My notes on SC's game against St. Joseph's (Philadelphia) in Wooden Legacy
I had been looking forward to this Wooden Legacy tournament since this summer when it was first announced. The fact that it was only a 10 minute trip from my home to Anaheim Convention Center, made it even sweeter. I figured that SDSU would defeat Patrick Ewing's Georgetown squad and that happened 73-56, setting up a tourney final with SC, which dispensed of the Atlantic-10's St. Joseph's Hawks 70-55. Fun fact, the St. Joe's team practiced at the Servite HS gym prior to the game. Another fun fact is that their somewhat jenky looking hawk mascot which represents the University's motto, "The Hawk Will Never Die", flaps its wings non-stop (even during halftime) throughout every basketball game - for real, even when St. Joe's was in a huddle with the coaches, the Hawk was standing right there flapping away. He/she must have some kind of stamina and big arms to be able to do that., Here is a video on this tradition.The crowd in the 7500 seat arena, probably was about half-capacity, maybe a little more. We were in Section 116 two rows behind the ESPN2 broadcast crew, so we could occasionally spy some replays, helpful since there was no video board in the arena.
SC rolled out a starting lineup of Isaiah Mobley, Boogie Ellis, Chevez Goodwin, Drew Peterson and Max Agbonkpolo. Isaiah White (back spasms) and Boubacar Coulibaly (ankle) were not available.
In Row 1 to our left were Mike Bohn and Brandon Sosna, they did not appear to be on their phones dealing with the football coaching hire, their mannerisms suggested this was already a done deal, waiting to be announced (mind-reading by me and fingers crossed!). To the left in our row was the Drew Peterson family, out from Libertyville, Illinois. Drew is still pressing and did not have one of his better games. He played 29 minutes (5 pts on 2-9 FGs, 1-2 FTs and he is still looking for his first three-pointer of the season, going 0-2 in this game. He did contribute in other ways with 5 rebs, 4 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. He needs to slow down a little, like the man the tourney was named for used to say "Be quick, but don't hurry." To the left of the Petersons were the Enfields, man those kids are growing up, when you don't glimpse them for 2 years, it is even more apparent.
Behind us sat Josh Morgan's family and they had plenty to be happy about, as he played his best game as a Trojan (21 mins, 13 pts on 4-7 FGs and 5-6 FTs, 6 rebs (2 offensive), 2 blocks and a steal). Josh is definitely making an impact from a rim protection perspective and for the first time he showed that he has an outside game to go along with his post game. He nailed one shot while stepping on the 3-point arc and hit one other mid-range jumper. He didn't seem hesitant at all to shoot the ball, this was a side of him that I don't think Trojan fans have witnessed. I hope he continues to develop his offensive game, it could help us in the future.
Boogie Ellis had a team high 17 pts for SC on 8-14 FGs, 1-3 3FGs, to go along with 4 rebs and 4 assists (only 1 TO). Although he drove to the hoop multiple times, he never went to the FT line in his 30 minutes and picked up only 1 foul himself. He played very efficiently.
Isaiah Mobley played a team-high 32 minutes and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds (3 offensive), with 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal, but he only scored 4 points on 2-8 FGs, 0-1 3FGs. On this night the team did not need Mobley to score and he never really pushed the action. He will need to bring it on the offensive end tonight against the SDSU Aztecs and for the rest of the season.
Chevez picked up at the level he has been playing at this season, he played 18 minutes and scored 10 pts on 5-11 FGs and 0-1 FTs, missing the and-1 opportunity. He had 8 rebounds, second to Mobley, and remarkably did not record a foul. Chevez has a lot of moves around the basket and in this game showed off several lefty hooks.
Max was solid and under control this game, notching only 1 TO in 24 minutes. He hit 3-5 shots for 6 pts and grabbed 5 boards. Nothing spectacular, just steady play from Max.
Ethan played 19 minutes and scored 6-pts on 2-7 FGs, including a made 3, and was 1-2 on FTs. He hit his 3 at a time where it was needed and helped us extend our lead.
Reese Dixon-Waters played very well, he looked like an experienced player and is showing that he is ready for more playing time. He contributes from the getgo when he is in the game and his stroke from 3 is a thing of beauty. He played 12 minutes and scored 6 pts on 2-5 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 1-1 FTs and recorded 3 steals. He is very good defensively and always has his hands in passing lanes and in this game took a steal the length of the court for a lay-up and one, which he put in for the old-fashioned three-point play. He shows great quickness and speed. I think he is going to help us win some games with his play, he has come a long way since last season. He fits more into the scheme and is being patient for his opportunities.
Kobe is also getting opportunities as the third PG behind Boogie and Ethan, and he is not disappointing. He seems to be very much under control out there and calm. He is getting more comfortable with each appearance and last night was his best game so far, IMHO. He did get more court time and logged a few more stats against Dixie State, 13 minutes, to 9 minutes in this game, but I just felt he was blending in perfectly and not forcing things. He knocked down a 3 from the top of the key (his only shot attempt), grabbed an offensive rebound, had a block and an assist. I am getting comfortable with his play when he enters the game.
Harrison and Malik played the last 3 minutes in the game, both taking one shot and missing.
What was apparent going into this game was that Andy wanted his team to get the ball inside and dominate the paint, like they have in all of the games this season. St. Joe's had no real answer for our multiple guys with size inside. Conversely, we could not effectively stop their big guy Ejike Obinna who in 27 minutes led the Hawks in scoring with 18 on 9-13 FGs and hauled in a team high 10 rebounds (4 offensive), while only drawing one foul. He was strictly a post up player who scored with baby hooks from the right or left. He entered this game 4th in scoring for SJU at 10.0 ppg. The leading scorers coming in were Taylor Funk (18.5 ppg) and Jordan Hall at 15. 5 ppg. Funk played a team high 33 mins for the Hawks and scored 12 pts on 5-11 FGs, hitting 2 of 7 3's. He grabbed 8 boards. Hall was locked down and scored just 2 pts in 31 minutes on horrendous shooting (1-12 FGs, 0-5 3FGs).
Overall SC shot 42% FGs and 36% 3FGs, while holding the Hawks to 35% FGs and 19% 3FGs. SC's length continues to prove problematic for opponents. The Trojans FT shooting improved from last game tp 67% (8-12), while St. Joe's shot just 3-5 from the charity stripe, as the Trojans were called for only 8 fouls. When was the last time Pac-12 officials only called 8 fouls on SC? Rebounding was even at 42 apiece and both teams grabbed 14 offensive rebs.
SC continues to take care of the basketball, they came into the game ranked 8th nationally in turnovers were game at just 9.2, in this game they actually improved on that number with 7 TOs to 15 for SJU.
The Trojans continue to share the ball well, several times with nice interior passes that led to easy baskets. Their assists are way up this season and with the turnovers minimized, SC is looking like a team in control.
I think the level of competition goes up tonight against the Aztecs, who are 4-1 losing only to a very good BYU team on the road. They have been a perennial tournament team. We will see what we are made of tonight. We need Mobley and Peterson to step up and it would be great if White were to return, but then again he hasn't been playing like he did last season, thus far. I will be represented by my wife and daughter tonight at this game as my Servite alum son and I will be going to the CIF SS Final game against Mater Dei. So no notes from me tomorrow - haha.
