In Reply to: We have played seven games, won five by 30+ points posted by UCLA23OSU10 on November 27, 2024 at 19:47:53
competition for the Bruins when they get into conference play. Oregon will be the first real conference test up there on Dec 8 as they are mature and very good with a 7-0 record. They have a really good 7 footer (Nate Bittle, 7',240 lbs, 14.5 pts 10 rebounds) in the paint and some very good perimeter players including TJ Bamba, Brandon Angel, Jadrian Tracey and a very good PG in Shelstad. All 5 starters score in double figures. Beat a decent SD State team this evening on the road by 10 points.
We just finished watching "unrated" Michigan demolish #22 Xavier (who was undefeated and averaging 82 pts per game) 78 to 53. Michigan rebounds well and plays solid half court pressure man to man defense. Held the high scoring Xavier team to 23 pts the second half. The Michigan 7' talented and physical twin towers (both start) with Golden in the post and Wolf as a perimeter player who can play out there or down low and is an exceptional ball handler for a man his size, will present problems (on both ends of the court) for the Bruins they haven's seen yet.
Tonight, against a decent Xavier defense that has players about the same size and athleticism as the Bruins, Wolf had 20 pts and 14 rebounds and Golden had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Wolf made 4 of 5 threes and Golden 1 of 1. Of course the Bruins defense to date, is rated very high, much better than Xavier's, but it will face challenges in the BIG that it hasn't faced yet. So how good their defense will be against some of bigger, more athletic and generally very good teams they will face in conference play is yet TBD.
We have watched all of Michigan's games since that's my wife's school. They have been improving almost every game and I believe they will be a tough out for most any BIG team. Their 6'3 Jr PG Donaldson (transfer from Auburn) is very good and probably will end up being one of the best in the country by the end of the year. Their 2 guard is also very good (6'5 Jr, R. Gayle, transfer from Ohio State).
I'm looking forward to Jan 7 when Michigan comes to Pauley for their game against the Bruins. From what I've seen of them, they are much better than UNM who took down UCLA but I'm hoping the Bruins can find a way to put up a win against them. If they do, I'll have to be really nice to my wife and maybe take her out to dinner to ease her pain :-)).
One other BIG note, ex Bruin Berke Buyuktucel, now starting for Nebraska, is averaging a little over 10 points and is their leading rebounder at near 7 per game. Tonight in Nebraska's win, he only played 12 minutes because of a minor leg injury he had in the first half. In that 12 minutes, he had 6 points and 6 rebounds. Hated to see him leave the Bruins as now at 6'10, 244 lbs, he is just the type of physical player down low the Bruins are lacking.