As I watch the National Semifinal between UCLA and Memphis State (thanks for being up on current events Ben Howland), I felt like I was singing the chorus to the Black Eyed Peas' 2003 hit "Where is the Love?"
In the first three rounds of the tournament, Howland got Love involved early and often. But in the semifinal, after the first 20 minutes, Love had ONLY four shots from the floor. How in the world is that possible!?
He should have had four shots in the first five minutes not with five minutes to go. I would have been shocked if you told me that Kevin Love would only have six points on two of four shooting in the first half.
Love was one the best players all year and was a huge reason that UCLA was even in the Final Four, and they quit feeding him the ball. That is the stupidest thing that I have ever seen.
How do you slow a team that loves to run in the open floor like Memphis does? Run your half court sets and pound the ball in down low. Love should have touched the ball on every single trip down the floor. Now I am not saying that he should have shot the ball 30 times, but he needed at least that many touches.
There was no doubt or question that UCLA was the bigger of the two teams. Every time they went inside, something good happened. Whether is was a foul, a basket, a combination of both or at the worst was a good look that just did not fall.
Dorsey and Taggart both picked up their third fouls in a span of 30 seconds. Both fouls came as a result of guarding Love and for some strange reason Love did not touch the ball again for what seemed like an eternity.
Ben Howland is a great coach and he will continue to win at UCLA and will probably hang a championship banner before much longer, but he missed a golden opportunity to hang this year.
While I might have been singing "Where is the Love?" last night there might just be a lot of Bruins singing it soon if Love opts to enter the NBA draft.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew Tonge about 1 year ago
Love went too long not being involved in the game to be a factor in the second half. He ended up just running up and down the court and getting worn out. I don't think they would have won anyway, but it would have made things more interesting if they would have pounded it into him more. Memphis was clearly the better team, as UCLA's perimeter players (except for Westbrook) played tentatively and scared.
Good article. Check mine out on this game and let me know what you think. Thanks.
Andrew
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Damasiewicz about 1 year ago
I didn't get to see the whole game, but I saw most of the second half and I didn't see many situations in which they could have gotten the ball in to him. He was often being covered by two guys inside when he was trying to post up. What they should have done found the open guy when Love was being double teamed.
Edit Comment Cancel
Marcus Crockett about 1 year ago
I have to agree with Justin and Andy, they double teamed Love every time he touched the ball. You guys love basketball but you need to learn to watch the strategy of the game. Love had his shot changed, blocked or intimidate several times by two quick tall defenders, he just is not quick enough off of his feet to overcome two defenders. I would say he is ready for the NBA, he has great size, incredible touch around the basket and can shoot the three, one on one he could hold his own in the NBA. Memphis knew that Love was the key to UCLA so like any good coach, Calipari took away option A. This is a chess match people, you have to anticipate your opponents moves and counter. UCLA was outmanned at every position, their only option was to play chess. Memphis, played chess while UCLA was playing checkers. Howland did not force Memphis to do anything beyond option A. I am an accountant but I would have played zone, since it was clear that UCLA could not keep up with the Memphis express, but I don't get paid to make those decisions. If I am UCLA fan I am incredibly disappointed in the program, you mean the most successful program in NCAA history could not get a couple of guys that can shoot the ball? There are 6'3"-6'5" three point shooters in every district in America. Why couldn't Howland get a few guys that can shoot? This is beyond me. I could go out today and within 24 hours find a 6'4" lights out shooter with more heart than Josh Shipp, he showed me nothing. This is UCLA we are talking about and they only had 2 guys on the floor that could create their own shot. Now Rose shut down Collison, but UCLA should have 5 starters and 4 guys on the bench that can fill it up. This performance shows you why the PAC 10 will never be a better conference than the ACC, Big East, Big 10, SEC or now even Conference USA.
Edit Comment Cancel
Sue M. about 1 year ago
It's as simple as this. UCLA didn't do a good job with getting Love the ball. Memphis is probably the best team in the country at transition/fast break buckets. I was very impressed with their performance against UCLA. Memphis's guards outsized UCLA's guards. Derrick Rose (sp?) was very impressive as well.
Edit Comment Cancel
Off The Paved Road about 1 year ago
Justin, Marcus, et al.
True, he was being double-teamed, but it doesn't excuse the poor shot selection of UCLA, who just hoisted three after three, and thereby allowed Memphis to start fast breaks. UCLA needed to get a lot more creative than just sending Love to the block and standing there (with two guys on him). They didn't run many (if any) screens to get him open. Bottom line is that they were impatient and uncreative on offense, and it played right into Memphis' hands.
Edit Comment Cancel
Marcus Crockett about 1 year ago
You can't run a play for a slow guy that is being double teamed by two quick defenders, it's just too easy to follow Love around. The guy is 7'00" 280-290, he's not sneaking past anyone. When the double team comes you have to make the defenders pay by hitting open shots. UCLA had no one that could hit the open shot. Collison, Love and Westbrook would start on many top teams in America but when defenses can stop them, UCLA has nothing. Here is the chess part of basketball, get your top 2-3 guys good shots through movement, screens or isolation. Collison was bottled up by Rose or another quick 6'5" defender, Love was double teamed by two quick 6'8"-6'9" defenders and Westbrook goes to the basket where said defenders are waiting because he does not shoot all that well. UCLA had no one to step up. In addition, the Memphis guards got whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. This was the difference in the game. Even though the score was close at times, you never got the sense that Memphis was concerned.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lew Wright about 1 year ago
Love looked like a freshman. UCLA needed leadership on the floor to compete with the intensity brought by Memphis. The Tigers simply wanted the "W" more than the Bruins.
A more seasoned, confident Love would have demanded the ball in huddle during the first time out. He should have continued to scream for the ball.
He didn't.
They lost.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.