biggest difference was start of second half. Thursday we got off to good start and let the 7 point lead slip away. Today we were ice cold after the break, 15-4 in the first 8 minutes. Couldn’t overcome that. Again, a DECENT percentage from the arc and line, and we win. Shooters seem to have lost their confidence.

70-63 loss. 3-18 from beyond the arc. Hit 3 more and shoot average, and we have a shot. Frustrating homestand

Down 10 at the 4:00. Not looking promising

2:30 drought and we’re down 8 with 5:30 to go

55-49 at the 8:00 media; back in it but fouls are gonna be an issue. Next foul puts them in double bonus

48-38 13:00 to go; slipping away quickly. Sloppy with the ball and can’t hit our shots especially 3’s

Tied at the half.

Defense (5 steals) and rebounding (21-12) are the keys so far, offsetting cold 3 point shooting.

See what the second half has to offer

1-8 from 3’s to start but still a lead. We’re rebounding well

they were 3-7 in the preseason with some lopsided losses to okay teams, so the early conference success is surprising. Oddly enough the paper shows us as 2 point favorites!

I thought the bench in the second half hurt, even though they didn’t play much. Early on when we had a lead, went with a lineup of (from memory) McGill, DeBruhl, Milling, Murphy and I believe Pepper and Fullerton’s defense went into attack mode. We were out of whack and they took the lead.

Milling has really improved, but he needs help weapons around him to free up space.

I noticed Damion Squire is finally playing (last 7 games) and starting for Portland State. This team could really use his toughness and athleticism.

As for the crowd…we were up behind the bench and the ‘crowd’ just seemed lethargic from the get go. There was such a weird vibe - not as bad as the empty arena but still had a ‘not normal’ feel. No concessions, first 3 rows roped off, no courtside seating, big empty gap where the lounge usually is. No band. No energy.

Bench is a real weakness for us. We went with 4 subs and Anegwe at about the 15 minute mark when we were up 5, and that quickly turned to a lead for them. Same in the first half. I think Ba and Shaw would be more athletic alternatives but both are in street clothes.

Can’t figure the FT. Two games in a row, but hurt this time

Free throws are hurting. They are 7-7, we’re 2-6!

Good second half start; our bench substitution hurt.

54-49 8 to go. No more turnovers

I just mentioned that to my wife. I like it

I’m here tonight. Up early for pre game burgers and brew, then to the game. Glad I ate big - I don’t think there are concessions tonight!

that’s the post I was referring to. Guy running the camp calls him UCD running back but that probably means nothing

Fullerton is a little bit of a surprise atop the standings but they’ve been solid the past few years. More surprised to see Hawaii with them at 4-0 (3 on the road) and the Beach just behind at 3-1 (all at home).

Much more surprised to see UCSB and Irvine pulling up the rear with 0-2 and 1-3 records!

Maybe things will calm soon with COVID and we’ll see if any teams are above or below their real potential

I see nothing out there about GIlliam. A clip on his twitter about helping future RB’s at some clinic where the poster referred to him as UCD RB, and tags Speckman

we had Smalley (UCLA) and White (Navy) who were key contributors to the defense last season. i think that's the norm for the FBS->FCS transfer. Finding that gamebreaker, who can meet our academics, is going to be tougher!