Cal @ USC 2009.01.31 Open Thread
by ragnarok on Jan 31, 2009 7:52 PM PST
in California Golden Bears Men's Basketball
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PrintWell. That didn't go so well last Thursday. Nope, not well at all. Before we get to today's game, a quick post-mortem on the debacle at Pauley Pavilion.
First of all, my initial reaction after watching the game:
- Terrible ball handling by the Bears. You could blame Jerome Randle (6 turnovers), but that's merely because he had the ball most often; 8 Bears had turnovers, including 4 by Theo Robertson and 3 for Jamal Boykin. The Bruins had 16(!!!!) steals on the night, often leading to a lot of easy buckets. Thursday night, you could consider an offensive set successful if the Bears got off a shot and the Bruins failed to start a fast break.
- For much of the game, the Bruins appeared to be operating on another level defensively. As my wife pointed out during the game, many of their steals occured not just because of quick, tenacious hands reaching in for a steal, but because of excellent defensive positioning by the entire Bruins defense. Everywhere the Bear ball handler wanted to go, there was a Bruin in his way, cutting off lanes, denying the path to the bucket, and that's when a second or even third Bruin pounced, trapping and stealing the ball from a confused dribbler.
- I felt like the Bruins offense, outside of super-quick Darren Collison, was actually fairly ordinary. When the Bears got them in a half-court set, they had a pretty good chance of stopping them. Unfortunately, that didn't happen too often.
Looking at the postgame stats, however, I was rather surprised by a few things:
- Despite all the steals, the Bruins only won the turnover battle by 4, 21 to 17. The Bruins also only attempted 2 more field goals and 3 more free throws than the Bears. Sure, the fast break points led to a high field goal percentage for UCLA (55%), but I expected a bigger disparity.
- Where the Bruins really won? The rebounding battle (34 to 23) and free throws (UCLA made more FTs -- 21 -- than the Bears attempted). You really have to had it to UCLA; 21 for 23 on free throws is absolutely fabulous.
Anyway, that game is behind us, and the Bears get another shot in LA this weekend, taking on USC tonight at the Galen Center. Here's your broadcast info:
Cal Bears @ USC Trojans
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Galen Center, 8:30PM
TV : Fox Sports Net (Comcast SportsNet California, or DirecTV channel 698) --thanks to Rated-R Superstar for the info.
Radio : KYOU 1550 AM
Stream: http://www.justin.tv/probono
Looking at Ken Pomeroy's scouting report, USC appears to do pretty much everything well, though they definitely excell defensively, especially inside the arc. If there are weaknesses for the Bears' to exploit, it's in their defense of the 3-point shot and their pedestrain steal percentages. If Cal is going to come out on top, I think they're going to need a big night from Robertson and Christopher on the perimeter (is it just me, or was P-Chris mostly absent on Thursday night? Was he even playing?).
Oh, and one final note: TwistNHook would like to apologize for not putting up an open thread for this afternoon's women's basketball game vs. USC. He totally meant to, and then forgot. Looks like we all missed a good one, too, as Cal's Devanei Hampton putback a missed shot with 2.2 seconds remaining to give Cal a 73-71 victory, their school record 10th-straight. CBKWit was at the game, and will have a recap/report up soon, he promises.
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California-USC
Under TV, it says FSN. The game will be on CSNCA, which is DirecTV channel 698 for those of you wondering.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:06 PM PST reply actions
No Problem
That was the same channel that carried the USC-California women’s game. Cal survived a scare with the 73-71 win.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions
Nope
It’s a really late start tonight.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions
at my house.
About to leave. Advantage to living in Berkeley – quick commute to the rock or Henrys.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Commentators
I could swear that these guys are UCLA and USC homers.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:32 PM PST reply actions
Patrick Christopher
There’s a kid at my school that looks just like him.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:38 PM PST reply actions
Is Lil Romeo still on USC? Has he played at all this year?
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
I think his last name is Miller.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
Yes
That is his last name.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:42 PM PST up reply actions
Percy Miller?
a 5’ 11" freshman, scored 2 points in 4 games this year.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
CSNCA
You don’t get CSNCA?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:44 PM PST up reply actions
We’ll tell Hydro to monitor Channel 99 in the future.
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions
Travel
That was a good call.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:50 PM PST reply actions
Fans
I see some fans wearing “Cal sucks” shirts.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:50 PM PST reply actions
Dang
That rebounding effort looked like the Warriors trying to grab a rebound.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:52 PM PST reply actions
Go Cal
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
Careful now, Hydro will ban you on a whim.
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions
That was an impressive comeback win over the Ducks today. I’m sure they’re pretty unhappy with how that game went.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
No matter what way you want to slice it, or how bad the Ducks are this year
It’s still a rivalry game, and we are still a year removed from an 0-18 Pac10 season. Not bad for the Beavs, not bad at all.
And Go UC Cal Bears! Apologies for my previous transgressions
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by The VD Special on Jan 31, 2009 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
Gutierrez just got posterized. That was a nice dunk.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
when i see guys go up for dunks, I always want the defenders to just take out their legs while they’re in the air like a safety taking advantage of a defenseless WR.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Flagrant
I think that’d be a flagrant foul, sir.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 8:56 PM PST up reply actions
But it’d be so much fun and it would really make the ball carriers think twice about going airborn.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
If it happened on the streets, the defender better be prepared to get his own legs broken in.
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions
That’s like a five game suspension. You could paralyze people with that shit.
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 8:57 PM PST up reply actions
USC
They’re creating some distance here and Randle is on the bench.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:00 PM PST reply actions
7-0 Run
Keep it up, Bears!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:04 PM PST reply actions
Can I just say that the commenters in the JustinTV chat room make me really glad to come back here and read the comments from people that aren’t retarded.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
reading the comments in the justintv room make me lose faith in mankind.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
I dunno, they’re very enlightening about how much everything sucks.
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
That’s the kindest thing you’ve ever said about me.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
TwistNHook
TwistNHook should do the DBD’s from now on.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
Thats a lot of work.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
But
You’re TwistNHook! You can do it!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions
This is a lot of pressure. I mean I let you down on the womens bball game today. Im off to a terrible start.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Second Chance
Everybody deserves a second chance! We gave Bush two terms.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:10 PM PST up reply actions
I’m like Bush, but dumber.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Bush
As Bush would say, “Unpossible!”
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
JustinTV and youtube comments generally seem to represent the bottom-feeders of society. Whenever I’m on JustinTV, I just zoom the browser window in so I only see the video.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
What about yahoo comments?
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I stay away from those parts of the internet. It’s dangerous out there.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
Randle
That’s the second time he has turned it over on the break.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:11 PM PST reply actions
...
That’s not the way to close out the half.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:15 PM PST reply actions
man, bears can't BUY a 3 tonight
not sure what’s up with that. they’ve had some open looks.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Robertson and Christopher
We need get them more shots. Robertson hasn’t even taken a shot tonight and he shoots 57% from downtown.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:19 PM PST reply actions
First Half
The first half went by quickly if I do say so myself.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:26 PM PST reply actions
The “somebody always up in your grill” is apparently the kind of defense USC plays according to one of the announcers.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
Announcers
Stink.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions
Boykin
He was hammered pretty good on that one.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:35 PM PST reply actions
Wilkes
He has a nice, soft touch on his jumper.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions
Randle
That was a nice look to Wilkes!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:39 PM PST reply actions
The $C live blog is sure hoppin’ (sarcasm). Laughing Stock is in there talking to himself.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
LOL
Yeah, I saw it.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions
Theo Robertson
That was one heck of a finish.
Theo finally took a shot.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:44 PM PST reply actions
10 points, 8 rebounds so far for Jordan Wilkes. This may be the game of his career so far.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Brevin Knight
I had no idea that he went to Stanford. He’s still in the NBA.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:48 PM PST reply actions
Wilkes
He has been money tonight.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:55 PM PST reply actions
Entry Pass
That was a bad entry pass. The angle was not there.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:55 PM PST reply actions
Wilkes
Keep it comin’, man!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 9:56 PM PST reply actions
why is the radio BEHIND the TV?
That should never be the case.
by 33SwisherSweet on Jan 31, 2009 10:02 PM PST reply actions
Announcers
Like I said, these announcers are southern California homers.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:04 PM PST reply actions
Dude, I think Id look good with glasses. I dont wear glasses, but I could rock them lower on my nose like a really sexy librarian.
ALso, lucky shots falling for USC. Doesnt it always seem like our opponents have lucky shots falling?
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
This is bringing back bad memories of the Stanford game.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
by Berkelium97 on Jan 31, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
Not Good
USC has opened this game up and now Wilkes is down on the floor.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:07 PM PST reply actions
Is there anything that WON’T go for USC?
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
*go in
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
by Berkelium97 on Jan 31, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
I need P. Chris and Theo and Randle to start jacking up 3’s. Make it like a 1988 Loyola Marymount game.
Danger
USC is starting to pull away. Cal can’t afford to lose touch.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:12 PM PST reply actions
I'm afraid we're coming back to earth
The lack of an inside game, and dependence on outside shooting, is catching up with Cal.
Theo
He needs to hit these crucial free throws.
Cal needs to tighten up defensively.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:13 PM PST reply actions
Pathetic
Can’t anyone grab a defensive rebound?
Especially on a missed free throw, that just hurts.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:16 PM PST reply actions
fuck
we need the ball back. letting the time run is worse than just giving up the score.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
It's Over
It’s going to take a Washington-like miracle.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:17 PM PST up reply actions
Huge sausage fest at Galen.
Are there any girls in that student section?
by BearsNecessity on Jan 31, 2009 10:20 PM PST reply actions
Cal
They’re really on the border of making the tournament now.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:20 PM PST reply actions
Let's face it
The Washington win was luck. All credit to the players and coaches for hanging in there, but it was a fluke.
Ever since then, Cal hasn’t been a good team. We’re settling into the middle of the pack, which is where I thought we would be.
02/05/09 vs. Washington TV Berkeley, Calif. 7:30 p.m. PT
02/07/09 vs. Washington State TV Berkeley, Calif. 7:30 p.m. PT
02/14/09 vs. Stanford TV Berkeley, Calif. 2:00 p.m. PT
02/19/09 at Oregon Eugene, Ore. 6:00 p.m. PT
02/21/09 at Oregon State TV Corvallis, Ore. 2:00 p.m. PT
02/26/09 vs. USC TV Berkeley, Calif. 7:30 p.m. PT
02/28/09 vs. UCLA TV Berkeley, Calif. 6:00 p.m. PT
03/05/09 at Arizona TV Tucson, Ariz. TBA
03/07/09 at Arizona State TV Tempe, Ariz. TBA
HOw you guys think we gonna go? We havea bit of a softer sked now, compared to the end. But theres no game in there that I know we will win 100%. Perhaps WSU at home. And thats about it.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
6 wins would be nice, but I’m expecting 5, maybe 4.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
by Berkelium97 on Jan 31, 2009 10:26 PM PST up reply actions
Wins
We will beat Washington State, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, and Arizona.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:27 PM PST up reply actions
I would take 5 of those in a heartbeat
Not sure how we sweep Oregons on the road after spliting with them at home…and take out SC and Arizona on the road.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Thats SC at home. Im thinking we can pull it off (Yes, We Can!), but Im not very positive of it.
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I know it's SC at home
I’m saying I’m not sure we can beat both SC, and Arizona on the road (should have used a comma). I think it’s more likely we split those games, and split the road series against the Oregons. The trick is then taking 2 out of 3 at home against Washingtons and Stanford, which would get us to 9 conference wins.
But maybe I’m too pessimistic. I think this was Cal’s best game since UW. Pomeroy predicted we’d get swept down in LA, and he has us winning 6 more games to finish 11-7 in conference. That would be phenomenal.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Lil Romeo is on the floor now.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
Romeo
Percy Miller comes in the game and the crowd goes nuts.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:27 PM PST up reply actions
I think we split Washington at home, then win over Stanford and the oregon schools, split LA at home and get swept in Arizona.
That puts us at 21 wins.
Tournament
Cal is a lock to make the tournament if they finish third in the Pac-10. If they finish fourth it’s a challenge, and if they finish fifth, it’s just not going to happen.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 31, 2009 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
what happened?
we’ve really fallen apart the last few games? that’s 4 of 5 we’ve lost now?
by the federer express on Jan 31, 2009 10:28 PM PST reply actions
We’re the team we thought we were. Crown us if you want. We are who we thought we were. We knew we were going to be tournament bubble team. Hell, before the season, we thought NIT would be nice.
A team which relies on outside shooting and not much else will go through a stretch where the shots aren’t falling. We’re tiny (or soft) inside, so teams with good posts will eat us up.
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Golden Bears Football Schedule
| Fresno St. | Sat 09/03 | W 36 - 21 |
@
Colorado
|
Sat 09/10 | W 36 - 33 |
| Presbyterian | Sat 09/17 | W 63 - 12 |
|
@
Washington
|
Sat 09/24 | L 23 - 31 |
|
@
Oregon
|
Thu 10/06 | L 15 - 43 |
|
USC
|
Thu 10/13 | L 9 - 30 |
|
Utah
|
Sat 10/22 | W 34 - 10 |
|
@
UCLA
|
Sat 10/29 | L 14 - 31 |
|
Washington St.
|
Sat 11/05 | W 30 - 7 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Sat 11/12 | W 23 - 6 |
|
@
Stanford
|
Sat 11/19 | L 28 - 31 |
|
@
Arizona St.
|
Fri 11/25 | W 47 - 38 |
|
@
Texas
|
Wed 12/28 | L 10 - 21 |
