Post-game stuff
UCLA coach Ben Howland said the Bruins did not attack Michigan's 1-3-1 zone very well, the free throw shooting (5 of 11) was poor and he was disappointed in allowing the Wolverines to shoot 62 percent from the field in the second half.
I didn't get much time to talk to players afterward because they were whisked away to the bus in the middle of the postgame interview session. Howland said they had to get some rest for an early practice since UCLA plays at 5 p.m. locally (2 p.m. in Los Angeles) Friday.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
Don't blame the players, Howland. You haven't been able to crack Beilein's 1-3-1 the last four years. Here's how to do it, lest you ever meet again: 1) Attack the basket off the dribble while the defense is still rotating 2) Throw passes (preferably bounce passes) to cutting players between the zone 3) Tell your guys not to kill their dribble 25 feet from the basket 4) Make free throws 5) Finish easy shots inside.
BTW, that strategy will work against any zone. Do you want me to come coach offense? I'll do it for free.
Yeah, the off ball movement is just awful. A bunch of statues at times.
I'm sure Coach Howland will get right to making shots inside and hitting free throws for players. And then stopping all instances where Coach Howland personally drove and got immediately smothered by 3 guys and turned the ball over.
When you see the see the same pathetic offense year after year, that is coaching...or lack of coaching, to be precise. The players simply weren't prepared, and that comes down to coaching. They looked timid and unsure...even the vets.
When you see the see the same pathetic offense year after year, that is coaching...or lack of coaching, to be precise. The players simply weren't prepared, and that comes down to coaching. They looked timid and unsure...even the vets.
Yup, Howland has not been able to teach any of his teams at UCLA to effectively and consistently attack a zone ... ANY zone. I remember watching a Jaime Dixon coached PItt team nearly make Syracuse switch to man because they got a dunk or open 3 on every play ... and that's saying something.
this game was to be expected, theres lots of young guys to coach, and itll take some time to gel. no worries!
when guys are just standing around on offense, i for one want to see collison get super aggressive, turn the jets on, and get some penetration under control. i also want more from shipp. waaaay more. and im not seeing dragovic amounting to anything so let the freshmen play more and get experience. and roll? theres always that white dude thats supposed to be a great 3 point shooter that never develops, know what i mean? i hope thats not roll and finds his groove and contributes more. peace out
Howland has a lot of work to do with this freshman class (except Holiday). However, I'm sure he'll find a way to improve their game by the time conference play starts
I have to agree with just about everyone that has posted. Howland has yet to develop a good strategy that kills a zone defense. The sad thing is that he has the personell that definitely have the skill level in order to do so. I have faith, however, that he will get it together. I also totally agree that Collison needs to get charged up and play to his potential. I'm tired of seeing flashes of his talents only to see him cool off...especially when the team is down. Shipp, well what else can we say about Shipp other than "STEP UP YOUR GAME". I did see improvement, somewhat, with his inside game. He just needs to attack the rim stronger.
I definitely think that by the time Pac play starts, we'll be a much improved team. I knew we would suffer an early loss here and there, but we totally should have taken this game.
Collison did play well, and he did have his cool down periods, but at those points someone else needed to step up. Dragovic seemed pointless to me, all he did was throw up 3's every once in a while (sometimes for no reason and at bad times!). He made that one at the end, but it didnt make up for the rest of his game. Shipp needs to be more aggressive, the statues needed to move around more so collison/holiday would have a lane to drive into.
The defense was really good though, they did give up a couple easy plays, but that happens through a game.
"theres always that white dude thats supposed to be a great 3 point shooter that never develops"
What's wrong with this statement?
Substitute one word and it's racist; leave it as stated and it's the double standard.
well if the white dude would develop and perform it wouldnt be an issue.
lol
Racist?
The only difference is that one group has been picked on for hundreds of years and the other group has been doing most of the 'picking on.'
LJ