Australian University Sport has reinstated the need for universities to qualify for Australian University Games (AUG). This means that the four central universities (UniSA, Adelaide Uni, Charles Sturt (Darwin) and Flinders) must play off for a single AUG position.

 

Pre-Tournament:

Adelaide uni had put together a guy’s and a girl’s basketball team, thanks to Jeremy Cotterill (Unigames organiser/recruitment officer/bad-ass player). Unfortunately with some past players having graduated both teams had not played together however with the players we did have, we were confident we could compete.

Training sessions consisted of 3 Sunday sessions where there was more talk of how awesome unigames is, rather than actual basketball (see write-ups for 2009 and 2010).

To prepare for CUG appropriately and to uphold Adelaide Uni’s reputation 5 of our players went on a ‘bonding’ (pronounced boozing) trip to the Pt Augusta Races the day before the tournament started. A 6am wakeup ensured Alex, Chris, Jeremy, Kate & Henry (and Chloe AUG2010)made it to the tournament on time despite the 3 hour drive!

In a boost for AU morale the Griffin’s own Kelly Penn was selected out of hundreds of applicants to be the competition manager. In his acceptance speech Mr Penn indicated that he would bring the same structure and control to CUG basketball as he does in his classroom.

 

Game Time…

Women AU vs UniSA

Because only 2 teams entered the women’s side of the tournament AU and USA were to play a best of 3 series for a spot at AUG. UniSA fielded a side boosted with some sharp shooters whereas AU went for a combination of size, skill, good looks, and personality!

 

Game 1:

The first half was a tough battle but the USA shooters blew the game open. At half time the Griffins were faced with a 24 point deficit. This however did not faze the girls as they started their comeback in the 3rd. Stifling defence by Lara, Hajnal and Morgan locked down the keyway allowing Grace and Claire & Alex to run.

The Griffins continued to get better as they became more comfortable playing together. The comeback continued with some power drives from Jackie who kept the scoreboard ticking and got USA in foul trouble.

Unfortunately the comeback fell just short with the girls going down by 6.
Game 2:

Playing on the second day of a tournament means you know how to get to the stadium and you know something about the team you are playing…However it does not prepare you for a truck, backhoe and 5 council workers digging a hole in the middle of the Main North and Montague intersection! Needless to say some of the girls had to hurry into the stadium – Jackie was especially hurried because she also had to deal with a cop who insisted that her car stereo was too loud.

In the best of 3 series this game was a must win for the girls. Unfortunately UniSA came out with the same touch that got them up in the first game. The Griffins struggled to score in the first half but their effort and desperation paid off in the way of USA fouls.

The girls had the tough task of making up 16 points in the second half. The Griffins continued to take good shots but the tight UniSA rings gave us no love. Desperation from past unigamer’s Kate, Alex and Lara indicated how much this game meant to the girls…however it was not
meant to be… despite 3 UniSA players fouling out again our comeback was too late as UniSA took out the Women’s competition consequently qualifying for the Gold Coast.

 

In a post match interview assistant coach Mindy Vink summed up the game, “Bugger…I guess I’m playing women’s footy then.”

 

Game 3:

Although the comp was a dead rubber game 3 gave the girls a chance to enjoy themselves and get their money’s worth (sort-of) from the tournament (for $55 we should at least get some complementary bandaids).

Memorable moments included:

  • Kate Richard’s tomahawk dunk off a Hajnal Nagy full court ally-oop lob.
  • Alex Glen’s sudden change in skin colour (actually happened)
  • Blind half-court hook shots from Claire Kerr & Jackie Mac(left handed)
  • Lara McCarthy and Morgan Tolly intimidating the Flinders Uni Men so much that they wet themselves (actually happened)
  • Grace Morcom not being everywhere on the court at the same time (Jumper anyone???)

AU Men

Unfortunately gun recruit Adrian had been admitted to hospital over the weekend with a cyst in his calf. This meant that 2010 unigamer Henry Tieman was recalled to the side. Henry had single-handedly sunk the Griffins U23 team 2 weeks previous.

 

Game 1 vs Flinders Uni

Flinders Uni was a last minute addition to the men’s comp. Fortunately they did not bring the same team that played SA Challenge in 2010. Game one gave the Griffins a chance to play together. Playing together is very valuable and possibly is what hurt the girls.

Unlike USA the Griffins did not press Flinders for the whole game rather played a respectable 2-3 zone but still won 100+ to<30
Brad Burgan possibly set a AU Unigames scoring record (Will correct this if it is wrong) with ~50 points in the game including 18 points in the last quarter.

 

Game 2 vs UniSA

UniSA was our main competitor for the tournament. The results of our two games were irrelevant as there was a grand-final to be played between our two teams. However beating the Maverick and his Merry Men in an Intervarsity comp is always a beautiful thing!

UniSA had put together a quality team and the Griffins would have to play very well to beat them. The Griffin’s game plan was to try and tire the USA starters as much as possible while using our full 9 man rotation. The Griffins got an early lead thanks to Toby’s sharp shooting, powerful post work from Tyson and Alford O-Boards. The game was a series of runs by both teams. The game was even at 3 quarter time but UniSA took the last quarter by 7.

 

Game 3 vs Flinders Uni

This game ended in a similar way to game 1 however this game was Michael’s. Another Griffin’s ~50 point haul indicated why
Michael should not only be playing social ball…hint-hint…

Interesting facts:

  1. Michael’s sister played on the USA women’s team and shot with the same accuracy – surely you could have left her at home or something mate!
  2. Tyson’s girlfriend is a USA Unigames veteran – we won’t hold that against him though.
  3. The AU Men’s team has; 1 PhD, 2 Masters Degrees, and 5 Engineers

 

Game 4 vs USA

The depth of the AU team showed in this game. The 9 player AU rotation was too much for UniSA when their bench was brought into the game. Good shooting by Mockford was important for the Griffins, Jeremy showed his suspended form is as good as ever (beating up on the USA point guard) and Chris McMichael made a jump shot!!!!!!

AU won by 15 thus finishing top after the minor rounds. This did not matter however because the final was coming up next.

Grand Final vs USA

As expected both teams came out hard and scrappy basketball was played for the first quarter. A late run by UniSA put them up going into the second.

UniSA dropped back into a very tight zone defence however AU could not take advantage of this because nothing was going in. Tight defence kept AU within reach. The Griffins finished the half having run hard at UniSA who had only made one substitution and had picked up fouls on
important players. Despite this the griffins were down 40-25.

The Griffins continued to run at UniSA and picked up the defensive pressure in the hope that they would tire. Whenever AU made a run so would USA shortly after. The 3rd quarter ended without the Griff’s getting any closer…

In the final term AU left everything out on the court. Henry’s hustle, strong rebounding by undersized players and flat-out defe….

…wait…

was that a bird…

a plane…

no it was BRAD BURGAN with the MOST EPIC REJECTION EVER WITNESSED!!!!!!

The Griffins unfortunately lost the game BUT OMG…THAT BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!

 

The UniSA point guard (Southern ABA) came back on the court after sitting due to his 3 fouls. A UniSA intercept resulted in what looked like a certain layup to him… Not if Super Brad had anything to do with it.

With UniSA running in numbers to the basket everything went slow motion (except for Brad).

The ball was picked up (Brad took 3 steps in this time) and the layup steps were started.

As the ball was released SuperBrad took off and off and off. With the ball hanging in the air on the right side of the basket Brad wound up his best volleyball spike.

As the score bench went to put down 2 more USA points Brad smiled, winked at the cheerleaders (now sitting 3 meters below him) and then EXPLODED THE BALL WITH HIS HAND.

The ball hit the back wall at the height of the ring and had so much force behind it that Structural Engineer Henry Tieman had to check if it was still safe to play in the stadium.

 

First hand Witness Accounts:

UniSA Captain: I think Brad just took my virginity… and I was on the bench…

Tom Alford: He actually jumped over me to block that!

Lebron James: I wish I could do that in the last quarter…

Kelly Penn: OUCH

Brad “Block” Burgan: Who’s your Daddy ???

 

Chris McMichael could not be interviewed because he KO’s himself on the roof after involuntary jumping from the bench.

On a serious note;

We are all very disappointed that there will be not AU team represented in the basketball this year. We will try harder to put together an even better team next year and we would like to see you all out again.

Thankyou everyone who was part of the CUG teams. I ensure you that you will have an awesome time at Unigames no matter what sport you play and it is something you have to do before you leave Uni (what will you remember once uni is over???)

We wish UniSA the best of luck at Gold Coast AUG and congratulate them on qualifying.

 

Go Griffins