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.

 

 

Dr. Renee Baumgartner Interview - The Future of Santa Clara Athletics

                                                                                                      


It's will be five years since July 2015, when Santa Clara made what was considered by many a needed and somewhat controversial decision to hire Dr. Renee Baumgartner as our Athletics Director.  

Needed in that our program, once one of the top in the WCC, was  expected to try to compete for the past three decades with one of the lowest funding and scholarship levels in our league.  

Controversial, that in prior stops, there were alleged program issues that came to light during her tenure.  Some felt that other than the school's names beginning with the letter "S" there was little common ground.  

During our interview Renee highlighted her strategy to "change the culture" and trajectory of Santa Clara Athletics.

Before mid 2015, coaches were not just coaches, but had to fundraise to make their program budgets work.  The Bronco Bench did an outstanding job raising money, but when you're down 30 or so scholarships vs others at SCU tuition rates - well, you get the picture.  In Men's Basketball, we caught some lightening in a bottle every 15 years or so, but never got traction as a top tier program in the WCC.  We all watched as Gonzaga and St. Mary's put us, sadly, in the rear view mirror on their way to NCAA's and league titles. Then, along came BYU.

Prior to 2015, athletics was such an after thought that during his 11 years as A.D., Dan Coonan wasn't allowed to present his needs or plans to SCU Trustees.  Fear of his sharing the dirty laundry of our athletics funding levels.  

To Father Engh's credit, The President's Commission on Athletics was formed to study how could SCU get back in the "game" and what would a nationally competitive program mean to the University's reputation and, of course, fundraising.  Long story short, they discovered what Gonzaga, Villanova, Marquette, etc. figured out 25 years before us - top tier Athletics, particularly in major sports, made Universities "winners" on and off the court. 

Enter Renee Baumgartner.  Backed by Fr. Engh and the Trustees she was given the mandate and, finally, the money to start a complete makeover.  It was and is a tough resuscitation effort.  
It was a program in limbo with little or no accountability.  A strategic plan that amounted to win some games and a league title here and there, and a culture of mediocrity that to some was better than being pathetic.  At SCU, you didn't get fired for mediocrity.  

Fast forward five years.  Under Renee, the culture of mediocrity is out, along with the coaches and staff that tried to win without the resources to do so.  Ok, you get one scholarship, now go win a WCC title when your competition has 5 or 10.  Not gonna happen... 

Lots of changes.  Top to bottom.  Renee is not afraid to make decisions, like them or not, to raise our profile.  Upgrades are everywhere to be seen:  the new Leavey look, locker rooms,  offices that look like a real department so when recruits come they don't see 15 year old carpet and paint, better fitness equipment and conditioning staff to develop D1 competitive bodies, branding from Nike is all over versus just a pair of shoes.  The upgrades in the coaching staffs is laying the foundation for consistent long term success - not every 15 years or so.  Keep going, Marketing, PR, Nutrition, Academic support, team rooms.  On and on, it's happened or in the plan.  Many sports now have fully funded scholarships and program funding so coaches can actually coach and not fundraise.  What a concept.

On top of all that, the soon to be completed Athletic Excellence Center will be a no compromise facility that rivals the best in the country.  Now, we need a team in that facility that can compete with the best.  

Whatever you think of the process, a foundation is in place to get SCU to a national level in major sports.  This investment has never happened in SCU's long, storied history.  Think Women's Soccer level success in the other major sports, but first and foremost in Men's Basketball.  

While the foundation has been laid and is undeniably much better, the winning has lagged.  

Men's Basketball had a good last season with 20 wins, but is currently .500 in four seasons under Coach Sendek.  Men's Baseball under new coach Rusty Filter is 50-71 and was off to a good start in 2020 at 12-5 before Covid-19.  Women's Basketball and Softball have struggled to gain momentum under new coaches with sub .500 records.  Men's Soccer under 18 year coach Cameron Rast has had a rough patch the past 4 years with their last NCAA tourney bid coming in 2015; to go along with 6 other earlier appearances.  Women's Soccer is still the gold standard program at SCU under Coach Jerry Smith with 29 NCAA tourney's in 34 years, one NCAA tournament Championship and 10 WCC titles.

Make no mistake, undoing decades of a reputation for under performance isn't easy.  Why would superior athletes want to come to Santa Clara?  Even a campus nicknamed "Claradise" doesn't cut it.
When the student body prefers beer pong instead of going to a USF rivalry basketball game on a Saturday - you have a problem... 

Face it, current students at SCU didn't come for sports because we had little reputation for them.  Great Campus - sports, not on the radar.  Took Gonzaga 25 years to get to a level where they now  have made 21 straight NCAA's.  But we're Santa Clara, so we want it, now.  

Right.  

We'll know in the next five years if the makeover works.  With Renee's new contract extended through 2024 most all the pieces are there and it comes down to winning.  Winning games and winning over students and fans.  She'll need help.  The President's Commission on Athletics has gone silent for five years.  Maybe they were the ultimate "one and done" study.  Reports are nice but results are better.  

Now is the time...it appears Fr. O'Brien gets it.  It even seems he likes going to games.  I hope he likes to win.  Because we all win IF we committ to press on and follow through.  I'm sure the University can think of a $billion reasons to achieve Athletic success similar to our Academic stature.  

To be a major player, you have to think like a major player and not like just another school who had a plan five years ago.

We're literally on a "mission."  Let's make it happen!





















  

SCU Men's Basketball - The Other "March Madness"

Even though the NCAA tournament has been cancelled, the other March Madness is in full swing.  This March Madness has no brackets, no boundaries and spares no programs. This is no April Fools' prank.

It's the madness of NCAA Men's Basketball transfers.  It's crazy and will get worse; not better.  I'll explain.

By now, most of you may know that Trey Wertz, Tahj Eaddy and David Thompson are transferring from Santa Clara.  To date, their destinations are still not final.  

Last season there were about 650 players signed into the transfer portal in Division 1 Men's Basketball.  The number in 2020 is growing and the WCC has more than its fair share. 

It's bad now, but on top of this, the NCAA is actively considering waving the one year "sitting out" period for transfers.  

Throw "be true to your school" allegiance out the window.  Be prepared to re-tool your roster every year.  Madness.

The term "one and done" used to be reserved for exceptional college players moving to the NBA, but now it's wide open for players "looking" for a better way to showcase themselves for basketball life after college.  A few to the Pros, but many to Europe and Asia.  

The unintended consequences of these policies will be that the power players in NCAA Men's Basketball will have an even stronger lock on the first look at talent; an unending supply of the best players available from any team, any season to transfer up.  

Just look at Trey Wertz.  He arrived at SCU as a highly recruited prospect by a number of bigger programs.  Recruited as a shooting guard.  By the time summer workouts started, he became our point guard; out of necessity when K.J. Feagin and Matt Hauser left for other opportunities.  

Trey had moments of brilliance (USC) and embarrassment trying to adapt to a position he'd never played and at a D1 level.  However, in those bright moments he showed athleticism that higher level programs can exploit.  He is looking at over 11 schools with interest.  One is the University of Arizona, where Justin Gainey is an assistant coach and was Trey's primary recruiter to SCU.  Arizona is always in the national conversation and a perennial NCAA qualifier.  SCU's last NCAA qualifier was 26 years ago.  Hard to turn that down.  

Expect more.  Our main hurdle is to get into the conversation in the WCC and NIT and NCAA invites.  We were on track this season to make a move, but key injuries put a screeching halt to that.   

Here's an uneducated theory of how this might actually help the Broncos.  There is a possibility that higher level program players will find it harder to land playing time as this "free agent" concept creates oversupply into the power and high major programs. This makes mid-majors, like SCU, become more viable.  It just takes a few great finds who will get us a few big upsets to elevate our chances.

We'll need to continue to get the best incoming freshman class we can.  This year was quite successful, but plan on them for two years.  The ones that outgrow our program will try to move up.  We should try to catch a few Grad transfers from better programs who already know the NBA is not happening, but want the education as a foundation for their future - basketball or not.  Master's degrees last forever.

SCU should grab/steal transfers from high major programs where those players can become stars here vs role players.  

Some of the best players across the WCC are leaving big holes in their rosters.  It's triage to fill the openings.  Puts even more pressure on recruiting.   

This part of March Madness is here to stay.  Loyalty to coaches and programs is out the window.  It's all about the future "Benjamins."  I would hate to see the mid-major programs like SCU become the minor leagues or farm teams for the top 30.  

The transfer window is open and hopefully our coaching staff will be great "horse" traders for our program!