more updates follow me on Twitter @Fcrary.

The Bronco's 2014-15 Season Outlook

Four games into the season the 2014-15 Broncos need "seasoning".

I love the early, more difficult schedule with roadies at Michigan State (#20), Tennessee, and then, maybe Kansas (#11) at the Orlando Classic.  It must be exciting and a little daunting to walk into 10,000 - 14,000 seat arenas and "game up".  

It never feels great to get whipped at Michigan State - but you are playing Michigan State.  It's where we want to be - the competitive company we need to keep playing.  An important "ingredient" of the seasoning and recruiting.

As fans and season ticket holders, we whine about playing a St. Katherine's...even the elite teams play some patsies.  Duke plays Presbyterian and Fairfield.  Louisville plays Savannah State.  You want to see some ugly box scores?  These I call "rhythm" games. You know you'll win, but the players get reps and some tempo for where it counts - league. 

What should we expect of the Broncos?  

Media prognosticators rank us as high as 6th and as low as 8th in the WCC.  No NCAA tourney, again, unless we pull a "Nash" like upset in the WCC tourney final.  Follow the link below for one version of the 2014-15 WCC outlook.


WCC Predictions


Unfortunately, at the moment, it seems that "gulf" between the top 3 teams and the others may be getting wider.  The ability of Gonzaga, St. Mary's, BYU, and now, USF (NIT last Year) to attract impact transfers shortens their "time to competitiveness" vs trying to grow new freshman or incubating redshirts.


I do like our true freshman class.  All will have an impact this year. I just worry that the learning curve for our offensive and defensive schemes is too steep for 1st year players.  It's not a lack of athleticism.  They have plenty of talent.  It might just be "too many reads" or decisions to process that creates inconsistencies - i.e. turnovers and defensive coverage errors.  

As fans, we wonder why late in a close game we tend to turn the ball over (Utah State).  Frustrating.  As the intensity rises, the game "speeds" up and decisions have to be made much faster.  Hard enough for veterans; let alone 1st and 2nd year players.

SO, here we go.  The Bucking Bronco outlook has us at 13-16 overall and 8-10 in WCC.  Upside 16-13 overall.  

Tougher schedule (a good thing) and stronger WCC.  In addition to the big 3, San Diego, USF, and Portland have more senior leadership and scoring for us to deal with as well.  Pretty much all the top 6 teams have "inside/out" threats.  

We will try to go low, but most of the time will settle for a longer perimeter shot OR, on occasion, a Hubbard elbow turnaround that looks good and we haven't had since Trasolini.  We will also try to use our guard speed to penetrate, shoot, or dish to a waiting 3 point shooter.  That can be an Achilles heel given our decision making learning curve.

Opponents will make someone other than J. Brownridge or B. Clark beat us.  

The good news is that we are getting a heavy dose of "seasoning" early...playing NCAA tourney teams and at bigger exposure venues.  

As season ticket holders and fans we just hope the marinating doesn't take too long...

We're "starving" for another post season gig!

Also, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary for more Bronco updates.

The Co$t of Being Top 25

"The Bucking Bronco"

Every NCAA team wants to be ranked vs "rank"?  

To be Top 25....

For Men's Basketball, we just need about another $4,000,000/yr.

Every year.....

We also need at least 3 years to get there. (by the time Jared Brownridge is a senior)

That would put our budget where Gonzaga was last year ($6M) and a pinch above BYU in 2013.

I know you think I'm joking, and some may be choking on those numbers, but they're real.  

Here are a few of the teams the President's Commission benchmarked for 2013 Men's Basketball spending:

Creighton - $5.0M
Xavier - $4.5M
Butler - $4.4M

Then there's stratospheric:

Duke - $15.2M
Georgetown - $9.6M
Villanova - $7.5M

The Heavyweights are printing money - profitable.  

The Middleweights - where we want to be - make money - but like to "hide" it to show a break even.

Some of the above numbers don't include other "off budget" things; such as special events, appearance fees, money guarantees for home games, some coaching salaries, etc...

Perspective:  SCU's entire Athletic Budget for all sports is less than what Duke spends on basketball.  

Still want to compete...There's more...

You need infrastructure for recruiting, marketing, promotions, program management, etc.  We're talking better facilities, more staff, and aggressive Brand building.  You need a "WOW" factor.  

We have work to do.  Envision a recruiting trip for "the guy we're maybe not supposed to get".  Awesome campus.  The buildings look good and have the aura of 150 years of academic cred.  The Mission, the gardens, the library centerpiece...Then...

You walk into Leavey.  Pretty nice, but needs help. 
Tough sell.  This is where the recruits will spend huge hours. It needs a "makeover".  Whether it's the weight room, locker room, floor or a designated team meeting space.  It needs to make a "statement". 

What would a cosmetic Leavey makeover cost?  Not sure, might be in the $1-2M neighborhood depending on how extensive, but it needs to be in the immediate plan.

Still interested?

Why $4M more?  Because we're behind in the race.  I have seen actual teams line item budgets to get that estimate. We are more than 25 scholarships behind in athletics.  (Men's Bball is OK here).  You have to spend more just to catch up. That means we need to spend more on Marketing and Communication than others to get "We're on a Mission" on the radar.

We need to build momentum.  Do something bold.  Maybe, fill Leavey for home games?

How about free tickets for local Alums, all students and faculty, surrounding high school students like Bellarmine, Mitty, Presentation, St. Francis, etc.. for certain games.  Or buy one get one free...

Still listening?  

The SCU Trustees were.  But the numbers they heard were bigger...I'm just talking about a visible sport like Men's Basketball.  They heard the real TOTAL amount for SCU Athletics to compete in the WCC and nationally...

That number is nearly TRIPLE our current athletics budget...

They didn't flinch...they want what we as fans want.

Their voice has been heard and now it's our turn...

The season starts tomorrow.  We, the season ticket holders and fans, have a part in this as well.

To support, be visible, vocal, expect and be catalysts for change.  

We hope the investment return shows up as additional banners hanging in Leavey.  A deserving return on an investment and most importantly, a return to a winning Bronco tradition...



Next Up:  Season Outlook - don't miss!