BIG WEST MEN’S BASKETBALL
LONG BEACH @ FULLERTON, 7pm
We’re going to be coming to you LIVE from the “historic” Titan Gym as Long Beach and Fullerton renew their heated rivalry. It’s going to be extra heated tonight as both squads are trying to avoid the 0-2 start in Big West play.
Make sure you leave your comments during the game!
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7:00 before tip-off
Ok, we’re here and all set to go. Both squads are warming up to the soothing sounds of David Banner. What do you guys want to know about the atmosphere? What do you wish you could see? As always, we’re your eyes and ears. Let us know what you want and check back frequently for updates!
Both teams come into this contest searching for the first Big West victory, so it’s one of those classic Long Beach & Fullerton battles where you can throw out the previous records and expect a spirited slugfest. I’m predicting fireworks early.
Here are my keys for Long Beach:
Defensively: Don’t key on any one player. It’s going to take a balanced defensive effort to leave Fullerton with a win. Fullerton’s best scorer is the speedy Jacques Streeter, but two others (Aaron Thompson and Jer’Vaughn Johnson) average 10.0ppg+ and the Titans have a very balanced attack.
Offensively: For the first time in maybe the history of ever, the 49ers’ strength is on the inside. Fullerton doesn’t have much size, and certainly not enough to contain T.J. Robinson. Fullerton usually goes with some variation of a 2-3 zone, so look for Ware to penetrate and kick to Gilling or Plater for three-balls. If Long Beach gets Robinson the ball early and can attack the Titans’ undersized interior defenders (cough*Larry Anderson*cough) that would be a huge advantage. Also, some free throws would be nice.
P.S. If you could all refrain from posting updates about the Alabama/Texas game, that’d be much appreciated. We’re recording the game and are trying to avoid technology at all costs until we get home to watch it. Thanks!
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Starting lineups
Long Beach – Casper Ware, Larry Anderson, T.J. Robinson, Stephan Gilling, Arturas Lazdauskas (surprise!)
Fullerton – Aaron Thompson, Jacques Streeter, Jer’Vaughn Anderson, Bryce Webster, Gerard Anderson
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19-10 Fullerton, 12:25: Fullerton comes out with a man-to-man defense and a whole lot of energy, while Long Beach is staying poised through the noise and the “Long Beach Sucks” chants. The Titans are going to 6-foot-6 Gerard Anderson early and often in the post, using his size and athleticism to attempt to get Robinson into foul trouble. On offense, the 49ers are on their heels and have committed too many unforced turnovers already. Ware is penetrating and showing the aggressiveness that will make the Titans crack, but the rest of the team has yet to follow suit. Streeter hits a big three to send the crowd into a frenzy.
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21-13 Fullerton, 11:37: Long Beach shows a 2-3 zone with a smaller lineup, which Fullerton quickly picks apart for a layup. Still lacking on the energy scale. On offense, Casper Ware attacks when he gets the ball and usually scores. Everyone else gets the ball and looks afraid to penetrate, leading to some really silly turnovers. I don’t understand why the most athletic team in the conference doesn’t attack the basket more often.
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29-18 Fullerton, 6:16: Ok I really cannot stress this enough: The 49ers get into trouble when they fall behind and try to get back into the game with three-pointers. They revert to jump shots rather than attacking the basket when they go down a few points, and it just never ever works. Three different players have missed four threes in the last two minutes. Eugene Phelps is already in foul trouble and T.J. Robinson is still not making any noise on offense. The riddle that is Larry Anderson is off to another slow start, and Fullerton really looks determined to come out here and make a statement. By the by, pretty good showing of Monson Maniacs.
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29-21 Fullerton, 5:26: Of course, Gilling nails a three after my “Don’t shoot threes” rant.
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34-28 Fullerton, 2:25: Long Beach was getting beat on the inside, so they switched to a 2-3 zone and proceeded to get beat on the outside; giving up a rally of open jump shots that the Titans happily knowcked down. Jer’Vaughn Johnson is the latest Titan to nail a wide open jumper. Then it’s Gerard Anderson for three. Streeter is next with a non-contested triple. How do you leave a team’s three best scorers wide open on consecutive plays? And if so, why continue with the zone? On offense, Ware hits a jumper and is the only 49er to be playing with any consistency.
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37-31 Fullerton, Half: Well, that was a truly ugly half of basketball. Long Beach struggled to get good looks at the basket and Fullerton had their number on defense, exploiting the man defense on the interior and the zone defense on the outside. Coach Monson must be glad to only be down by 6 and get a new start. Gerard Anderson and Jacques Streeter are posing a real problem for Long beach to defend. It just doesn’t make sense to go to zone against them; you’re taking away your pressure defense aspect, which is what your team excels at. I understand if your big guys are in foul trouble, but it’s not worth giving up open three-pointers. Just my two. What’s yours?
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Your leading scorer is Casper Ware with 10, while Streeter and Anderson have 9 apiece for Fullerton. T.J. Robinson is scoreless at the half on 0-2 shooting, which is basically unheard of and certainly unacceptable. Rebounds are even, so are free throws. Stephan Gilling is 2-7 from three and while he is a very good outside shooter, I have never understood his single-minded obsession with the three-point shot. If he continues to shoot that poorly that often it will kill Long Beach’s chances tonight. The 49ers have 8 turnovers to Fullerton’s 5.
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42-35 Fullerton, 18:08: Fullerton’s Gerard Anderson continued his impressive first half with a vicious one-handed putback dunk over a couple of 49ers that really set off this Titan crowd, but the refs whistled him with a technical foul for taunting. I don’t know, I didn’t see anything wrong. Whatever the case, it took the air out of the gym and Long Beach hit three free throws on the next possession. Streeter hits a three and Anderson counters… by traveling. Hey, at least T.J. Robinson is finally on the board (one point).
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51-42 Fullerton, 15:09: Frankly, this is just a really ugly game. Lots of missed assignments, lots of ill-advised three point attempts, lots of silly turnovers. Now both teams have taken to falling asleep on defense and letting their man streak to the basket for dunks. Neither team is playing well, although Fullerton is certainly playing better.
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55-46 Fullerton, 11:42: The 49ers continue to struggle with guarding 6-foot-6 Gerard Anderson, who now has three dunks in this half. The latest iteration was a skying jam that literally used a stationary T.J. Robinson as a springboard. The level of Long Beach State laziness on defense is hard to put into words. Wait until you see the highlight video later tonight. Fullerton is getting to the loose balls, the rebounds, and the basket whenever they want.
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62-56 Fullerton, 7:01: Long Beach is making a run behind the offensive play of – get this – Eugene Phelps. Back to back buckets from Phelps provide a spark with Anderson and Robinson on the bench. Plater hits a three and the 49ers are clawing back into the game even with a small lineup of Ware, Plater and Woodard. A 14-point deficit has quickly become just six.
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69-62 Fullerton, 5:01: As the 49ers try to compete for this lead, it looks like they’re content with letting poor free throw shooting hold them back, yet again. T.J. misses a chance to cut the lead to three and then Long Beach gives up a wide open three pointer to Streeter. Watch, free throws will once again be a killer for the 49ers.
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72-62 Fullerton, 3:08: Simply put, the Titans came to play tonight and the 49ers didn’t. There’s still plenty of time, but it will take a major shift in spirit for Long Beach State to salvage this game.
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76-71 Fullerton, 1:04: Monson is substituting Larry Anderson and Stephan Gilling for offense/defense purposes, while Phelps gets going again and Robinson puts back his inevitable free throw miss. They need luck from here on out.
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85-75 Fullerton, FINAL: An impressive performance from Fullerton, but that was just plain poor basketball from top to bottom for Long Beach State. The 49ers end the game with three consecutive turnovers and give up a rim-rattling dunk; a fitting sequence. Long Beach tried to help Fullerton score at least 85 points in every way possible, and by golly, they succeeded tonight.
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