Final score: UNR 87, IH 71
Note: The wi-fi connection at the Lawlor Events Center is unstable. Please bare with us as we try to correct this problem.
Note: Be sure to check out Travis Mason-Bushman's liveblog, http://vandalnation.wordpress.com
The Idaho Vandals (15-15, 6-10 WAC) come in to this game as big underdogs. Although the Vandals have had some eyebrow-raising performances (vs. Utah, Seattle), they've put together a lackluster conference performance. Still, with players such as Mac Hopson (14.4 pts, 5.1 rb, 5.1 ast) and Steffan Johnson (10.2 pts, 3 rbs, 3.2 ast), victory is not far from reach. However, one of Idaho's premier players, Kashif Waston, was recently suspended for comments he made via Twitter regarding coach Don Verlin that could seriously hamper the team's performance.
Nevada (21-13, 10-5 WAC), on the other hand, is coming off a quality home win vs. New Mexico State and after a sluggish mid-season performance, appears to be back on track to be a quality contender to capture the WAC tournament crown. WAC Player of the Year Luke Babbit is a stud and has been averaging 21.7 points and 9 boards.
19:00 Luke Babbit, UNR, three, crowd goes wild.
18:00 Luke Babbit, UNR, layup. Strong home crowd for Nevada tonight, as expected.
16:10 Luciano DeSouza, IH, three-pointer. Ends a 4 minute scoring drought.
14:15 Luke Babbit, UNR, layup. He's scored 7 of UNR's 15 points.
11:22 Jose Shaw, UNR, three-pointer.
10:56 Joey Shaw, UNR, three-pointer.
10:31 Luciano DeSouza, IH, three-pointer.
9:23 Brandon Fields, UNR, three-pointer
8:33 Brandon Fields, UNR, three-pointer
8:09 Timeout
Note: Stats from behind the arc
UNR, 72% (7-11)
IH, 42% (3-7)
Top Performers
Idaho: Luciano de Souza 11 Pts
Nevada: Brandon Fields 8 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl
5:00 Luke Babbit, two-point floater from 5 feet
0:00 Halftime
---------------
2nd Half Stats
IH
FG, 13-33, 39.4%
3PT, 4-10, 40%
FT, 4-7, 51%
UNR,
FG, 17-28, 60.7%
3PT, 7-13, 53.8%
FT, 6-7, 85.7%
---------------
Start of 2nd Half
WAC officials are currently diagnosing the problem with the in-house wi-fi connection at the Lawlor Events Center. Stay tuned for a live blog of your New Mexico State Aggies vs. San Jose State. You won't want to miss it.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Stay tuned for more live action from the WAC men's quarterfinals
BITZ will be attending a New Mexico State pep-rally at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino and will follow up with commentary and live coverage of Nevada vs. Idaho at 7 p.m PT.
Don't forget the live blogcast of the NM State Aggies vs. the San Jose Spartans at 9:30 p.m MST.
Don't forget the live blogcast of the NM State Aggies vs. the San Jose Spartans at 9:30 p.m MST.
WAC Men's Quarterfinals - Utah State vs. Boise State (Final USU 84, BSU 60)
Final USU 84, BSU 60
Live coverage, commentary and score updates from the first game of the WAC Men's Basketball tournament.
-------
First half, Lawlor Events Center - Reno, NV.
0:00 The Utah State fans came out in force. They're drowning out the Boise State band.
18:00 USU is 3/3 FG to start the game.
17:00 Jared Quayle, long-range two (uncovered). USU is off to a hot shooting start.
15:45 After a slow start, Boise State is picking up the pace. They're picking up points in transition while Utah State is shooting the ball fairly well.
14:40 Pooh Williams, USU, open three. USU is up 11 after trailing by 2 at the 15 minute mark.
14:11 Timeout. USU, Shooting 55.6%, BSU 38.5%
13:11 A much closer game than expected. BSU is playing tough in the paint and hustling on the both ends of the floor. I don't think USU expected them to come out with this much intensity.
11:30 BSU is losing focus. USU has made consecutive baskets under the paint and a three-pointer that got the crowd going by Brian Green.
11:23 Timeout. USU, Shooting 61.5%, BSU 31.6%. BSU points in the paint, 11, USU, 6. BSU fast break points 4, USU 2.
9:11 Brian Green, USU, open three. USU starting to run away. BSU has no answer to USU's pick-n-pop spot-up threes.
7:28 Timeout. USU shooting 57.9%, BSU shooting 29.6%. BSU Points in the paint, 14, USU 10. USU bench points 6, BSU 0. BSU leading scorers - three tied at 4. USU leading scorers - two tied at 6.
5:59 Timeout.
4:51 BSU 5-0 run.
4:40 Timeout BSU. USU is feeling the pressure from BSU's relentless attack in the paint and occassional pressure on the defensive end, which has led to five USU turnovers.
4:00 Jared Quayle, USU wide-open three.
3:00 Tai Wesley turnover. (Robert Arnold block (2)) Robert Arnold jump-shot.
2:26 Timeout. USU Shooting 50%, BSU 36.4%. USU leading scorer Jared Quayle, 7. BSU leading scorer Daequon Montreal, 9. USU boards 19, BSU 15. USU points in the paint, 10, BSU 20.
1:16 Bill Sproat, aka "Wild Bill" is here, dressed in a skimpy pink outfit. I'm sure someone sponsored him to come to Reno.
0:02 Paul Noonan, three-pointer at the buzzer.
0:00 Halftime
-----
Note: I did not expect BSU to come out with this much intensity. They're a scrappy team. BSU's Robert Arnold is showing incredible hustle, and has gotten in a couple of confrontations with USU's Tai Wesley. USU has looked notably frustrated at several points in the game. Tyler Newbold came awfully close to getting T'd up.
BSU's performance in the paint makes me think there could be a "formula" developing here for attacking USU's pressure D. They're finding the open man down low, USU is not double teaming in the paint, and BSU is getting some awfully easy 3 and four foot gimmes. The game could easily be tied if not for a couple of in-and-out BSU layups.
USU has a strong presence here in Reno. The atmosphere is definitely in USU's favor. I've always been impressed with USU's rowdy fanbase but to hear their rehearsed chants (they've got one for almost every situation) is a bit intimidating. Makes me hopeful that NMSU's Crimson Crew, which launched this year, can achieve similar success and organization for its student fanbase.
The big difference maker in this game so far has definitely been USU's pick-n-pop open threes (5-10) and BSU's clumsy three-two zone that has been unable to stop it.
Stats:
USU
FG: 46% (14-30)
3-pt: 50% (5-10)
FT: 100% (2-2
Leading scorer: Jared Quayle, 9
Leading rebounder: Tai Wesley, 7
BSU
FG: 37.1% (13-35)
3-pt: 12.5% (1-8)
FT: 60% (3-5)
Leading scorer: Daequon Montreal, 10
Leading rebounder: Robert Arnold, 4
------
2nd Half
18:04 Tyler Newbold, open three
17:00 Offensive foul, Tai Wesley, 3rd personal
16:28 Tai Wesley, layup. USU is regaining poise and control on both ends of the floor.
15:23 Timeout.
Top Performers
BSU: Anthony Thomas 7 Pts, 4 Ast, 3 Stl
Utah State: Tai Wesley 10 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
13:40 Robert Arnold uncontested three. BSU 7-0 run
13:08 Tai Wesley, layup and one. Missed three-throw
11:45 BSU losing focus. They look tired. Sloppy on both offense and defense. They're letting USU's bigs overpower them and not getting back in transition.
9:00 Ike Okoye, fast-break dunk (crowd pleaser)
8:54 Timeout. USU Shooting, 50%. BSU Shooting 37.3%.
Top Performers
Boise State: Robert Arnold 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
Utah State: Tai Wesley 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 Blk
8:37 La'Shard Anderson three.
7:16 BSU is simply getting outhustled. They look tired. Hope they haven't conceded the game just yet, still 7 solid minutes left to play.
4:44 BSU's Robert Arnold just denied USU's Brady Jardine's dunk. It was ugly. After the play, Arnold shoved Jardine around. No call. Interesting to see how this game will finish, physically.
3:49 Timeout.
Top Performers
BSU: Daequon Montreal 16 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Ast
USU: Tai Wesley 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 Blk
3:34 BSU is gift wrapping the ball and giving it to USU.
0:55 Sloppy and disappointing BSU finish after their explosive first half of play.
Live coverage, commentary and score updates from the first game of the WAC Men's Basketball tournament.
-------
First half, Lawlor Events Center - Reno, NV.
0:00 The Utah State fans came out in force. They're drowning out the Boise State band.
18:00 USU is 3/3 FG to start the game.
17:00 Jared Quayle, long-range two (uncovered). USU is off to a hot shooting start.
15:45 After a slow start, Boise State is picking up the pace. They're picking up points in transition while Utah State is shooting the ball fairly well.
14:40 Pooh Williams, USU, open three. USU is up 11 after trailing by 2 at the 15 minute mark.
14:11 Timeout. USU, Shooting 55.6%, BSU 38.5%
13:11 A much closer game than expected. BSU is playing tough in the paint and hustling on the both ends of the floor. I don't think USU expected them to come out with this much intensity.
11:30 BSU is losing focus. USU has made consecutive baskets under the paint and a three-pointer that got the crowd going by Brian Green.
11:23 Timeout. USU, Shooting 61.5%, BSU 31.6%. BSU points in the paint, 11, USU, 6. BSU fast break points 4, USU 2.
9:11 Brian Green, USU, open three. USU starting to run away. BSU has no answer to USU's pick-n-pop spot-up threes.
7:28 Timeout. USU shooting 57.9%, BSU shooting 29.6%. BSU Points in the paint, 14, USU 10. USU bench points 6, BSU 0. BSU leading scorers - three tied at 4. USU leading scorers - two tied at 6.
5:59 Timeout.
4:51 BSU 5-0 run.
4:40 Timeout BSU. USU is feeling the pressure from BSU's relentless attack in the paint and occassional pressure on the defensive end, which has led to five USU turnovers.
4:00 Jared Quayle, USU wide-open three.
3:00 Tai Wesley turnover. (Robert Arnold block (2)) Robert Arnold jump-shot.
2:26 Timeout. USU Shooting 50%, BSU 36.4%. USU leading scorer Jared Quayle, 7. BSU leading scorer Daequon Montreal, 9. USU boards 19, BSU 15. USU points in the paint, 10, BSU 20.
1:16 Bill Sproat, aka "Wild Bill" is here, dressed in a skimpy pink outfit. I'm sure someone sponsored him to come to Reno.
0:02 Paul Noonan, three-pointer at the buzzer.
0:00 Halftime
-----
Note: I did not expect BSU to come out with this much intensity. They're a scrappy team. BSU's Robert Arnold is showing incredible hustle, and has gotten in a couple of confrontations with USU's Tai Wesley. USU has looked notably frustrated at several points in the game. Tyler Newbold came awfully close to getting T'd up.
BSU's performance in the paint makes me think there could be a "formula" developing here for attacking USU's pressure D. They're finding the open man down low, USU is not double teaming in the paint, and BSU is getting some awfully easy 3 and four foot gimmes. The game could easily be tied if not for a couple of in-and-out BSU layups.
USU has a strong presence here in Reno. The atmosphere is definitely in USU's favor. I've always been impressed with USU's rowdy fanbase but to hear their rehearsed chants (they've got one for almost every situation) is a bit intimidating. Makes me hopeful that NMSU's Crimson Crew, which launched this year, can achieve similar success and organization for its student fanbase.
The big difference maker in this game so far has definitely been USU's pick-n-pop open threes (5-10) and BSU's clumsy three-two zone that has been unable to stop it.
Stats:
USU
FG: 46% (14-30)
3-pt: 50% (5-10)
FT: 100% (2-2
Leading scorer: Jared Quayle, 9
Leading rebounder: Tai Wesley, 7
BSU
FG: 37.1% (13-35)
3-pt: 12.5% (1-8)
FT: 60% (3-5)
Leading scorer: Daequon Montreal, 10
Leading rebounder: Robert Arnold, 4
------
2nd Half
18:04 Tyler Newbold, open three
17:00 Offensive foul, Tai Wesley, 3rd personal
16:28 Tai Wesley, layup. USU is regaining poise and control on both ends of the floor.
15:23 Timeout.
Top Performers
BSU: Anthony Thomas 7 Pts, 4 Ast, 3 Stl
Utah State: Tai Wesley 10 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
13:40 Robert Arnold uncontested three. BSU 7-0 run
13:08 Tai Wesley, layup and one. Missed three-throw
11:45 BSU losing focus. They look tired. Sloppy on both offense and defense. They're letting USU's bigs overpower them and not getting back in transition.
9:00 Ike Okoye, fast-break dunk (crowd pleaser)
8:54 Timeout. USU Shooting, 50%. BSU Shooting 37.3%.
Top Performers
Boise State: Robert Arnold 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk
Utah State: Tai Wesley 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 Blk
8:37 La'Shard Anderson three.
7:16 BSU is simply getting outhustled. They look tired. Hope they haven't conceded the game just yet, still 7 solid minutes left to play.
4:44 BSU's Robert Arnold just denied USU's Brady Jardine's dunk. It was ugly. After the play, Arnold shoved Jardine around. No call. Interesting to see how this game will finish, physically.
3:49 Timeout.
Top Performers
BSU: Daequon Montreal 16 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Ast
USU: Tai Wesley 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 Blk
3:34 BSU is gift wrapping the ball and giving it to USU.
0:55 Sloppy and disappointing BSU finish after their explosive first half of play.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
WAC reprimands Morrill
Here is a WAC press release from late Tuesday night:
"Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson announced today that Utah State University men's basketball coach Stew Morrill has been publicly reprimanded for violating the WAC's sportsmanship code during the March 6 game against New Mexico State.
"Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson announced today that Utah State University men's basketball coach Stew Morrill has been publicly reprimanded for violating the WAC's sportsmanship code during the March 6 game against New Mexico State.
"Following a technical foul by a New Mexico State player, Morrill directed "provocative language" towards the player. This clearly violated the WAC's sportsmanship code and any further violations of the code may result in a minimum of a one game suspension."
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
This week's "Quotapalooza"
Here are some quotes from Jonathan Gibson and coach Marvin Menzies.
Jonathan Gibson on Monday, March 8, in the Pan American Center
On last year’s WAC tournament:
“Last year was a heart breaker, we lost on a buzzer beater, the last shot. We were up by 13 at halftime and couldn’t hold the lead. This year we’ve got enough talent on the team and I think if we go in there and execute, take one game at a time we can definitely come out with the WAC championship.”
Q: Did the recent road trip take some confidence away from the team?
“We just got to clean some stuff up – I wouldn’t say it’s a confidence thing – we just got to clean some stuff up.
“Sometimes you got to lose to be able to win the big one.”
About San Jose State:
“We split one and one with them in the conference, they’re are a pretty solid team and they got a big man back. If we can go out there and take care of business on the defensive end and get stops I think the offense will come and we can get a W.”
On team morale:
“We got kind of humbled a little bit, the last loss we got beat bad, we can’t take anything for granted. We have go out there and execute, and be more defensive minded.
“We don’t need to change anything, we just got to refocus on the defensive end because we gave up 100 points to Nevada. We need to keep them to 60 or 65, and if we score 80 we’ll win all the games.” (laughing).
Q: What happened in the second half of those games?
“We had two bad second halves. At Nevada we came out lackadaisical a little bit and Fields kept driving, he found Babbitt at the end and he’s not going to miss free throws and it just kind of went from there. Utah State came out with a lot of fire and they were making shots.”
Q: Does it affect this team more than others when your not making shots?
“Maybe a little bit but we just got to clean that up When we don’t score we still have to be able to stop people.”
About playing Nevada again if NMSU and Nevada make the second round:
“It will be a big challenge because the tournament is there and they have the home-court advantage and we just got done playing them. We gave up 100 points so we got to trim that down and go from there.”
Q: What are your chances of winning the WAC tournament and getting an NCAA tournament bid?
“I think it’s a big chance we can win. We came in tied for second. If we refocus and clean up some stuff we can definitely can come out with the W. We got enough talent on the team, a great staff and great players. We just have to have a defensive mind set and stop people.”
On beating a team three times (Which Nevada would have to to to New Mexico State):
“It is hard. When I was a sophomore we beat Boise two times and then lost to them. We know each other, we know what we are going to do. We’ll watch tape. We played each other twice already so the third game is “who wants it more.”
On the Utah State crowd:
"I’ve been there three times it’s the same, its incredible."
Marvin Menzies in Las Cruces, Tuesday, March 8:
Q: How’s the morale on the team?
“They’re ready to roll, at this state of the year if you’re not ready to roll you’ll be in trouble.
“I just think that it was disappointing on Thursday, when we lost the opportunity to win the whole enchilada. It just took a few days to realize, ‘OK we’re second so let’s just go out and try to win games now.’”
“We didn’t get the one done on Saturday, but that’s a tough environment to play in. Utah State played really well.
“When all is said and done the players know they have to win three games in order to dance. We’ve been talking about it for a long time, so I think they’ll be ready.”
Q: Was fatigue much of a factor in Logan?
"I think it played a little bit of a role. Just in general that’s why the road is so tough. But at the end of the day you have to fight through that and try to do the best you can effortwise to put yourself in a position to win."
“They had their run in the second half and it was just a mountain we couldn’t climb back up.”
On the team putting themselves in the position to win the conference in the last week of the regular season:
I thought (it was a great thing) but you wouldn’t think so from reading some of the comments. In coaching you’re only as good as your last play, let alone your last game.
“I think we did pretty good being 11 and 5 and we got everybody coming back except for one scholarship kid. We’ll be OK.”
Updates from Reno
Be on the lookout for daily updates from the WAC conference tournament in Reno and a "live" blog (chat room format) during the Aggies' games right here on Bulletin in the Zone. Insight, facts, figures and observations will also be posted from non-Aggie games. Go Aggies!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Nothing to panic about
All over the WAC blogs there is a lot of talk about how disappointing NMSU's play was at Nevada and Utah State.
I'm disappointed too, but if you look at the record, Nevada is 14-1 at home – losing only to Utah State – and Utah State is 17-1 at home, losing only to a very good Saint Mary's club.
So all this talk about the Aggies being a lousy team is a bit overdone.
I'm disappointed too, but if you look at the record, Nevada is 14-1 at home – losing only to Utah State – and Utah State is 17-1 at home, losing only to a very good Saint Mary's club.
So all this talk about the Aggies being a lousy team is a bit overdone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
