LA TECH falls to UCLA & New Mexico State runs over LMU

Can't say there were any surprises yesterday. UCLA is just too talented and athletic for the Bulldogs to run with them and Loyola Marymount is winless, minus its head coach and a few of it's better players are injured.

Techsters win on road while Tech men fall to UCLA
News-Star news services
December 29, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- A large deficit in the first half cost the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (6-7) a 78-55 loss to the No. 13 UCLA Bruins Sunday afternoon in Pauley Pavilion.

“UCLA is a very good team, and they are very well coached,” Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. “We knew we had to be our best going in. We got some good shots, but we made 21 turnovers, and that killed us. Again, our hats go off to them; their staff does a great job...”

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Here's a snippet from the Los Angeles Times:

"...We are not going to face any teams with the physicality and strength like UCLA," said Louisiana Tech Coach Kerry Rupp, whose school plays in the Western Athletic Conference.

At the other end of the court, Louisiana Tech never seemed to get comfortable against UCLA's defense.

The Bulldogs went for long stretches without a basket as leading scorer Kyle Gibson, a Dorsey High alumnus, kept missing from long range and center Kenneth Cooper shot three for 12.

Forward Magnum Rolle fared better, leading all scorers with 17 points. But, as a team, the Bulldogs made 36.8% of their shots and, just as costly, committed 21 turnovers..."

and

Aggies men's basketball blows past Loyola Marymount
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
12/29/2008

LAS CRUCES — This one was over by halftime.

Loyola Marymount remained winless while New Mexico State appears to have recovered from last Tuesday's rivalry loss in Albuquerque.

Aggies sophomore guard Jahmar Young led the Aggies with 30 points in a 104-62 victory over the Lions on Sunday at the Pan American Center...

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Fresno State comes close

Fresno State came tantalizingly close to winning against UNLV and Coach Steve Cleveland is vowing there is no 'wait til next season' -- that his squad will start coming out on top in 2008-2009.

This game was also interesting because it seemed inevitable that Fresno point Dwight O'Neill would come up against his half-brother, Rebel point Tre'Von Willis. But this matchup didn't happen until very late in the game.

Close won't cut it for men's hoops
Fresno State keeps pace until end in loss to UNLV.
Bryant-Jon Anteola
The Fresno Bee
12/03/08

Fresno State is tired of playing that "young and inexperienced" excuse card.

And coach Steve Cleveland on Wednesday proclaimed the Bulldogs would start winning on a consistent basis this season -- not next.

But in the end, Fresno State suffered a second straight close defeat at the Save Mart Center, losing 82-76 to UNLV, an NCAA Tournament hopeful and favorite to win the Mountain West Conference.

"I take no solace in coming close," Cleveland said. "We were prepared to win this game. The competitive and effort level were great. At times, the execution wasn't. ... It's taking time to figure out how to make the plays, the stops.

"There will be a day we overcome adversity. And we're not waiting till next year..."

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Steve Cleveland suspends Rekalin Sims

Fresno State Coach Steve Cleveland has suspended forward Rekalin Sims for academic reasons. Sims will miss the first few games of the new season and have his status re-evaluated after that.

Per Gary Estwick's article in the Fresno Bee:

"Senior forward Rekalin Sims, a projected starter on the Fresno State men’s basketball team, is suspended indefinitely after failing to meet the program’s academic standards, coach Steve Cleveland said Saturday afternoon.

Sims will miss Sunday's exhibition against Western Washington, as well as Tuesday’s exhibition against Fresno Pacific and the first three games of the season, Nov. 9-11 in the World Vision Classic at the Save Mart Center. His academic situation will then be re-evaluated, with his return to the Bulldogs contingent upon a renewed obligation to course work, Cleveland said..."

This is absurd selfishness on Sims' part. After high school at De La Salle in northern California, he goes prep school for two years in Maine, then spends two more seasons at Salt Lake City College and finally a wasted year at Kentucky before Cleveland took a chance on him as a one-year transfer -- something most coaches will not do.

Sims is supposed to be one of the team leaders. In fact, Estwick did a Fresno Bee article on October 14 about upperclass leadership on this season's Bulldog squad that contained this ironic quote:

"...Sims and Blair are two of Fresno State's six seniors, all capable of making an impact on this season's team. And for Cleveland, their impact starts with leadership..."

Now this may all be quickly forgotten if Sims gets back on track academically but it's not want the Fresno State coaching staff wants to deal with while trying to get the team ready. The Bulldogs' primary weakness this season is going to be rebounding and Sims' absence exacerbates that concern.

Ah, the life of a college basketball coach...