I'll defer to the scoop experts but it seems to me this could be one of those unsung hero games. Jlew has an advantage at the 4, and whether Riley plays or nor Kur/Osa have a slight advantage at the 5. We also really need our bench tonight. Maybe we can wear them down?
Bernard is a real X factor for the Bruins. He doesn't get a lot of attention but is capable of hitting shots and scoring off the bounce. If he plays well our challenge becomes greater.
In order to win tonight I think we need to be +10 at the line and shoot 37% from distance. This is just my gut feeling. Obviously Morsell and Kolek have to find their games but maybe Joplin or O-Max break-out with the adrenaline flowing? Kam could potentially go off? GE could drain some triples? It's gonna be tough but the opportunity is there for an upset.
5 keys:
🔑: snow❄️. UCLA is from California. They won't be used to snow. Much like when we get nice weather when a recruit visits... this snow is going to be unsettling to them.
🔑: plane troubles ✈️🔥: I remember when I was a high school athlete. Those bus rides to our games where we would arrive 1 hour before was rough. UCLA will not be able to recover from the plane.
🔑: no shower time 🤢🛁🧼: Nick Krownin smells. It's just a fact. If he can't shower before the game due to the delay his players will have queezy stomachs during the game from his stench. He's the modern day pig pen.
🔑: Shakas dictionary: 📚📙: what word is he using to motivate the team? Audacity was great vs Illinois. Today I think he has to pull out the big guns.
🔑: Buckets: 🏀🗑: don't shoot like we did vs KSU. Agree muggsy, we will need morsell and kolek to find their shot. Someone mentioned it earlier. Get kolek a layup early. Get him to see the ball go through. And get to the line: need lots of slashing to the hoop to create some contact.
We got this.
A-sharp, B-Flat....
Quote from: fjm on December 11, 2021, 10:48:51 AM
🔑: Shakas dictionary: 📚📙: what word is he using to motivate the team? Audacity was great vs Illinois. Today I think he has to pull out the big guns.
"Ample" - Use the UCLA's player's own words against them
ZipEm Up
Damon, Francis Scott...
House, car, church...
Biscayne, to your heart...
Wow... you're all putting Oscar Wilde to shame.
Cheap laughs are a key to happiness.
Won kee...score moore points da da Bruins, hey?
Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz. Hey, hey, they are the Mon-kees....
None of this matters. Win or lose, apparently it's on Chris Mack. Who knew?
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2021, 11:48:24 AM
Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz. Hey, hey, they are the Mon-kees....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MADRPuAcKFA
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2021, 11:48:24 AM
Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz. Hey, hey, they are the Mon-kees....
I'm a believer.
UCLA taking the last plane to Clarksville.... Eh MilwAukee
Quote from: fjm on December 11, 2021, 10:48:51 AM
🔑: Shakas dictionary: 📚📙: what word is he using to motivate the team? Audacity was great vs Illinois. Today I think he has to pull out the big guns.
Was gonna suggest "articulate" ... but even if I used teal I didn't think that would fly any better than a plane with a cracked windshield!
How about "Big Time?"
Alicia.
Fast start and get an early lead is my key for tonight. Cannot dig themselves into an early hole and play from behind all night.
1) Limit 3-point attempts. UCLA is undefeated when they take 17+ threes. Chase them off the line because they are a great shooting team and if you give them chances, eventually they'll fall.
2) Bring the Violence. Be active, get to 32 deflections, put them in position to beat themselves.
3) Get Kolek on track. He's averaging 2.0 ppg in our losses. Need him to be an offensive threat, not just a distributor.
4) Get to the line. They are a better offensive team, but we're better at drawing fouls. Draw fouls to get free points and get into their bench. Like to see 20+ fouls on UCLA.
5) Get Kur involved early. I love Oso, but we need Kuath to be an inside enforcer against teams of this calibur. We're 4-0 against quality opponents when he has 2+ blocks and 0-2 when he doesn't.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 11, 2021, 05:15:53 PM
1) Limit 3-point attempts. UCLA is undefeated when they take 17+ threes. Chase them off the line because they are a great shooting team and if you give them chances, eventually they'll fall.
2) Bring the Violence. Be active, get to 32 deflections, put them in position to beat themselves.
3) Get Kolek on track. He's averaging 2.0 ppg in our losses. Need him to be an offensive threat, not just a distributor.
4) Get to the line. They are a better offensive team, but we're better at drawing fouls. Draw fouls to get free points and get into their bench. Like to see 20+ fouls on UCLA.
5) Get Kur involved early. I love Oso, but we need Kuath to be an inside enforcer against teams of this calibur. We're 4-0 against quality opponents when he has 2+ blocks and 0-2 when he doesn't.
I like the way you think brewcity. All of your points are critical tonight. I also feel we need to win the made free throws stat and rebound to long misses.
I enjoyed all the Monkeys stuff. Last train to Milwaukee. Funny stuff. You never know how a game delay affects a traveling team but I expect UCLA to be ready to play. MU has been waiting. The question is can they play chest to chest on the guards up the court and on the perimeter. On the three point line. Can they make an in the paint pass difficult enough to force the Bruins to shoot the three. If they can hit the three then it doesn't matter. If they can't hit the three can MU rebound well enough to get out and run. This isn't a do or die game. This is a test. I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to see it. Go Warriors!
If we make the game ugly enough, we'll have a chance at winning.
1. Make it ugly
2. Run UCLA off the 3 pt line
3. Rebound.
4. Wear them down with pressure. UCLA has had a rough go of it. COVID. Travel issues. I would turn up the pressure,
5. Shoot >35% from 3.
We need good offensive games from Morsell, Lewis and Kolek tonight. Not saying they all have to score 15-20, they just need to be active and efficient on O. Morsell's been like The Walking Dead the last several games, and Kolek can't buy a bucket.
Would also be nice if Kam is a factor, and if Greg hits a coupla 3s, too.
Talk about ugly. I'd take an ugly win over ucla any day. Listen. When I married my wife, she was homely. But she looks better everyday. Always count your blessings.
'
32 deflections.
Good topic Muggsy, you should make it a thing before every game
I won't go statistical/analytical because Brew has that covered.
I'll go with the untracked and equally important emotional/intangible aspect
1- 6'7 control. UCLAs top 3 scorers, Juzang, Bernard, Jaquez Jr. are all 6 foot 7. They all play slightly different. MUs biggest challenge will be to control these guys.
Johnson (6'10) or Riley (6'9) and Tyger (5'11) are the other starters, pretty big drop off when you get to the bench. Kur/Oso on the big, shortest guy on Tyger (Kam, Kolek or other bench guard).
I assume J Lew, Morsell will be covering 2 of the 3 at all times when they are on. Who covers the 3rd? Does Shaka start OMax again or stick with Kam? However coach decides to defend it, the individual and team defense on these 3 will decide the game. IMO send a lot of different guys at them and continually pressure them. Send double teams and try to get the ball out of their hands when possible. Go at them on the offensive end to load up the fouls. Fatigue them and your chances get better as the game progresses.
2- Rust/Fatigue. Well documented they haven't played in some time. They also had a long night. We have a lot of guys that we can run and continually pressure them, mentally and physically. Use it to our advantage
3- Get Morsell/Kolek going early. Ideally offensively, but even some big defensive plays, steals since they will be undersized but quicker hands, just a big emotional play for both to get them locked into the game.
4- Tyger uppercut. Dudes been a light out 48,6% from 3, way up from his career 26%. He's not shy to shoot. I like that, use it to MUs advantage. Entice his to chuck early and often, and box out like hell. If he makes then God Bless and goodnight. I like my chances with Tyger Campbell from 3 over the others getting going.
5- Fired up Mickey. Get Mick fired up, get him pissed, get him where he feels more comfortable and perhaps his squad folds right along with him. It's an emotional game of runs- get the crowd into it early in an ideal world, but at the very least punch em right in the jaw at some point before half and get them rattled. Atmosphere plays a huge role, a lot of teams are struggling on the road today in hostile crowds. Mick isn't calm, Mick gets angry. Get coach pissed at something and ride the crowd emotionally as much as it can carry you.
Lets do this
Quote from: oilcan on December 11, 2021, 06:10:58 PM
Talk about ugly. I'd take an ugly win over ucla any day. Listen. When I married my wife, she was homely. But she looks better everyday. Always count your blessings.
'
Haha wtf, that poor woman
Quote from: DoctorV on December 11, 2021, 06:30:29 PMTyger uppercut. Dudes been a light out 48,6% from 3, way up from his career 26%. He's not shy to shoot. I like that, use it to MUs advantage. Entice his to chuck early and often, and box out like hell. If he makes then God Bless and goodnight. I like my chances with Tyger Campbell from 3 over the others getting going.
I guess I agree with this -- if I'm picking my poison, I'd pick Campbell shooting too much from deep -- but it's not like he's been The Mad Bomber or anything. He averages fewer 3 attempts per game than Kolek does, and about the same as Morsell and Lewis do. He's just making more of 'em!
Quote from: MU82 on December 11, 2021, 06:42:22 PM
I guess I agree with this -- if I'm picking my poison, I'd pick Campbell shooting too much from deep -- but it's not like he's been The Mad Bomber or anything. He averages fewer 3 attempts per game than Kolek does, and about the same as Morsell and Lewis do. He's just making more of 'em!
Good point.
In that case let him drive and attempt to shoot over Kur 🤪
I just want him to try to take the game over and shoot a lot, I think that gives MU a better chance. Make him a shoot first rather than pass first guy and if he goes off then you tip your cap.
Gotta pick your poison
I appreciate it Dr. V but if I make it a topic before every game some people will be giving us Key Lime Pie recipes.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 11, 2021, 07:54:01 PM
I appreciate it Dr. V but if I make a topic before every game some people will be giving us Key Lime Pie recipes.
Nothing wrong with that, you can make and have a piece with you're ready game pour over
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/food-drink-cooking_skill-chili-key_lime_pie-dinner_parties-dinner_guests-dpin1778_low.jpg)