Blue Green Rivalry running blog Jan 19, 2013

7:03 Sunday morning UCSB 83, Cal Poly 81 – Apologies for not updating for the last quarter of the game. I was tweeting and between that and the craziness that was happening at the Thunderdome, it was hard to keep up. I’m going to try to post at least a few other posts, but here are a few notes about the end of the game to put a wrap on this post.

The Thunderdome got loud. After reading an article about how the Thunderdome wasn’t very loud, a lot of students ended up showing up. While the seating behind the benches didn’t even get half-full, the big section opposite the benches was about 75 percent full — and loud. I said earlier that I thought it would be louder, but it turned out I just had to wait a while.

The second half got weird. First a fire alarm went off. The ref’s decided to play through it, though it seemed to agitate everyone. So much so, that there was a loud random cheer when it was finally shut off about 20 minutes after it began.

Coaches care. Joe Callero and Bob Williams came at each other at one point regarding a shot clock “malfunction.” Callero believed the shot clock operator cost his team a chance at 2 points. Williams didn’t take kindly to Callero’s tongue-lashing of said operator and they exchanged words. That was the moment this game went from “intense rivalry game” to surreal. Between the intense environment, the fire alarm, the fact that it was a rivalry game, and the coaches almost fighting I wasn’t sure if I should evacuate or wait for Manti Te’o’s special lady friend to rush the court…

UCSB continues to dominate. In basketball, at least, the Gauchos have taken it to the Mustangs. Despite many recent one and two-point games, Cal Poly is not just 1-11 in their past 12 meetings with UCSB.

11:33 2nd half – Finally there are pics up. Good times. UCSB has really done a gutty job of sticking this game out without their best player, Alan Williams. Michael Bryson and Kyle Boswell are nailing jumpers and, while Reese Morgan is keeping Cal Poly out in front, it’s not by more than 6 or so points. Morgan has 18 points.

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16:15 2nd half- Reese Morgan continues to shoot really well. UCSB is hanging tough though, gathering loose balls and generally dominating inside. They’re also playing really good team defense.

Halftime – Chris Eversley has 14 points and 9 rebounds. Alan Williams has 7 points, 5 rebounds and what looks like an injured knee. Advantage Mustangs.

Actually, with Alan Williams only playing 12 minutes, UCSB is hanging close, trailing Cal Poly 32-27 at halftime.

10:00 left in the first half – Interesting start to the game. Nobody really scored for a while. Cal Poly was down by about 5 early-on before a 4-point play from Reese Morgan brought them back. UCSB has two players that are going to be the focal point of their offense — Alan Williams and Kyle Boswell. Williams is a dominator. 11-11.

3:57 ’til gametime – I thought the Thunderdome would be a little more… thunderous. Sitting right in front of the student section and mellow thus far. This is a big gym and definitely not close to half-full. The Thunderdome does have a cool look — wooden beams spanning across its length and width.

Former Mustangs David Hanson and Jordan Lewis are in the house and I think I saw volleyball player Jennifer Keddy too, along with some kids from Mike Wozniak’s 3-Ball Academy.

Last thing of note pre-game — it’s been confirmed that Reese Morgan will make his first career start. Morgan is sporting a newly cropped haircut.

As I finish this, the student section starts singing. They said they’re here to “get loco.” ‘Bout to find out. Pray for us.

Reese Morgan is scheduled to get his first start tonight at the Thunderdome. By Owen Main

10:00 AM The Blue-Green rivalry has had the tide somewhat turned in soccer this school year, but it’s all about basketball today.

On the men’s side, UCSB hosts Cal Poly this afternoon at 4pm on Fox Prime Ticket. I’ll be interested to know how the early start/TV game changes things. One thing that could happen is that one team comes out flat because of it and runs and hides. It happened last year when Cal Poly put up 100 on Cal State Northridge.

The numbers look good for the Gauchos. Despite a slower-than normal 2-3 stat to the Big West Conference season, UCSB has dominated this basketball rivalry. Cal Poly is just 1-10 over the past 11 meetings and UCSB leads the Division 1 series 27-10. Those are tall numbers for Joe Callero, who has yet to beat UCSB in Isla Vista in three attempts.

I read this article last night and thought it was interesting. Today will be my first visit to the Thunderdome, though I’m not sure if I’ll get the full effect for a 4:00 pm game in a place whose crowd was described by an alum as “pathetic”.

I said it last year and I’ll say it again — sophomore forward Alan Williams is a load in the middle for the Gauchos. He had a great game at Mott Gym last season against Cal Poly and doesn’t have to compete with Jaime Serna or Greg Somogyi for playing time down low.

Cal Poly, who has been a slow-down team under Joe Callero, will probably actually want to push the tempo in this game. Look for Cal Poly to try to get this one up into the 70’s. I say this quote a lot when it comes to basketball, but it’s true — the team that gets their best players the most good looks at the basket usually comes out on top. Those best players tonight are Alan Williams for UCSB and Chris Eversley for Cal Poly. If either goes for 20-plus and is able to impose their will on their opponents, look for that team to have a big advantage.

Stay tuned to this post throughout today’s game for photos and updates  from the Thunderdome.