Basketball or Bodies?

As of 2009, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, ranked #2 in California for sexiest students, and ranked in the top 100, nationwide. It is littered with “Poly Dolly’s,” known for their perfectly bronzed, sun fevered bodies, adorned in about as much clothing as a near naked Bruno. While the men, block headed gym rats, both dopey and impressed, cruise by with their manicured Orange County, dirty blonde surfer fro’s, their rippled twelve packs (and I am not talking Coors), and chiseled, Superman jawlines.

Recently San Luis Obispo was dubbed “the #2 happiest place on earth to live,” and reveled in a featured spot on the Oprah Winfrey show.  Not to mention, the city is a sweet blend between both party-central, and back country, historical-antiquity, which is why even the likes of stoned hippies can find enough time to manage studies, and homework, graduating with academic honors.

As if things couldn’t get any better, they just have. Faith Minmaugh’s Women’s basketball team is 8-0 in Big West play, 12-7 overall. This is a team that finished 18-11 last season, 11-5 in Big West play, before bowing out early in the Big West tournament, 54-51 to UC Riverside.  It is a fair assesment to say, Minmaugh came into this season hoping to build on the success of last year.

Yet things did not start the way she’d hoped. On opening night, reigning Big West Player of the Year, center Melissa Santiago, tore her ACL, and was declared out for the entire year.  Santiago, a super- athletic post presence, averaged 19.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Her absence put the Mustangs in a difficult situation, as they stumbled to just a 2-5 start, including a rough 5 game losing skid, that saw them misstep against prime foes like Illinois, Minnesota, and Arizona St. All 3 would have been key wins to put on their resume if they hoped to get a bid in the NCAA tournament in March.

But there is an alternative route, when seeking a birth in March. That would be rolling the way the Mustang women currently have, winners of 8 in a row, 10 of 12, holding a 3 game lead on second place UC Davis, and UCSB.  Their 8-0 start in Conference play is the best start in the Cal Poly women’s basketball history, not to mention a solid way to earn themselves a #1 seed in the Big West tourney, furthering their chances to make it to the championship round.

Last season’s all Big West honorable mention player, Rachel Clancy, has taken the reigns as the this year’s go-to-player. The 5’9, senior guard, is in the top five in Big West scoring at 16.1 points per game, and ranks 28th overall in 3 point field goals in the NCAA’s.  An Ireland national team member, Clancy, has shown the resiliency to not only improve down the stretch of games, but also her outside shot.  She has picked up from last seasons 11.3 points per contest, and has been steam rolling as the season progresses, upping her average from pre-season to league play by nearly a point per contest.  Most importantly, she has taken over when the team has needed it most.  Her performances include: 31 against UC Davis in 39 minutes, to go along with 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and a burst of 24 in a decisive 72-70 win over UC Irvine. Both wins were crucial, in solidifying just how good this year’s team is.

As good as things have been, they got better, when the Mustangs rallied down the stretch to knock off league rival UCSB, on January 27th, 54-51. A win that saw one of the team’s role players, sophomore guard Ashlee Burns, hit a go ahead 3 with 2 seconds to play.  Burns, a 5’9 guard from nearby Livermore, has been a tough as nails bench spark. Her 8.9 points per game ranks her 3rd on the Mustangs, though she plays just a paltry 14.9 minutes a night.  Her upside has caused an excitement from Mustang fans dreaming of a 4 or 5 year run as a premier super power in the Big West.

Another blossoming star is the 6’3, Junior center, Abby Bloetscher.  Bloetscher’s 11.1 points per game ranks her 2nd on the team in scoring, while her 6.9 rebounds, ranks her first. She is arguably the most improved player in the Big West, as her averages have nearly tripled from her Sophomore season. Her biggest performance came on January 13th, in which the center went for career highs of 29 points and 13 rebounds, in a 3 point win over Cal State Fullerton.

It will be interesting to continue watching this year’s team, as they learn to evolve and further move on from their superstar Santiago. The question will be whether or not this team has enough in the tank to continue their hotness into the Big West tourney, winning the title there, before moving on to their first ever birth into March Madness.  If so, it is fair to say, all of S.L.O. will take a break from the gym, the beach, their prowling glance of scantily clad bodies, to devote attention toward a program that is worthy of it.

If not, I won’t be suprised, but would be dissapointed to see so many bright (or bronzed?) individuals miss out.

–Luke Johnson