UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (4-6, 1-0) @ Cal Poly Mustangs (10-1, 0-0)
Omari Aura (Indiana Pacers SF)
I sprained my wrist so have a couple weeks to recover before I can play again for the Pacers. This has been a tough season for me…this is my second injury that has sidelined me. I came back a too quickly from the last one. I got into games, but my play suffered. That’s resulted in reduced playing time which has been a real bummer.
Since I can’t do much with the team right now, I decided to visit my folks and take in my dad’s first conference game tonight. My pro career hasn’t gone all that well, so while I’m here I plan to discuss things with my parents…whether to stick it out or try something else…like maybe coaching or getting a job in business. Either of those ways the pay will be less, but I really am getting frustrated with how my time in the NBA has gone. Money isn’t an issue anyway, since I’ve been able to invest most of my salary.
UC Santa Barbara played a pretty comparable pre-conference schedule to the Mustangs but played two tough opponents. They took on Alabama and Michigan on the road and lost by just 2 points to each of those teams. So they could give Cal Poly a real run for their money. Four of their starters are averaging in double figures. Their team offense hasn’t been potent but their defense has been strong.
Ugly start by the Mustangs…not looking good at all. And it takes them nearly 4 minutes to score. Fortunately the Gauchos have only scored 2 points during that time. Tough break, SG Nikolo Ivelitsch picks up 2 quick fouls. Dad gets on the refs but they called both fouls on Ivelitsch correctly. SG Bryan Taylor nails a 3 with 12-1/2 minutes to play to give Cal Poly a 12-10 lead. Gauchos making a boatload of turnovers and Cal Poly taking advantage to go up 19-11 with 9 minutes left in the half. It’s taken a while, but the Mustangs have figured out the Gauchos’ 1-3-1 zone. UCSB’s PG Grant Self has scored 11 of the Gauchos first 13 points. The Gaucho’s coach riding his starters…and my Dad is using a deep bench as usual for him…so far advantage to my Dad. 29-20 with 3 minutes til halftime. Mustangs are being out-rebounded and missing their foul shots…my Dad’s not going to like either of those things and likely will be on the guys at halftime. Cal Poly leads 31-20 at the break and 10 of their guys have scored. Good D by the Mustangs…UCSB hit just 28% of their shots and made 10 turnovers.
So much for the D…UCSB hitting their shots and Cal Poly’s lead down to 48-45 with 10 minutes remaining. Mustangs have a lot of difficulty getting the ball in the hoop. Effective D has been re-established. Damn, the Mustangs steal the ball with 3 minutes to go and get a great outlet pass for a driving layup, but they’re called for a charging foul…I don’t agree with the ref on that one. PG Danny Preston hits a big 3 with 2 minutes left that puts the Mustangs ahead by 9. Cal Poly takes it…68-56! Biggest difference in the game was a 21-8 advantage for the Mustangs on turnovers. I doubt my Dad will be very happy with how his guys played though. But a win is a win.
C Dekker Chambers scored 13 points and picked off 7 rebounds. PG Edouard La Touche put in 11 points. SF Trey Small had a strong game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and a block. PG Danny Preston scored just 7 points but had 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Preston and Small impressed me the most. UC Santa Barbara’s PG Greg Self scored 20 points and he had 4 rebounds and 7 assists.