Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Patience People

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Patience People: We are tired of losing!! It was The Elgin Baylor Classic and my Redhawks made it to the championship game and we lost to San Jose State. ...

Patience People

We are tired of losing!!

It was The Elgin Baylor Classic and my Redhawks made it to the championship game and we lost to San Jose State.  So my beloved Hawks are now 3 -9 and I am pissed (I can say that for this is my blog). Usually after the game we go to Buckleys bar and hang with alumni, instead I went to the Key Arena Garage and got on the phone to former SU Coach and child hood friend Joe Callero and talked for three hours...yes three hours.  Joe for some reason always has a sense of perspective that always stuns me.  I am Cameron Dollars biggest fan and supporter, but our offense is stale and boring.  Seattle University entered into this Division I program for a return to dominance because I see and talk to legends like Elgin Baylor, John Tresvant, Ernie Duston, Eddie Miles and of course Johnie and Eddie O'Brien that built this program - yes at a point in time it was the only game in town and it needs to return to the only game in town. This is one of the most athletic team SU has had in years and trust me I have been the Sports Editor for the Spectator back in the 80's and sat in the stands for 20 years watching teams play - we have to shoot the ball and stop be boring because next year as the ref said to me "Welcome to the WAC"  Happy New Year to the Redhawk Nation!

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: The Redhawks need some "gel"

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: The Redhawks need some "gel": University of San Francisco 69 Seattle University Redhawks 63 I really was not looking forward to having to be 0-2 starting off the season...

The Redhawks need some "gel"

University of San Francisco 69 Seattle University Redhawks 63

I really was not looking forward to having to be 0-2 starting off the season, but reading the Seattle Times Sports section this morning I was glad that the players understand the same things us Basketball High IQ people see after two games. Now remember I am the "Hunter S. Thompson" of the Redhawk Nation. So as much as I want to be critical, I also want to be positive and then throw you all a curve ball here and there - kind of like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" - to be aligned with "Fear and Loathing the Redhawks."

Saturday's home opener which was surrounded by so many great events such as the Alumni reception,  a double header with the women's team tipping off and the Puget Sound areas Catholic schools participation was not a disappointment in the SU loss - The Portland State game was - just remember my early season words, "Win the games we are supposed to win and pull off a couple upsets."  OK, lets move on people.

This was a very good USF team with returning players and SU hung in there with 6 lead changes and a 1 point game differential at the half.  Here is what I saw and my season ticket holder to my left and the hoop analyzer to my right - USF is a very patient team waiting for the right pass at the right time.  The Redhawks are a very athletic team with size, but are playing without 'gel' because they have only 1 returning starter in Senior Aaron Broussard and Clarence Trent practiced with the team last year but had to sit out live action as a UW transfer so things seem to be in a growing pain period.  Don't panic was the message from Broussard and the message here.  But we need to get the "Gel On" Redhawks or I for one am going have a heart attack in my courtside seats.

Now what's not working.  How the hell to you expect to win games when your starting back court shoots 2 for crying out loud 14, not to boot 0-for 9 behind the arc and as a team SU shot 7 for 25 total three pointers - Uh Coach, you are going to see a lot more zone defense if the trend continues.  USF was in man to man for three possessions.

We shot 39.3% from the field

It's the little wins game to game that matter and I don't know if any of the team or staff read my last blog but SU shot 80% from the Free Throw line Saturday- insert small applause - because it was only 8 of 10.  Thanks refs.

Now let us speak of one more observation.  With such an athletic team why is it that we only pressed down by nine with with a few minutes to play and out of four full court trap presses we forced three turnovers.  A pretty positive trend we might like to look into for the future.  It was a frustrating loss to witness and I had to relive it again on tape delay at Buckley's, yet it allowed me to re think the future 2011 season which is like that basil seed you plant and coddle, water, talk too and it eventually turns into a gigantic plant full of fantastic smells!  (insert not so Hunter S Thompson like)

Peace Out Redhawk Nation from the Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report and by the way it would be great if you would always forward this to Redhawk fans and subscribe.

These worn out Converse are 10-3 when wearing them to games

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Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: All the ways to blow a 14 point lead

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: All the ways to blow a 14 point lead: Isabella at games end - totally distraught Are you serious! SU leading by 14 points and poof it's gone by games end. You have the lead ...

All the ways to blow a 14 point lead

Isabella at games end - totally distraught

Are you serious!  SU leading by 14 points and poof it's gone by games end.  You have the lead with 35 seconds and get the ball stolen only to let Portland State score with 4.9 seconds, not to mention SU was up by eight with 1:38 to go.  Arghh.

As I noted in the previous blog if you are going to have a good season you have to win the games you should win and pull off a few upsets - this is not the way to start your year on the road season opener.

In some respects I am glad I did not make the trip down to P Town for on the way back I would be kicking and screaming the entire three hour ride.
Instead the dogs and I listened to the Groz and I texted to the faithful who did make the trip,  It sounded like an ugly game and I am miffed that SU could force 25 turnovers and lose!

After reviewing the stats I can see why.  SU shoots 38% from the field, 21% from beyond the arc and 53% from the Free Throw line (didn't we talk about this last year) The Redhawks went 7 for 13

How is it Wallace can make three pointers and go zero from twelve uncontested feet?  The Redhawks were relentless on the offensive boards which is a good thing, but also not a good thing because they were missing shots.

I would be much more happy if the game was close throughout and we lost - but with expectations high for the NIT Tournament and this talented of a team it needs to come together and smell blood early on and stay focused.

The next test in the Key Arena home opener this Saturday is no easy task against a talented University of San Fransisco team.  SU should be 1-0 going in and potentially 2-0 by Saturday's end if USF is one of those maybe wins.  Let's hope I don't have to endure an 0-2 start and I have better news to write about and I don't want to write about Free Throws anymore!

Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Game on Portland State

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Game on Portland State: Really? This is Portland State mascot? Really? For Crying out loud this dork makes 'Rudy the Redhawk' good enough to take on a date. Th...