SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Disappointing to fall in the Big West championship game, but pretty good first season for Coach Scott with the regular-season title and a win in the NIT. The recruiting class looks good with two three-stars, so the foundation is being set for a bright future for UC-Riverside!

To be honest I didn't expect to win as many games as I did. So I wasn't extremely disappointed with the loss. It leaves me with goals still to meet..

Gordon and Munn were solid finds. I really thought Munn's 3pt shooting would be higher rated then a 65 after hitting 43% in the ABL and I was hoping Gordon might at least be a 70 Overall. I am bummed I missed out on Wilson. The kid is going to be good. He is already a 78 Overall and the best player on Nevada's team. I will probably keep tabs on him and schedule them at some point.

Thanks for checking in.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Very excited to follow this. I too got bored with COD and got hooked back into CH. I have a question about your defense though. I’m trying run a 2-3 Match Up in my own legacy but I just can’t seem to get a hold on how it works. One moment my SG is in the normal 2-3 position then he follows his man to the post on the opposite side of the halfcourt.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

To be honest I am not sure how to keep them in it either. It's just what I have selected, but most of the time when I am playing I end up in man to man

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

HIGHLANDERS START OUT PLAYING 500 BALL

Year 2 with Coach Scott at the helm of UC Riverside started out like many expected. The Highlanders opened up the season with a win in front of the home crowd beating Dayton (71-70) behind a solid all around team game that saw 4 of the 5 starters score double digits led by Freshman R. Gordon (15 pts 8 reb 4 stls).

However the next night UCR would struggle hosting the Roadrunners of CS Bakersfield in the 2nd half. The Highlanders led (49-46) at the half but managed just 25 points in the 2nd half falling (80-74). SR A. Vanttaja led the team with a career high 25 pts in the loss.

3 games in 3 days is tough on any program and it showed for UCR as they traveled to UNLV for Game 3. The Highlanders kept things close in the 1st half trailing by 1 (34-33) but came up short scoring just 27 points in the 2nd half to fall (67-60). Vanttaja again led all scorers with 24 pts and 9 reb.

After 3 days rest, UCR traveled to take on San Diego State and came away with a (97-96) win in a shootout with the Aztecs. SR PG L. Troutman had a career high 26 points hitting 7/8 from 3pt well A. Vanttaja had his 3rd game in a row with 20 points ore more finishing with 20 pts and 9 reb.

Another road game @ Fresno State followed. The Bulldogs took a 47-27) lead into the locker room and UCR never recovered falling (85-71) with A. Vanttaja leading the Highlanders with 13 pts and 9 reb.

UCR would get back to .500 with a home win over San Jose State on a buzzer beater to close out the month of December with a 3-3 record.

The Spartans led at the half (41-32) but the Highlanders battled back and a buzzer beater by Freshman Gus Mann gave UCR the (69-67) victory. Mann led all scorers with a season/career high 17 points well Troutman added 16 points despite going 0/4 from 3pt.

Senior PF Andry Vanttaja- is averaging 17.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG so far through the first 6 games

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

SCOTT AND UCR UPSETS #8 BRUINS!!!

The Coach Scott Era at UC Riverside continues to make some noise in the college basketball nation. After a 23-10 record last season including a Big West regular season title, Coach Scott and the Highlanders made school history once again knocking off the #8 ranked (8-0) UCLA Bruins.

The Bruins roster is littered with talent with 5* AA Mr BB (OR) Freshman Edgar Stukes (81 OVR) at PG, SR Chip Penigar (89 OVR) at SG, 5* AA Mr BB (CA) Freshman Jean Kuhle (81 OVR) at SF, SR Cedrick Sikam (85 OVR) at PF and 5* AA and 2021 Pac-12 FOY Soph Edwin Ireland (85 OV) at Center, along with 5* AA 6'8 Freshman Elliah Petersen (80 Ovr) as their 6th man.

UCLA came out on fire hitting 4/5 from deep to take a 12 point lead early in the 1st half, but the Highlanders battled back and in the final seconds scored a basket to trail by just 1 point at the half (36-35).

In the 2nd half UCLA who was on fire from beyond the arc in the 1st half (6/10) would struggle shooting just 2/8 in the 2nd. This combined with Ireland and Sikam both picking up early 3rd fouls led to UCR's Freshman Randall Gordon to take the game over. The 3* was actually recruited by UCLA but never received a scholarship offer and today he make UCLA realize their mistake.

Gordon scored a career high 25 points to lead all scores including a perfect 8/8 in the 2nd half. Fellow Freshman SF Gus Mann also came up big hitting 3/3 from 3pt to add 13 pts, well SR PG L. Troutman added a team high 7 assists as the Highlanders walk away with a 78-67 win ....

E. Stukes had 14 pts in the loss, well J. Kuhle led the Bruins with 16 pts on 4/5 from 3pt. Ireland added 14 pts and 8 rebs despite sitting out 1/3 of the game with foul issues.


UCR returns home for games vs (4-8 Pepperdine) and (3-8) LMU next week.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

HIGHLANDERS EARN THE SWEEP!!

UCR improved to 6-3 in non-conference play with a sweep in a pair of home games this week first beating Pepperdine (80-52) on Wednesday and then on Saturday night UCR came back in the 2nd half to beat the LMU Lions in the final seconds (78-76).

PG L. Troutman had 18 pts hitting 3/9 from deep well Gordon grabbed a team high 16 pts and D. Diame had a team high 21 pts and 9 rebs off the bench to lead UCR over the Wave

Diame again came up big leading the team with 18 pts and 7 reb in the win over the Lions, but Vantajja (15 pts 7 reb), R. Gordon (14 pts 9 reb) and L. Troutman (11 pts) all played key roles in securing the win.


UCR WILL PLAY IN THE GOLDEN BEAR CLASSIC OPENING UP THE TOURNAMENT IN ROUND 1 VS #17 (7-2) USC AS THEY CLOSE OUT NON-CONFERENCE PLAY

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

ON COURT SUCCESS HOPEFULLY WILL LEAD TO ANOTHER STRONG CLASS

In-Season Recruiting is over and ever 5* Recruit in the nation has signed their letter of intent, including another 5* AA Mr BB (OR) H. Samuels (#5 Overall/4 PG) heading to UCLA., well the #1 Overall/#1 PG, 5* AA Mr BB (MN) Salvador Hawkins is headed to Michigan State.

Coach Scott currently has 4 scholarships offered.. Here is a look at the 4 players.

4* 6'8 Ellis Lagana (#66 Overall/#2 C) is currently at 73% and has UCR listed #4 on his board with UCLA, San Diego State, and San Diego ahead of the Highlanders however none are offering yet.

3* 6'8 Drake Lalugba (#289 Overall/#51 PF) is currently 89% and has UCR #1, with Fresno State a close #2, but the Bulldogs have yet to offer.

Scott

"It's our hope that we can land at least one of these 2 guy's who will instantly slide into the PF spot and be a 4 year starter for us with the graduation of Vantajja and make a excellent partner with Gordon in the post.

3* 6'6 Damien Low (#148 Overall/#44 SG) is currently at 62% and has UCR listed #2 behind San Diego State and ahead of Fresno State (neither are offering).

3* 6'4 Daminic Nagata (#152 Overall/#49 PG) is currently at 71% and has UCR #1 ahead of Oklahoma State, and San Diego State. Nagata is the only recruit not from Califorina hailing from Tuscon Arizona.


Scott-

Low and Nagata are 2 more guy's who we believe could be instant starters and give us some exceptional size in the the backcourt, as well as 2 guy's we believe could be explosive scorers as well. (both shot over 40% from 3pt in ABL and scored double digits).

[Careless Whisper]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Program-defining win against UCLA - does UC-Riverside have another in them with a matchup against USC?

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Program-defining win against UCLA - does UC-Riverside have another in them with a matchup against USC?

Hoping so. I am all caught up on games played and posting but I am scheduled to work the next 9 days, but a couple days I just have to work like 4 hour shifts so hopefully will get time to play it this weekend. USC's roster is solid but not as good as UCLA's. I was shocked with that game. They did a pretty good job of not fouling then all of a sudden they had like 4 guy's picking up 3rd fouls early in the 2nd half and it helped me a ton. Also they started missing their 3pt attempts after going almost perfect in the 1st half.

Thanks for the comments/follow.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

HIGHLANDERS FALL SHORT IN TOURNAMENT PLAY

Despite 4 wins in a row including their huge win over #8 UCLA, UCR falls short in the opening game of the Golden Bear Classic falling to USC (65-52).

Coach Scott had to go to the bench early as 3 starters picked up early fouls and a off shooting night by SR A. Vanttaja led to the Highlanders trailing (34-24) at the half.

With Vanttaja struggling (2-11 FG, 5 pts) and Gordon on the bench (4 fouls played just 20 minutes), JR D. Diame stepped up leading the team with 17 pts and 7 rebs in the loss.

UCR would rebound from the loss though in the consolation game vs (6-4) Bucknell to win their 7th game of the season.

5 players scored in double digits led by a double double by Vanttaja who shook off yesterday's performance with 17 pts and 11 reb. L. Troutman, R. Gordon, D. Diame and V. Everston (2-2 3pt) each scored 10 pts as the Highlanders beat the Bison (70-55).

With the loss and win. UCR finishes the non-conference schedule (7-4)

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

MID SEASON NEWS

UCR RANKED #15

The Highlanders are currently sitting #15 in the Mid-Major Media Poll's and are the highest rated Big West team with Pacific rated (#22).

Gonzaga currently is #1 and 14-0 including wins over Texas Tech, Illinois, La Salle, #19 Marquette and a (10-2) Cal squad..

PLAYER STATS

Senior A. Vanttaja leads the team at 14.7 PPG along with 6.8 RPG.

Senior L. Troutman is averaging 12.0 PPG well shootng 39% from 3pt

Freshman R. Gordon is off to a solid career at 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG

Freshman G. Mann adds 7.1 PPG along with 5.5 RPG and 1.8 APG

Junior D. Diame leads the bench unit with 10.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 1.2 SPG

Junior V. Everstein is averaging 6.2 PPG well hitting 14/28 from 3pt (50%)

WILL UCR REPEAT

The Highlanders won the regular season Big West title and hope to do so again on their way to a NCAA tournament bid vs the NIT they got last year. UCR is currently averaging 72.7 PPG which is 2nd best in the Big West behind CS Fullerton (76.5 PPG).

Also UCR's 7 wins in non-conference play ties Cal Poly who started out 7-5 this season.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

HIGHLANDERS FAIL TO REPEAT!!

UC Riverside started out winning just 1 of their first 4 games in Big West play but rebounded to win 5 out of their next 6 to improve to 6-4, but finish out the season just 4-2 as they go 10-6 securing the #2 seed in the Big West Tournament as Pacific takes the crown.

With a 17-10 record overall and just a #21 ranking in the Mid Major Poll, UCR's only hope of a ticket to the Big Dance will be securing the Big West Tournament Title.

Coach Scott

"I feel really good about our team going into the tournament. We just got SR Andry Vanttaja (13.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG) back from injury after missing the past 8 games and now have 4 players averaging in double digits. I believe we can make a run at this title and securing win #20 and a trip to the Big Dance."

SCOTT BEING COURTED!!

Ryan Scott is in just his 2nd year at the helm of the UCR Highlanders but a 40-20 record Overall and a 23 win season and NIT bid in Year 1 has led to several teams to inquiring about Scott's services next season.

One of those schools is Scott's Alma Mater, Boise State. The Broncos are currently 8-18 on the season and just 4-12 in WAC play after a 13-16 finish a year ago.

Coach Scott "

It's a honor and feels amazing that Boise State would be interested. I always knew at some point I wanted to coach at BSU, but I never really thought that 2 years into my career I would have a opportunity. I have a great team coming back next year and a great group of recruits who I really believe could set us up for 4 years of potential Big West titles. But BSU does have 3 Freshman in their starting lineup and leading scorer Roy Richardson returning next year as well, so that cupboard isn't as bare as it seems in Boise"

With a career record of 104-107, it looks like BSU is ready to move away from Coach Graham with Coach Scott at the top of their want list. Now the question is does Coach Scott leave UCR....

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

HIGHLANDEFS ARE GOING DANCING!!!!

In just his 2nd year at the helm of UC Riverside, Coach Scott has led the UCR Highlanders back to "The Big Dance".

Regular season Big West Champs last year, UCR fell in the conference tournament, but this year going into the tournament as the 2 seed, UCR battled their way through including 2 buzzer beaters to win the automatic berth.

GAME 1 VS (12-15) CS NORTHRIDGE

CS North came out firing and took a early lead that led to a (41-37) lead at the half, but UCR came storming back to score 53 points in the 2nd half to pull out the (90-77) victory.

L. Troutman led all scorers with 18 pts well Freshman Robbie Gordon added 16 pts and 8 rebounds. SR A Vanttaja (11 pts 8 reb) and D. Diame (14 pts 8 reb 4 assists) also played huge roles in 2nd chance points (12).

GAME 2 VS (14-15) LONG BEACH STATE

Another come from behind victory as the Highlanders found themselves trailing (38-28) at the half. UCR would hit just (3/9) from 3pt in the game with the biggest one coming from Troutman with just 4 seconds to play. Tied (72-72), UCR held for the final shot and Troutman delivered despite just being 1/4 before taking the shot. Troutman finished with 17 pts, with Gordon putting up another solid game (15 pts 8 reb 3 blks), but it was Junior D. Diame coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 pts including 8/13 from the free throw line

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME VS (20-9) PACIFIC

The Tigers came into the game with their 20th win of the season already in the book and where the favorites, but UCR had a different destiny.. Sticking with what was working, UCR would trail at the half (45-38) but find themselves with a chance to win it at the end, Everyone in the gym knew that SR L. Troutman would be the guy to take the final shot, but with a double team on him in the final seconds Troutman dished to to Freshman Gus Mann who would hit a huge 3pt shot to tie the game (78-78) to force OT.

In Overtime UCR would go inside and attack a tired Tiger squad as SR A. Vanttaja scores 8 of his team high 18 pts in the overtime period, but it was Freshman Robbie Gordon who would hit the game winner at the buzzer giving UCR the (88-86) victory.

For Gordon it was a chance for the nation to see what Coach Scott saw when he recruited him. The Inglewood native should be in the blue and gold of UCLA, but instead he is a rising start at UCR. Gordon would finish with 14 pts on the night along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but the stat that stood out to everyone was a career high and school record 7 blocks. This kid was beast mode in the block.

Besides Vanttaja (18 pts) and Gordon (14 pts), 4 other Highlanders ended up with double digits (12 pts)-Troutman, Todd, Diame and O'Conner.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Welcome to Selection Sunday. 30 teams have punched their automatic invited to the Dance, but 34 more teams are awaiting their chance to hear their school's name called and to find out who their dancing partner will be in Round 1.

Before we get to the At Large invites lets take a look at some of are conference winners.

Michigan State finished the season as Big Ten Champs and the #1 team in the country in both the Media and Coaches Poll with a (30-4) record. The Spartans will be the #1 seed in the East.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs finished the season as WCC Champs yet again, finishing with the nations best win loss record going (32-1) including 14-0 in WCC play. They will be the #1 seed in the South.

North Carolina added to their ACC title count finishing the year at (28-6) and a #3 ranking in the nation's polls. They will be the #1 seed in the Midwest Regional.

Louisville went 13-5 in Big East play finishing 25-6 Overall but a Big East tournament title moved them to #4 in the Poll's and they secure the #1 seed in the West Regional.

Here is a look at the Conference winners.

America East-#14 Vermont
Atlantic Sun- #15 SC Upstate
A-10- #6 Saint Joseph
Big 12- #3 Texas
Colonial- #16 UNC Wilmington
Conference USA- #3 Memphis
Horizon- #15 Detroit
Ivy-#12 Yale (went 21-7)
Metro Atlantic- #12 Fairfield
Mid-American-#14 Ball State
Mid-Continent-#11 ND State
Mid-Eastern-#16 Northfork State
Missouri Valley- #13 Evansville
Mountain West- 11 San Diego State
Northeast- #15 C. Connecticut
Ohio Valley-#13 SE Missouri
Pac-10-#4 Washington
Patriot League-#14 Colgate
Southeastern-#2 LSU
Southern-#13 Chattanooga
Southland-#16 TXAM_CC
Southwestern-#14 Alabama A&M
Sun Belt-#13 South Alabama
Western Athletic-#15 Nevada

Big Sky-Weber State and Big South-Liberty will be the play in game.

AT LARGE AND LEFT OUT

Florida State-6 seed, Clemson-3 seed, Miami FL-8 seed, Virginia-#9 seed, NC State-7 seed, and Duke-11 seed all join UNC in the tournament giving the ACC 7 teams. Duke was a surprise at 17-14 Overall and 6-10 in ACC play

The A-10 had the #8 RPI and Rhode Island-19 wins, Xaiver-18 wins, Duquesne-20 wins, G. Washington-19 wins were all bubble teams who failed to get invited as only Saint Joe's will represent.

UConn as the Big East regular season champ and finished 23-8 Overall, they along with (24-8) Villanova both secure #2 seeds to go Louisville. The Big East has the #1 RPI and also has Seton Hall, Syracuse, and Notre Dame all as #5 seeds. They are also joined by #8 West Virginia, 37 Providence and #6 Marquette giving the Big East 9 teams at the Dance.

#5 Illinois, #6 Ohio State, and #7 Indiana join Michigan State from the Big Ten.. Minnesota finished 3-15 in Big Ten play but made it to the Big Ten title game vs Michigan State before falling. Crazy to think a 11-21 team could've been dancing.

#4 K-State and #11 Texas A&M join Texas from the Big 12.

George Mason was the regular season champ of the Colonial and with 20-9 Overall but they are headed to the NIT along with (21-12) Southern Miss who won the regular season CUSA title over Memphis, well #3 finisher (23-10) UAB however gets a invite as a #10 seed.

UW-Green Bay won the Horizon regular season and went (25-4 Overall), before getting upset by Detroit. They will do dancing as a #9 seed.

Buffalo (20-10) and Western Michigan (21-9) are both headed to the NIT. They will be joined by Creighton who was (20-12) but went just 10-8 in conference play.

UNLV won the regular season title in the Mountain West and finished (22-13) but they are headed to the NIT, where they will be joined by several other regular season conference champs Northeast Monmouth (19-12) Ohio Valley Murray State (16-12), Patriot League- Lehigh (17-11), Southern-Coll of Char (18-10), Southland-Nicholls St (15-15), Southwestern- Texas Southern (21-11), WAC-Utah State (18-12).

IUPUI went (17-1) in Summit League play winning the regular season and (24-5) Overall. They will join ND State as a #7 seed.


The Pac-10 will have 6 teams dancing. USC lost to Washington in the Pac-10 title game but also secures a #4 seed. Arizona was the regular season champ going 14-4 and (26-5) Overall. They get a #2 seed. UCLA (24-9) gets a #3 seed, well Cal (19-12) #9 seed and Stanford (22-11)-#8 seed all are Dancing.

HIGHLANDERS GET #12 SEED

UC Riverside will play in the Midwest Regional going up against #5 Syracuse. The Orange are led by JR SF Cliff O'Donnell-18.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG and SR SG J. Sowers-11.9 PPG, 3.6 APG (41% 3pt).

Coach Scott-

"It's a honor to play against a school of the caliber of Syracuse. Coach Boeheim is one of the best in the nation and will have his team ready to play. Rumors are this could be Coach B's last year at the helm with over 700 career victories, they would love to send him out a winner."

[Careless Whisper]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Congrats on punching your ticket to the Big Dance! Syracuse should be a winnable game if your shooters are connecting early. Those Boise State rumors are interesting and I think Coach Scott ultimately heads in that direction now that he made the NCAA Tournament - wouldn't have thought the same if they didn't win the Big West.

[Deuce2223]

Re: SCOTT RETURNS TO CH2K8

Congrats on punching your ticket to the Big Dance! Syracuse should be a winnable game if your shooters are connecting early. Those Boise State rumors are interesting and I think Coach Scott ultimately heads in that direction now that he made the NCAA Tournament - wouldn't have thought the same if they didn't win the Big West.

Syracuse-89 Overall, UCR-69 Overall.. Not sure how winnable it's going to be. I am home this weekend, so I plan on getting it in. Not going to lie, Boise State is where I wanted to end up, but I honestly didn't want to head there this soon. I got a amazing recruiting class coming in and feel like I could build something special here at UCR, but BSU has some young guys and a mix of JR's and SR's that will allow me to bring in my recruits pretty quickly. Looks like I have 1 scholarship still left, so if I do go to BSU my hope is to snag one of the guy's I have been recruiting to come to UCR.. If I land him, he will be my star player for the next 4 years.

Thanks for checking in and commenting.