Worthington Arena (Bozeman, MT)

Sunday December 4, 2011 11:00 am

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- Harvard 1-0

Last Meeting- 1/2/10- Harvard 92-71

Scouting Harvard:

Tommy Amaker has guided Harvard to heights never seen in their long history of basketball. The 5^th year coach has led the Crimson to back to back 20 win seasons and their first ever Ivy league title a year ago. Harvard had to split the title with Princeton a year ago and lost the invitation to the NCAA tournament at the buzzer in a one game playoff with Princeton. It was a stinging defeat for a program that has been to the NCAA Tournament just one time- 1946. Harvard is on a mission to get to The Dance this year. They return 13 players and all 5 starters from a year ago. Amaker is back as well after flirting with Miami in the offseason. This experienced crew has ripped off 7 wins in a row to start their season which is the best start from an Ivy school since the 1997-98 Princeton team who also happed to beat UNLV in round 1 of the NCAA Tournament. Harvard has already knocked off Utah, Central Florida and #20 Florida State. It was just the second time in their history that Crimson brought down a ranked team. They have won 18 home games in a row, but they have only appeared on their home floor one time.  They are 14^th in RPI which is their highest ever and if they can stay undefeated through the week there is a great chance they will be a Top-25 team when the next poll is released.

The Ones to Watch:

Keith Wright- 6’8 240 SR F- 12 ppg 7 rbds  0 assts

Wright was the IVY Player of the Year a year ago- 15 points and 8 rebounds a game. He is a force around the basket- shooting 63% from the field which is 15^th best in the country. He hurt Seattle U two years ago with 16 points. He will cause as many problems for foes offensively as defensively.

Kyle Casey- 6’7 225 JR F- 11 ppg  5.5 rbds

If Wright does not repeat as IVY POY it may be because his teammate will take the honor. Casey in an explosive athlete who finished 2^nd team Ivy a year ago. He torched Seattle U for 19 points two years ago as well. He shoots above 50% from the floor and teams with Wright to from a dynamic duo up front for the Crimson.

Keys to the Game:

1-     Hit the 3- SU will have to shoot it well to take down Harvard and they must hit from distance. They are just 28% from 3 on the year.

2-     Wallace and Trent- They will have their hands full with the duo of Wright and Casey, but they need to keep them out of paint and off the glass.

3-      Keep Rivard quiet- Laurent Rivard is instant offense off the bench for the Crimson averaging 9.5 points per game and shooting 40% from 3. SU can not let him change the game.

Numbers to Know:

- 52- The number of points Harvard gives up a game which is 9^th best in the country.

- 13.7- The Crimson scoring margin this year.

- 9.6- The number of rebounds Eric Wallace is averaging a game.

Seattle U looks for the upset today- tune in at 11:00 on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Showare Center (Kent, WA)

Monday November 28, 2011 7:00 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- Tied 7-3

Last Meeting- 2005-06 SU 51-29

Scouting Evergreen:

Evergreen has made 3 runs the past 11 years to the NAIA National Tournament. Former USC Trojan and local standout Quincy Wilder teamed with sharpshooter Andre Stewart to form a devastating offensive duo during the 2001-02 season. The Geoducks won a school record 20 games in a row at one point and took down Seattle U in impressive fashion 71-59. Wilder played for former Seattle U coach Joe Callero at Highline CC and USC. Evergreen again made back to back trips to the National Tournament under Jeff Drinkwine in 08-09 and 09-10.  Nate Menefee was one of the top college basketball players in the state regardless of level. He averaged nearly 25 points a game for his career and exploded for 57 in one night. The two-time All-American led Evergreen to a win over Seattle U in exhibition action in the first transition year for Seattle U.  Hard times have hit Evergreen since the departure of Menefee and his coach Drinkwine. Former Tacoma Community College coach Arvin Mosley took the helm last year as the short-handed Geoducks stumbled to a 20-loss season. Evergreen is off to a very tough start this year as well as they try and recapture their past basketball glory.

The Ones to Watch:

Marice Tolliver- 6’6 220 SR F- 19 ppg 8.8 rbds  3.4 assts

Tolliver does it all for Evergreen and they lean on him heavily on the offensive end. He nearly averages 20 and 10 and has a green light on the offensive end. He has not received a great deal of help from his supporting cast so far this season.

Keys to the Game:

1-     Stop Tolliver- It will be interesting to see to draws the assignment on the main Evergreen man.

2-     Frontline Repeat- The SU frontline dominated Montana State on both ends of the floor which led to the first win of the year.

3-      Patience-Seattle U was very patience on the offensive end the last time out and it resulted in easy buckets.

 Numbers to Know:

- 1- SU is one win away from .500 on the year.

- 9 – The number who played against the Bobcats as Cameron Dollar tightened the rotation.

Don’t forget- Don’t go to the KEY! We are in Kent tonight, and you can always find us on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Worthington Arena (Bozeman, MT)

Tuesday November 22, 2011 7:00 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- Tied 7-7

Last Meeting- 11/29/10- SU 72-70

Scouting Montana State:

This is a tough team to figure out. They had a great deal of roster turnover from a team that finished 13-18 and 7-9 in the Big Sky. They only return one starter and they welcome in a handful of JC transfers. Despite the heavy losses they have impressed early on this season. They are coming off of a 70-64 win over Pac-12 Utah on the road and they gave Arizona State a good game before falling 78-72 in the opener. They blasted a lower division team for their other win. On paper they should struggle to score the basketball, but the numbers are masked by the 111 points they put up in Game 2 of the season.

The Ones to Watch:

Rod Singleton- 5’10 185 SR G- 12 ppg 2.3 rbds  4 assts

Singleton is the key to the Bobcats. He is the only returning starter averaging 8 points and 3.5 assists a game last year. He will need to shoulder much more of the scoring load this year and SU will key on him. He is off to a blazing start this year having scored 18 points against Utah. He is shooting 61% from the floor, 62% from 3 and 75% from the free-throw line.

Shawn Reid- 6’5 195 SO F- 12.5 ppg  5 rbds

Reid came off the bench last year to average 5.7 points a game, but he torched SU for 23 points at Key Arena. He was 3-6 from downtown in that game, but he was quiet his last time out against Utah- 6 & 4..

Keys to the Game:

1-     Stop Singleton- He makes this team go and Obasi will be charged with stopping him.

2-     Find the offense- SU struggled from the field so far this year. They have played well enough to win defensively, but they need to improve on 39% from the field and 25% from 3.

3-      Crash the glass- A surprising number is -8.5. That is margin SU is being outrebounded by. They have  a chance tonight to dominate the paint with the sizeable and athletic front line.

Numbers to Know:

- 1- The number of points Aaron Broussard needs to reach 1,000 for his career becoming the 35^th played in Seattle U history to do it.

- 1-1- The record for the Bobcats against the Pac-12 this year.

- 2-14- The combined shooting from the Seattle U backcourt in the last game against San Francisco. .

Seattle U looks for win number 1 tonight- tune in at 7:00 on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Stot Center (Portland, OR)

Tuesday November 15, 2011 7:05 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- Tied 7-7

Last Meeting- 1971-72

Scouting Portland State:

Thanks to injuries and eligibility questions the Vikings are short-handed to start the season. They went through a tremendous roster turnover with only three players returning who played minutes last year. They finished the season last year 14-16 overall and 5-11 in Big Sky play.  They are 0-1 to start the season this year, dropping a game on the road to Denver 69-61. They started the game 2-13 from the field and never recovered. They were also just 1-8 from 3, which is a striking stat given how dangerous they have been from 3 the last few years. They only went 8 deep in the rotation in Game 1 and their starters are poised to go long minutes again tonight.

The Ones to Watch:

Charles Odum- 6’1 205 SR g- 13 ppg 3 rbds  3 assts

Second Team Big Sky last year putting up 15 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. A good deal of the scoring load will fall on his shoulders. He is quick and loves to get to the rim.

Chehales Tapscott- 6’5 215 SR F- 18 ppg  12 rbds

Tapscott is a very active forward who plays bigger than his size. He nearly averaged a double-double last season (12ppg 8rbds) and he is off to a great start this year. He is very active around the basket on both ends of the floor.

Keys to the Game:

1-     Stop the 3- The Vikings went 1-8 in their first game from downtown and they struggled to get anything else going.

2-     Find the offense- SU struggled to shoot it last year, but new faces and new weapons should help the cause.

3-      Push the Pace-Test the depth of Portland State and use the new SU depth to advantage.

Numbers to Know:

- 2- The number of Washington State University transfers on the roster- Michael Harthun (he will start tonight) and Dre Winston (he will redshirt this season).

- 2-0- The record for Portland State against Seattle U last season.

- 4- The number of new starters in the lineup anticipated for tonight.

It all starts tonight- Game 1- tune in 5 minutes before tip on 710 ESPN Seattle.

15:38- PSU 7-6- Fast pace to the game as it usually is between these two teams. The two seniors have all 6 points so far.

7:11- PSU 22-21- Good game, good pace, good action. SU has a short bench so we shall see how the pace affects things.

HALF- PS 34-30

16:18- SU 38-34- 8-0 SU run to start the second half

10:59- PS- 46-45- Phil Nelson is turning back the clock in his last game. 4-7 from 3

3:45- PS- 60-51- a Portland State 12-0 run has opened things up

15:04- SU 13-7- Great start for SU on offense.

7:25- SU 29-18- SU is playing perhaps their best offensive half of the season. Their passing has been great.

3:41- SU- 31-25- The offense has stalled and Idaho has worked themselves back into the game.

HALF- SU 40-37

15:57- Tied 48-48- This is one of the best games of the season. both teams have been very good on offense.

11:42- ID 59-55- Seattle is hanging around. Idaho was hot to start, but they have cooled slightly.

6:11- ID- 66-59- Stephen Madison has made the difference off the bench with 12 points. He averages 3.3 and has made a huge difference in this one

GAME- ID 78-69- Idaho is a good WAC team playing well. Seattle stayed in it, but the Vandals were just too much.

11:22- Stanf 13-8- Seattle U is icy cold from the outside, but the good news is that they are still in it. Hanging in against a Pac-10 team on the road. If they can heat up…

7:48- Stan 18-14- SU still only shooting 25%, but making up for it in a number of ways

3:41- Stan- 22-19- SU has forced 10 turnovers already- the Cardinal turns it 13 times  a game.

HALF_ Stan- 28-27- We have got ourselves a ballgame. SU is right there thanks to some great d. Carter has 10 and Jones 9.

14:45- Stan 46-33- Stanford has flexed their pac-10 muscle and thank to a 10-0 run have taken control. SU still fighting.

11:31- Stan- 53-40- Stan lights out in the second half

7:53- Stan- 61-52- SU a 6-0 run to get back within 10 points. The Cardinal are still shooting roughly 64% for the game

3:53- Stan- 66-57- SU is attempting to foul Mann the point guard because he is a 50% free-throw shooter to try and slow down the game and turn away a hot shooting Stanford team. They are within 10 with 4 minutes to go so it is possible.

Maples Pavillion (Palo Alto, CA)

Tuesday March 1, 2011 7:00 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle   INTERNET AUDIO: seattleufan.com

Series- Stanford 2-0

Last Meeting- December 13^th, 1985- Stanford- 105-54

Scouting Stanford:

Stanford fields a team without a senior for the first time in school history. Stanford exploded to a 9-4 record out of the gates this season, but conference play has taken its toll on this young squad and the Cardinal have managed just a 5-10 record since. This is the second to last game of the regular season for Stanford as they will finish their campaign against their rivals Cal over the weekend. Former NBA, Duke player and Duke assistant Johhny Dawkins guides Stanford in his third campaign. A win tonight would surpass the 14 they picked up last season as the Cardinal attempt to resurrect to impressive recent success from this proud program. The Cardinal like to control temp only scoring 66.4 points per game, but they only give up 64.6. They have been solid on the boards at + 2.2 and they are fairly capable from three at 35.8%.

The Ones to Watch:

Jeremy Green- 6’4 198 JR G- 16.2 ppg  3.5 rbs 1.1 assts

The explosive guard is one of the best shooters in Stanford basketball history. He knocks down a staggering 41% of his threes while hoisting a grand total of 178. Last season he set the single season Stanford mark for threes made with 93 and he is already perched # 3 all-time for made threes in Cardinal history. The Cardinal leading scorer also hits on 80% from the free-throw line. Lever will have another tough assignment tonight on one of the best guards in the Pac-10.

Josh Owens- 6’8 230 JR F- 12 ppg  6.7 rbs

Owens will be a very difficult match-up for SU tonight. The big-fella uses his size effectively around the basket shooting an impressive 58% from the field which is amongst the best in NCAA basketball. He would have been a SR this year, but had to use a red-shirt year last season due to a medical condition. Look for Stanford to try and feed their second leading scorer often against SeattleU to take advantage of his size advantage.

Keys to the Game:

1-     Rebound- SU has not won a game this year without out-rebounding their opponents.

2-     Slow Green- This should be a great match-up with elite defender Lever on him.

3-      Hit the three- SU changed the game against Bakersfield with the three-ball. A few threes tonight could make things very interesting.

Numbers to Know:

- 11- – The number of games SeattleU has played in Cali this year including tonight.

- 5- Where Garrett Lever sits on the all-time single season steals list

- 1- The number of steals Lever needs to move into a tie for 4^th on the list.

- 2- The number of road games SU has won in a row.

-20- The number of assists Seattle accumulated against Bakersfield last game which was the second most of the season.

Tune in at 7:00 pm on 710 ESPN Seattle and the live blog will be cooking at seattleufan.com.

15:42- CSBU 7-2- SU scored the first bucket, but the Raodrunners on a 7-0 run since. They are playing a zone and SU having a tough time penetrating.

10:30- CSBU 17-12- Rasmussen planted two threes and SU has steadied themselves.

3:42- SU 26-18- SU has forced the Roadrunners into a jump shooting team and they have gone ice cold. SU is in control.

HALF- Bakersfield went a long, long, long time without a field goal. SU with a 31-22 lead at the break. CSB hit a three to take a 17-12 advantage, but it has been all SeattleU since.

1401- SU 47-30- Career high for Rassmussen 15 points on 5 threes. Rolling

11:40- SU  53-32- This is the best SU has moved the ball all year long. They are destroying the Roadrunners from downtown. Six threes in the second half.

7:48- SU 63-43- SU is dominating

GAME- SU 73-54- They were great on both sides of the ball