There is nothing new to say about Donovan Morris so I'll let the stats speak for themselves.
14 points, 3-for-3 from the field and 7-for-8 from the line.
And those were just the five minute double OT stats.
LBSU runs their record to 2-2
The road win ties their road win total from last year and the W brings them within four of tying last year's 6-victory campaign.
It appears early on the progression in year 2 of the Dan Monson era is steady.
Picked to finish near the bottom of the Big West this season, the 'Niners should challenge for the top of the standings.
Most importantly they have begun to found ways to win. Last year's squad found every way possible to lose.
The 2008-2009 team seems to want to win, and that's exactly what they have started doing.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
49ers strike gold in last 10 minutes
LBSU got their first victory in the 2008-2009 season by upending the Weber State Wildcats despite trailing by 21 with 11 minutes to go.
The 'Niners are in Idaho to take on Idaho St tomorrow night and return to face New Mexico State Sunday afternoon.
Preview of those two match-ups
The 'Niners are in Idaho to take on Idaho St tomorrow night and return to face New Mexico State Sunday afternoon.
Preview of those two match-ups
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
LBSU loses it late to Wisconsin, Big West teams getting screwed on the road
Long Beach dropped a second close game Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison.
They play their first home game at The Walter Pyramid Saturday night and its homecoming, should be an exciting one to watch.
On to other issues...
Its absurd that Big West teams are forced to travel to play big schools and have to face that conference's officials. It's bad enough for Long Beach to have to fly to Utah and Wisconsin to get a marquee game but to have to play against the zebras on top of the other team's players and fans is too much.
LBSU had twice as many fouls called against them on Sunday and Northridge has it even worse tonight against Stanford.
In 31 minutes thus far in Palo Alto, Northridge has been whistled for 29 fouls. Each guy only gets 5!
Can they really be that aggressive? Think I am biased to the Big West?
You want bias? I was born and raised in Palo Alto and root for Stanford more than any college team in that country but this is ridiculous!
By contrast Stanford has 13 fouls. Its one thing for a perimeter-laden team like Long Beach not to garner a bunch of whistles in their favor all the time if they continue to launch the long ball and not force contact inside but that's not Northridge's M.O.
Hows 38 free throws to 10? Seem fair?
Didn't think so.
They need to have these games officiated by neutral parties like the bowl games are. To expect these teams to have any chance in a hostile environment that is also being manipulated is unfair. The Big West is better this year and its premier teams have already been plagued by shoddy and unbalanced officiating that undermines the game's integrity.
Update: Stanford 103, CS Northridge 85
Or in another way: Stanford 47, CS Northridge 12 (FTA's)
At BW Media Day Bobby Braswell, head coach at Northridge seemed upset when asked about all the non-conference road games. "Nobody will play us at home," he said. Looks like home-court advantage really is an advantage thus far for the power conferences when they host Big West schools. What a shame.
They play their first home game at The Walter Pyramid Saturday night and its homecoming, should be an exciting one to watch.
On to other issues...
Its absurd that Big West teams are forced to travel to play big schools and have to face that conference's officials. It's bad enough for Long Beach to have to fly to Utah and Wisconsin to get a marquee game but to have to play against the zebras on top of the other team's players and fans is too much.
LBSU had twice as many fouls called against them on Sunday and Northridge has it even worse tonight against Stanford.
In 31 minutes thus far in Palo Alto, Northridge has been whistled for 29 fouls. Each guy only gets 5!
Can they really be that aggressive? Think I am biased to the Big West?
You want bias? I was born and raised in Palo Alto and root for Stanford more than any college team in that country but this is ridiculous!
By contrast Stanford has 13 fouls. Its one thing for a perimeter-laden team like Long Beach not to garner a bunch of whistles in their favor all the time if they continue to launch the long ball and not force contact inside but that's not Northridge's M.O.
Hows 38 free throws to 10? Seem fair?
Didn't think so.
They need to have these games officiated by neutral parties like the bowl games are. To expect these teams to have any chance in a hostile environment that is also being manipulated is unfair. The Big West is better this year and its premier teams have already been plagued by shoddy and unbalanced officiating that undermines the game's integrity.
Update: Stanford 103, CS Northridge 85
Or in another way: Stanford 47, CS Northridge 12 (FTA's)
At BW Media Day Bobby Braswell, head coach at Northridge seemed upset when asked about all the non-conference road games. "Nobody will play us at home," he said. Looks like home-court advantage really is an advantage thus far for the power conferences when they host Big West schools. What a shame.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Long Beach falls in Provo
'Niners play well early but fall late
All-American BYU forward Lee Cummard was just as good as advertised.
This past off-season he turned down the NBA to return to Utah for his senior season much to the delight of everyone but the black and gold.
Behind his career-high 36 points on 13-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds BYU (1-0) erased a seven-point halftime deficit to down the 49ers 75-65, in both team's 2008-2009 season opener.
LBSU (0-1) was led by senior forward Cornel Williams who also registered a double-double on 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Guards Donovan Morris (13 points) and Stephan Gilling (12 points) also scored in double figures for the Beach. Both Williams and Gilling knocked down three 3-pointers.
But the story of the night was Cummard. "He's a complete player," LBSU Coach Dan Monson said. "He literally led BYU by himself. They had a lot of guys not play well but he had a great game."
Jonathan Tavernari added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cougars. The Cummard-Tavernari duo combined for 55 of the 75 Cougar points.
The rest of the team shot just 5-of-23 from the field.
A slow start to the 2nd half by LBSU let BYU back in the affair after the Beach headed into the break with a 38-31 lead. The 'Niners shot just 10-for-29 in the 2nd half and managed only 27 points.
"We put ourselves in a position to win but just weren't experienced enough to get it done," Monson said. "They are a more experienced team and I think that showed down the stretch."
For a 6-25 team a year ago this was a huge step in the right direction despite the loss. BYU embarassed the 'Niners at the Walter Pyramid last November in a 74-34 romp.
That game was never in doubt. This one wasn't decided until about the 2-minute mark of the 2nd half.
Two big areas of concern headed into this game for Long Beach were rebounding and free throw shooting.
Those categories remain an issue. LBSU was outrebounded 43-35 and shot just 50 percent (7-for-14) from the line.
For a team that struggled both on the road (1-17) and in close games (2-11 in games decided by six points or less) last year these are areas still in need of improvement.
Freshman Casper Ware started at point guard scoring seven points and dishing out three assists. He also had five turnover's.
"Tonight was a difficult game for (Ware) which is good," Monson said. "That's why we're starting him that's why we're sticking with him because he needs to learn. That's why we are playing in these games, for all our freshman. They need to understand that every possesion is vital."
Eugene Phelps added eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The win runs BYU's home winning streak to 48 games. That is the longest such streak in the nation.
The 22,000 seat Marriott Center was less than half-full despite a paid attendance of 15,753.
The 'Niners travel to Madison, Wisc., for a Sunday game against the University of Wisconsin. That game is a 1 p.m. Pacific tip-off and will air on the Big Ten Network, DirecTV channel 610.
All-American BYU forward Lee Cummard was just as good as advertised.
This past off-season he turned down the NBA to return to Utah for his senior season much to the delight of everyone but the black and gold.
Behind his career-high 36 points on 13-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds BYU (1-0) erased a seven-point halftime deficit to down the 49ers 75-65, in both team's 2008-2009 season opener.
LBSU (0-1) was led by senior forward Cornel Williams who also registered a double-double on 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Guards Donovan Morris (13 points) and Stephan Gilling (12 points) also scored in double figures for the Beach. Both Williams and Gilling knocked down three 3-pointers.
But the story of the night was Cummard. "He's a complete player," LBSU Coach Dan Monson said. "He literally led BYU by himself. They had a lot of guys not play well but he had a great game."
Jonathan Tavernari added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cougars. The Cummard-Tavernari duo combined for 55 of the 75 Cougar points.
The rest of the team shot just 5-of-23 from the field.
A slow start to the 2nd half by LBSU let BYU back in the affair after the Beach headed into the break with a 38-31 lead. The 'Niners shot just 10-for-29 in the 2nd half and managed only 27 points.
"We put ourselves in a position to win but just weren't experienced enough to get it done," Monson said. "They are a more experienced team and I think that showed down the stretch."
For a 6-25 team a year ago this was a huge step in the right direction despite the loss. BYU embarassed the 'Niners at the Walter Pyramid last November in a 74-34 romp.
That game was never in doubt. This one wasn't decided until about the 2-minute mark of the 2nd half.
Two big areas of concern headed into this game for Long Beach were rebounding and free throw shooting.
Those categories remain an issue. LBSU was outrebounded 43-35 and shot just 50 percent (7-for-14) from the line.
For a team that struggled both on the road (1-17) and in close games (2-11 in games decided by six points or less) last year these are areas still in need of improvement.
Freshman Casper Ware started at point guard scoring seven points and dishing out three assists. He also had five turnover's.
"Tonight was a difficult game for (Ware) which is good," Monson said. "That's why we're starting him that's why we're sticking with him because he needs to learn. That's why we are playing in these games, for all our freshman. They need to understand that every possesion is vital."
Eugene Phelps added eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The win runs BYU's home winning streak to 48 games. That is the longest such streak in the nation.
The 22,000 seat Marriott Center was less than half-full despite a paid attendance of 15,753.
The 'Niners travel to Madison, Wisc., for a Sunday game against the University of Wisconsin. That game is a 1 p.m. Pacific tip-off and will air on the Big Ten Network, DirecTV channel 610.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
'Niners kick off season Friday night in Utah
LBSU Men's basketball kicks off its season this weekend with games at BYU and Wisconsin. The team is coming off a tough season but is a much more talented squad in 2008-09. Check the blog frequently for updates on their progress this season including photos, game stories, links and much more.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The BCS is B.S.
But you knew that already.
Somebody always gets screwed. Left out of the title game or the crazy computer rankings leave them out altogether.
It's been bad in the past but this year could be the apocalypse.
Let's consider some scenarios and breakdown what's wrong.
Of the three big undefeated teams (Alabama, TT, PSU) all could lose.
Alabama and Texas Tech will lose.
Tech has to beat Oklahoma St, win at Oklahoma and defeat Missouri (maybe Kansas) in the Big 12 champ game to run the table. Sorry, not going to happen.
Alabama has to win at LSU and beat Florida in the SEC champ game. Florida is the better team, LSU is tough at home. They are going down before bowl season comes.
That leaves Penn State. Now although the Nittany Lions schedule is a joke, Michgan State could give them problems but they get them in Happy Valley. Win or lose we are stuck with a big problem.
We will have a Big 12 champ with at least one loss but coming out of the best conference in college football and the toughest in recent memory. Behind them there will be three or four really good teams that may all belong in the Top 10.
If Oklahoma wins out do they get in? Texas loses on the last play of the game at Texas Tech after knocking off OU, Missouri and OK state in consecutive weeks. OK State's only loss to this point was by four points at Texas. All four play in the same Big 12 division and no more than two will make the BCS.
There could be a one loss Florida team emerging from a very good SEC conference that features three other Top 15 schools. Alabama could be 12-1 having won at LSU and Georgia.
USC could have just one loss but touts a defense that has allowed more than 10 points just once so far this season (27 in a loss at Oregon State) and has give up just 10 points in their last four games combined.
Boise State is undefeated in the WAC and the Moutain West boasts a trio of teams Utah (9-0), TCU (9-1) and BYU (8-1) that should all not be overlooked. Even Ball State is 8-0 right now and leading the MAC.
The consensus among pro-playoff advocates is a 8 team system. I disagree.
Unless you are willing to do away with automatic bids for weak conferences like the ACC - Honestly, whoever comes out of that mess would be like the 7th best team in the Big 12 or force the Pac-10/Big 10 to play title games - There has to be more than 8 spots.
Having 2 at-large bids with these stacked conferences is absurd.
My suggestion is a 12 team playoff like the NFL does with the top-4 teams getting a bye. Have the Pac-10 and Big Ten do title games and give those winners and the winners of the Big 12 and SEC byes. Then there are 8 spots left.
If you want to give auto bids to the ACC and Big East that's fine but they don't get to host a game unless their seed warrants it. Most importantly that leaves 6 more spots for your cinderella types like Boise State and your really good non-conference winners like say Texas and Florida that might be in a fifth place game under the current BCS umbrella but should no doubt get a crack at the National Championship.
If Fresno State and George Mason have a chance in college baseball and basketball it can't be too much to ask for 12 teams including the likes of TCU or Ball State to get that opportunity in football.
First and second round matchups would be home games for the lower seed. The final four would be at regional sites like the basketball is.
Based on that formula and the current BCS Standings a 12-team playoff would look like this:
Byes
(1) Alabama
(2) Texas Tech
(3) Penn State
(4) USC
First Round games
(5) Texas vs (12) West Virginia
(6) Florida vs (11) North Carolina
(7) Oklahoma vs (10) Boise State
(8) Utah vs (9) Oklahoma State
If everybody wins who is supposed to Utah goes to Alabama, Oklahoma to Texas Tech, Florida to Penn State and Texas to USC.
The four winners advance to the semi-finals.
The wild card weekend so to speak is the week/weekend prior to Christmas. The Elite Eight takes place Christmas week/weekend. The Final Four with the two big semi-final games take place back-to-back on New Years and the championship game occurs the following week like the BCS champ does currently.
Not only does this system decide the best team, afford more home games to the schools, but it also ensures a better quality product/game since the layover between the final regular season games and the first round would be about three weeks maximum.
The Big 12 gets four teams in but that reflects the strength of that conference so far this season. Next year it could be three Big 10 or SEC teams but it leaves the door open for some flexibility and most importantly room for the most competitive, deserving teams.
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