I know this is going to sound a bit loopy...but I think we've fallen into some real bad habits with our basketball team that killed us vs. UCLA and could do the same in more games coming up.
After the game last Thursday, I find myself hoping Brooks gets in early foul trouble against USC (2 fairly early ones). Not only that, I hope Boucher doesn't even attempt a three unless he is WIDE open in the flow of the offense. Otherwise, mid-range and closer only. And we need Pritchard to show why he was a multiple-time State Player of the Year winner.
Here's why:
Brooks has become the "heart and soul" of the team (normally a good thing) to the point that, in the past few games, I've noticed other players stop when he get the ball. They expect him to take over so their effort level is less. With him out of the game (still available, just not there right now) the others would have to do it themselves - as they are very capable. A motion offense doesn't work when the players stop "motioning", and, with Brooks in, lately, that's been a tendency.
Boucher has fallen in love with the 3 (or the coaching staff has fallen in love with him shooting them). It's a weapon, no doubt - but is it worth taking a 6' 10" player out of the rebounding zone, taking pressure off the opponent's interior defense and dealing with long rebounds that, all too often, have turned into run outs by the other team? When he destroys other teams, it's not usually with his 3's - it's with his entire game and that includes slashing across the lane, getting the back-cut jams and hitting the short jumpers he added to his repertoire this season. When he's working the mid-range, the other team has NO answer for him because he IS capable from deep and he IS dangerous in the low post - they can't cover them all and the mid-range is usually what's left open.
Also, Pritchard needs to shoot the open shot. He's as good with the 3 and the mid-range pull up as any other player we have but he passes them up repeatedly. Get HIM in the flow of the offense, too and (like the carnage Benson created with his shooting streak) the other team's defense will be left scrambling to cover more than they honestly can.
Finally...there's no excuse for Brooks to get so few rebounds. He is normally a physical mismatch for the player guarding him. He should be getting a minimum of 4-6 rebounds per game (including at least one on the offensive end)...instead he's going through games and getting 2-3 (season avg is just under 3 - Pritchard, Ennis & Dorsey all have more rpg for the season).
Combined with Bell, Boucher & KBW, we should be dominating the boards game in and game out instead of watching other teams (UCLA for instance) playing volleyball until they get the tip in to fall. Rebounding is mostly effort and, frankly, the effort hasn't always been there for some of our players. This strikes me as a bit strange because the effort has been good on defense and (I would think) it would carry over into rebounding, too. It hasn't - at least not lately.
Get everyone involved. Don't waste a weapon camping him 20 feet from the basket. Rebound. We do that and I don't think USC (or just about anyone else) can stay with us.
