Nothing More Than Paper Tigers?

Well, UCSB you have revealed your true selves. You had us fooled, but no more. It is now safe to say that the Gauchos are nothing more than paper tigers. With the exception of UNLV, the Gauchos feasted on less than mediocre competition in their non-conference schedule. All this in preparation to enjoy an asswhoopin at the hands of the real Tigers, the Pacific Tigers. To make you guys feel better, I culled this footage of some Pacific Tigers attempting to party. If we can't beat them at basketball, take solace in the fact that we can outparty them, I'm confident in that assertion.



Here is the boxscore link from the carnage:
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2007-2008/ucsbmb19.html

Let's take a look and see if we can find out what went wrong (besides just blaming Bob Williams for this debacle that started out so right):

1. Shooting %

UCSB: 32.1%
UoP: 59.5%

Without going into the obvious, you're not going to win any games where you shoot 32% and allow the opponent to shoot almost 60%.

The damage was mainly inflicted by one Chad Troyer. The man was 6-9 from the three and 7 for 11 total. That gives you a nomination for the Deon Tresvant award. This award will be given out to the man who most thoroughly enjoyed playing the game of his life against the Gauchos. His 27 points are impressive. I'm just curious, did anyone attempt to guard this guy during the game? Maybe one of the 5 fans in attendance could let us know.



2. Offensive Rebounding

UCSB: 4
UoP: 8

This stat is misleading. UCSB had far more shots than Pacific, so clearly, they'd have more opportunities to get to the glass. Using crude statistical analysis, Pacific grabbed a higher percentage of their offensive rebounds than did the Gauchos.

3. Free Throws

UCSB: 14-20, 70%
UoP: 18-31, 58.1%

This was one of the Gauchos "worst" free throw shooting performances of late. When shooting 70% is bad, you're usually shooting pretty well as a team. However, with Pacific getting to the line 11 more times, they put UCSB into foul trouble and although they didn't make them pay, it still took its toll. Chris Devine was the offender in last night's game going 4-8 from the charity stripe.

4. Turnovers

UCSB: 7 turnovers, 16 opponent turnovers
UoP: 16 turnovers, 7 opponent turnovers

Here, UCSB played a pertty good game. They limited their turnovers, forced a bunch from Pacific. Unfortunately, when your opponent is busy plastering you with 3's, well, to borrow a phrase from someone I know, "you're up shit creek without a paddle."

Like I said above, it's clear that the Gauchos are nothing more than paper tigers. They feasted on weak competition and when they got to conference play, everyone has Bob Williams figured out. Right now, we're nothing better than a fourth place team in Big West. Like a genie in a bottle, this is looking all too familiar to past seasons, and I predict a semi-final exit in the Big West Tournament.