Monday, December 29, 2008

Winning and losing streaks

The UCLA Bruins tonight lost 62-72 to Texas Tech. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak that dated back to Nov. 23. I didn't see nor hear today's game, so all I have to go on is the box score. 25 turnovers? 38.3 percent shooting? UCLA out-rebounded the Raiders 41-33, but 41 is still lower than their usual. Perhaps it's a combination of still having things to work on and tonight's contest being their first in eight days, and on the road at that. But I hope they can get it together, because they'll have their hands full with Oregon State on Friday. I'm looking forward to that game.

Arizona beat Boise State, despite playing only eight people (Boise State played 10). I wish Arizona would get to Pauley Pavilion sooner, because I want to see them play; I'm intrigued by them. I've noticed that the players getting the most minutes aren't always producing big points, so obviously they're doing all the intangibles - some of which don't make the box score.

For example, Reiko Thomas had 11 points, four rebounds and two assists, but the shooting guard played all 40 minutes. Guard Ashley Frazier had three points, five assists and two steals, and played 39 minutes. I wonder how this team is going to shake out.

One player who needs no explanation, however, is Wildcat forward Ify Ibekwe. Tonight she put in a career-high 26 points and 20 rebounds in 37 minutes - amazing.

On the other side of the country, 14th-ranked Rutgers got its 20th consecutive home victory with a win over George Washington tonight. Congrats to them.

It is at this time of year, as teams go into conference play, that winning and losing trends have emerged. Fans can see which teams have a tendency to lose on the road and not, and what squads successfully defend their home court. Yet, March is still so very far away, in so many ways.

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