What day is it? And in what month?

So we lost a bit of a heartbreaker, but I love my Zags. It's not just that they can play with the big boys- we are the big boys now! I just about bit my frickin' finger off there towards the end with all the tension.

Let's start off with the team logos for UConn and the Zags:




Ok, now come on. UConn's puppy looks like something you want to take home and sneak little bites of your dinner to under the table. GU's bulldog looks like it should- a fierce competitor.

Some stuff we need to work on:

1) We cannot- I repeat- CANNOT keep fouling this much. We got lucky in that we didn't really get into foul trouble, but we had four fouls in the first 1:38 of the game. If we didn't allow so many bonus points (that is, points made off free throws due to fouls) the game might have had a different outcome.

2) I am feeling better about our defense, but it's clear that our man defense is very rough around the edges. The aforementioned (in a previous entry) problem with our zone is that it leaves us vulnerable to perimeter (3 point) shots. Even in the WCC there are guys who will make us pay for that. At the same time, our zone defense is good. You can tell that it's what the guys feel the most natural in. Our man defense is sketchy at best. At the same time, hello, it's November. We're playing quite a few freshman and guys that didn't get many minutes last year so I personally don't think you've seen even a shadow of how good we can be.

Well, maybe a shadow.

3) Turnovers. Maybe this is a result of those young guys, but these boys aren't on the JV squad in high school, and there should not be travels, palming the ball, or double dribbles. Tonight we did all right here compared to the Maui opener versus Maryland, but still- the few we had were picked up on by UConn and they made us pay in points off turnovers. Another way we handed away some points. Again, though, it's November. I am assuming we won't look like this in March (and we WILL be playing late into March this year, baby!)

4) Finally, we have got to work on our rebounds. Now, to be fair, we actually way out-rebounded UConn tonight- 43-27. But the fact is that we just aren't as big inside as the teams we'll be facing in March and we have got to get boxing out down to an art form. Also, reading the ball for rebounds is crucial. Obviously, sometimes the ball just takes a bad bounce off the rim and you weren't expecting it. But our weak side presence needs to step it up.

So that's my update. Most of you probably could care less, but I love these guys- they're my team! You gotta love your team, and I have stuck with them through thick and thin. It's nice to be in a thick year :) I actually kind of wish all the national hype would die down, but we have a real shot at the final four. Plus, we have something a lot of other teams lack- a real true sense of team. These guys are selfless- even "superstar" (as referred to by ESPN sports commentators) Adam Morrison knows when it's time to take the shot and when it's time to pass it off. They play with passion, not just emotion. Emotions can flounder but passion drives.

#3 UConn 65
#9 Gonzaga 63

One last thing... (the male readers will shake their heads at this) but... not only is J.J. Redick (Duke) a great all-around player, but the guy is smokin' hot. I won't complain at catching some Duke games ;) But here's a little ditty from Sportscenter for y'all:

J.J. Redick quote [pertaining to his scoring inside the arc]:
"I've found other ways to score. I'm not playing at the level of Adam Morrison last night or anything like that."

And then... I can't not include this... a quick little jab from one of the ESPN Sportscenter dudes in response:
"[Redick's] not Morrison but wise enough not to grow the moustache"


A big, hearty "Amen" to that one.