Pac-10 First Half Review

by ConnorOSU on Feb 5, 2010 9:55 AM PST in Men's Basketball Comment 1 comment

We've reached the halfway point of Pac-10 play, and it's time to take a look back at the conference. Answer the questions below and post your thoughts in the comments section. (Hat tip to CGB for the idea)

1) Which team impressed you the most in the Pac-10? Which team surprised you the most?

2) Who are the teams that can give OSU trouble in their rematches and why?

3) Which players are you terrified of playing again?

4) What will be the key to the Beavers in the second half of conference matchups?

5) Who's going to win the conference?

My answers after the break

1a. The team that impressed me the most was Arizona State. Their Matchup Zone is tenacious, and they've got some pretty good shooters. Don't be surpised if they make a run in the Pac-10 Tourney.

1b. The team that has surprised me the most is UCLA. They're actually tied for First, but that's not saying much in the Pac-10. Their style of play is ugly and not fun to watch. With that said, I think if they could catch fire late in the year they could be dangerous. It's just that type of year in th Pac-10.

2. There's only one team. Arizona State. They constantly have our number and this year is no different. Their Matchup Zone is horrible for us because we can't shoot. Not to mention we have to play them down in Tempe. I'm definitely not looking forward to that one.

3. Ty Abbot. Just like the whole Sun Devil team, this guy constantly gives us fits. He dropped 21 against us in Corvallis. If we have any shot of upsetting them down there, we need to stop him.

4. The key is simple, but not necessarily achievable. We need to shoot the ball better. Haynes is the only one that we can rely on when we need a big three or something. The rest of the guys need to step it up. No more 35 Point Games.

5. Not California. Not Arizona. Arizona State will win for all of the reasons above.

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Comments

1) ASU I think has looked the best overall, but UW could be finally hitting their stride (more on this below). Surprised? Maybe UCLA as uninspiring as they have played, but not a huge surprise I guess with what they have lost.

2) The way OSU is playing this season = All of the teams. But the one I’m “most” concerned about is UW, for if they are actually finally coming around we should have taken advantage of their lack of identity in Seattle at the beginning of the season. They seem to have found more of their tradition higher scoring offense and this could be an issue with the Beavs who don’t have the skill or conditioning to keep pace. We’ll see still for the Pac-10 is really strange this year. Oh, and ASU at their place is going to be tough.

3) None really, kind-of the same answer as #2 above, everyone and every team concerns me right now.

4) Beavs as a team need to play much more high energy games ALL game long. Oh, and rebound, oh and shoot from the FT line better, and just plain shoot it better. Oh, and Roeland (or Joe) has to really step it up in the inside the paint on both sides of the ball. I do think if they can play with more sustained energy and with more aggressive play that some of the skill based issues right now could be overcome slightly. But the Beavs are wildly inconsistent in all levels of play this season. The problem here is that finally some of the Pac teams have started to find themselves and the Beavs don’t seem to be close.

5) ASU or UW. ASU is my team with the “inside” track right now, and UW has my “outside” chance vote. BIG game this weekend between the two teams.

-RVM

by rvm on Feb 5, 2010 10:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs