UCLA Game Thread

[mug644]

Keep in mind that there has been loads of discussion here about how solid MU's defense has been.

UCLA's is similar.

Yes, MU had a dry spell, but give UCLA credit.

MU's defense wasn't as strong in the last 8 minutes as it needed to be.

[HutchwasClutch]

Carton hit 2 FTs at the 12:13 mark to put his total at 18. He didn't take another shot until there was under a minute left. I though for sure he'd set a new career high (19 at Minnesota last year) but instead he was erased.

That and Wojo never putting Lewis back in may have been the difference.

Didn't see the game, so it sounds like another butcher job by Wojo. Not getting Carton shots down stretch when he was on and recurring theme of turnovers.  Just can't stand the guy. 

[shoothoops]

The game was tied 56-56.

Then MU scored 4 points in the game's final 6:46.

[1SE]

I don't care that he had 4 fouls, once the UCLA lead hit 5, Lewis should have immediately been back in. If he picks up his fifth, so be it, but to not put him back in the last 8 minutes (when MU was frozen offensively) is beyond perplexing. I really don't get it at all.

Have you watched MUBB for the past 7 years? The coach isn't very good

[brewcity77]

Didn't see the game, so it sounds like another butcher job by Wojo. Not getting Carton shots down stretch when he was on and recurring theme of turnovers.  Just can't stand the guy.

The turnovers were bad, especially in the first. Tyger Campbell was really playing aggressive on DJ late, which seemed to take him out of his game a bit. He had created for himself all night but UCLA took that away from him in the last 12 minutes and we really didn't have a Plan B.

[HutchwasClutch]

The turnovers were bad, especially in the first. Tyger Campbell was really playing aggressive on DJ late, which seemed to take him out of his game a bit. He had created for himself all night but UCLA took that away from him in the last 12 minutes and we really didn't have a Plan B.

Wojo didn't have a plan B. He never does. 

Thanks for sharing insights Brew for those that couldn't watch it.

[jesmu84]

Didn't see the game, so it sounds like another butcher job by Wojo. Not getting Carton shots down stretch when he was on and recurring theme of turnovers.  Just can't stand the guy.

Lol

Should have ended your post there

[wadesworld]

"I didn't watch the game but I know it's Wojo's fault!"

[nyg]

The turnovers were bad, especially in the first. Tyger Campbell was really playing aggressive on DJ late, which seemed to take him out of his game a bit. He had created for himself all night but UCLA took that away from him in the last 12 minutes and we really didn't have a Plan B.

Campbell was great with 9 assists and was in Cartons face in second half.   MU held their two stars, Juzang and Smith in check, but it was Jaquez and Bernard who stepped it up.  Hill also blocked those three MU shots in last four minutes. 

[HutchwasClutch]

"I didn't watch the game but I know it's Wojo's fault!"

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

[MUfan12]

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

If you've read my posts you know where I stand on our HC. That said, this wasn't on him. I didn't like him sitting Lewis the last 9 minutes, but his hands were tied at the guard spot. Koby was bad. Greg can't dribble. Once they took DJ away it was hard to get good offense. But yet, if Jamal's three doesn't rim out, they're down 2 with 90 seconds left.

[rocky_warrior]

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

No. No.  Tell us more about how you have it all figured out.

[Lennys Tap]

I don't care that he had 4 fouls, once the UCLA lead hit 5, Lewis should have immediately been back in. If he picks up his fifth, so be it, but to not put him back in the last 8 minutes (when MU was frozen offensively) is beyond perplexing. I really don't get it at all.

+1000. Thought the exact same thing while watching.

[brewcity77]

If you've read my posts you know where I stand on our HC. That said, this wasn't on him. I didn't like him sitting Lewis the last 9 minutes, but his hands were tied at the guard spot. Koby was bad. Greg can't dribble. Once they took DJ away it was hard to get good offense. But yet, if Jamal's three doesn't rim out, they're down 2 with 90 seconds left.

I still think Lewis should've went back in. Garcia just isn't strong enough down low yet and UCLA exploited that. But agree that Koby was off and DJ was our only effective guard.

Most of the game it felt like a competitive contest that someone would have to lose, but Wojo definitely left a bullet or two in his chamber.

[HutchwasClutch]

No. No.  Tell us more about how you have it all figured out.

We've seen all this before under this guy.  A first hand account is required to figure out 18 turnovers is a major problem? (Still)

[jesmu84]

We've seen all this before under this guy.  A first hand account is required to figure out 18 turnovers is a major problem? (Still)

You should probably just bow out of this one

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

We've seen all this before under this guy.  A first hand account is required to figure out 18 turnovers is a major problem? (Still)

Turnovers were a problem, but when we committed our last turnover (~6:45 mark), we were only down 2 points. The stretch where we lost it, Wojo's strategy on offense was to try to attack downhill and win the game at the foul line. Given the foul fest the refs had been calling, and their best player of the night having 4 fouls, I was okay with the gameplan. Credit to UCLA, they played stellar D the rest of the way. Our defense was fine during the stretch but they got just enough offense to build a 5 point lead. Jamal had a WIDE open corner 3 that he makes about 50% of the time that would have cut the lead to 2 with about 1:30 left. Rims out and UCLA gets a cheap foul call (Koby's 5th) on the other end which pretty much sealed it.

FWIW, I think at least 6 of the turnovers were offensive fouls and 2 were bonehead decisions by players that had nothing to do with Wojo's playcalling (Dexter forgot he had already picked up his dribble and Cain [I think] didn't look before inbounding the ball after a UCLA basket and threw it over Carton's head to UCLA's PG). I was very critical of Wojo after the OK state game, this one felt more like a one sided foul fest (3 first half fouls on Lewis and John) and an ice cold shooting night.

[Silent Verbal]

Wojo's strategy on offense was to try to attack downhill and win the game at the foul line.

"We're in the bonus!  We are IN the bonus!  We need to play downhill because we're in the bonus!"—Wojo, during that game at Indiana

[wadesworld]

"We're in the bonus!  We are IN the bonus!  We need to play downhill because we're in the bonus!"—Wojo, during that game at Indiana

Is that a bad strategy?  I'm confused.  I personally think that's typically the smart thing to do.  Getting to the free throw line and getting the other team into foul trouble is usually a positive.  But maybe I'm playing checkers here.

[BCHoopster]

Is that a bad strategy?  I'm confused.  I personally think that's typically the smart thing to do.  Getting to the free throw line and getting the other team into foul trouble is usually a positive.  But maybe I'm playing checkers here.

The first road game for MU the last 2 years have been a blow-out.  Killed at Indiana and Wisky.  Tonight, there were in the game.  What happened is what I thought,
a team that has not played together much and are just learning Wojo's system.  Not sure what his offensive system at times is.  But you have a senior center that took
2 shots.  If that is the future, you better sit Theo more and give the frosh more PT time.  Can not play 4 or 5, it does not work.  Theo has to get more touches.  Of course,
you have Akanno looking like a third grader does not help or playing Elliott who you can tell has lost a step or 2, which really hurts on the D.  Trying to figure out why
Perez does not play?  Why do you recruit a kid like him and not play him?  Surprising.  To me, Wojo's biggest problem is finishing games.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Perez does not play?  Why do you recruit a kid like him and not play him?  Surprising.

I think the staff took him so that they could sit him and try to develop him into a Big East contributor. They didn't even attempt a waiver for him until the new COVID year became a thing. My guess is that when he got the waiver, the staff was clear that his role this season would be as an emergency backup. Would not be surprised to see him be a key piece next season. If Akanno doesn't improve though, I could see Perez taking on that 5 minutes of energy off the bench role

[Dr. Blackheart]

Is that a bad strategy?  I'm confused.  I personally think that's typically the smart thing to do.  Getting to the free throw line and getting the other team into foul trouble is usually a positive.  But maybe I'm playing checkers here.

Especially when UCLA was in the bonus + at 9:26 to go. UCLA only fouled once the rest of the game.

Some wanted Lewis back in but he picked up his fourth on a touch foul with
9:08 to go after he made a little run. Based on how the game was called, Justin was getting handcuffed and MU kept it to a one possession game until 5:54, where UCLA were awarded ten free throws the rest of the game. I doubt he would have lasted one possession with those three mopes.

[Hards Alumni]

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

In basketball, you have to make shots to win games.  If you don't, it doesn't matter who is coaching the team.

[Silent Verbal]

Is that a bad strategy?  I'm confused.  I personally think that's typically the smart thing to do.  Getting to the free throw line and getting the other team into foul trouble is usually a positive.  But maybe I'm playing checkers here.

The quote was presented without comment.

[Billy Hoyle]

Tell me how my conclusions are wrong Wojo apologist

He changed his user name to BLM so he couldn't be questioned, so...