SCU Men's Basketball - Tree Trimming

 

 

                                                                                                              

ICYMI, the first week of the Broncos 2021-2022 was very interesting.  After a whipsaw Covid  last season, fans were wondering what to expect from this team back at home in Leavey with people in the stands.  After week one, maybe we should expect more.

It was a "Full" week that finished with victories over the Fullerton Titans and doing some major "tree" trimming with a convincing win over Stanford.  I have to say, after opening night against Fullerton with a small crowd and a butterflies performance, season ticket holders walked away thinking - I don't know what to think?  

Friday versus Stanford provided some clues.  The crowd was there and into it.  Yes, a local team matchup, but there was a big contingent of Broncos on hand to muffle the Stanford fans.  It was a scene usually reserved for home games against the Zags or St. Mary's.  

Yes, it was Friday, but the SCU Student turnout, loud cheers and taunts was SO great.  Whether six-pack fueled or not, it got our team pumped.  We'll take that anytime!  But you know, the team earned it.  

Other than the Covid season, our team FG % for the past three years is around 45%.  With a small, two game sample size, we are shooting it at 58%.  Our points per game average is 86 versus 67 - huge.  The ball has been moving with 27 assists per game versus 15 in prior seasons. It's early, but good to see.  Some perspective: the Zags averaged nearly 56% FG shooting the entire last season!

We'd take that! 

If we are to continue to build on this early success, we need a major rebound in our rebounding.  We have been very poor rebounding the ball, giving up too many second chance points in the paint.  We've put up a pretty solid exterior D, forcing opponents deep into the shot clock in their possessions; only to have them grab an offensive rebound resulting in easy put backs wasting that effort.  Our roster doesn't have a plethora of bigs, so it will need to be a season long effort of five bodies blocking and crashing.

Tonight, against Nevada will be a stern test.  They are 63 in the Kenpom rankings.  They bring size and speed along with two 7' foot inside scorers, and a good complement of forwards and guards that can dish and score.  They lost to USD last week at home, but were without two top scorers who may be back in the lineup tonight.  SCU is ranked 106 in Kenpom, but that all goes out the window at tipoff. 

Friday against Cal Poly should be a more manageable matchup.  Similar in size, but they are always feisty against SCU and we can't have a let down.  Sort of a trap game...

Keys will be to rebound, push the ball up the court and keep the ball moving for good shots.  If we can put up the same effort near our first two starts, I like our chances for the week. 

Hopefully, we can get a crowd there to ignite more energy for our team.  So far they do seem more self motivated than in the past and trust their mates to pass it and make it.

Goal tonight is to send the Wolfpack away howling in the wind after a Bronco takedown.

SCU Men's Basketball - Will We Make a Move Up in 2021-22?

 

                                                                                         

With our schedule and roster in place, Bronco season ticket holders and fans are hoping - is this the season when we move up?  Currently, we are picked to finish 6th in the WCC.  Can we move up into the top three, and, dare I say it, a post season nod?

Our last NCAA appearance - 1996.  Last NIT - 1989.  You can do the math.  

During Coach Sendek's tenure we've done a lot of building.  A beautiful AEC, a full complement of staff in all key areas, and more consistent winning seasons.  It's been 20 years since the Broncos have had three winning seasons in a row.  Last time was under Dick Davey.  The foundation for long term success is there, but will we start to move up in 2021-22?  

For many SCU basketball fans it seems like a no brainer.  Flip the switch and we're national - right?  It's anything but that.  Not making excuses, but it's a daunting task to have a premier academic AND athletics institution.  Many think Gonzaga just rose to the top, when in reality, it took more than 20 years for them to "flip the switch" and make a post season tourney (1993 NIT) under Dan Fitzgerald.  

It was then that Gonzaga's administration had it's "ah ha" moment.  Men's basketball was their "all in" investment to raise their reputation nationally.  Credit them.  SCU was defunding athletics during the same period and the rest is history.  SCU woke up in 2015 when the Commission on Athletics' discovered what Gonzaga had long ago figured out - where the "Benjamins" are.   

The words Renee Baumgartner and Coach Sendek use to describe the new AEC is "game changer".   A no compromise facility to rival any top 20 program.  Click the link below to see videos of what facilities Villanova offers their athletes.  Now, we do as well.

Villanova Men's Basketball Facilities : Fast forward to the 3:00 mark to see the weight room

Villanova Basketball

At SCU, gone are are the days of two treadmills, old weight racks, and two metal whirlpools for all our athletes to use, hidden under, as Coach puts it, the "catacombs" underneath Leavey.  Obviously, this was not a stop for many recruits considering Santa Clara.  Now the AEC is the first stop.  If you haven't seen it - very impressive...

But will moving into the AEC move us up?  

In reality, it's a new start five years in the making.  Our Coaches can now actively recruit better prospects who are looking at major conferences.  One example of a recent committed recruit is Carlos Stewart - the number 1 ranked high school player in Louisiana...On many top school's radar.  

While that's great, a bigger opportunity may be in transfers that now, according to NCAA rules, can transfer one time to another school without sitting out a season.  We picked up P.J. Pipes and 6-10 Parker Braun using the new rule.  Both should make an impact this season. 

So, can we move up this season?  Our roster is perhaps our best blend of experience and youth.  We return about 70% of our scoring in the six veterans.  With Pipes and Braun who have experience and several talented Freshmen and the potential is there.  Ten of our fifteen pre-season games are at Leavey.  That should help getting us some good wins before league.  

The time to start a move up is now and there couldn't be better way to show payback for the AEC.  As fans, we need to see a move up or some may decide to move on.

Building the foundation for long term success is smart, but takes years.  Accelerating the build takes winning.  Not just the easy games everyone schedules, but a few upsets that are wake up calls to our opponents and, more importantly, recruits. They want instant gratification just like season ticket holders.  

It's time to get moving.  This needs to be a season where our team's "moves" on the court, moves us up into a higher tier; the top 3 in the WCC.   

SCU Men's Basketball - We Need a "Shot in the Arm"

 

                                                                                                                  

The 20-21 Pandemic season ended with a 12-8 record and the third winning season in a row.  Undeniably, a season like no other.  Game on, game off.  Our team got booted out of the County and had to live in hotels.  Covid ruled.  Terrible.

Hats off to the coaches, staff, administration, and all who had to juggle innumerable obstacles.

Despite all of the turmoil and hardships, IMO, both the team and Bronco fans wanted more.  Winning the conference was not on the table, but rising inside the conference to finish third or fourth was there.  Losses to Loyola twice, San Diego, and Pacific took their toll.  

In his five seasons, Coach Sendek and his staff have a record of 76-72.  Achieving four winning records in five seasons much better than the two wining seasons in nine from his predecessor.  Our A.D. Renee Baumgartner pledged more winning and we have that, but we don't seem to be gaining on the other pledge - national relevance.

Expectation set.  Not forgotten.

That's why I say we need a "shot in the arm."  

Literally, vaccinations will be the shot that frees the program to get back to normal.  Figuratively, we need to get on with the "stampede" mantra in our PR and be contenders.  

Will the new Athletic Excellence Center be the shot?

Can we find that Nash-like player who's shots will take us there?

Do we need take a shot at a bold new strategy?

Do we need to recommit to the Goals we are shooting at?

We need to make some noise - soon!  Right now, it's "All Quiet on the Western Front."  Not much from the "U" except the nonstop fundraising.  The last three news posts on the MBB site were last April and you guessed it - fundraising.  

Fundraising is always needed - but we need to start "raising" some banners to put in Leavey. The formula isn't rocket science.  Raising banners raises money.  

How about a reconnection strategy with fans and season ticket holders?  Maybe some words on our recruiting status?  How about an updated plan to achieve the Commission on Athletics goal of national?  

Without Jerry Smith and the Women's Soccer team coverage raising another national championship trophy, we're mute.  They just get it done.  Eleventh seed - no problem.

The task for MBB may get harder going forward.  Most everyone has improved facilities, recruiting success, and with the transfers free for all, it's very hard to keep young stars.  

It's time to take our shot.  Our shot at being relevant.  Our shot at being contenders and not just a great school with an Athletics Center.

A famous Silicon Valley executive was once asked his thoughts about an up and coming competitor who might eat into their Company's dominant market share.  He replied "Big Hat, No Cattle." 

Reminds me of what Mark Few just said, blaming their NCAA final game loss on the middling competition they play in the WCC.  Big talk, no titles.  At least the Zags GOT THERE...

It time for us to get the Bronco horses out of the corral and drive those cattle to "stampede" our way into the upper echelons of the WCC and some national cred.  

SCU Men's Basketball - Temperature Check

                                                                                                     

                                                                                     

By now, all of us are worn out with the "Covid Year" and the unending questions asked and answered about "have you had the following symptoms" - you know what they are.

With as much as I have had my temperature taken, got me to thinking it's time for a temperature check on the Broncos.

It's hard to know what to make of this season.  Game on, game cancelled, little home court, no fans, and hard to find opponents.  With nearly half of our schedule either cancelled or postponed,  it feels like the pickup games we all used to play at our favorite gym.  Anyone want to play?

But all that aside - it feels a lot like the past several seasons.  This season, we won seven of our first eight and recently have lost three of the last four.  In the 2019-20 season, we won eight of the first eleven games, then lost four of the last five.  In 2018-19, we lost four of the first five then lost another four of five mid season...

There are explanations for all of the above.  Covid, injuries, off nights; pick one.

But, if we are really trying to build a nationally competitive program and rise in the WCC, the top teams don't have these "spells."  The Covid Zags are 24-0 and by mind boggling margins.  BYU, must be something in the Utah air, is a continual top two in the WCC.  St. Mary's, the same, except for this year, where they are struggling.  

The rest of the WCC and more importantly the Broncos, are still middling around.  No doubt our overall talent is better.  But, the other "middlers" in the WCC have done just as well and in some cases, better.  Up front, we have more depth and versatility.  Sorely needed.  In the front court, we also have depth, but not enough firepower, speed, or consistency.  Opposition quick guards give us fits.  The loss of Trey Wertz (Notre Dame) and Tahj Eaddy (USC) didn't help.  It's happening all around the league except for the Zags and BYU.  Good talent leaving for better programs.  USF and St. Mary's also had some of their best talent leave...

The Broncos temperature against the Zags was our hottest all year.  Proud that we didn't play scared.  The ball was moving, the defense made it harder for their bigs, and hey, we shot pretty well.  The Zags shot around their season average except from three.  Generating 16 turnovers from the Zags showed what we could be, but what we are not, yet. 

So where has this effort and more importantly, game consistency been?  Is it because we were playing #1?  The point is, the top WCC teams seem to show up most every game.  I'm sure the Zags weren't jacked up against Dixie State, but rolled them and pretty much the entire WCC schedule with 30+ point margins.  Sure their talent level is amazing, but attitude comes from within.  Hating to lose.  I mean really hating it.  

For me, although we are seeing flashes of progress, our temperature is still lukewarm.  Some highs, beating St. Mary's away and making the Zags game not a gimmie.  Some lows like losses at home to USD and LMU with failures to close out those games.   A 6-3 mark in the WCC would have meant a lot more in the WCC tourney seedings.

We'll see which Bronco team shows up tonight in the WCC tourney.  We hope it's the hot team like last Thursday and not the lukewarm version. 

It'd be great to see our temperature rising in Vegas and into a hot start next season...

SCU Men’s Basketball - Will our A.D. Bolt to Boise?

 

                                                              

Word is out in the Boise Press that Renee Baumgartner has interviewed and may be a finalist for the Boise State job.  

Boise State would be a good move for Renee.  They have a full compliment of D1 programs and a commitment to Athletics. 

Does Santa Clara?

Fr. Engh convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Athletics and went public with a goal of becoming Nationally relevant by 2021. The hiring of Renee and her hiring of Coach Sendek were signals that money would be there to undo the many years of decimation under Fr. Locatelli’s tenure; 25 fewer scholarships than any other program in the WCC as one example.  Meanwhile, Gonzaga seized the day and has since been eating our lunch both on the basketball court and national acclaim.  

Has anyone heard from the Chair of the Commission in the past 5 years?  A recommitment or progress update?  How about the Administration?  

While Renee made many good moves toward coaching upgrades, the AEC, and building a more capable and expanded staff, the increase in overall programs win/loss results haven’t shown up.  Men’s Basketball had a 20 win season, but other than that, it’s still Women’s Soccer that leads the way.  If she is accountable, so should others. 

It may be time to face reality that until we have an Administration and Board of Trustees that have the courage and long term vision to build a well rounded University nationally recognized in BOTH Academic and Athletics Programs, we will continue to be viewed as “mid-major” in everything.  

It’s not just about one Coach or one AD.  As a University, we seem to spend so much time being politically on message with all the issues of the day, that we overlook that words don't get results - actions do.

Instead of all the fancy PR slogans like “We’re on a Mission” and “Stampede Ahead,” we should be honest - “Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget.”

 

 

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - There's No Place Like Home

 

                                                                                                     

For the Broncos, there really is no place like home.  Coach Sendek and the team have been effectively been evicted from Leavey.  More Covid Rules.

It's like a spell cast upon us from the 1940's Wolfe novel "You Can't Go Home Again."  Like the novel, until vaccines are available, the Broncos will need to feel more "at home" while away.  

In a strange way, it might be good for us.  Just focus on playing basketball.  This team has some resiliency and that persona played a big role in the first four wins.  Our shooting in all areas has been off; particularly at the free throw line.  The UC Davis win was a great example of our resiliency, when we clanged five free throws with under 30 seconds left and a one point lead.  The "D" rose up causing 2 turnovers and a key rebound that closed it out. 

Last night in Santa Cruz against CSU Bakersfield was another display of grit - winning ugly.  Our shooting wasn't just cold, it was arctic.  But as cold as we were on offense, the defense was on fire holding Bakersfield to 11 first half points.  In the end, it was defense that won this game; which speaks to the resolve to dig in and not give up. 

We're making it happen with better pressure, rebounding, and decent ball control.  Interestingly, most of our turnovers have not come from our guards.  Carlyle and Jaylen Williams are less than 2 TO/G.  Our front court - not so much, committing 11 of the 17 turnovers at UC Davis.

Doesn't sound like 4-0?  One thing for sure is that we'll need to be much better than our first four to make noise in WCC play.

The schedule from here is wobbly at best.  The Sacramento State game will probably happen either in Santa Cruz or Sacramento.  We are currently on the Boise State and Oregon State schedules.  These are questionable with our County's quarantine rules - 14 days for travel over 150 miles.  We would need to stay and practice in Boise or Corvallis to pull those off.  

IF Oregon State happens on 12/23 that's just 10 days before the scheduled WCC opener vs LMU on January 2nd.  The quarantine and no sports ban could be lifted by then, but our County hasn't shown much compassion for these things.  It would be nice for the County to produce data that substantiates that these sports are causing Covid case surges - but I doubt it.  They ask us for data and proof, but choose not to do the same.

So the farther from "home" we get, the more at home we'll need to feel.  Until there can be fans in the stands, the motivation must come from within each player.  Accepting the personal challenge and having the internal fire to win.  Not easy.

Other teams have the same challenges.  Look at USF.  At 2-2 with a signature win over # 4 Virginia, then losses to UMass and Rhode Island.  

It will be this type of season for the Broncos.  A "headshaker" season.  CSU Bakersfield lows and hopefully a few upset highs.  We, as fans hope our team embraces this challenge and this moment and leave us all with our heads held high!

 

SCU Men's Basketball - The Covid Rules

                                                                                             

They say hindsight is 20-20, but everyone wants to put 2020 behind us.  The only "20" we want to remember and build off is our 20 wins from last season. 

Who knew that March Madness was the beginning of a new NCAA, The National Covid Avoidance Association!  

Nevertheless, there will be a 2020-21 season.  Right now the WCC schedule is set and the coaches are working on an 9 - 11 game non-conference schedule that has to be totally reworked.  

Marquee tournaments and opponents in the Las Vegas Invitational and The Wooden Classic are toast for most. 

Expect more local opponents with the fewest flights possible. Options like Sacramento State and Idaho State plus games being worked on with the Big West, Big Sky - teams we're used to playing.  Out the window are higher profile name games on the original schedule.  No travel - no play.

Covid Rules.....NO, NO, NO.  No excess travel.  No fans.  Alas, No Bistros.

The revenue hit to MBB programs is enormous.  Even SCU with its Billion Dollar Endowment has more needs than $.  With Leavey all but shut down and no recruiting travel - there is money saved - but a pittance compared.  Rather than shooting "bricks" we're selling them to raise money for the A.E.C.  Zoom has a whole new meaning...

NCAA players are having three mid-terms a week.  PCR Covid mid-terms.  These are nothing like the layup Pass/Fail classes we all wanted back in the day.  There will be failures - positives and that will cause more rework to complete this season.

With all the above, the team is practicing in the new AEC.  A gorgeous recruiting tool lying in wait for post Covid.  The team has undergone quite a makeover.  The tired excuse of "we're young" won't be used this year.  The core unit from last year is back, without Trey Wertz, and has the experience to make some statements - hopefully in the WCC.  We are picked sixth, but we have eyes on much better.  

Unfortunately, the "big three" still have a chokehold at the top.  The Zags are ranked # 1 pre-season by some polls.  Both St. Mary's and BYU won 26 games last season and have some key returners, but also key losses to graduation and transfers.  They will be very good, but we should be able to compete well. 

Apparently ESPN doesn't think much of our program and has put SCU on mute this season.  Of their 17 WCC Men's Basketball telecasts this year, only two schools are shut out - Portland and you guessed it, SCU.  That's a big "thud" for a program on the rise.

You can tell I'm getting a little chapped.  It's Thanksgiving and I want to be thankful for the progress our team is making only to have the league and the networks treat us like leftover turkeys.  

I'm ready to have us beat the "stuffing" out of our opponents!

While the world awaits a Vaccine that will end Covid and get us back in the stands at Leavey, the only Vaccine that will propel this team forward is winning.  

This potential cure from decades of mediocrity starts tomorrow against Idaho State.  I'm ready to get 2020 behind us.  The thing that will do that for me is to get another 20 win season in the books and make some noise along the way.  Tough to do with a shortened season schedule, but getting close to that will let others know we're Broncos and not Turkeys.