Showtime at Staples
They're underway in L.A.
FIGHT ON, TROJANS!!!!! BEAT THE BRUINS!!!!! WIN ME THE BET!!!!!
(I think I'm going to use that bear for every anti-UCLA post from now on. Hahaha.)
UPDATE: USC leads at halftime, 34-29. I'm not too happy, though. Frankly, the margin should be bigger. The Trojans' defense was great, and the Bruins' shooting was cold until the last couple of minutes, yet USC's offense wasn't clicking on all cylinders. From the 16-minute mark to the 9-minute mark of the half, UCLA only scored 4 points (increasing their total from 7 to 11), which would have presented a great opportunity for USC to build a big lead, but they only managed to get up 17-11 during that stretch. I feel like the Bruins have a good run in them sometime in the second half, and I'd like to see the Trojans build up enough of a lead beforehand that they can withstand it.
Also of concern: Hackett and Jefferson each have 2 fouls. Hopefully neither of them picks up a quick third in the second half. You don't want to put your fate in the hands of Pac-10 refs!!
Meanwhile, UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute went down with an ugly-looking injury. Hopefully he's OK and will at least be back for the NCAA Tournament.
UPDATE 2: Aaaaand, while I was in the other room helping Becky with the baby, UCLA opens the second half on a 17-4 run. They're up 46-38 with 14:43 minutes left. Yikes. Oh, and Hackett just got his third foul. And Gibson has 3, too. Crap, crap, crap.
UPDATE 3: Trojans within 5 points with 3:43 to go. Gibson and Jefferson both have 4 fouls. I'm so nervous. I feel like I have such a huge personal stake in the outcome of this game... stupid bets with Mike Tran...
I just really, really hope the Pac-10 refs don't decide this one.
UPDATE 4: UCLA by 3, USC ball, 39 seconds left. My heart is pounding. I swear I'd be less nervous if I had a couple hundred dollars on this game, rather than having my pool's honor riding on it.
UPDATE 5: DAMMIT.
DAMMIT.
DAMMIT.
That was a weird strategy at the end there...
Ugh.
Dammit.
so far so good, come on Trojans keep it up! Buck the Fruins!
Posted by: David K. | Mar 14, 2008 10:04:25 PM
Pretty physical game ...especially since both teams seemed determined to turn it into a three point shooting contest.
I really hope the UCLA player isn't hurt too bad.
Posted by: gahrie | Mar 14, 2008 10:09:45 PM
A possible tornado/straight-line winds has halted play down here in Atlanta at the SEC tourney. Sounds like a bit of damage both to the Georgia Dome and the CNN Center. Out here in suburbia, we're just getting a lot of lightning and had some hail earlier.
Posted by: NDLauren | Mar 14, 2008 10:52:20 PM
OJ MAYOOOOOOO (suxxorz!!!)
Posted by: Marty West | Mar 14, 2008 11:14:39 PM
that was a very lame ending to the game. lousy choice of working for a shot. I mean, Mayo's a nice enough player, but c'mon. A screen or something to get a better look? Maybe with a few more seconds to give a meaningful chance to rebound and try a second one?
Bleh.
Posted by: Jay Johnson | Mar 14, 2008 11:15:38 PM
Seriously.
Posted by: Brendan | Mar 14, 2008 11:17:40 PM
I guess Pete Carroll is beatable.
Wait, what?
Posted by: | Mar 14, 2008 11:17:49 PM
USC really shit the bed.
Posted by: Marty West | Mar 14, 2008 11:21:37 PM
That will teach you to make horribly lopsided bets....
Posted by: David K. | Mar 14, 2008 11:48:57 PM
Yeah, I know. Although it would have been pretty awesome to get that photo of Mike. However, I knew when I made the bet that I had a good chance of losing this one... but I sort of felt like I owed it to Mike, after all the straight-up bets he's made with me on football games where USC was favored by a zillion points, to make a decent basketball bet with him, in a year when UCLA would be favored but USC had a decent shot.
I now feel that I have made up whatever karma I needed to, and will never make such a bad bet again... :)
Posted by: Brendan | Mar 14, 2008 11:58:38 PM
if his UCLA eduhmacation isn't good enough to teach him not to make straight up bets against such astronomical odds, its hardly your place to have to do the same, even if the odds aren't as bad.
Posted by: David K. | Mar 15, 2008 12:18:54 AM
OJ Mayo reminds me of Kobe Bryant. I'm not saying OJ is or ever will be as good as Kobe, but he's freakishly long and athletic for his size, and he has the ability to make some incredible shots and also play shutdown defense. The way he can just pull up and take a long-range jumper with confidence -- even with a defender in his grill -- is impressive. I find myself having the same reactions as watching a Lakers game: "No, why'd you take that horrible shot?!?! Oh, sweeeet!"; "Come on, quit standing around and start creating some offense, ohhhhh nice drive, [Kobe/OJ]!" As OJ gets better and more clutch, the comparison will be even more apt.
Posted by: Andrew | Mar 15, 2008 12:51:47 AM