Bleacher Report - Articles by Darren Feeney

2009 NBA Playoffs: Who's This Year's X-Factor?

Darren Feeney — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:55:43 -0400

In the world of mathematics, an "X factor" is an unknown quantity which only becomes known after following a prescribed process. This concept of an unknown but vital quality also extends into other worlds, such as business and entertainment. Interviewers and judges often speak of an "X factor as a certain undefinable quality which may promote one candidate over another in the eyes of his or her critics or examiners. The X factor for an actor or actress might be a strong sexual appeal or a sense of myster, for instance. When it comes to playoff basketball in the NBA, an X-factor is a player who serves as a catlyst, equipped with skills and talent that directly result in team success. We saw several players step up to get their teams out of the first round. Now, who is going to rise even further in the second round matchups and be this year's ultimate X-fatcor?

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A Sensible San Diego Chargers 2009 NFL Draft

Darren Feeney — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:31:17 -0400

Upgrades or Needs?

It is a question General Managers and scouting personnel face just a day before selection Saturday. Take the best available player on the board, or take a player that fills a need position wise?

Trade up to get premiere talent on a player just too good to pass on, or trade down to “steal” a player while gaining additional picks in the process? It is never an easy task, and for the San Diego Chargers and General Manager A.J. Smith, this year is no different.

Why San Diego needs an Upgrade at RB

In 2008, the San Diego Chargers rushing attack ranked 20th in NFL in terms of yards per game. The only significant change on offense so far is the replacement of Mike Goff with Kynan Forney.

While last year we saw the main focus of the team shift from the ground to the passing game, it is essential for the Chargers to remain balanced. A powerful running game will help seal off victories—and prevent comebacks—and there were at least a handful of games that the Chargers should've won in 2008 that were lost because the offense could not stay on the field. That needs to change if the Bolts are going to have any hopes of beating the elite teams in the AFC in the playoffs.

Key Contributing Stat

Rush Avg Yds/G Record
SD Chargers (2006) 4.9 161.1 14-2
SD Chargers (2007) 4.2 127.4 11-5
SD Chargers (2008) 4.1 107.9 8-8

Why San Diego Does Not Need an Upgrade at RB

The reason for not upgrading the position is hope. Hope that Darren Sproles' performance in the playoffs against the Colts is something he can do regularly if he's given more carries.

Hope that LaDainian Tomlinson returns to his Pro Bowl form with an improved, healthier line and less carries. Hope that Jacob Hester can grow as an elite FB to become a Lorenzo Neal-type blocker.

And hope that Marcus McNeil returns to Pro Bowl form and becomes unmovable on the left side of the line again. Two premiere RB’s, Chris “Beanie” Wells and Knowshon Moreno, are projected to be available when the Bolts are on the Clock.

The argument for Chris “Beanie” Wells

Wells not only has terrific potential as an NFL running back, but the Chargers' current backfield situation would be an ideal fit. Although Tomlinson and Sproles are both talented, using their speed, quickness and hands to create opportunities in the open field, the one piece that's missing is a power back.

Chris Wells has the size, speed (4.59 40 at the combine), strength (25 bench press reps) and a great desire and patience to find the hole before exploding through it. Splitting carries between him and LT would go a long way towards making the run game more dynamic, balanced and capable of keeping the lead in the fourth quarter.

The argument against Wells

Chris Wells has been described as "college fast", meaning he can turn corners and break away long runs in college but NFL scouts suspect he'll struggle to do the same in the NFL. In addition, rather than trying to outmaneuver, Wells has been known as trying to run over defenders which will not fare well in on Sunday.

The argument for Knowshon Moreno

Moreno is the epitome of an every down back. If the RB situation truly diminishes in similar fashion as it did last year, the Bolts would be equipped with a three-headed monster including a durable, versatile Moreno.

The argument against Moreno

Some draft experts have the explosive UConn RB Donald Brown rated nearly as high and Brown isn’t expected to have his name called until the second round. This could mean the Chargers trading down and attaining virtually the same back while also getting some extra picks to work with.

Same Position, Same Team, Same First Round

Undoubtedly the biggest headline of the draft is the overload of talent Southern California features at the linebacker position. Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, and Rey Maualuga are set to make history with three players at the same position from the same program being drafted in the first round.

There is talk about whether the inside linebacker position is an upgrade or a need for San Diego. With Cushing projected to be off the board by the time the Bolts are on deck, the ferocious Maualuga makes a whole lot of sense.

Why the Chargers Need an Upgrade at LB

The Chargers are set on the outside with Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. Add in your prototypical “Mike” LB in Maualuga, to complement Steven Cooper in that 3-4 scheme.

Yikes! Defenses are going to have to pass all over the Chargers, because they sure won’t be productive in the run game.

The argument for Rey Maualuga

The three-year starter was called by the USC coaching staff the most "menacing player" of the Pete Carroll era. By the time he finished playing for USC, Maualuga was the most decorated linebacker to wear a Trojans uniform since Junior Seau roamed the fields for Southern California in the late 1980s.

In each of his three seasons as a starter, Maualuga garnered All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference recognition.

Junior Seau is undoubtedly the most stoic figure in recent Chargers history. Why not rekindle some of those same experiences?

Key contributing stat

Consider this:

During his freshman season as a reserve, the Trojans ranked 31st in the nation in rush defense (130.54 ypg), 48th in total defense (360.92 ypg) and 35th in scoring defense (22.85 ppg).

In Maualuga's first year as a starter, Southern California improved to ninth in the nation vs. the run (91.08 ypg), 20th in total defense (295.85 ypg) and 11th in scoring defense (15.15 ppg).

As a junior, USC continued to move up the national charts, finishing fourth vs. the run (84.15 ypg), second in total defense (273.15 ypg) and second in scoring defense (16.0 ppg) in 2007.

In his final season, the Trojans allowed just 87.38 yards per game on the ground (fifth in the NCAA), ranking second in the country in total defense (221.77 ypg) while leading the major colleges in scoring defense (9.0 ppg).

The argument against Maualuga

Nursing a tender right hamstring, Maualuga ran a sluggish 4.91 second 40 in the first combine in Indianapolis—something scouts have alluded to as durability issues with the wear-and-tear of Sunday.

With the Wonderlic woes, Maualuga needed to reassure scouts on USC Pro-Day, or the Oscars of college football. And he did so tearing off an estimated 4.59-4.71 40.

Apart from durability issues, Maualuga tends to let his aggressiveness get the best of him, taking himself out of plays and constantly looking for the "knock out" punch. He does not possess the "fluid hips" scouts love and is likely struggle in pass coverages with speedy receivers.

When It’s All Said And Done

San Diego and A.J. Smith have a unique position in this draft. They cannot go wrong with any of the three players outlined.

Unless a Tyson Jackson or an Aaron Maybin happen to miraculously fall, or the Bolts decided to trade down for UConn’s Brown, I see Wells, Moreno, or Maualuga getting their name called with the 16th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Who's This Year's X-Factor? 2009 NBA Playoffs: First Round

Darren Feeney — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:07:56 -0400

Each year and in every playoff series there is an X-factor. Certain players step-up and serve as a catalyst, equipped with talent and tools necessary for team success. In the NBA, there is a difference between basketball and "playoff" basketball, and therein lies it's beauty. It's the behind-the-scene, dirty work, and blue efforts that translate into team success. Here are some vital players holding the keys to their team's sucess this time around in an effort to get out of the first round.

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Sir King James: I Now Bestow Upon You, 2008-2009 MVP

Darren Feeney — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:54:43 -0400

We gather here at the eve which marks the closure of the regular season crusade.

In the intervening time, we ought all bow in the presence of greatness, for we were bystanders and onlookers to a magnitude of enormity.

Sir King James: You thy most dominant force of thy season by whichever measure—individual statistics, team success and thy way in which those two intertwined.

Thy which imposed more will than any other player in all facets of the game — half court offense, half court defense and transition.

For there will be no theft, no wrong doing Sir James, as I now bequeath you, the 2008-2009 Most Valuable Player award.

Medieval syntax aside, it would be a downright fraud if LeBron didn’t bring the hardware back home to Cleveland.

Still, it’s an argument that never ends. An argument based on hypothetical’s.

NBA analysts incessantly mull over the meaning of the award by offering whatever spin they can on the meaning of the word "valuable”.

How do we know how good Cleveland would be without LeBron as compared to, say, how good the Hornets would be without Chris Paul, the Magic would be without Dwight Howard, or the Bulls would be without Derrick Rose?

This year, however, King James saved the voting panel of sportswriters and broadcasters across the nation a surplus of brain cells.

The best player on the best team with a league best (66-16) record—case in point—that would directly correlate to the best individual player award, case closed.

But what we saw from James was an ability to dominate. And with that supremacy, what directly followed was team success.

The true mark of a most valuable player.

Of the five most likely candidates after James, in order, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard, no team shared more success than the Cavaliers when their superstar went off.

Consider the team records:

Player                                     Team                                  40-PTS    Triple-Double
LeBron James                        Cleveland Cavaliers              8-1                 7-0
Dwyane Wade                       Miami Heat                            9-4             0-0
Kobe Bryant                          Los Angeles Lakers                2-2             1-1
Chris Paul                              New Orleans Hornets             0-2             6-0
Dwight Howard                     Orlando Magic                        1-0                 1-0

In addition, King James became the first top-three scorer in NBA history to crack the top 25 in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks:

28.4 ppg (second), 7.2 apg (ninth), 7.6 rpg (25th), 1.69 steals (seventh), 1.15 blocks (23rd).

Since Feb. 1, he's averaging an outlandish 29-8-8 and was in the neighborhood of the exclusive 50-40-80 Club in percentages (49 percent FG, 34 percent 3FG, 78 percent FT)

Not to mention—for what its worth—the way King James has stamped his personality on everyone around him. From his preposterous 60 minutes display to his epic pregame baby powder toss, James also coordinates team pregame intros, including the team snapshot and the campfire, while trading countless chest bumps on the way to huddles and laughing like recess on the sidelines.

Yes, for the first time—rest assured it won’t be the last—Sir James is King.

Crown him.

So Far, So Good as the San Diego Padres Earn Their Stripes

Darren Feeney — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:36:51 -0400

Simply put, it was a tragic opening week for baseball fans.

The baseball world was shocked and rattled by the tragic death of 22-year-old Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. After tossing six scoreless innings in his 2009 season debut, Adenhart and three others were struck by a drunk driver early last Thursday morning with the Angels righty and two others being killed.

Then followed the subsequent losses of both the inimitable voice of the Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas and the once-wondrous, always eccentric pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

Emerging through the clouds of sorrow is the surprising feel-good story in the first week of the big league season that is the 6-2, National League West-leading San Diego Padres.

Yes, you read that right. The San Diego Padres are in first place.

One can't help but feel a bit fuzzy within, knowing that the New York Yankees' payroll more than triples that of the Friars.

Sure, the statistics have the Padres in the bottom portion of the league in batting average (.238), on-base percentage (.330), and OPS (.749), but the Friars are actually in the top half in runs scored (36) and slugging percentage (.419).

On the flip side, the Padres pitching has been superb, posting a third-best team ERA (2.88) and top third in several categories, including strikeouts (58), hits allowed (60), and opponents batting average (.229)

But who needs statistics when you’re getting tallies in the win column?

The team has reeled off five-straight wins, sweeping the San Francisco Giants, taken a pair from NL West preseason favorite Los Angeles Dodgers, and, after a cross-country flight, spoiled the New York Mets' first game at new Citi Field.

Not bad for a team that was written off by most, including myself, before a pitch was thrown or a sunflower seed shell hit the surface at PETCO Park.

Opening Take: Padres Earn Series Split with Dodgers

Darren Feeney — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:02:57 -0400

If tying a series is like kissing your sister, San Diego is willing to do the dirty deed.

When Jake Peavy failed to get out of the first frame of the season, surrendering a two-out, two-run single to James Loney, Padres fans took a collective sigh.

The Padres when on to drop the game, but rebounded nicely winning two out of the next three and avoided losing an opening series for the first time since 2004.

The Dodgers' relievers defied expectations for the first three games of the series, pitching a combined nine scoreless innings. But leading 3-1 entering the eighth inning, Will Ohman and Cory Wade combined to give up four runs, an precursor that the club's fears about their question-mark-filled bullpen might realize themselves.

Ohman, signed a week before opening day, served up an opposite field home run to Adrian Gonzalez, triggering a three-run rally.

Gonzalez’s older brother, Edgar, hit his first big league triple, into the gap in left-center. Gonzalez then scored the tying run on Nick Hundley’s single, and Hundley scored the go-ahead run when Luis Rodriguez doubled to right-center.

Closer Heath Bell gave up a leadoff triple to Orlando Hudson, in the gap in right-center, then retired Manny Ramirez on a grounder to shortstop. Bell then walked Andre Ethier before getting Russell Martin to hit into a game-ending double play, notching his second save in as many chances.

Clayton Kershaw held the Padres to one run and two hits in five innings while striking out six and walking four.

The Friars were able to keep Manny Ramirez in check, finishing 3-for-17 (.176 avg) and three RBI in four games.

San Diego was just 5-83 when trailing after seven innings last year. With the National League West essentially up for grabs, this was a message sent by the Padres not only to the NL West, but themselves as well.

The Padres host the San Frasisco Giants this weekend in a three game set at PETCO Park. The Friars went 5-13 against the Giants last year.

San Diego matched up against National League Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum in six of those contests, with Lincecum going 3-0 with a 0.62 ERA. The Friars will face Lincecum in the Sunday’s matinee.

San Diego Padres: 2009 Keys To Success

Darren Feeney — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:03:53 -0400

The San Diego Padres open the season having done little to improve a roster that fielded 99 losses last season. With the offseason purchase of the franchise by a group led by former Diamondbacks Chief Executive Officer Jeff Moorad, the Padres are in full-force rebuilding mode.

No Time To Waste

The Padres are the consensus choice to finish in the cellar of the National League West. If the Padres are going to silence their critics early, they are going to have to do so facing one of the toughest schedules in the month of April.

The Padres open the season with a key seven-game homestand against the top-two projected teams in their division, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the much-improved San Francisco Giants.

The Padres then hit the road for a three-game series against a revamped New York Mets squad followed by a four-game set against the reigning World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Facing three top-tier National League teams, the Padres are going to be battle-tested early.

The "Ring" of a New Era

For the better part of 16 years, ninth inning duties in San Diego meant only one thing: the trot of future hall of fame closer Trevor Hoffman from bullpen to mound, while the bells and electric strings of ACDC’s "Hell’s Bells" linger.

From Hell’s Bells to Heath Bell, the Padres hand over the reigns to Bell with two career saves after an unpleasant parting with Hoffman, the all-time saves leader (554.)

After posting career bests in 2007 in both ERA (2.02) and WHIP (0.96,) Bell logged respectable numbers in 2008 (3.58 ERA and 1.21 WHIP) serving as Hoffman’s set-up man.

With ninth inning leads and save opportunities expected to be few and far between, the Padres will need Bell to anchor a bullpen that’s had a dramatic turnover.

With or Without You

San Diego will look to leave behind a tumultuous off-season headlined by the tried and failed attempt to trade ace Jake Peavy. Peavy is owed $11 million for this year, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012.

The Padres are the likely candidate to finish the 2009 campaign in the cellar of the NL West, without or without the services of Peavy. From a logistical standpoint, it would make sense to ship Peavy to a team willing to overpay with young talent while saving $11 million this year.

With rumors of trade talks resurfacing as recent as three weeks ago, it seems a reality that Peavy won’t be a Padre by summers’ end.

With the probability of a wide array of teams in the market for a pitcher of Peavy’s caliber, general manager Kevin Towers should be able to bid and milk Peavy for all he’s worth and more.

In return for Peavy, Towers will be in search for at least three top-tier prospects, most notably some middle-infield talent, along with some young wings to bolster a future starting rotation.

The Blanks Factor

The Padre who had the most impressive spring training campaign this season was Triple-A first baseman Kyle Blanks. Blanks batted .319 with a .415 on-base percentage while also leading the team in home runs (4) and at-bats (69.)

The Padres could most certainly use Blank’s potent stick in their line-up, but Blanks currently has no place to play with All-Star and Gold Glove winner Adrian Gonzalez occupying first base.

Blanks is slatted to start the season playing first base with Triple-A Portland while also taking fly balls in left field before games.

Ready or Not, Here They Come

The Padres will open the season with, in order, Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Walter Silva, Kevin Correia, and Shawn Hill in the starting rotation. Cha Seung Baek, projected to be the No. 3 starter, will begin the season on the disabled list with a strained right forearm.

Cla Meredith will set-up Bell, with Ed Mujica, Arturo Lopez, Edwin Moreno, Duaner Sanchez, and Eulogio De La Cruz holding down the rest of the bullpen duties.

The Padres will keep 13 position players: catchers Nick Hundley and Henry Blanco, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, second basemen David Eckstein and Edgar Gonzalez, shortstops Everth Cabrera and Luis Rodriguez, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielders Brian Giles, Scott Hairston, Chase Headley, Jody Gerut, and Cliff Floyd.

Cabrera, the Rule 5 pick from Colorado, will make the team. He offers speed (something the Padres lack) and gives them an upper-level shortstop who, even if he spends next season in the minor leagues, is still seen as worth keeping on the roster for the season.

Reality Check: Jay Cutler Receives His Wish

Darren Feeney — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:26:03 -0400

Flashback to this time last year and you'll recall another exasperating saga.

At least this one didn’t extend into the summer.

For the first time in loyal sport enthusiast lives’, they were afraid to turn on the ESPN with the likelihood of hearing "Brett Favre."

This year, the "Jay Cutler Sweepstakes" have dominated headlines.

With the biggest move of the off season, the Broncos have granted Cutler’s trade demand, dealing the petulant but talented quarterback and fifth round pick (2009) to Chicago in exchange for QB Kyle Orton, two first round picks (2009, 2010) and third round pick (2009).

It’s been a busy off-season for the Broncos with 12 offseason acquisitions and now two more draft picks to work with. In the span of two months, the Broncos have cut ties with their franchise quarterback and longtime head coach Head Coach Mike Shanahan.

The Chicago Bears outbid the Cleveland Browns, Buccaneers, Jets, Washington Redskins a nd several other teams as Cutler becomes the 22nd starting quarterback for the Bears since 1990. Chicago is still searching for a solution since Jim McMahon led the “Super Bowl Shuffle” in 1984.

Cutler arrives in Chicago without a clear number-one option at wide receiver while leaving behind an arsenal of offensive weapons, most notably pro-bowl WR Brandon Marshall and youthful targets WR Eddie Royal and TE Tony Scheffler.

Cutler is now projected to line up alongside WR Rashied Davis and WR Earl Bennett, who finished with a combined two touchdowns last season.

For Denver, they are now able to turn a new leaf with first year head coach Josh McDaniels who signed a four-year, $8 million contract in January.

The Chicago swap features a surplus of draft picks and a sturdy quarterback with Kyle Orton. Orton was 21-12 as a starter in his three seasons with the Bears including a 9-6 mark in 2008. Cutler is 17-20, never made the playoffs and has never had a winning season.

Accordingly, the Bears trade away Orton and three draft picks for an upgrade at the quarterback position.

Chicago fans: your team just got fleeced.

What about the offensive line? Sure, the recent signing of seven time Pro-Bowler OT Orlando Pace will help—for now.

How about the receivers? Cutler definitely needs an reliable option in addition to TE Greg Olsen. The fact that the Bears defense played its worst football in nearly a decade doesn’t help matters.

The Bears traded away their first round for a couple of years for a guy who throws a solid ball and can’t play .500 football in the AFC West.

The most prominent figure in the franchise, six-time pro bowl LB Brian Urlacher, did not exactly give Cutler a ringing endorsement: "I guess we got better as a team," Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune.

The Chicago front office must know Cutler can shuffle.

Trevor Hoffman Is Wise: Heath Bell Pitches to a Different Tune

Darren Feeney — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:52:38 -0400

Look at that devious smile.

Trevor Hoffman had the key, but has thrown it away.

It is almost as if he thought the people of San Diego would not remember him. Somewhere along on the line, Hoffman thought ahead.

For the better part of 16 years, ninth inning duties in San Diego meant only one thing: the trot of Trevor from bullpen to mound, while the bells and electric strings of ACDC’s ‘Hell’s Bells’ linger; serving as one of the most coveted introductions in all of sports.

The tune has changed.

It’s Heath Bell’s time now.

But Hoffman, he outsmarted us all.

Bell should be upset. If only he would have foreseen the opportunity. A trademark that would have sent a marketing group bananas.

Heath’s Bells...Hell’s Bells...are you kidding me?

Oh well, it really is a dog eat dog world.

The Padres sent Trevor packing, while all along he knows he had marketing catalyst that would send the Padres organization over the top.

Nonetheless, from Hell’s Bells to “Blow Me Away”, by the group Breaking Benjamin it is.

If only baseball was played in December.

Then Bell could come out to 'Jingle Bells'...or maybe not.

2009 Los Angeles Dodgers Outlook

Darren Feeney — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:25:59 -0400

Farewell

P Derek Lowe, P Brad Penny, P Takashi Saito, 2B Jeff Kent (retired), IF Nomar Garciaparra, P Joe Beimel, OF Andruw Jones, P Scott Proctor, SS Ivan DeJesus Jr.

Welcome

2B Orlando Hudson, P Randy Wolf, P Claudio Vargas, IF Mark Loretta, P Guillermo Mota, C Brad Ausmus, P Shawn Estes, P Eric Milton, P Jeff Weaver

Projected Lineup

1 Rafael Furcal SS

2 Matt Kemp CF

3 Russell Martin C

4 Manny Ramirez LF

5 James Loney 1B

6 Andre Ethier RF

7 Casey Blake 3B

8 Orlando Hudson 2B

Projected Starting Rotation

1 - Chad Billingsley
2 - Hiroki Kuroda
3 - Clayton Kershaw

4 - Randy Wolf
5 - Claudio Vargas

Setup: Hong-Chih Kuo

Closer: Jonathan Broxton

Prospect Watch: P James McDonald - Back to back Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. With past-their-prime veterans holding down the back of the rotation, McDonald could seize the fifth spot or find his way into the setup role by seasons’ end.

Bottom Line: It was a long and onerous task, but the Dodgers have reclaimed their meal ticket by re-signing the inimitable Manny Ramirez. "Mannywood" is back and in Dodger Blue for his first full season after carrying the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series.

An above average offense—likely the best in the National League—with speed and power, the only real question marks reside in the pitching staff. Can Chad Billingsley establish himself as an ace of a pitching staff? Will Clayton Kershaw live up to high expectations? How will Jonathan Broxton handle the role of closer now that the duties are all his?

Even if a few of these questions don’t go as planned, Los Angeles has a winner—and will likely find a way to do just that—with Joe Torre as Commander in Chief.

Fearless Forecast: A great mix of youth and experience to go along with a manager out to prove his success was not the result of an obscene payroll. Expect Los Angeles to put together back-to-back National League West titles.

91-71 (First NL WEST)

Catch-Up Time: Q&A with NFL Draft Prospect Rey Maualuga

Darren Feeney — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:03:01 -0400

For Rey Maualuga, it’s been quite a journey. A voyage that has never allowed the 6-foot-2, 249-pound physical specimen to remain stagnant in one city.

Yet, from high-school All-American to Rose Bowl defensive MVP, to being named the 2008 winner of the Chuck Bednarick award for top defensive player in the nation, Maualuga has excelled at every level while overcoming every obstacle he’s faced.

Look beyond the Polynesian warrior-style hair and elaborate tattoos, and you’ll discover a kind-spirited individual—until he hits that football field, that is.

Darren Feeney: Rey, you’ve been getting ready for the NFL Draft here in just less than a month. Tell us what a typical day in the life of Rey has been like lately?

Rey Maualuga: I’ve been preparing for the scouting combines ever since the Rose Bowl game and Senior Bowl ended and now I’m just preparing for Pro Day here at USC on April 1.

I wake up at 7 a.m. every day, have my meals prepared for me and then head over to a performance institute and work on combine-specific drills.

I injured my hamstring in Indianapolis in the first combine, so I have physical therapy for an hour and a half every day and also get a massage twice a week.

DF: We saw you pull up a bit gingerly during the 40-yard dash, how is the hamstring feeling?

Maualuga: It’s feeling good. Two weeks prior to the combine I was trying to do too much, thinking that nothing was going to happen and I went out there, did some sprints and just figured it was going to hold up. But during the 40, I felt a pop.

I think it was a blessing in disguise, because it cooled me down a little bit. I’m working harder now, not that if it didn’t happen I wouldn’t be, but my legs are getting stronger and I’m getting the mental side of things right.

DF: Do you think the injury will have a significant impact on your draft stock?

Maualuga: I really don’t. If it does, then I’ll let it be. But true draft stock doesn’t really matter unless you’re in the top 10. The person drafted in the sixth round could be playing more than you. It all depends on taking care of business.

The main difference between a first-round player and a sixth is the money portion of it. But other than that, the first order of business is to get drafted and the second thing is to go out and perform.

DF: Throughout your career, you’ve had to make transitions. The first of which was a transition from one of the top high school programs in the nation, St. Bonaventure, just north of Los Angeles, to small town Eureka High School. How difficult of a transition what that for you?

Maualuga: It was a very big transition. At St. Bonaventure, they produced more college athletes and I had better chance of gaining a scholarship.

But then my dad got the calling from God to move up to Eureka. I was pissed. My dad, mom and brother all moved up North and I stayed with my coach. But then came spring break and my dad told me you’re going to move up here and we’re going to come down and pick up your clothes and stuff.

Coming to Eureka was a totally different transition. Going from city life and big buildings to a town with a small population—it was just crazy—I felt like I was in a movie or something.

DF: Watching you play in high school, it really was a man competing against boys out there. Apart from playing middle linebacker they had you returning kicks, lining up in the backfield and taking handoffs.

How significant of a transition was it for you going from the Big 5 league at Eureka High School to the Pac-10 Conference at USC?

Maualuga: To me, my body was beyond most guys that played in the Big 5 league. I was probably bigger than most offensive lineman. I didn’t really learn the position of linebacker until I got to college.

The Eureka High Rey Maualuga, I don’t want to sound cocky because that’s not me, but the only reason I stood out was because of my size and how much bigger I was than everyone else and was able to overpower.

I’m not saying I wasn’t good but it was basically line up and go after the guy with the football. And then I came to college, and I’m like, oh crap!

There’s dudes that are 6-foot-6, 320 pounds. Coach always said football is 10 percent physical, 90 percent mental. It was different and I had to get used to the mental side of it and ask myself, “Do I really want to play football?”

Because when you’re out here, you really are asking yourself that question. Camp is hard, bumps and bruises all over, dehydrating yourself in practice, it was really a big step for me. Coming to USC, I had to start from square one and learn the position from the bottom to the top.

DF: You were a highly targeted recruit coming out of high school: stacks of letters from every college in the nation delivered to you daily after lunch, Pete Carroll personally flying up to see you.

At what point did you realize that the dream of going on to play in college and ultimately at the professional level was a reality?

Maualuga: I would say my junior year.

DF: And that was the year of the undefeated section championship?

Maualuga: Right. You know, junior year I started getting some Internet love and had reporters calling me. So I’m thinking, okay, these guys are calling me, I think I have a shot.

Then letters started popping up from different colleges and I’m thinking, okay, I think I’m on to something, I can keep it going. The year LSU won the national championship was the same as my senior year. LSU was my first scholarship offer.

DF: Was Southern California always the place you desired to go, was it always your frontrunner?

Maualuga: Sort of. I really wanted to be close to home. Being that my dad was sick, I wanted to be close to home and have him make it to a couple games and whatnot.

Oregon showed me most love, a little nod over USC. I thought that’s where I wanted to go. But when signing day, came I gave the opportunity to my dad to choose where I was going to go, because I really didn’t care.

It was up to him and that’s where he chose, and look at what happened. My greatest moments and greatest times of my life happened right here at USC.

DF: Anyone who has followed you knows that every time you hit the field, you’re not out there playing just for yourself—you’re out there playing with an insurmountable amount of motivation for the passing of your father, evidenced by the word ‘DAD’ on your eye black every game.

Touch on what kind of an emotional yet motivating toll the passing of your father had?

Maualuga: It sucked, you know, because when you’re in Eureka, there’s all of those talks where people come and talk about their parents who have passed and you just kind of sit there not paying attention because it’s not going to happen to ourselves or our family members.

Then boom, something strikes you and it makes you realize anything can happen to you at any time. My dad was a big reason why I started to play football and he never got an opportunity to see a game.

My first game was at Hawaii and the day before we played my dad underwent surgery. He had a tumor in his brain. Since then, my dad was never the same, lost 150 pounds, he knew who we were but didn’t know what was going on anymore.

So technically, he didn’t know football. He didn’t tell me he was going to have surgery.

DF: He didn’t?

Maualuga: No, I didn’t know he had surgery the day before the game. I called them after the game and said, “Hey, did you see me on the sidelines?” And they said, “ No, Rey, were at the hospital, dad underwent surgery.”

Wow. So basically I didn’t talk to my dad before he underwent surgery and I think I have had a grudge this whole time because I didn’t get to hear him talk.

So that’s why I have ‘Dad’ under my eye black, because he saw every Pop Warner game, every high school game, but not one college game.

DF: I’m sure he’s more than proud up there watching your success.

Maualuga: The best seat in the house!

DF: There’s all the talk about who’s going to land the big hitter up the middle from Southern Cal, where does Rey Maualuga want to play?

Maualuga: To be real, it really doesn’t matter and I’ve been telling people that. I just want to strap a helmet on, give me some pads, and I’ll play wherever. An ideal place? I don’t know. My mom is the one person I care most about and want to see happy, so I want to play close to home.

DF: You can call me biased down here in San Diego, but the Chargers, sunny San Diego…

Maualuga: Hey, I wouldn’t mind playing in San Diego.

DF: Close enough to home, I imagine?

Maualuga: Perfect enough for me.

San Diego Padres 2009 Outlook

Darren Feeney — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:34:40 -0400

Farewell: SS Khalil Greene, P Clay Hensley, P Trevor Hoffman

Welcome: C Henry Blanco, P Chris Britton, OF Emil Brown, 2B Chris Burke, P Kevin Correia, 2B David Eckstein, OF Cliff Floyd, SP Shaun Hill

Projected Lineup:

1. Jody Gerut CF

2. Brian Giles RF

3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B

4. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B

5. Chase Headley LF

6. David Eckstein 2B

7. Luis O. Rodriguez SS

8. Nick Hundley C

Starting Rotation: Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Cha Seung Baek, Kevin Correia, Josh Geer/Shawn Hill/Wade LeBlanc

Setup: Cla Meredith

Closer: Heath Bell

Prospect Watch:

2B: Matt Antonelli- A big disappointment last season but a wide open 2B hole in the bigs

1B: Kyle Blanks-Big time slugger but couldn't be at a worse position behind Gonzalez

RH SP: Wynn Petzer-Emerging prospect, could get the call up by end of season

Bottom Line: San Diego, as we have come to know it, is a beautiful city. A city with an magnificent layout, perfect weather, and a state-of-the-art ballpark strategically nestled in the heart of downtown.

Is there ever a city more deserving of an above average baseball team? I’ll let you be the judge and subside my personal bias. Nonetheless, after back-to-back National League West titles, the Friars turned in a torrid 2008 campaign. Unfortunately, the 2009 forecast calls for an all too familiar result as the Friars have done little to bring light to an already dim 40-man roster.

Yet, generally speaking, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The reign of terror that was the elongated tenure of CEO John Moores has come to an end. But former Arizona Diamondbacks CEO, who has taken over the Friars helm, has a tall task ahead of him.

The first of which, is to find a way to keep the two integral parts of the 40-man roster, ace Jake Peavy and slugger Adrian Gonzalez, in San Diego white and blue—and camouflage on Sundays—by the time July comes.

Fearless Forecast: After a dreadful 2008, you would like to think things can only go up. Not with the mess Moores left.

66-98 (5^thNL WEST)

Toreros-Lions: San Diego Receives Halftime Message, Rallies To Beat LMU

Darren Feeney — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:46:08 -0500

The University of San Diego Toreros ran into the locker room at halftime, trailing 31-28, expecting a somewhat typical but assertive lecture from head coach Bill Grier. But Grier allowed an individual to precede him in an effort to corral his troops.

One can call it a “pep talk,” as did senior Geno Pomare. Or you can label it a “rear-end chewing” in the same way as Grier saw it. Either way, the halftime discourse of injured point guard Brandon Johnson had its impact as play resumed in the second half.

Playing with greater intensity and resolve, San Diego (16-15) held Loyola Marymount (3-27) to 10 points for the first 16 minutes of the second half, went ahead by as many as 11 points, and prevailed 62-56 at the Orleans Arena in the opener of the West Coast Conference Tournament.

As play transpired in the first half, shades of a Feb. 12 loss in Los Angeles—the Lions' first conference win—seemed to be reappearing.

“We were sloppy (11 turnovers), not aggressive, and the effort wasn't there,” Grier said of last night's first 20 minutes.

San Diego also failed to contain freshman Kevin Young, exploding for 16 first half points, including four dunks.

“We knew we weren't playing hard enough, and after (Johnson) talked to us, we came out with a little more fire,” Pomare said.

6'11" center Roberto Mafra, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half, made his first start alongside the 6'11" Pomare (14 points, 8 rebounds). Both were integral parts of limiting Young to just four points in the second half.

“I've been telling the team, this time of year it's not about how pretty you play, it's all about advancing,” Grier said. “Because you lose and you're done.”

The Toreros advance to today's quarterfinals and a 6:00 pm matchup with Santa Clara. The teams split the regular season meetings with each winning on the other's home court.

San Diego Toreros Show Life With Win Vs. Portland; Gonzaga Just Too Much

Darren Feeney — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:10:26 -0500

The last time Gonzaga stepped foot inside Jenny Craig Pavilion, they exited amid a flurry of court-rushing Torero faithful in last years’ thrilling West Coast Conference championship.

The Bulldogs returned hungry Saturday in seek of an unprecedented third 14-0 West Coast Conference title.

Fresh off avenging an earlier loss with a 66-60 victory over Portland Thursday, San Diego traded shots with No. 17 Gonzaga early on, but Torero fans were held in their seats this time around as the Bulldogs proved to be too deep and too much in a 58-47 defeat.

A USD victory or a Portland win at Santa Clara would have secured the No. 4 seed and first round bye in the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas this weekend. But Santa Clara slipped past Portland 65-63 in overtime, setting up a Friday night match-up for the Toreros against Loyola Marymount (3-27, 2-12 WCC).

The Zags—who clinched the No. 1 tournament seed and a bye into the semifinal round with a victory at LMU Feb 19—completed their third sweep of the WCC in the past six seasons.

With momentum building and a 15-10 advantage midway through the first half for San Diego (15-15, 6-8 WCC), the pendulum quickly swung once Jeremy Pargo, the 2008 WCC Player of the Year, converted two consecutive steals at half court into buckets at the other end. The thefts led to a 10-0 run for the Zags from which the Toreros would never recover.

“That’s a dang good team,” San Diego coach Bill Grier said. “You have to play darn near perfect to beat them.”

Grier would know after serving as an assistant coach at Gonzaga for 16 years, including the final eight seasons as a top assistant, before taking over the Toreros' job last season.

The Zags (23-5, 14-0 WCC) held USD to 18 points in the first half and the Toreros' shooting percentages for the game were 37.2 overall (16-for-43), 31.3 from three-point range (5-for-16) and 66.7 (10-for-15) from the free-throw line

“There’s a reason why they are the No. 1 defensive field-goal-percentage team in the country,” Grier said. “They are so long and when they start switching we can’t get clean looks making it very tough to score.”

“A big point in that game,” Grier said, “was when Pargo got back-to-back steals. It really changed the momentum and we just weren’t able to steer the ship back in our direction offensively.”

The USD faithful gave their farewell to Gyno Pomare, the all-time leader in points and rebounds, with a standing ovation as he exited the floor before the end of regulation for the last time.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario other than winning,” Pomare said of his last home game. “I’ve spent a lot of years here at USD, I’m going to miss it.”

Pomare and junior guard De’Jon Jackson, the only Toreros in double figures, had 12 points apiece. Four Zags reached double figures, led by junior guard Matt Bouldins’ 15.

Jackson, who also had six rebounds and five assists, continues to shoulder the load for San Diego in the absence of guards Brandon Johnson (injury) and Trumaine Johnson (transfer).

“We stayed close to them until they got a couple of turnovers and got on a roll,” Jackson said. “Usually Gonzaga scores into the 70s, but we held them to 58, so I think if we knock down shots and don't make turnovers that give them dunks and layups, we've got a chance to beat them.”

It would take two WCC tournament wins for USD to get another shot at Gonzaga. But it was not a lost week for the Toreros, by any means, as Thursday’s victory over second place Portland (18-11, 9-5 WCC) gives them considerable momentum as they head to Las Vegas.

Jackson, who made the move over to the point guard spot just four games ago, turned in another solid effort, tossing in 13 points to along with a game-high six assists and only one turnover in 35 minutes of action.

Jackson also completed the task of limiting Pilots point guard T.J. Campbell, averaging 11.4 points and 5 assists, to six points and three assists.

“Coach told me this is my time to take over the team. This is a big part of my life, I live for it and I'm enjoying it,” Jackson said.

“I'm real comfortable right now handling the ball and finding my teammates when they get open. That's what me and Coach have been talking about a lot – taking care of the ball and playing as a team.”

Playing one of its more efficient halves of the season, USD opened as much as a 12-point lead in the first 12 minutes of the game and went to the halftime break with a 31-24 advantage.

Sophomore guard Matt Dorr led the Toreros in scoring with 17 points and provided the necessary perimeter shooting to keep the Pilots defense honest. Dorr hit his first three shots, two of them three-pointers, as USD built its first-half cushion.

Another Dorr three-pointer and his 6-for-6 shooting from the free throw line in the second half helped turn back Portland after the Pilots (18-10, 9-4) had tied things up in the first six minutes of the second half.

“Starting with the way we played in our loss to St. Mary’s (65-61), we have taken a more mature approach which has built some confidence and it has shown in our past few games as we head to Las Vegas,” Grier said.

San Diego now faces the gauntly task of winning four games in four nights in the conference tournament to successfully defend their WCC Tournament title.

Entering tournament play last season, the Toreros were not given a fighting chance. Yet, they find themselves in familiar territory again this year.

“Everyone in our locker room wants to play right now but we have to wait,” Jackson said. “We all still want to take the conference tournament and everybody’s’ still believing.”

San Diego Toreros End Four Game Skid vs Pacific in BracketBusters

Darren Feeney — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:45:48 -0500

Can history repeat itself for the San Diego Toreros?

Only time will tell.

San Diego (14-14, 5-7 WCC) took their first step in duplicating last year's run to the NCAA Tournament, bouncing back from Thursday’s 65-61 loss at Saint Mary’s with an ESPNU BracketBusters victory over the University of Pacific (14-11) 66-60.

The Toreros caught fire from beyond the three-point arc and ended a four-game losing streak by outrebounding an opponent for the first time since Jan. 17, a stretch of eight games that produced seven losses.

Led by sophomore guard Devin Ginty, the Toreros hit 9-of-15 three-pointers. Ginty went 4-for-5 from behind the arc, converting his first four, with a season-high 12 points.

“It was great to see us finally step up,” Ginty said of the perimeter shooting. “It has been frustrating the last few games. I know myself and the other guys have been getting in the gym every day and working hard on our (three-point) strokes, but the shots haven't been falling.

"It’s a bit of a relief when shots start to fall, and I thought we played very well as a team tonight.”

Six first-half Toreros’ three-pointers led San Diego to a 34-24 advantage at halftime. The Tigers crept back to within one point with 9:53 remaining, but two more Ginty three-pointers expanded the 44-43 lead to 52-45, and San Diego never looked back.

“It was great to see our guys step up with some confidence and knock them down,” said USD Coach Bill Grier. “They were the same shots we've had in a lot of games that haven't been falling.”

Gyno Pomare scored a game-high 16 points; De'Jon Jackson added 14 and Matt Dorr (11 points, 2-for-2 on three-pointers) also hit double figures in scoring.

After sitting out the first 12 games of the season for a violation of team rules, the Toreros were without the services of Trumaine Johnson, suspended indefinitely for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Johnson, averaging 11.6 points, was held out of practice all week, did not travel to St. Mary’s Thursday, and was absent on the USD bench Saturday.

One player that did make the trip to Moraga to take on St. Mary’s (22-5, 8-4 WCC) was Geno Pomare, evidently up for the head-to-head challenge with Gaels’ 6-foot-11 center Omar Samhan.

Pomare finished with a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds, but Samhan’s 20 points and 10 rebounds propelled the Gales’ to a 65-61 victory.

San Diego trailed by as many as nine in the second half but climbed within two with 25 seconds remaining after a Chris Lewis three-pointer. But Mickey McConnell hit both free-throws to put Saint Mary’s up by four.

The Toreros now face their toughest stretch of the season, squaring off against the top two teams in the West Coast Conference, Portland and Gonzaga.

“We need to do everything we can, battle and compete, to win these next two games so we have some momentum heading into the conference tournament,” said Grier.

San Diego, currently tied for fifth place with Pepperdine in the WCC, is one game back of Santa Clara for the coveted fourth place finish. A top-four finish would give the Toreros a first-round bye in the WCC tournament, March 6-9 in Las Vegas.

“I'm always optimistic (about his team's chances),” Grier said. “But I'm also realistic that this is the toughest stretch of the league that we've got coming up right now.”

San Diego-St. Mary's: Toreros Try To Shed Positive Light on Dim Season

Darren Feeney — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:21:40 -0500

Flashback to this time last year.

The San Diego Toreros currently find themselves in familiar territory.

After a 54-61 loss at St. Mary's, San Diego put together six straight wins, including a victory over No. 22 ranked Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference championship and first round upset special in the first round of the NCAA Tournament over fourth-seeded Connecticut.

What is keeping the Toreros from making a similar run this year?

The fact that since early December, their floor general, senior point guard Brandon Johnson, has been doing pregame rehab instead of pregame warm-ups.

In his self proclaimed "low point" in his two years at the helm at USD, head coach Bill Grier saw not only his leader, but possibly their season, slip away when Johnson tore his right Achilles against crosstown rival San Diego State.

To only complicate matters, his replacement, sophomore Trumaine Johnson has been in and out of suspension all season long.

After sitting out the first 12 games of the season due to a violation of team rules, the Toreros again will be without the services of Johnson, suspended for Thursday's match-up at Saint Mary's for a similar violation as San Diego looks to rebound having dropped six out of seven WCC contests.

The only attainable goal at this point for the Toreros is a top-four finish in conference play, earning a first-round bye, but face the undoubtedly tall task of replicating last years' run to the NCAA Tournament.

Pittsburgh-Connecticut: Panthers Send Huskies a "Big" East Wake-Up Call

Darren Feeney — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:42:26 -0500

DeJuan Blair wanted to send Hasheem Thabeet and No. 1 Connecticut (24-2, 12-2) a message early on: He has a lot of things—size, strength, agility, offensive skill, and a very physical style of play.

One thing he doesn't have?

Extremely long arms.

He nearly took one of Thabeet's in his best Brock Lesnar impersonation.

In a grown-man rebound, Blair flipped over a reaching-in Thabeet 3:15 into the game, sending the seven-foot center crashing as the UConn faithful's hearts skipped a beat.

Thabeet would return shortly, but Blair's 22 points and 23 rebounds powered No. 4 Pittsburgh (24-2, 11-2) to a 76-68 victory Monday night, the Panthers' first victory over a top-ranked team.

Coming off a 25-point, 20-rebound, nine-block effort against Seton Hall, Thabeet finished with five points on 1-for-5 shooting and had four rebounds and two blocks. Blair, along with Sam Young (25 points), were too physical in the frontcourt, eventually fouling out Thabeet in a limited 23 minutes.

A non-factor for nearly 37 minutes, Levance Fields picked an opportune time to score his first points of the evening. Tied 61-61 with 3:09 remaining, Fields drained back-to-back three-pointers and hit four free throws down the stretch.

A.J. Price had 18 points for the Huskies, playing their second game without guard Jerome Dyson. Dyson, averaging 13.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee on Monday and will miss the rest of the season.

San Diego Toreros' Season in Turmoil With Losses at Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount

Darren Feeney — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:35:14 -0500

There is a point in a season—unless the opponent has one win—where a loss can prove to be beneficial. If another defeat follows, dropping six out seven West Coast Conference games—case in point—there certainly is no such thing as a good loss.

The San Diego Toreros (13-13, 5-6 WCC) handed Loyola Marymount (2-24, 1-9 WCC) their first conference win in Los Angeles Thursday (65-57), as the Lions simply outplayed an unfocused San Diego squad. Dating back to last season, it was only the second win in the last 32 contests for the Lions.

“They just played so much harder than we did from the start,” coach Bill Grier said. “I thought our effort over 40 minutes was really poor. I was worried about us coming out with the approach that we did, and I just couldn't shake them out of it.”

San Diego got a 14-point, 11-rebound performance from Rob Jones, his third double-double of the season, including nine of those boards on the offensive end. But sophomore guard Vernon Teel paced the Lions’ offensive attack, tallying 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Teel missed the Jan. 17 contest, which San Diego won 70-59.

“Vernon Teel definitely makes them a different team than they were when we played them in San Diego,” Jones said.

Jones was not opposed to the idea of taking a one-win team lightly.

“We came out thinking we could just cruise, and even though we got the lead a couple of times, we couldn't put them away.”

LMU opened with a 20-11 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, but the Toreros rallied to go ahead 29-28 before heading into halftime trailing 30-29. The Toreros took their only lead of the second half, 38-37, with 15:05 to play behind a Devin Ginty three-pointer.

Offensive production woes continue to plague the Toreros, as they shot just 36.2 percent from the field, including 4-of-21 from three-point range (19 percent) and 11-of-19 from the free throw line (57.9 percent).

Since sixth-place Pepperdine defeated Santa Clara, San Diego remained in a tie for fourth place with the Broncos, as they looked to rebound at Pepperdine (8-18, 5-5 WCC) Saturday. A much-needed victory would keep the Toreros on pace for a top-four finish in the WCC and a first-round bye in the WCC conference tournament.

San Diego came out firing from tip-off, as the Waves were at low tide, and opened up a 19-8 advantage. Guard Danny Brown made the third start of his USD career in place of Trumaine Johnson and provided a big lift during the opening stretch, converting back-to-back three-pointers.

Forward Geno Pomare was magnificent early on, scoring eight points in the opening seven minutes. But Pomare’s picture and last name would be found on the back of a milk carton for the remainder of the game, as Pomare finished with those eight points and got just four minutes of run in the second half. Johnson sat alongside Pomare, tallying just three minutes of court time in the second half.

“I'm going to play guys who are going to play hard and compete,” Grier said. “(Pomare), for whatever reason, hasn't been. He's going to have other opportunities, but he's got to show that he really wants to play hard and be the kind of player that he has been.”

Missed shots and turnovers were the theme for San Diego for the remainder of the first half, as Pepperdine went on a 16-4 run to close heading into the break leading 30-28.

San Diego could not penetrate the swarming Waves’ zone defense and trailed for the majority of the second half. With 2:20 remaining, the Toreros appeared all but through before putting on a stifling full-court press. The press, led by Rob Jones (13 points, seven rebounds), troubled the Waves, as they got the ball past half court just once for the remainder of the game.

Trailing 54-52 with 16 seconds remaining, the Toreros got yet another steal, and with a chance to take the lead, De’Jon Jackson found an open Danny Brown in the corner, who came up long on a three-point attempt.

Freshman guard Keion Bell, who got better as the night went on, turned in a quality effort, leading the Waves with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and four assists.

Returning southbound on Interstate 5 winless was certainly not what San Diego envisioned heading into this road trip. The remainder of conference play toughens for San Diego, as their next three matchups are against the top three WCC teams—St. Mary’s, Portland, and Gonzaga—plus a BracketBuster non-conference matchup against Pacific University (14-9).

San Diego's Free Throw Shooting Costs Toreros a Win, Nearly Two

Darren Feeney — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:26:27 -0500

Despite a disappointing 64-62 loss in overtime to Santa Clara Thursday, San Diego saw their four-game skid come to a halt Saturday, defeating the University of San Francisco 73-63.

The Toreros (12-11, 5-4 WCC) controlled the first half of play against Santa Clara (12-13, 4-4 WCC), as the Broncos had more turnovers (11) than shots (seven) or points (six) with eight minutes remaining. The Toreros had a 19-6 advantage before Santa Clara cut the lead to 25-20 at halftime.

“We did a good job defensively and took advantage of some good opportunities in the first half,” said USD coach Bill Grier. “We looked fatigued in the second half and lost our rhythm defensively, but as bleak as it looked we stayed in it.”

San Diego managed to hold the Broncos’ 6'11", 260-pound senior center John Bryant in check in the first half, limiting the nation's leader in total rebounds (343) to five points and four rebounds. The second half would be an entire different story.

Bryant became a force in the second half, especially after senior forward Geno Pomare was whistled for two quick fouls five minutes in. Bryant finished with 23 points to go along with 20 rebounds and three blocks, marking his nation's-best sixth 20+ rebound game of the season.

San Diego appeared finished after Kevin Foster made it a two-possession game with 41.6 seconds remaining, draining a three-pointer in the left corner on a designed play out of a timeout. Pomare then cut the lead to two on a putback off a Matt Dorr miss with 24.6 seconds remaining.

After James Rahon made the second effort of a double bonus trip, extending the lead to three, Santa Clara fouled to put Trumaine Johnson on the free throw line, a place that would later put a damper on a career night for the sophomore point guard. After Johnson cut the lead to one by making the first but then missing the second attempt, he put back a Pomare miss with two seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.

With his team trailing 63-62, Johnson stepped to the line with 5.7 seconds remaining in overtime having already tied a career high with 22 points. With a chance to take the lead or at least tie the game, Johnson left two attempts short as the Toreros lost their fourth straight West Coast Conference battle.

Johnson was the Toreros’ driving force all evening. Santa Clara struggled to find an answer to stop Johnson, who readily used his quickness to penetrate the Broncos defense and get to the rim.

“I can’t tell you what happened,” Johnson said of the missed free throws. “I wasn’t tired, that’s not why I missed them. I wasn’t rattled, that’s not why I missed them. I’ve just got to work on my stroke. I’ve been in that situation many times.” Johnson finished 4-8 from the free throw line.

Pomare, USD’s all-time leading scorer, finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, giving him 1,600 career points; he remains the program's all-time Division I rebounds leader, now with 829 career boards.

“I give our guys a ton of credit for fighting and battling the way they did, but I feel bad for them,” Grier said after the game. “Our confidence is really shaken badly right now. No question this group can get on a roll if we get our confidence back.”

The Toreros would make strides towards getting that confidence back in their next matchup against the University of San Francisco (9-15, 1-8 WCC).

The Toreros' starting lineup featured two new faces, juniors Chris Lewis and Roberto Mafra, replacing the team's first and third leading scores, Pomare and sophomore Rob Jones, benched for a “violation of team rules,” Grier said.

Pomare and Jones were inserted 3:38 into the game. Pomare finished with 16 points in 18 minutes, while Jones was held scoreless, logging just seven minutes. “I thought Gyno handled it well and Rob didn't,” Grier said. “(Jones) wasn't a very good teammate on the bench tonight.” Grier said the discipline will not go past this game.

Mafra (12 points, five rebounds) provided a big lift for San Diego and was an integral part of the Toreros' 18-2 run midway through the first half. The 6'9" native of Brazil said he was informed only minutes before tip-off that he would be making the fourth start of his USD career.

“It made me a little bit nervous, but I tried to be more confident in myself and just go strong to the boards and play hard,” Mafra said.

Another bright spot in the winning effort for San Diego was sophomore Matt Dorr, the lone Torero to start all 24 games this season. Dorr finished with 13 points and five rebounds, including 3-5 from three-point range.

“Tonight I was trying to focus on taking better shots, and that’s what coach Grier has been telling me,” said Dorr. “We’ve got to shoot the ball well from outside so they have to defend us and we can get the ball to Roberto and Gyno inside. Teams have been fronting them really hard and making it tough to get the ball in there.”

Coach Grier got a combined 33 points from his three-guard rotation of Dorr (13), De’Jon Jackson (11), and Johnson (nine).

“It was good to come out and play with some energy tonight,” stated Grier. “I was really worried about how we were going to be mentally coming off a tough loss to Santa Clara.”

San Diego remained dreadful from the free throw line, converting just 16-32 attempts, including missing seven on their last eight to close the game. Apart from free throw shooting, Grier would also like to see his players improve on the glass: “I would like to see some better rebounding from our guards. I think with Mafra and Gyno being such good rebounders, our guards get caught looking.”

USF got 22 points and 12 rebounds from junior forward Dior Lowhorn, the WCC’s leading scorer with 19.9 ppg.

The Toreros are on the road this week with two WCC matchups. San Diego heads to Loyola Marymount (1-22, 0-7 WCC) Thursday at 7 p.m. and then plays at Pepperdine (5-18, 2-5 WCC) Saturday at 5:30 p.m.