January 30, 2008, 7:00 p.m. (PST)
Channelsurfing.net has a link to the game tonight on their website. Hopefully, that link will remain and those of you not planning on being in attendance can watch it on your computer.
Tonight, the Gauchos look to get a two game winning streak against the last place Highlanders. UCR's only win has come against fellow cellar dweller LBSU. Without looking too deep into the stats, this has all the makings of a blowout win. As long as Bob Williams keeps his troops focused on the task at hand, the Gauchos can get a nice tune-up for the second go-round of the Big West.
Time to compare the stats
1. Shooting Percentages
UCSB: 45.5%
UCR: 40.8%
This is the first conference game that UCSB has had where their opponent is not going to fire threes at will. UCR has attempted only 259 three pointers coming into tonight's game and shoots them at a 29.3%. There coach is onto something.
While Riverside doesn't appear to be inclined to shoot the three, they have been chucking it up at a slightly higher rate over the last couple weeks. Regardless, UCSB needs to focus their defense to within the three point line. Riverside is not going to be able to hurt them from the outside.
For UCSB, it's going to be the same story tonight. I'm still convinced (and still trying to convince Bob Williams) that UCSB needs to push the ball up the court and take advantage of their superior three point shooting and free throw skills. Getting out into the fast break and upping the tempo will create these opportunities for them.
On the other hand, UCR plays at about a 5 possession's per game pace slower than the Gauchos. If this is the case, the Gauchos need to work on their offense and set picks and move around.
2. Free Throws
UCSB: 272-348, 78.2%
UCR: 207-310, 66.8%
Here is another extreme advantage of the Gauchos. Of their regular rotation, there is no weak link in the free throw shooting category.
The Gauchos mission in this game should be get to the line early and get there often.
Many people have been impressed by Cal Poly's victory over Pacific on Monday night. The one thing that people are missing is that Cal Poly shot 26-28 from the Free Throw line. They won the game at the line because they attacked the basket and shot a high percentage. If UCSB can get to the line an average of 25 times a game, there is really no way they should lose any game (unless they're playing a team shooting the three well).
3. Offensive Rebounding
UCSB: 9.4/game
UCR: 10.1/game
UCSB needs to control the boards on both ends. The Gauchos should be more concerned about preventing their opponent from getting offensive boards. With the finesse big men they have, they can't afford to keep them in the paint on defense very long.
Additionally, as noted last game, if the Gauchos can grab the defensive rebounds and push it up the court, the numbers should be there with this speedy team.
4. Turnovers
UCSB: 15.1/game, opponents 18.7/game
UCR: 16.4/game, opponents 13.9/game
UCSB's defense is clearly going to be a major advantage today. If they can turn up the volume and force some turnovers, this will play into everything that TGM thinks the Gauchos should be doing. The one thing they need to work on offense is moving the ball around. Instead of taking their defender one-on-one, the Gauchos should be able to cut that turnover average by two or three per game if they can get some semblance of an offense going.
For tonight, we're hoping that the Gauchos play at a fast pace. Bob Williams has shown that he's more inclined to let his opponent dictate the pace that they play. This can be dangerous. If they can push the ball in transition and fire up the threes (Think the NCAA's version of the Golden State Warriors or Rick Pitino coached teams) and play some pressure defense, the Gauchos can use this to a major advantage.
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