New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

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I'm starting my new basketball dynasty again with UC Riverside but this time playing with EA's NCAA Basketball 10 on an xbox 360. I couldn't find a reasonably priced College Hoops 2K8 and this is the next big thing. As with my old Raymond Rose Legacy this is a CPU vs. CPU dynasty with DeadlyCane's sliders and fine tuned to suit my style.

My name will not be Raymond Rose, who I will use later in my next dynasty, but instead Tim Bell, a first time coach. Tim Bell played for the Highlanders and was picked on the 10th round by the Golden Sate Warriors in the 1984 draft but his playing career never took off. He reminisces his playing years at UC Riverside, eventually decided to turn his sights to coaching his alma mater.

I'm still figuring out how to present this dynasty given how unwieldy my Raymond Rose Legacy was with CH2K8. I eventually decided on 19-minute halves per game for more realistic numbers. Forget about the number of steals (CH2K8 had the same problem) or three-pointers taken each game, they just don't shoot them more often here. Nothing is perfect and that I have to live with. Great heavens, presentation (both ESPN and CBC) are topnotch and unmatched by CH2K8. I don't care much about game play because I do CPU vs. CPU anyway, but the graphics are way better than the 2K's, though I have to edit body styles (linebackers in a basketball game) before every game. Generally I believe NCAA Basketball 10 is a fun game and EA deserves to be on top together with 2K.

I wish though that I could watch games that don't involve my team (CH2K8 does that), this way I can size up all the other teams in the conference and deliver a more realistic game results as well as players and team stats.

[xanax12]

New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS 2009-2010

Last year the UR Riverside Highlanders had a forgettable season and ended up with a losing 9-21 overall record finishing 7th in the Big West. There's no way to go but up and this early basketball pundits expect the team to go with how a first time head coach Tim Bell can relate to his players in his new role as bench tactician.

Kyle Austin, the 6-8 forward transfer from USC a year ago, made a huge impact last season leading the Highlanders in both points and rebounds. Now a senior Austin will be a serious contender for Big West Player of the Year this time around.

With nine graduating seniors expected to be gone next season, rookie head coach Tim Bell is hard pressed to come up with new talents and a better recruiting class. Incoming freshman 7'2 center Jared Gilmore, who was impressive during training is one. Another latest addition, Gonzaga transfer and 6-5 forward Larry Gaskins however is anywhere near as successful.

Sophomore Kurt Schraeder will see a lot more time at center playing alongside Austin but he has to watch his back for Gilmore. The Highlanders will be manned at the backcourt by a pair of seniors, Javon Bowden, a strong defensive point guard, and Brandon Dowdy, a junior college transfer last season, should fill the shooting guard role. The starters include another senior Sean Cunningham a guard who will play the wingman role. Playing backup forwards are yet another pair of seniors 6'8 Bryson Hampton and 6'7 strong forward Lateef McMullan. Another reliable senior, guard Gary Freeman will be answering the call from the bench whenever Bowden and Dowdy take a rest.

Coach Bell takes his first crack at college coaching when the Highlanders play host to MEAC's the North Caolina A&T Aggies led by senior Shiloh Madison and a pair of juniors Richard Fields and Austin Halloway. Next game also at home will be against Southland's the Northwestern State Demons with seniors Abiola Pittman, Theo Chambers and Cameron Lockhart.

Schedule of Non-Conference Games

Nov 9, 2009 vs. North Carolina A&T
Nov 16, 2009 vs. Northwestern State
Nov 21, 2009 at Houston
Nov 23, 2009 vs. Monmouth
Nov 28, 2009 at Liberty
Nov 29, 2009 Seton Hall
Dec 3, 2009 vs. UW-Milwaukee
Dec 11, 2009 at the Citadel
Dec 15, 2009 vs. Northern Colorado
Dec 18, 2009 vs. Alabama A&M
Dec 19, 2009 at Lipscomb
Dec 21, 2009 at Bowling Green
Dec 28, 2009 South Carolina State

UC Riverside HIghlanders
#	NAME	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
1	Javon Bowden	PG	6'0	195	Sr	Washington DC
3	Dwight Gordon	SG	6'3	188	So.	Fontana CA
4	Bryson Hampton	PF	6'8	215	Sr.	Portland OR
11	Jalonni Diggs	PG	6'2	190	Jr.	Los Angeles CA
12	James Forbes	SG	6'5	199	Sr.	Encinitas CA
13	Sean Cunningham	SF	6'3	190	Sr.	Los Angeles CA
20	Kyle Austin	PF	6'8	200	Sr.	Pasadena CA
23	Lateef McMullan	SF	6'7	205	Sr.	Tulsa OK
24	Brandon Dowdy	SG	6'2	200	Sr	Highland CA
30	Colin Chandler	PF	6'9	210	So.	St. Helena CA
32	Gary Freeman	SG	6'4	200	Sr.	Evanston IL
33	Jared Gilmore	C	7'2	232	Fr.	Riverside CA
41	Kurt Schraeder	C	6'11	246	So.	Auburn CA
42	Larry Gaskins	SF	6'5	200	Sr.	Oakland CA

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

BIG WEST 2009-2010 PREVIEW

With only four games separating first from eighth last season, the Big West was one of the most competitive conferences out there. Cal State Fullerton somehow captured both the regular season and tournament crowns then went on to give 2 seed Memphis a battle in the first round of NCAA March Madness.

The level of competition in the Big West should remain the same this season, as--once again--Cal Poly looks to be the only team that will struggle. And the Mustangs should quickly become competitive under former Seattle University head coach Joe Callero, who won 117 games there. In the meantime, Long Beach State, with their three Big West All-Freshmen selections all now sophomores, and UC Santa Barbara, bolstered by the return of point guard Justin Joiner, look to be the class of the league. But you'd be foolish to overlook any of the other teams in the "California Bus League."

Let's start with how they finished last season last season in the standings.

1. Cal State Fullerton 24-9 (12-4)
2. UC Santa Barbara 23-9 (12-4)
3. Pacific 21-10 (11-5)
4. Cal State Northridge 20-10 (12-4)
5. UC Irvine 18-16 (9-7)
6. Cal Poly 12-18 (7-9)
7. UC Riverside 9-21 (4-12)
8. UC Davis 9-22 (2-14)
9. Long Beach State 6-25 (3-13)

Now here is ESPN U's prediction for the 2009-10 season, presented in reverse order.

Cal Poly (12-18) New head coach Joe Callero formerly from Seattle University, will be hard pressed to repeat the seven wins the Mustangs had under Kevin Bromley last season, as three starters off that team are gone. The two returning starters, 6-2 point guard Lorenzo Keller and 6-6 strong forward Charles Anderson, are excellent building blocks. Hard working sophomore guard 6'4 Shawn Lewis is expected to carry the load for the Mustangs. 6-10 freshman Ben Hartman, decided not to enroll at Seattle when Callero left, and he followed the coach to San Luis Obispo. JC transfers Will Donahue a 6-8 center, and 6-6 forward Will Taylor will have to make an immediate impact in the frontcourt.

UC Davis (9-22) While the Aggies return three starters including junior Joe Harden, a 6-8 forward who will challenge for conference honors, 6-7 junior guard Mark Paine, and 6-10 senior forward Domenic Cappotelli, He was the Aggies' main offensive threat out of the backcourt, averaging 15.4 ppg. Point guard Ryan Silva is the leading returning scorer off the bench. Hawai'i transfer Todd Lorenzen and 6'5 junior Adam Ewing will compete for the last remaining slot. However head coach Gary Stewart badly needs his bench to step up for his team to contend for the top plum.

Long Beach State (6-25) While Dan Monson lost his leading scorer from last year, he has a very talented group coming back led by three sophomores. The 49ers are a balanced team, as the returning starters all average between 9 and 11 points per game. The three sophomores, 6-6 G/F Larry Anderson (10.8 ppg), 6-7 F T.J. Robinson (11.4), and 5-9 guard Casper Ware (9.1) were Big West All-Freshman selections last season. Anderson, the conference's Freshman of the Year, was the first frosh since fellow LBSU player Clifton Pondexter to be named to the All-Big West team as a freshman. Pondexter's selection came 35 seasons earlier. The 49ers bring back one returning senior starter, 6-2 guard Stephen Gilliam, who averaged 11 ppg last year. Monson should give more playing time to junior G Greg Slater, who shot 39% from the perimeter, but only averaged 3.2 points a contest last year. Long Beach has two seven footers on roster, senior starter Andrew Fleming and rookie Mike Zawacki, but it will be 6-9 Lin Chang 6-9, who should see the bulk of the post time instead. 6-5 freshman Jules Montgomery should also see time inside.

UC Riverside (9-21) The Highlanders will have 4 returning starters, all seniors, with All-Conference forward Kyle Austin, guards Javon Bowden, Brandon Dowdy and forward/ guard Sean Cunningham. Sophomore center Kurt Schraeder is the other starter with . Excellent forward backups senior Bryson Hampton and hometown boy, the 7'2 giant Jared Gilmore. Another pair of seniors Lateef McMullan and Gary Freeman will be coming from the bench to take up their backcourt roles.

Pacific (21-10) Bob Thomason and the Tigers always seem to be in the hunt for the Big West title, and this year should be no exception despite the loss of three starters from last year. Backcourt guards 6-6 Joe Ford and junior Terrell Smith and senior point guard-designee Lavar Newman will need to pick up their production otherwise freshmen Sterling Carter and Allen Huddleston will get more of a chance. 6-9 forward Sam Willard is back to anchor the frontcourt, and if his scoring output increases, he'll be a serious threat for all-Big West honors this year. He'll get a big boost with the return of 6-8 senior Michael Donnelly, who was suspended all of last season. International JC transfers, 6-9 Nyika Williams (St. Vincent) and 6-11 Everson Souza (Brazil) should also see serious playing time.

Cal State-Fullerton (24-9) Bob Burton has four returning starters led by sophomore point guard Jacques Skinner, and swingman Gerald Anderson. This season the Titans will be more frontcourt-focused this season. The returnees are led by 6-8 center Papa Greise. Expect heavy contributions from three transfers: 6-7 Oscar Calderon (South Florida), 6-9 Bryce Webster (Minnesota) and 6-6 Jervaughn Johnson (San Diego State).

UC Irvine (18-16) Pat Douglass will have a revamped frontcourt for the Anteaters and 6-5 Eric Wise is an excellent building block, as he averaged 14 points and 6 boards in his freshman year. The arrival of JC teammates, Slovaks Pavol Jablonski, a 6-9 forward, and Peter Talgarsky, a 7-0 center, could really provide a boost to the frontline. The Anteaters feature a solid backcourt with seniors 5-10 Michael Hunter and 6-3 Darren Moore and 6-0 junior Patrick Randle leading the way.

Cal State Northridge (20-10) Bobby Braswell's team looks to repeat, and while the odds may be against them, they're impossible to be written off. They have three returning starters, 6-4 G Kenny Daniels, 6-8 F Willie Gatlin, and 5-10 G Mark Hill, were all transfers last year. And Braswell hopes his latest crop of transfers, led by 7-0 James Darnell, 2007-08 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Vinnie McGee (Sacramento State), can fill the substantial holes on the Matadors' roster.

UC Santa Barbara (23-9) The Gauchos looked to be in solid shape thanks to the return of their other four starters. However, 6-8 C Jesse Byrd will miss his senior season thanks to a recurring knee problem. So, UCSB is now down to three returning starters. Point guard Justin Joiner returns after missing last season with a wrist injury but he has recovered. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Will Drew and James Powell. 6-7 James Donnelly, brother of Pacific's Michael, who averaged almost 8 points and over 3 boards a game last yearand 7-2 Russian Nikolai Kossenko will anchor the frontcourt, but expect to see a lot of 6'9 Korean Soong Lee. Bob Williams will also receive the services of former Loyola Marymount forward Orlando Johnson this season.

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Player of the Year: Larry Anderson, 6-6 G/F, So. (Long Beach State)

Remainder of the Team
Kyle Austin, 6-8 F, Sr. (UC Riverside)
Mark Paine, 6-7 G, Jr. (UC Davis)
T.J. Robinson, 6-7 F, So. (Long Beach State)
Eric Wise, 6-5 F, So. (UC Irvine)

https://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2009/10/24/1097863/btb-2009-10-big-west-preview

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Recruiting: Matt Carlton and Tim Griffith commit to UC Riverside

Dec. 12, Riverside CA - A bit of good news for head coach Tim Bell. 6'9 and 222-lb. center Matt Carlton commits to the UC Riverside Highlanders for next season. Carlton from Cicero IL is ranked #454 and #78 in the center position. He is reputed to be a blue collar type post player.

6'6 forward Tim Griffith became the second player to commit next season for the Highlanders. Coming out of Mount Vernon WA, the 191-lb 2-star recruit, is a passer scorer and ranks #111 in the strong forward position.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Forward Terry Gant commits to UC Riverside

Dec 20, Riverside CA -The UC Riverside Highlanders is beefed up by another commitment. Terry Gant, a 6'6 198 lb. forward, became the third recruit to say yes to head coach Tim Bell. Gant from Brooklyn Park MN is a passer scorer and is ranked #472 and #101 in his strong forward position.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

2-stars Corey Meyer and Damian Lucas commit to Riverside

Dec 28, Riverside CA - Coach Tim Bell received the news that two more recruits, both 2 stars, have committed to play for the UC Riverside Highlanders next season. Corey Meyer is a 6'10 forward 233-lb forward from Kirkland WA is scouted as a complete post player. He is ranked # 478 and # 108 in his power forward position.

Damian Lucas is a 6'11 234-lb center from Honolulu HI. A power post player, he is ranked #856 and # 133 in his position.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Schedule of Conference Games:

Jan. 3 vs. UC Santa Barbara
Jan. 11 at UC Irvine
Jan. 13 at UC Davis
Jan. 20 vs. Long Beach State
Jan. 26 at Pacific
Jan. 28 vs. UC Irvine
Jan. 31 vs. Pacific
Feb. 3 at Long Beach State
Feb. 8 vs. Cal State Northridge
Feb.11 vs. Cal State Fullerton
Feb. 13 at UC Santa Barbara
Feb. 17 vs. Cal Poly
Feb. 19 at Cal State Fullerton
Feb. 23 vs. UC Davis
Feb. 26 at Cal Poly
Feb. 28 at Cal State Northridge

Big West Conference Standings - Updated: Dec 31, 2009
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PCT	STRK
Long Beach State	8-5	.615	0-0	.000	L1
UC Davis	8-5	.615	0-0	.000	W1
Cal State Fullerton	8-5	.615	0-0	.000	L1
UC Riverside	7-6	.538	0-0	.000	L2
UC Irvine	7-6	.538	0-0	.000	W3
UC Santa Barbara	6-7	.462	0-0	.000	L1
Cal State Northridge	6-7	.462	0-0	.000	W3
Pacific	1-12	.077	0-0	.000	L9
Cal Poly	0-13	.000	0-0	.000	L13

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

UCR d. UC Santa Barbara, 76-71

Jan. 3, Riverside CA - UC Riverside opened its Big West campaign with a home victory over UC Santa Barbara in front of a jampacked crowd at the Student Recreation Center, 76-71. The Highlanders as usual started strong and led 23-13 going into the second quarter but an 11-0 run by UC Santa Barbara nullified the advantage and enabled the Gauchos to finish the first half on top, 35-31. Freshman Jared Gilmore scored underneath to give a 44-43 lead back to the Highlanders where it would stay or good. But the Gauchos never surrendered, twice they cut the lead to only 1, the last time at 72-71 after James Donnelly pumped in a trey with 20.5 ticks left. Brandon Dowden and Kyle Austin then finished the game with clutch free throws.

Kyle Austin made up from a mediocre performance the last time to score 22 points for the Highlanders and take the Player of the Game honors. Sean Cunningham contributed 14 while guards Brandon Dowdy and Javon Bowden added 11 and 10 respectively. Rookie standout Cory Carmichael led all scorers with 23 points for the Gauchos. Nikolai Kossenko had 17 markers and a game high 9 rebounds while reserve forward James Donnely finished with 11.

Recruiting: 4-star Quinn Moody commits to the Highlanders

After the home victory against UC Santa Barbara head coach Tim Bell received the welcome news that much sought after high school player Quinn Moody have committed to UC Riverside for next season. A 6'3 188-lb passer scorer, Moody, playing out of Clinton IA, is a 4-star point guard who is ranked #146 and a high # 28 in his position.

* Correction: I earlier reported Quinn Moody a 3-star recruit, he is a 4-star. My bad. This is the first time I ever had a 4-star commit, either here or College Hoops 2K8.

[Deuce2223]

Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Finished non-conference above .500, won your first Big West game and landed a 3* recruit. Not a bad start. Hopefully Moody can be a solid player to help build the program around. I personally never played the NCAA Basketball game so I am not familiar with the recruiting. I found it pretty easy in 2K to just stick to California recruits and grab 3* guy's who got over looked and never got a scholarship offer from the bigger school's and they turned out to be instant starters most of the time on my roster.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Finished non-conference above .500, won your first Big West game and landed a 3* recruit. Not a bad start. Hopefully Moody can be a solid player to help build the program around. I personally never played the NCAA Basketball game so I am not familiar with the recruiting. I found it pretty easy in 2K to just stick to California recruits and grab 3* guy's who got over looked and never got a scholarship offer from the bigger school's and they turned out to be instant starters most of the time on my roster.

Surprisingly I find recruiting in this game rather easy unlike CH2K8, where I usually get players to commit only after the season. I'm still looking for a reasonably-priced xbox 360 version of my favorite basketball game but still no luck.

Btw, just suffered my first glitch, I reported that the Highlanders defeated UC Santa Barbara, it turned out the game wasn't saved (my bad) and after simming to set up the rivalry game against UC Irvine I suddenly heard from the commentators that the Highlanders were riding on a 4-game losing streak. The glitch robbed them of the win and instead handed it over to the Gauchos. My bitter mistake, best to save after every game.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

UCR d. UC Irvine, 67-62

Dec. 11, Irvine CA - UC Riverside snapped its four-game losing streak with a victory against rival UC Irvine in front of a disappointed crowd at the Bren Events Center, 67-62. This is a bittersweet victory for the Highlanders after a victory was taken away from them in their first conference game against UC Santa Barbara last December 3rd.

The jam packed crowd were expecting a blow out of sorts by the favored home team against their most bitter rival however the Highlanders got the better of the Anteaters. It was tough all the way with the Highlanders up at the half, 33-32, after a buzzer-beating trey by Patrick Randle drew the Anteaters close.

It was a pendulum affair at the start of the final canto, the lead swaying back and forth until the final 1:14 when two free throws by Eric Wise tied the count for the last time, 60-all. After a series of misses by both teams, Irvine's leading scorer Michael Hunter scored on a jumper to hand the lead back to the Anteaters, 62-20, with barely 38 seconds left. Sean Cunningham then heaved a shot from beyond the arc to give the lead back to the Highlanders, 63-62, time down to 31.1 seconds. The Anteaters, however, turned the ball over virtually handing the victory to the Highlanders.

Player of the Game Kyle Austin had a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Highlanders while Brandon Dowdy and Sean Cunningham added 14 and 11. Patrick Randle and Michael Hunter led the Anteaters with 14 and 13 points respectively while Zack Atkinson added 9 markers and a game high 12 rebounds.

[RolePlayer]

Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

You can't get enough of the Big West huh?

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

UC Davis d. UCR, 83-61

Dec. 13, Davis CA - Two days after an emotional win against rival UC Irvine, the UC Riverside Highlanders came down crushing with a road defeat against UC Davis before an ecstatic crowd at the Pavilion expecting a close match between two evenly matched teams. It was nothing short of a massacre, the listless Highlanders were totally outplayed, out hustled and outgunned by the Aggies, 83-61. The game was close until a 14-2 run late in the first half gave the Aggies a hefty 46-31 lead at halftime. The Highlanders never came close after that.

Joe Harden fired 20 points for the Aggies to lead all scorers. Todd Lorenzen contributed 17 points and dished out a game high 6 assists to take Player of the Game honors. Dominic Cappotelli and Mark Paine added 12 and 10 respectively. Kurt Schraeder and Sean Cunningham led the Highlanders with 16 and 14 points. Brandon Dowdy finished with 11 while Kyle Austin, the Highlanders' leading scorer, was limited to a season low 4 points.

UCR d. Long Beach State, 69-62

Dec. 20, Riverside CA -UC Riverside improved to a 9-5 home record with a convincing victory against Long Beach State, 69-62. Coming home from a disastrous and forgettable outing at Davis, the Highlanders came alive in the second half with a tenacious defense limiting the 49ers' field shooting to only 37% to come away with he win after being down by 10 at the half, 26-36.

At the start of the second half, the Highlanders immediately took over with a 13-3 run capped by a Kurt Schraeder slam to tie the game at 39-all. After the 49ers nullified a 5-poiont spree by reserve forward Lateef McMullan, the game became a see-saw affair until Kyle Austin broke the last deadlock with a jumper from the right for a 62-60 lead time down to 2:28. After a Long Beach State turnover Brandon Dowden drove in the middle for a 64-60 advantage but just as quick the 49ers came up with an answer. Then freshman Jarod Gilmore finger rolled for a 66-62 lead with 52.8 ticks left. The margin proved to be decisive as the 49ers failed to retaliate.

Kyle Austin broke a slump for a team high 16 points for the Highlanders. Brandon Dowdy and Jared Gilmore finished with 10 and 9 points respectively and Javon Bowden also 9. However it was Sean Cunningham who bagged Player of the Game honors with 7 markers and a game high 8 assists. Andrew Fleming, who fouled out with 3 minutes left, and Larry Anderson led the 49ers with 10 points apiece. Happy for the win but coach Tim Bell still have a big concern going on in his head, the Highlanders were 15 out of 26 from the line for a woeful 58%. Overall it has been a disgrace ___ for the season.

Recruiting: Three-point shooters commit to UC Riverside

Meanwhile, two shooting guards noted for their three-point proficiency finally committed to play for the UC Riverside Highlanders next season. Not heavily scouted as one-star recruits, both Rupert Donahue and Malachi Prince look forward playing for coach Tim Bell. Donahue from Hacienda Heights CA is a 6'1 183-lb shooting guard ranked #1462 and #307 for the position while Prince of Stockton CA, is 6'3 and 200-lb and is ranked #1498 and #315 respectively.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

You can't get enough of the Big West huh?

It's certainly looking that way.

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Re: New Beginning: A UC Riverside Dynasty (NCAA Basketball 10)

Pacific d. UCR, 69-62

Jan. 26, Stockton CA - UC Riverside dropped its rivalry game against Pacific in front of a captivating crowd at the Alex G. Spanos Center, 69-62. The Highlanders down 33-28 at the half were behind most of the way as they couldn't get past 40% of their from the field. The Tigers which didn't shoot well either limited them all evening to only 35% from the field, though were out rebounded 38-40 by the Highlanders, apparently the number 1 in rebounds in the conference.

The Highlanders did get close and gave the game a thrilling finish. Twice they tied the game going into the last quarter, the last time at 44-all. The Tigers gained the upper hand each time and were in total control, but the Highlanders managed to stay close with 2:00 remaining after Brandon Dowdy sank a trey for a 62-60 count and had an opportunity to tie the game after a turnover by the Tigers. The Highlanders missed on the ensuing play but Kurt Schraeder picked up two successive offensive boards but uncharacteristically flubbed both his shots. Tigers burly center Everson Souza was fouled and converted both charities. A costly turnover by the Highlanders led to an underneath put back by Souza sealing the victory for Pacific.

Player of the Game Sam Willard and Terrell Smith led the Tigers with 18 and 16 points respectively. Brandon Dowdy and Lateef McMullan were the high pont men for the Highlanders, who are now 3-6 overall on the road, with 12 points apiece. Both Kurt Schraeder and Kyle Austin, who grabbed a game high 11 rebounds before fouling out, had 10.

UCR def. UC Irvine, 69-50

Jan. 28, Riverside CA - UC Irvine made a repeat win against rival UC Irvine much to the delight of an afternoon crowd at the Student Recreation Center with a 69-50 massacre of the Anteaters. The Highlanders went on an early lead, stretched it further and finished the half already with a comfortable margin, 44-27. The listless Anteaters, which were limited to a measly 34% from the field, couldn't take off and going into the final quarter they were down big, 54-33.

Brandon Dowdy was the high point man for the game with 19 points, sophomore center Kurt Schraeder added 13 points for the Highlanders, which outr ebounded the Anteaters 43-28. Patrick Randle and Zack Atkinson led the visitors with 11 and 10 points respectively.

UCR def. Pacific, 66-63

Jan. 31, Riverside CA - UC Riverside got back at Pacific beating its rival with a 66-63 drubbing at home in front of an overflow crowd at the Student Recreation Center. With the back-to-back victory at home, the Highlanders are now back to .500 for the conference and 10-9 overall.

Down 31-35 at the half, the Highlanders immediately got to work tying the ball game at 35-all. It was close from hereon as both teams battled tooth and nail until the final buzzer. A jumper by Kyle Austin gave the Highlanders a 4-point cushion going into the final 1:30 of play. Sam Willard replied with 2 free throws before Brandon Dowdy made good one of his free throws for a 66-63 count, time down to 1:08. Both teams failed to score after that and the Highlanders hanged on to win.

Javon Bowden came out from a minor slump to lead the Highlanders with 12 points and snatch the Player of the Game honors from Brandon Dowdy who also scored 12. Kyle Austin finished with 10 and so did Kurt Schraeder. Terrell Smith was the high point for the game with 14 points for the Tigers, which outrebounded the Highlanders, 32-29, at the boards. Everson Souza added 12 while Sam Willard had a double-double 10 points and a game high 11 rebounds.

Recruiting: Tyrese Holland commits to the Highlanders

Meanwhile, coach Tim Bell got his ninth recruit after one-star Tyrese Holland committed to don the Highlanders jersey next season. Holland, a 6'4 201-lb strong forward shooter from Fresno CA, is ranked #1701 and # 353 for his position.

As it is with 9 seniors graduating and 5 expected holdovers at the end of the season, already 9 players have committed to join the Highlanders next season. Coach Bell has one scholarship left and needs a guard to fill up the puzzle for next year.

Big West Conference Standings - Updated: Jan 31, 2010
TEAM	CONF	PCT	REC	PCT	STRK
UC Santa Barbara	7-1	.875	13-8	.619	W5
Cal State Northridge	7-1	.875	13-8	.619	W3
UC Davis	5-1	.833	13-6	.684	W4
UC Riverside	4-3	.571	11-9	.550	W2
Long Beach State	2-2	.500	10-7	.588	L1
Cal State Fullerton	3-6	.333	11-11	.500	L2
Pacific	3-6	.333	4-18	.182	L1
UC Irvine	3-7	.300	10-13	.435	L4
Cal Poly	1-8	.111	1-21	.045	L7