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A Cal Men' Basketball Non-Conference Season Review

Bear_tiny by ragnarok on in Basketball Comment 138 comments

Use this thread as an open thread for the game today against ASU:

Arizona State Sun Devils (12-1, 1-0) at California Golden Bears (12-2, 1-0)
Sunday, Jan. 4, 5:00 p.m., Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, Calif.
Radio: KYOU (1550 AM) TV: Comcast SportsNet California

2631329_medium

via grfx.cstv.com

December has come to a close, January has just started up, the bowl games are beginning to wind down, and Cal fans have a long nine months until Cal football starts up again.  But fear not, readers desperate for their Golden Bear fix:  the end of football season only means that we're smack dab in the middle of basketball season!

 

Star-divide

In fact, it's been basketball season for nearly two months now, but I'm guessing a lot of people haven't really noticed, or only gave the teams' blowouts of Colgate and Texas-Pan American cursory attention.  I don't blame you.  But now, with Pac-10 play upon us, it's time to catch up with the team; with Mike Montgomery now the Bears' head coach, there hasn't been a better time to become a Cal basketball fan in quite a long time.

So how are our Bears sitting right now?  Pretty good, actually.  They're 12-2, undefeated at home, and owners of a couple of nice road wins against a schedule that, while not the most difficult in the world (Sagarin rates it only 233rd out of 347) was better than I expected back in June (I'd give it a 'B-', or maybe even a solid 'B').  Sure, home wins over Texas-Pan American, North Carolina A&T, Colgate and Dartmouth are all not only forgettable but RPI-killers as well, but teams like Pacific, USF, DePaul, Nevada and Portland all provided good, mid-level competition at home, and thankfully the Bears didn't lose any of these games; USF came within 5 points of winning at USC, and Portland, a team the Bears beat by 20, not only beat Washington, but Oregon needed overtime at home to get past them.

If the Bears find themselves on the NCAA tournament bubble, however, there are only 4 games on their non-conference schedule that the committee might look at:  the Global Sports Classic at Las Vegas vs. UNLV and Florida State, the Big 12 / Pac-10 Hardwood Challenge at Missouri, and a road game Utah.  The Bears won at 8-5 Utah and 12-2 UNLV, vs. the Rebels in convincing fashion, were nipped by a 12-2 Florida State team on a neutral court, and got blown out at 11-2 Missouri, admittedly their worst performance of the year.  Still, losing on the road isn't nearly as bad as losing at home (and to quality, major-conference teams, no less), and the two road scalps they picked up are starting to look pretty good too.  Utah has wins over Oregon, Ole Miss and now Gonzaga, while UNLV has picked up wins over Arizona and at Louisville.

Overall, it's a decent résumé.  In fact, Joe Lunardi, ESPN's resident Bracketologist, had Cal as one of his last 4 teams in the field of 65 (an 11 seed) in his most recent bracket back on December 23rd.  Are they a tournament team?  There's no way to know that yet.  Still, they've put themselves in a good position, and a decent run in Pac-10 conference play should secure the ticket to the Big Dance that's eluded them since Leon Powe turned pro.  What's a decent run?  I'd say 9-9 gets them in the tourney; 8-10 is pretty borderline, and they'd probably need a good showing in the Pac-10 tournament to feel comfortable.

Friday night's win against Arizona was a good start, however.  I don't know that Cal will make the NCAA tournament this year, but I do know that I'm very, very excited about Cal Basketball for the first time in quite a few years.

Poll
How excited are you about the Cal men's basketball season?
Very excited, because you know it, we're gonna go bowling this year!
132 votes
Fairly excited, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to make the tournament
58 votes
Uninterested and just counting down the days until football season
15 votes
Living in fear, because we're Cal fans so early season success only portends late season failure
14 votes

219 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 138 comments

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Comments

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Does following the game on my Blackberry from a national meeting count?

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 3:57 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A for effort, at least.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Jan 4, 2009 7:51 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cal Game

I will be tuning in to this game. Earlier today, Cal women beat Arizona State by a final score of 54-53.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 4, 2009 4:09 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hahaha

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 4:44 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And the Beavers win!

Not sure if that says really bad things about USC or really good things about the Beavers rebuilding process.

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 4:39 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LIVE STREAM

http://channelsurfing.net/asx/cal.asx

If you need it. Uses Windows Media Player.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 4:54 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Danzig, with the videos and the stream, I think I love you.

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:14 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That’s great to hear… because I’m pregnant.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Our downtown shooting has been AMAZING so far!!!!!

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:12 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No kidding, these are generally terrible shots they’re taking.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:13 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

First to 100 wins

Each team is shooting the lights out. Great start for Harden – hopefully Christopher can frustrate him because he can’t go off if we want to win.

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:13 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bears need to establish something inside

ASU’s size is going to get them easier shots as time goes on. Unless they keep on shooting 70% from 3 point land, I’d recommend going to the hoop.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:14 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think one of the problems the Bears have is lack of an inside scoring presence. Sure Boykin can score occasionally and he’s one of the best garbage players we’ve had (I mean that in a good way). But the only way we’re going to get inside points is on P. Chris backdoor layups or Randle dribble penetration.

Oog, we need defensive interior presence. Harden just went straight to the hoop.

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:16 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, too bad Anderson didn’t decide to come back; he’d be a force in the Pac-10 this season. Now he’s stuck pining the bench for yellow fever to gawk at.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:52 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

aah! what happened? (stream gave out)

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

3 point shot so deep it should have counted for 4

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Apparently our entire offense should be “Jerome makes a three from wherever the hell he wants”

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JEsus

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We need to loosen up that zone… once we do we can unleash PC and Kamp in the paint.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He just better not turn the ball over tonight. Gutierrez needs to play perfect tonight.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:23 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s a 3 point and layup drill!

Go Bears!

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:24 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We killed Arizona with our O-boards

We’ll need that same fight in the paint to beat ASU.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:24 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 5:25 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like this. A lot.

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:26 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow, that’s a tough call. I think that should be a no-call.

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:28 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

make more noise (+ scary bear!)

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:28 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice D

… but we better clean up our transition game… we suck at it vs Arizona.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 5:29 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Bears continue to surprise me game by game. I did not expect this game to go this way.

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:30 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Damn

I guess we won’t be shooting 80% for the night

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:34 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just think . . .next year?

Bak Bak.

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 5:34 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have to admit

This team is way more fun to watch now. Passing is crisper, good backdoor cuts, fast break getting better, and of course the 3 point shots.

We’re going to have to work on making midrange jumpers though. And our interior defense is going to expose us later on, but whatever.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:38 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm trying to think

which Pac-10 teams have the inside presence to take advantage of our lack of bigs? Washington?

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This team, for one

Boateng’s just shooting over them without much trouble.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:42 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This FSNAZ commentator (sp?)

is practically slurping Harden.

...pick SIX!

by ikoolykedat on Jan 4, 2009 5:41 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I keep seeing “Boateng” and think wait what I thought he wasn’t allowed to play bball too!?

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 4, 2009 5:41 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh, and Kamp is frawesome.

Pulled a Ryan Anderson earlier and it caused a double-take

yep, frawesome.

...pick SIX!

by ikoolykedat on Jan 4, 2009 5:42 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well okay

When I said defend the paint I didn’t mean put four guys down there.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:47 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is going to be the issue with Cal

They’re way too much like the recent Warriors and Suns teams; fun to watch, great 3 point shooting, sharp passing and good speed.

But if you attack them inside they’re way to easy to exploit. More than half of the Sun Devil points are on layups or kickouts to the open man. Easier to establish your game and hold onto it if you dominate the inside. Wouldn’t be surprised if ASU takes an early 2nd half lead, tries to lock down the perimeter and force a lot of long 2 point jumpers.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 5:51 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's scary to think that we shot the lights out and it's tied

It will take serious defensive intensity and effort to win

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 5:54 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ASU's just getting guys into foul trouble

They’re just going inside and putting Cal in the penalty or making easy shots.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 6:22 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is it ok to say that I love Kamp?

because I do.

do the hussle.

...pick SIX!

by ikoolykedat on Jan 4, 2009 6:31 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

seriously.

FREE throws, Jorge

...pick SIX!

by ikoolykedat on Jan 4, 2009 6:33 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

George is sloppy like that...

He’s gotta calm the frick down

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 6:37 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

PC is so smooth tonight.

by danzig on Jan 4, 2009 6:39 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He’s hitting some beautiful floaters.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 6:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great team effort all around

Everybody has contributed something

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 6:49 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now we know we can play with anyone in the Pac-10

I don’t feel premature anymore with the goal of making the tourney

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 7:03 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I still think it's way too early to talk about tourney

I want to see how they do on this three game road trip. The Bears haven’t played very well outside of Haas. We’ll have to see if this synergy carries through.

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 8:43 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wazzu on Thursday is big

They’ve looked vulnerable, and with OSU beating USC there might not be any gimme road games, so Cal needs to grab any potential road win it can.

by norcalnick on Jan 4, 2009 8:57 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

(it's a Bear Territory inside joke)

UNDEFEATED IN THE PAC-10! UNDEFEATED IN THE PAC-10!

by LeonPowe on Jan 4, 2009 9:09 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Leon come back!

The Celtics are falling apart. Screw them. Fulfill your destiny and deliver Cal an NCAA title!

by BearsNecessity on Jan 4, 2009 9:15 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's not a bad idea

Boston doesn’t have Top Dog or Raleigh’s.

by LeonPowe on Jan 5, 2009 1:02 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I completely forgot about this game because I thought it would be played on Saturday for whatever reason (even though I would have known the score if that were the case). I am thrilled. This team is much better than I ever could have expected.

"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.

by Berkelium97 on Jan 4, 2009 10:40 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s been a great Cal sports week for me.

@ the Emerald Bowl.

@ b-ball v. Portland and Arizona.

Watched the game v. ASU on the tele.

All wins. Nice.

by j.lee on Jan 4, 2009 11:20 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You can put this in the DBD tomorrow

Former Sacramento Kings Coach Eric Musselman’s thought’s on the Cal-Arizona game

by LeonPowe on Jan 5, 2009 1:13 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The DBD Hydro did seems to be for both sunday and monday, so we can put it in there, too!

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jan 5, 2009 5:07 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don’t forget tirelessly waving their towels and warm-up clothes when someone makes a good comment in class or gets an A on a midterm

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Jan 5, 2009 12:28 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly!

Oh man just the prospect of it has me excited.

by rollonubears on Jan 5, 2009 12:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sort of reminds me of the Sesame Street superheroes

…It is iiiIIIIIII, Captain Vegetable, with my carrots, and my ce-le-ryyyyyy.

Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!

by Spazzy Mcgee on Jan 5, 2009 3:35 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hm, very diverse

Throw in Max Zhang just for kicks, amirite?

In all seriousness, I wonder if there’s a single other Division I team that can claim at least one each of whites, blacks, Latinos and Asians.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jan 5, 2009 10:56 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maryland. (And their asian guy plays – not just in garbage time). I think Harvard might as well (they start Justin Lin at point guard)

by LeonPowe on Jan 6, 2009 3:56 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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