It's a Wrap from the Valley

WOODLAND HILLS -- You can't really extrapolate and say, if the Aggies just do X (like hit the layups they flubbed) then Y happens (like the Aggies are in the game at the end). I don't really think basketball works like that. But you have to ask yourself, if UCD was actually making its layups early, would it have demonstrated more of an inclination late in the first half to actually attack the rim? Northridge committed its seventh team foul with 13:41 to go in the first half. The Aggies shot 14 free throws from that point forward. That's a lot of free throws. But it's also only seven trips to the line. The Matadors' pace should have created more possessions, more chances to attack the lane. And with the refs clearly committed to using their whistles, UCD appeared to lose some of its nerve.

--The Aggies shot 50 percent (8-for-16) from 3-point range, their best showing from there in a while. It wasn't enough to pull Northridge out of its zone, but it was an encouraging sign.

--I don't think I've seen that many blown finishes around the basket at this level in a long time. We've chronicled what happened to UCD. But the best one actually happened to Northridge's Jonathan Heard. After an offensive rebound, Heard opted for the monster jam as his putback. When he did it, however, he pulled the rim down so far that it ejected the ball before it had passed through the net. No basket. There were about two seconds there where no one quite knew what to do. It was quite a funny moment. To Heard's credit, about three minutes later he had another breakaway opportunity and dunked without hesitiation.

--The men are off for the weekend, as the full members of the Big West play their Bracket Buster games. But if you're looking for hoops action, the women have an interesting slate of games this weekend. Tonight the Aggies play Pacific, which is now led by Lynne Roberts. Roberts built Chico State into a Division II power and I know the Aggie coaching staff expects her to succeed quickly with the Tigers. Expect a lot of 3-pointers. On Saturday, UCD hosts Northridge and Ofa Tulikhihifo (yes I copied and pasted that in). Everyone who has seen Tulikhihifo play says she's a joy to watch. Also, I'm sort of interested to hear how PA guy extraordinaire Bob Kerr copes with her name.

EDIT: (4:30 p.m.) My copy and pasting skills apparently are not so reliable. Ofa's name should be spelled Tulikihihifo. Also, she's a question mark for Saturday's game. According to Northridge's official athletics site, she's missed two straight games with an ankle injury.