Gordon had concussion
Just talked to UCLA center Drew Gordon, and he said he did not play because he sustained a concussion Tuesday and could not get medically cleared. The media were not told of the concussion until after the game.
Gordon put it at 75 percent that he could play Saturday against Villanova.
I also talked to guard Malcolm Lee, and he said he did not play because of a coach's decision.
How about morgan. Bad coaching for UCLA
FREE MALCOM LEE!
Bad decision by coach, Ill leave it at that.
Poor coaching decisions again tonight. Tonight game reminded me of several of our losses where the team got tired at the end of the game and should have lost tonight. When will coach learn from his mistakes? Incredibly frustrating to watch. Feel free to play Lee coach.
Anderson sure seems to turn the ball over a lot and makes really bad decisions. Obviously, Howland knows what he is doing but Lee sure looks better than Anderson to me. And how about Holiday when he was forced to play the point with Collison on the bench? He dominated.
Lee needs to play on Sat.
Anderson is a foul and turnover waiting to happen. I, too, was surprised Lee didn't get any minutes tonight.
Beware of $C fans trying to infiltrate the UCLA blog...
UCLA won despite the media's wishful thinking
Detractors, feel free to state where you coach BB
Howland saved lee for the villanova game.
It's all part of his master plan
Hope Gordon is OK'd for Saturday. 'nova won't have seen Lee OR Gordon other than in tapes.
"Detractors, feel free to state where you coach BB"
Thank you, Bruin Defense, for being a voice of reason. You would think that 3 straight Final Fours would give a coach the benefit of the doubt, but I guess not. I mean seriously, Howland does nothing but win, and you all think you know basketball better? I understand frustration that Lee didn't play - I wish we had seen him to. But I'm sure that Howland had a good reason for not playing him, even if he's not sharing it with the world.
Come on, Jeff, it's possible to disagree with a coach's decision without that making you someone from across town or something. I too disagree with Ben not playing Lee. He's disagreed with HIMSELF on occasions, saying he should have done something different. His loyalty to his point guard has prevented him from seeing that he's got the wrong matchups on the court - the Memphis game last year is a prime example and Ben said it himself after that game (hope that doesn't make him a Trojan)....
In this game, IMO he should have had Lee and Holiday at times on Maynor, wearing him down (and keeping Darren in Rodriegues' (sp?) face so he didn't get open for good shots) - that would have protected COLLISON, kept him fresher and out of foul trouble. I also think it's a weakness to run clock as deep as we do starting as early as 8 minutes to go when Darren just doesn't pass out of a drive - pick and roll with no roll option - even when he's smothered. OTOH, eliminating ragged play and shortening the game when we have a lead works most of the time.
On Anderson, he was fine his previous game but neither he nor Lee have played enough to master the difference between driving against college vs high school players. Heck, Jrue hasn't got that down yet, either. Anderson played because Collison was tired playing as intensely as he was on both ends - and Ben subs Jerime for Darren because Jerime has played PG this year and Lee has played off-guard.
Jrue looked like and all-american at point gaurd. What ticks me off tho is that if Jrue comes back Howland will keep him at the 2 spot and Anderson starting. That is weak. With Jrue at the point we actually get penetration and a chance for a clean layup. He is athletic enough to stay in the air and score around big men or pass around them for an easy dunk. I think Holiday/Gordon pick and roll game next year will NASTY. Then pick and pop with Drago/roll! I can only dream of this offense... too bad.
A certain UCLA beat reporter intimated that Lee wasn't trying enough in practice this week. I don't know if that would change the criticism from the peanut gallery but it seems to me you can't reward poor effort with playing time especially during tourney time.
As for Anderson starting over Jrue if Holiday returns next year, that is the first time I've read that anywhere.
Howland's strategy of milking clock way too early has certainly cost us games before (this year it cost us the Pac-10 championship). He's a solid coach, but he's not upper echelon.
I don't know why everyone thinks that Jrue will play 2 if he comes back next year. I'm pretty certain Howland said he would play at point (and he would have played point this year if Darren didn't come back). Jerime will be Jrue's backup next year (unless he beats him out at practice).
Anderson has got to stay on the bench. He has gotten worse as the year has progressed. Everyone is waiting for that crossover move that he has... his only move
When Collison is getting a breather, it's got to be Holiday at 1, Lee at 2, and Shipp at 3. That way we'll still have 3 good ball handlers on the court against Nova's press
I hope Gordon can go on Saturday. We could use another big man off the bench.
Am I the only one who cringes every time I see Anderson bringing the ball up the court? The guy is a turnover waiting to happen. He looks timid and nervous out there - like he doesn't want the ball in his hands. If Collison needs a breather/is in foul trouble against Nova, I would love to see Jrue run point and either Roll or Lee play the two.
Jeff and Bruin Defense,
Not that it matters, but I was head coach at a major OC high school back in the late 70's and early 80's and club ball after that. I would never claim to be a superior coach to Howland that's ridiculous. If you talk to any coach after they have reviewed the previous game, they'll see obvious problems they were blind to when it was happening live. Adrenaline and emotions are another huge factor.
As I mentioned before, I agree that Lee should have been used more than Anderson who currently is too big a liability. I think he would be much more effective spelling Collison by moving Jrue to the point. When I rewatched the game this morning, it was obvious the Bruins were more fatigued then VCU. Especially Josh who had a really good game but ran out of gas near the end. He needs to rest his starters more.