Walking to Galen I see Harrison Hornery and Zach Brooker entering thru the players and staff entrance. After a rough football weekend in Vegas, I wonder how many fans will come out for this game versus the Oregon State Beavers. A light rain provides another excuse.
The Founder’s Room (FR) is pretty empty, the bar area is quiet. I see Jacque Hill there, but many of the donors are not present (Vegas hangover? in Berkeley for Water Polo?). Even the Galen kitchen and wait staffs aren’t the usual suspects. The flat screens are showing ucla and Oregon at Pauley, the Ducks lead at half. Someone remembers the Water Polo National Championship match between USC and Cal is being televised and we view that until Coach Capko arrives for his second FR appearance of the season.
Capko says the team is improving and was very competitive at the Battle 4 Atlantis and should have had a 2-1 record, maybe better, if not for slanted officiating. We lost to Tennessee in OT and UT was called for only 10 fouls in the whole game (vs. 23 for SC)!. He doubts UT will have that few fouls in any game this season. Wisconsin from the B1G is very physical and in a close win over SC is only whistled for only 7 total fouls! SC was called for twice as many. The implication is with balanced officiating, SC could have won both of those games.
Coach informs us the starting lineup will be the same as last time (someone remarks they don’t know what last time was, because they don’t have Pac-12 Network, others nod in agreement. Capko sympathizes with them and then says that we won’t have to worry about that in a couple of years when we’re in the B1G. That draws smiles from the crowd. The same lineup is Drew, Boogie, Josh, Tre and Kobe with Reese first guard off the bench. Bench scoring has been lacking thus far this season, and Reese is expected to help in that area.
Someone asked who the first big off the bench would be, as Iaroslav came in first against Cal, not Kijani or Harrison. Capko said it would be Iaroslav again.
Before anyone asked, Capko announces that, for the first time, Vince Iwuchukwu is out on the court participating in pre-game warm-ups. He’s still not cleared for full-speed, full-contact practices, but is close. They fully expect Vince to play this season, but when he does he will be way behind, like Iaroslav is now. Iaro is still rounding into game shape after getting to the school later than the rest of his teammates, having a minor injury, getting sick, adapting slowly to school and a new culture, and becoming more proficient in English. He and the coaches and players are now able to better understand each other. Capko says Iaro has good basketball skills and can play. He had good coaching at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. He is learning the American style of play.
Coach was asked about getting Oziyah Sellers more involved by maybe running some plays for him. He responded that in two scrimmages against Fresno State and LMU, Oziyah was able to find his shots without plays designed for him (hit 2 threes and 8 pts against FSU and 5 threes for 15 pts against LMU). It wasn’t clear whether that meant they were or were not going to run some plays for him. Capko said when Sellers shoots Capko is on the bench clenching his fist, hoping that it goes down, so Oziyah can start to get into a groove and catch fire. He knows that the staff has talked about how great a shooter he is (Enfield said the best shooter he ever coached, including the NBA) and he wants Oziyah to start showing everyone that the hype is real and it wasn’t just talk. He assures us it will come.
Regarding today’s game, the Oregon State Beavers come in with a 4-4 record, with wins over Tulsa, Florida A&M, Bushnell and UW (first conference game) and losses to Portland St. (home and away), Duke by 3 pts, and Florida. Capko pointed out OSU played Duke tough and were within 1 point with 16 seconds left.
The Beavers are led in scoring by freshman PG Jordan Pope, a teammate of Tre White’s at Prolific Prep. (14.2 ppg), Soph. Glenn Taylor (12.2 ppg) and Jr. Dexter Akanno (11.3 ppg). Capko also mentioned 7’2” center Chol Marial from South Sudan.
Entering the arena, I’m surprised to see the student section pretty full. The band is small, as many members are probably up north for the Water Polo NC. There is a female deejay subbing for DJ Malski, who is at SoFi Stadium for the Rams game after being the deejay at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship game. The Rams are playing against the oldest coach in the NFL, our beloved Pete Carroll. Maybe Lincoln Riley reaches that status some day, and he’s off to a great start, having resurrected the football program, changed the culture, gone undefeated in the Coliseum, beat both of our rivals and finished the conference season 11-1! He also probably gives SC their record 8th Heisman Trophy winner (of course I am counting Reggie’s Heisman win!).
As we head to tip-off, PA Leland Waters fills in for Malski giving the students the Rocket Mortgage 3 home court advantages.
I have my phone out streaming the water polo match and smile when I see that Marko’s team is up 12-8 on the Cal Bears going into the last quarter. However, it would end badly for SC, as Cal scores 5 straight goals in the final frame to win the national championship over SC 13-12. Ironically, Cal beat SC in the 2021 final by the exact same score – ugh.
With the game in progress, I see Caleb Williams hobbling in front of the stands opposite the scorer’s tables and taking an open seat. He was either not immediately recognized by fans around him or they were simply too star struck to make a fuss about it, until a Dad brings his son up to Caleb for a selfie and a line starts to form. Later someone from Athletics spots Caleb and escorts him to a courtside seat under the basket opposite the student section, a few seats down from Jacque Hill. This allows Caleb extended leg room for his injured hamstring, but also invites another line to form behind him for selfies with mostly kids, but some adults as well. I can’t believe how accommodating Caleb is to fans. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, who earlier in the day had participated in a graduation ceremony for students from the Audubon Middle School PATH Mentorship Program with Trojan Outreach and his own Caleb Cares Foundation, dedicated to eliminating bullying. He is later joined by WRs Kyle Ford and Kyron Ware-Hudson.
Another visitor this game was former player Isaiah White, seated courtside with wife Jazmine and kids Amari and Xavier. He played his first pro season with BKM Lucenec in Slovakia. Isaiah received a nice round of applause, with many in the audience likely recalling how he was an energizer bunny on the court, relentless on defense, fighting for rebounds, diving for loose balls – my kind of player! I wonder who the Isaiah White on this year’s team will be. I think Kobe Johnson has the best chance.
In what is becoming a bad habit, the Trojans start out slowly again this game, with the Beavers bringing the game to them, going up 34-23 at the half. SC shot 1-6 (16.7%) on threes and 10-24 (41.7%) overall. They were 2-5 (40%) at the FT line.
OSU shot 6-12 (50%) on threes and 14-25 (56%) overall. They had no free throw attempts the first half, but made all 8 FTs in the second half.
SC came out of the locker room, likely after a strong talking to by Chris Capko, and showed more energy and pride in their defense. They held the Beavers to 8-27 (29.6%) second half shooting, although OSU made 4 more threes giving them 10 made threes for the game to SCs 4 made threes.
SC took care of the ball, with just 6 TOs for the game, a season low. However, their rebounding issues continued to plague them as they were outrebounded 34-23.
If I had told you Boogie and Drew would both score 2 pts in the first half and that our leading scorers for the game would be Kobe Johnson and Josh Morgan, you would think we lost this one for sure and for 37.5 minutes you would be right. However, Kobe Johnson hit a three to tie it at 53-53 and then had a bucket after a Boogie steal and save to make it 55-53 Trojans with 2:25 left in the game. SC would hold on for the 63-62 victory.
Players of the Game:
Kobe Johnson had his best game as a Trojan with a career high 17 pts on 7-10 shooting, 3-4 on threes. He had a team high 6 rebounds and 5 steals and added 3 assists. Post-game, Enfield commented that last season or even 2 weeks ago, Kobe could not have had that performance, but he has stepped up and is earning his captainship and leading his teammates.
Josh Morgan tied his career high with 15 pts and had 4 rebounds and blocked 3 more shots. We need his rim protection!
Drew finished with 10 pts, but hit only 1-5 threes. He continues to be our primary ball distributor getting 6 assists and ranking second in the conference with 6.3 apg, behind only Kerr Kriisa’s 7.8 apg. Significantly for Drew he only turned the ball over 1 time.
Boogie scored 7 pts, but missed all four of his 3 pt attempts
Reese scored 8 of our 10 bench points (Kijani had the other 2)
Tre took only 2 shots in 16 minutes, finishing with 4 pts, to complete the scoring
Through 9 games, SC is averaging:
70.6 ppg, 45.6% FGs, 31.9% 3FGs (51-160), 69.6% FTs (126-181)
Opponents’ average:
65.4 ppg, 37.4 % FGs, 32.9% 3FGs (68-207), 71.7% FTs (109-152)
Next up:
CSU Fullerton,( 21-11) last season, 2nd in Big West, loss to Duke in NCAA tournament 1st round.
This season (4-4) with wins over Pepperdine, Vermont, Pacific, Westcliff and losses to SDSU, Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State), North Dakota, Seattle.
Get to Galen, support your Trojans, get the place ready for Isaiah Collier, Silas Demary and Arrinten Page!
Fight on! Beat the Titans!
The Founder’s Room (FR) is pretty empty, the bar area is quiet. I see Jacque Hill there, but many of the donors are not present (Vegas hangover? in Berkeley for Water Polo?). Even the Galen kitchen and wait staffs aren’t the usual suspects. The flat screens are showing ucla and Oregon at Pauley, the Ducks lead at half. Someone remembers the Water Polo National Championship match between USC and Cal is being televised and we view that until Coach Capko arrives for his second FR appearance of the season.
Capko says the team is improving and was very competitive at the Battle 4 Atlantis and should have had a 2-1 record, maybe better, if not for slanted officiating. We lost to Tennessee in OT and UT was called for only 10 fouls in the whole game (vs. 23 for SC)!. He doubts UT will have that few fouls in any game this season. Wisconsin from the B1G is very physical and in a close win over SC is only whistled for only 7 total fouls! SC was called for twice as many. The implication is with balanced officiating, SC could have won both of those games.
Coach informs us the starting lineup will be the same as last time (someone remarks they don’t know what last time was, because they don’t have Pac-12 Network, others nod in agreement. Capko sympathizes with them and then says that we won’t have to worry about that in a couple of years when we’re in the B1G. That draws smiles from the crowd. The same lineup is Drew, Boogie, Josh, Tre and Kobe with Reese first guard off the bench. Bench scoring has been lacking thus far this season, and Reese is expected to help in that area.
Someone asked who the first big off the bench would be, as Iaroslav came in first against Cal, not Kijani or Harrison. Capko said it would be Iaroslav again.
Before anyone asked, Capko announces that, for the first time, Vince Iwuchukwu is out on the court participating in pre-game warm-ups. He’s still not cleared for full-speed, full-contact practices, but is close. They fully expect Vince to play this season, but when he does he will be way behind, like Iaroslav is now. Iaro is still rounding into game shape after getting to the school later than the rest of his teammates, having a minor injury, getting sick, adapting slowly to school and a new culture, and becoming more proficient in English. He and the coaches and players are now able to better understand each other. Capko says Iaro has good basketball skills and can play. He had good coaching at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. He is learning the American style of play.
Coach was asked about getting Oziyah Sellers more involved by maybe running some plays for him. He responded that in two scrimmages against Fresno State and LMU, Oziyah was able to find his shots without plays designed for him (hit 2 threes and 8 pts against FSU and 5 threes for 15 pts against LMU). It wasn’t clear whether that meant they were or were not going to run some plays for him. Capko said when Sellers shoots Capko is on the bench clenching his fist, hoping that it goes down, so Oziyah can start to get into a groove and catch fire. He knows that the staff has talked about how great a shooter he is (Enfield said the best shooter he ever coached, including the NBA) and he wants Oziyah to start showing everyone that the hype is real and it wasn’t just talk. He assures us it will come.
Regarding today’s game, the Oregon State Beavers come in with a 4-4 record, with wins over Tulsa, Florida A&M, Bushnell and UW (first conference game) and losses to Portland St. (home and away), Duke by 3 pts, and Florida. Capko pointed out OSU played Duke tough and were within 1 point with 16 seconds left.
The Beavers are led in scoring by freshman PG Jordan Pope, a teammate of Tre White’s at Prolific Prep. (14.2 ppg), Soph. Glenn Taylor (12.2 ppg) and Jr. Dexter Akanno (11.3 ppg). Capko also mentioned 7’2” center Chol Marial from South Sudan.
Entering the arena, I’m surprised to see the student section pretty full. The band is small, as many members are probably up north for the Water Polo NC. There is a female deejay subbing for DJ Malski, who is at SoFi Stadium for the Rams game after being the deejay at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship game. The Rams are playing against the oldest coach in the NFL, our beloved Pete Carroll. Maybe Lincoln Riley reaches that status some day, and he’s off to a great start, having resurrected the football program, changed the culture, gone undefeated in the Coliseum, beat both of our rivals and finished the conference season 11-1! He also probably gives SC their record 8th Heisman Trophy winner (of course I am counting Reggie’s Heisman win!).
As we head to tip-off, PA Leland Waters fills in for Malski giving the students the Rocket Mortgage 3 home court advantages.
I have my phone out streaming the water polo match and smile when I see that Marko’s team is up 12-8 on the Cal Bears going into the last quarter. However, it would end badly for SC, as Cal scores 5 straight goals in the final frame to win the national championship over SC 13-12. Ironically, Cal beat SC in the 2021 final by the exact same score – ugh.
With the game in progress, I see Caleb Williams hobbling in front of the stands opposite the scorer’s tables and taking an open seat. He was either not immediately recognized by fans around him or they were simply too star struck to make a fuss about it, until a Dad brings his son up to Caleb for a selfie and a line starts to form. Later someone from Athletics spots Caleb and escorts him to a courtside seat under the basket opposite the student section, a few seats down from Jacque Hill. This allows Caleb extended leg room for his injured hamstring, but also invites another line to form behind him for selfies with mostly kids, but some adults as well. I can’t believe how accommodating Caleb is to fans. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, who earlier in the day had participated in a graduation ceremony for students from the Audubon Middle School PATH Mentorship Program with Trojan Outreach and his own Caleb Cares Foundation, dedicated to eliminating bullying. He is later joined by WRs Kyle Ford and Kyron Ware-Hudson.
Another visitor this game was former player Isaiah White, seated courtside with wife Jazmine and kids Amari and Xavier. He played his first pro season with BKM Lucenec in Slovakia. Isaiah received a nice round of applause, with many in the audience likely recalling how he was an energizer bunny on the court, relentless on defense, fighting for rebounds, diving for loose balls – my kind of player! I wonder who the Isaiah White on this year’s team will be. I think Kobe Johnson has the best chance.
In what is becoming a bad habit, the Trojans start out slowly again this game, with the Beavers bringing the game to them, going up 34-23 at the half. SC shot 1-6 (16.7%) on threes and 10-24 (41.7%) overall. They were 2-5 (40%) at the FT line.
OSU shot 6-12 (50%) on threes and 14-25 (56%) overall. They had no free throw attempts the first half, but made all 8 FTs in the second half.
SC came out of the locker room, likely after a strong talking to by Chris Capko, and showed more energy and pride in their defense. They held the Beavers to 8-27 (29.6%) second half shooting, although OSU made 4 more threes giving them 10 made threes for the game to SCs 4 made threes.
SC took care of the ball, with just 6 TOs for the game, a season low. However, their rebounding issues continued to plague them as they were outrebounded 34-23.
If I had told you Boogie and Drew would both score 2 pts in the first half and that our leading scorers for the game would be Kobe Johnson and Josh Morgan, you would think we lost this one for sure and for 37.5 minutes you would be right. However, Kobe Johnson hit a three to tie it at 53-53 and then had a bucket after a Boogie steal and save to make it 55-53 Trojans with 2:25 left in the game. SC would hold on for the 63-62 victory.
Players of the Game:
Kobe Johnson had his best game as a Trojan with a career high 17 pts on 7-10 shooting, 3-4 on threes. He had a team high 6 rebounds and 5 steals and added 3 assists. Post-game, Enfield commented that last season or even 2 weeks ago, Kobe could not have had that performance, but he has stepped up and is earning his captainship and leading his teammates.
Josh Morgan tied his career high with 15 pts and had 4 rebounds and blocked 3 more shots. We need his rim protection!
Drew finished with 10 pts, but hit only 1-5 threes. He continues to be our primary ball distributor getting 6 assists and ranking second in the conference with 6.3 apg, behind only Kerr Kriisa’s 7.8 apg. Significantly for Drew he only turned the ball over 1 time.
Boogie scored 7 pts, but missed all four of his 3 pt attempts
Reese scored 8 of our 10 bench points (Kijani had the other 2)
Tre took only 2 shots in 16 minutes, finishing with 4 pts, to complete the scoring
Through 9 games, SC is averaging:
70.6 ppg, 45.6% FGs, 31.9% 3FGs (51-160), 69.6% FTs (126-181)
Opponents’ average:
65.4 ppg, 37.4 % FGs, 32.9% 3FGs (68-207), 71.7% FTs (109-152)
Next up:
CSU Fullerton,( 21-11) last season, 2nd in Big West, loss to Duke in NCAA tournament 1st round.
This season (4-4) with wins over Pepperdine, Vermont, Pacific, Westcliff and losses to SDSU, Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State), North Dakota, Seattle.
Get to Galen, support your Trojans, get the place ready for Isaiah Collier, Silas Demary and Arrinten Page!
Fight on! Beat the Titans!
