Aftermath and Evening Open Thread
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:16 PM PDT
in California Golden Bears Men's Basketball
Email
Print
via a.espncdn.com
Just a brief thought about the officiating before talking about the game. The NBA's biggest issue for the last decade has been officiating. In the NBA though, you can get second chances; in a seven game series, things usually even themselves out, and at the very least you're given opportunities to make up for off games by reffing.
One of my biggest sticking points with college basketball other than having inferior players is that bad officiating in one game can cripple your chances at going anywhere. In March Madness, it's a death sentence. The refs decided to play it tight and Cal was on the wrong end of a lot of it. The Bears were taken out of their game with some awfully ticky-tack officiating, as Guitierrez, Kamp, Robertson and Christopher all struggled to stay on the floor. Randle got mauled on several possessions.
The refs made a clear effort to deny contact, and that hurt Jorge's physical on-the-ball defense. He had to back off after his third and fourth fouls and all of a sudden Maryland was getting to the hole at will. The fear of players fouling out seemed to weaken what had been a strong defensive effort, and the Terps took advantage.
via a.espncdn.com
However, that being said, Maryland played better today. Other than Randle keeping us in the first half and a brief spurt by Robertson and Christopher, the Bears couldn't manage 30 percent from downtown and were incredibly sloppy with their possessions. The rebounding issue late in the second half didn't mean much; Cal has never been a good rebounding team and we didn't expect them to rebound well today. But there were too many careless turnovers that made it feel like the Bears were playing a January game rather than a March one.
Maryland, a team that loves to run, didn't play particularly fast in their 50 point second half, but had plenty of turnovers converted into easy points. The Bears had to keep on playing an uphill battle and tried speeding the game up to keep up, which became a self-fulfilling cycle that played right into the Terps's hands. Our half court defense was pretty good; our transition D was awful. And Maryland finally got their jumpers going late, which ended all hope.
via a.espncdn.com
In between his brilliant moments, there were times where we saw Randle regress into Brauntastic Randle, with blind passes to nowhere; he was pretty quiet in the second half when things slipped away. Robertson led all Bears with 20 points, yet he was probably the worst of all, throwing passes into the backcourt, losing rebounds off of free throws, throwing back towards the defense, etc. Patrick Christopher continues to puzzle and frustrate. There's so much talent within him, yet he just seems to settle for less than what he's capable of. 0-7 from 3 point land just isn't going to get it done.
But we should nevertheless be very proud that our team got this far. Earlier this season we weren't expecting anything, maybe a winning season, maybe fifth place if we were lucky. To get this close to winning the Pac-10 title without a dominant big man speaks to the power of Montgomery. We have a promising core ready for a conference and tournament run next season. So there's much to be happy for.
Are you happy, or just pissed?
This is also an open thread for tonight's games; discuss those games or just talk Bears basketball. Ragnarok and CBKWit will probably have other things to cover about the game tonight or tomorrow morning. Here is the schedule (all times PST)
4:10 Minnesota vs Texas, East Region
4:10 Michigan vs Clemson, South Region
4:20 American vs Villanova, East Region, Philly
4:20 Akron vs Gonzaga, South Region
6:40 Binghamton vs Duke, East Region
6:40 Morgan State vs Oklahoma, South Region
6:50 VCU vs UCLA, East Region
6:55 W. Kentucky vs Illinois, South Region
My picks for the evening: UCLA -8.5, Minnesota +4.5, Morgan State +15.5, Akron +14
336 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I swear I didn't jinx the game
I didn’t watch it or even follow it, so you can’t blame me for the loss Thoroughbred
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
That was me
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
by dballisloose on Mar 19, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Brockman is earning the praise today.
Good thing he didn’t in our games.
by CaliforniaBone on Mar 19, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Just like those guys loved Vazquez for his general doucheness?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3
by Swamphunter on Mar 19, 2009 3:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I’ll put you down for “I want Ben Braun back”.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I ain’t angry at the coaching, I’m angry at the players.
Why did they fold so freaking easily?
"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3
I dunno if they folded. Perhaps the nervous energy of being in their first tourney got to them.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Perhaps… but then why were they hanging in there for so long and then they just lost it?
"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3
You can’t really explain bad stretches in basketball. It all comes down to execution and response. Maryland responded to Cal’s execution on their runs and Cal couldn’t do the same.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
P-Chris 4-14…I didn’t catch the game, but it sounded like our triumvirate was meh to bad. Don’t read this if you are pissed.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Eh
He didn’t say anything we didn’t already know.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
no…but he’s never cheery, and this is one asshole intro:
At least Jerome Randle didn’t vomit on national television during this loss to Maryland.
That’s the best thing you can say about Cal’s performance today: Randle did not pull a Jahvid Best during the 84-71 first-round loss.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Whatever
He’s a soapbox writer. He stirs things up.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
also, I haven’t heard too much P-Chris talk around here…4-14’s not good.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Do you even read what I write?
Patrick Christopher continues to puzzle and frustrate. There’s so much talent within him, yet he just seems to settle for less than what he’s capable of. 0-7 from 3 point land just isn’t going to get it done.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
“It simply doesn’t have the personnel — which it why the Bears were picked to finish eighth in the Pac-10 in the first place.”
This sentence bothers me. Is it because I feel he’s just generalizing one game to justify himself and his colleagues? Does anyone else get annoyed by this?
by CaliforniaBone on Mar 19, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I never read Wilner because of the generalizing. The few times I’ve read him I feel like he has no insight to add. He’s basically an average fan with a job that gives him a platform. Nothing personal, but to me I’d rather spend my time reading CGB.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I’m not sure I can think of many writers in the Bay area who are more than just glorified fans. On top of that, they aren’t even that good of investigational reporters. Here’s a few:
Matt Maiocco
Jeff Farudo
Matt Steinmetz (sp?)
Now, there are 2 columnists I like for either their opinion or writing style. They are:
Bruce Jenkins
Ray Ratto
Everyone else I can think of is Wilner level or worse. On the national level, I like Steward Mandel. Chip Johnson and Matier & Ross are also two solid news reporters/columnists. If the Chronicle goes under (and it certainly could) we’re going to be in for some sub-standard efforts around the Bay Area.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
it sucks, but it doesn't truly surprise me
three things make sportswriting a much tougher job than one would initially expect:
1) it’s uncommon to have expertise in more than one sport, because to become truly obsessed enough to notice the nuances that hardly anyone else notices, one has to really immerse themselves and ignore a lot of other things, including other sports. there aren’t too many gigs that allow a sportswriter to focus on one sport in one market.
2) being an outstanding writer and being an outstanding sports analyst are two separate things, and it’s uncommon to find them together.
3) sports fans are notorious for considering themselves experts on the subject when, in fact, they are merely passionate observers. the criticism is thus much greater.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
i didn’t even think that that was the most egregious part of the piece. statements like:
It’s tough for any team to survive and advance in the NCAAs when its chief playmaker is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound point guard.
and
Cal looked like it had never faced a zone before.
were annoying not because they aren’t true, but because they imply that these defects are why the bears lost. i guarantee, randle’s size had nothing to do with the team’s poor offensive showing, and while Cal didn’t have much answer for the zone, they weren’t shooting well against a man defense either. more to the point, the Bears had seen several zones this year, and the only ones they had been able to break were when they were hot enough to shoot right over them. the zone was a problem, but i don’t believe that unfamiliarity was the culprit.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
you expressed my problems with Wilner better than I did
He pretends to know but he really doesn’t know any more than the average fan. But he sure as hell gets to write about it. Just not worth my time.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
i'm 2 pissed to talk about it
but why don’t you guys put the tourney picks standings on the right instead of the CFB Pick Ems?
Randle and Ticky-Tack Fouls
I’m biased because I’m small, but a lot of times when there is contact between a bigger player and a smaller player, I feel that refs don’t call it because they figure, “well, the smaller player just went flying because he is smaller, the contact wasn’t really that great” But that’s not the point, the point is if the contact is illegal and impedes your game, which it obviously does if it knocks you around.
I say this because I got the feeling that Randle was getting pushed around while attempting to break the press, and the refs didn’t call it. Meanwhile, Cal was called for much lesser fouls.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
One thing some refs want to avoid is just smaller, faster players barrelling into bigger players and creating contact without real intent or purpose of creating offense. That’s one thing NBA officials tend to have trouble with, especially with a player like D-Wade.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions
agreed, but the barrelling into bigs generally happens in and around the paint. Not at midcourt while breaking the press
They're after our precious bodily fluids
Yeah, I didn’t like the way that game was officiated at all.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice season, but left with an empty feeling
Nice to be moderately relevant again, but this season was really not a lot different from many of Braun’s up seasons—a nice season followed by a quiet exit in the first round. Not ready to crown Monty as a savior just yet. This game was sort of an encapsulation of a lot of disturbing trends with this team. One, we really lost the game by not keeping the other on the offensive boards. It’s understandable that we’re going to beat on the boards statistically, but we’ve just been pummeled the last four games on the boards. Today, even their guards were beating us to balls. We were able to overcome AZ only because we had a ridiculous shooting night. Two, our team took for granted that it could come back on teams. In the second half of the season, it seemed we were always getting off to slow starts. Eventually that comes back to bite you, and it did again. Three, Christopher has to be the most up-and-down player on the planet. I know he can make shots that other guys can’t, but that doesn’t mean he should make shots difficult for himself. He took a step forward this year, but next year I want to see less fallaways, and more drives to the basket. Four, we need a big man in a bad, bad way.
Agreed about Christopher. He has so much potential that it seems like he’s just settling when he pulls up and tries stroking the 3-ball. He can be an explosive finisher with the ball as evidenced with his alley-oop play.
If neither Max nor Bak Bak become big contributors we’re going to have the same struggles as this season, with a first or second round exit.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
did you say my name again?
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
by dballisloose on Mar 19, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
maybe Adonal Foyle? The smart, shot-blocking center who does absolutely nothing on offense but set screens and try not to get fouled?
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
these are both NBA players
by all accounts, Bak Bak is a pretty athletic 6’8 swing forward, but he’s pretty skinny and very raw. By comparison, DJ Seeley was a top 50 recruit last year. So don’t expect Bak Bak to contribute much next year.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Well, Jorge Gutierrez WASN'T a top 50 recruit...
There’s really no way to tell. Generally speaking, I figure Montgomery knows what he’s doing when it comes to big men.
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
not saying he won't be good eventually
but everything we’ve heard says that he’s not really ready to contribute next year.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Shrug
I’m hoping he can contribute in the way Mbah a Moute did in his freshman year a few years ago— rebound, hit some 15-footers, bring some energy. Having any kind of depth at forward will help— this year the team barely could get 80 minutes a game from the frontcourt, even when no one was in foul trouble, since Kamp and Wilkes were so beat up.
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Yeah, Adonal Foyle or Ike Diagu would be better than good. Don’t need a star, just a solid role player who can bang. No offensive skills even necessary. Too bad Kamp isn’t about three inches taller. I expect Kamp to make the biggest leap forward next year if he hangs around. Guy was playing with serious injuries all season long. Stiil he’s undersized for a PF and needs help down there in a bad, bad way.
I’m not actually expecting too much from either next year. Sanders-Frison, on the other hand, as a JC transfer, should tandem with a healthier Kamp for a decent, if short, inside presence.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Bak Bak gets the press around here
But Sanders-Frison is the one who will contribute next year
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
I don’t think Max is the answer. He looks like Wilkes part 2. Filler. Interesting to think what might have been had Anderson stayed around.
Zhang needs about 10,000 square meals or so
Monty should force him to spend the entire summer in the weight room, or give up his scholarship.
(OK, not really.)
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
I saw him eat wet burritos at that Student Union Mexican restaurant last season. He goes there a lot apparently.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Then you're going to be waiting awhile
Monty’s strong suit has never been recruiting. The Collins and Lopez twins aside, he made due with turning decent players into very good ones (Madsen, Knight, Hernandez)
Jorge’s not going to hop like Joakim Noah?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions
In some ways, developing good players is better than recruiting elite ones
because they stick around longer. Some programs really do a good job of this (Butler and Washington State certainly come to mind).
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
I took Minny and Michy
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
by dballisloose on Mar 19, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I took Clemson and Texas…but I’m not confident in either of them, particularly Texas. At least the ACC is good.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Its our differences that make us so compatible
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
by dballisloose on Mar 19, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure everyone still has jobs.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't
What do you need, a Simpson’s quote?
You know what I blame this on the breakdown of? Society.
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
If we hadn’t given AIG execs those bonuses we would’ve crushed the Terps!
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
we all have work to get back to, unfortunately.
also, sometimes a little distance is good to keep from saying things you’ll later regret.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
I wore my Cal polo shirt to work today, I’ve been biting my tongue all afternoon everytime someone comes over to say something.
I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day all Bear fans big and small, short and tall......will have the Nyan in them!
by dballisloose on Mar 19, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
The Next Big Thing In Cal Men's Basketball
2010 recruits. That’s what we are waiting for. Monty’s got open slots. What’s he gonna do? Who’s he gonna get? Most of the goodies are already gone. Maybe he punts, keeps ’em until 2011, when he can do a full blitz after being at Cal for long enough.
One thing is for sure. This season is over.
Look for more of the same next year.
we were in the hunt with that guy from Michigan who went to C-Web’s high school…but he went elsewhere. The question with hiring Monty then and it will be until he proves it, is can he recruit since he didn’t have to do it that much at Stanford?
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
that is precisely what I am waiting on. If he’s final coaching stint is going to be successful, (I take that back – it’s already been successful), if it’s going to be super successful – the kind of success we all dream of, then he’s going to have to bring in stud recruits. It hasn’t happened yet. I am impatient and realize he’s JUST getting started on this job.
don’t we need a 4 seed or better to have a great chance at making noise in the tourney? How close is Cal to becoming a Top 15-20 team?
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
next year looks pretty good, but we’ll lose a lot to graduation after that. 3 years?
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
longer
no recruits he’s signed yet are highly rated. Any that he will sign in the future will likely need to become juniors before making an impact. Since they are juniors in h.s. now, we are looking more like 4 yrs. and onward.
Ah well
Not a very pretty game no matter how you look at it. I think from top down there were let-downs at some point.
That being said, a huge round of congratulations should go out to the entire team. Monty and his staff got absolutely everything out of the guys this season, and with so many juniors on the squad we should be in pretty good shape next year. I don’t see Boykin or P-Chris bolting for the NBA.
Tough loss on a tough game, but definitely something on which to build. Of course, now we have two reasons to avenge those damned trutles.
Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by SoCal Oski on Mar 19, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Agreed 100%!
Here’s the problem. Last time we won a NCAA game was, IIRC, the day we invaded Iraq. Clealy, (CLEARLY) we won’t win anothe rone till we get out. So, 2011 it is!
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Obviously, we need to invade more countries for us to win tourney games.
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
MACAU HERE WE COME!
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
They’ve been talking a lot of shit lately.
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Boykin is not an NBA player
and Christopher isn’t getting picked after that performance. They’ll be back.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Christopher isn't a redshirt though
Robertson and Knezevic could theoretically forgo the 5th year.
Unrelated, but jesus christ there are a lot of injury redshirts on this roster. I’ve never seen a less healthy college hoops team.
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Those are just soft-tissue injuries caused by Floyd playing every player 40 minutes a game
I’m not giving them any credit for that.
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Christopher wasn’t getting picked for many reasons. He really needs the extra year.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
The person currently leading the Pick Em (tied with carp) is named “CALTOTHEFINALFOUR!” They (along with carp) were the only 2 people out of the 110 to pick Maryland to win. Why would you name your team Cal to The FinalFour if you dont have them making the Thrifty Thirty Two???
TYRANNICAL KING OF UC EUGENE! BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEATTLE QUACKER!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
lol…thanks for jinxing me.
I NEED TEXAS TO WIN!!! I’MBECOMINGOBSESSEDBASKETBALLISTHEGREATESTTHINGEVAIRSOMEONEDUMPCOLDWATERONME!!!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
I need to redo my bracket. I meant to pick Udub. How do I do that?
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Updated the post with the schedule for tonight
Along with some picks for tonight. I fell asleep for like fifteen minutes and my laptop froze up, but for the most part they’re consistent with my bracket.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 4:31 PM PDT reply actions
I think it was 6 minutes left when I went fetal. Not kidding. Why does this team do this? I really just want a game where I can say at the end: the other team was the more talented team. I can’t take this playing like shit but being in the game until the end. My fucking god. Just lose early. Stop hurting my soul. Every single game I have watched that we have lost there has always been the thought that if we didn’t play like absolute shit we would have won. I don’t think any of our losses were because the other team was flat out more talented then us (I didn’t watch the Missouri game so I don’t know about that one).
I miss fetal position.
Toot Toot
by rollonubears on Mar 19, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think any of our losses were because the other team was flat out more talented then us (I didn’t watch the Missouri game so I don’t know about that one).
I think UCLA is more talented than us, but that’s still something that good coaching can (and almost did, at home) make up for.
Maryland took a page from Missouri/UCLA and pressed our ball handlers, forcing mistakes. If you’ve got the athletes to do it, this Cal team can’t handle the heat.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
The interesting thing was even though there was pressing, it wasn’t really effective after the first few possessions. The zone seemed to cause more trouble because no one would cut to the middle of the court or be able to finish a shot in the paint.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Well both UCLA at home we didn’t play great and at UCLA we played horribly. I think if we had played competently both games we would have won both, or at least it would have gone down to the wire in Pauley.
Toot Toot
by rollonubears on Mar 19, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
UCLA has balance, Wash has balance, AZ State has balance, even AZ has balance
That’s the big difference this year. Talent-wise I’d say we’re comparable to anyone in the conference sans maybe Wash. You just can’t win with three guards chucking it up night after night. It can only get you so far, unless you get on some crazy roll.
by Cavapietro on Mar 19, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
is American one of those online universities? Like the University of Fenix?
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
I’ve seen some godawful bricks this tourney. WHAT HAPPENED TO PRACTING THE J?
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
One of the biggest and most underrated problems athletes have in college is making the mid-range jumper.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions
with the closer 3-point line and zone defenses offenses are geared to get one of two types of shots
1) a lay-up/shot from the post
2) an open 3
the exquisite art of the mid-range jumper simply doesn’t exist in the college game.
They're after our precious bodily fluids
It’s really stupid. It takes four-five years for younger athletes to develop that. D-Wade only discovered how to play that way this year.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions
American up by 10 at halftime
If Villanova chokes this HOME GAME I will laugh.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:08 PM PDT reply actions
I have 'Nova in the Elite 8
but I have to say, it’s more because of the absolutely horrible 8 teams in that sub-region than anything else. I almost put UCLA through— in fact, if it wasn’t for the “home game” factor, I would have…
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Another fantastic performance by a team I picked to win it all
Akron 31, Gonzaga 28 in the 1st half
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions
No, no, no. We don’t want that at all. Go Wolverines!
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Another crappy foul. What the hell kind of fouls are these?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Luckily, I have the Zags losing to Illinois.
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
nova is getting it’s ass handed to it. those mini guards can shoot!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
I thought they were supposed to be good.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s the number one rule of college basketball and gambling: Clemson always sucks.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
i meant that as college sports… I guess you saw the previous 10 years under Tommy Bowden too
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Once I saw clemson with a pre-season top 10 ranking (in football)
cash money!
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
I haven't read any of the comments posted since the end of Maryland's run
so, all I have to say is:
I hope Jahvid runs for 900 yards against them. I know the football team will have some real motivation now.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
It should be over by halftime. We’ll only need 450.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Villanova climbing back
Way too much time left on that clock.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions
Just got back from work after returning after the game
This season is so hard to judge. It’s not fair to the team considering how they overachieved generally, but I can’t help but feel let down about it.
A few weeks ago we had three Pac-10 games left and we were tied with Washington in the loss column. We’re pretty much in the tourney, we’re guarenteed a higher seed in the Pac-10 tourney. Hell, if we win 3 straight we’re the Pac-10 champs!
From that point on, we lose 4 of 5, each loss more disheartening then the last. We just missed against UCLA. We totally lay down for ASU. We let USC totally manhandle us, and then drop out of the tourney in ugly fashion.
If you asked me before the season if I would take our overall record, I would have taken it and asked how much of my soul you needed for collateral. But with how we performed prior to the last 5 games I can’t help but be disappointed. I only hope that with experience and time we come back better and ready to take on a weaker (I think) Pac-10 next year.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I, too, am disappointed by today’s performance. I think, given a couple week’s perspective, that will fade, but right now, yeah, it sucks.
You know, though, had the Bears won today, then got blown out against Memphis, I think I still would have been disappointed by that loss on Saturday. Had they somehow reached the Sweet 16, I would have been ecstatic, but when the Bears did eventually lose, I would have been disappointed on that day, too. Say what you want about College Football’s ridiculous bowl system, but it does allow for nearly 50% of the teams around to end the season on a positive note, and that sure is something valuable.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Meh
For almost all cases in football, if you win your rivalry game, that’s ending the season on a positive note regardless. A bowl game for 90% of the teams is an exhibition. Doesn’t really mean much.
If you advance in the tourney, you can at least say you’ve played under pressure and delivered.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
if your rivalry game isn’t really that good of a rivalry, it kind of makes this moot. Especially if you play a winless team afterwards.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Nonsense. How happy was Wazzu at beating UW this year?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions
As opposed to our rotating platoon of anguish this season?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
If you advance in the tourney, you can at least say you’ve played under pressure and delivered.
This is true, but I still think this attitude takes a little perspective. Sure, one could always say “Well, we never expected to win, so just getting here was great,” but how often do you never expect to win? Win a game in the tourney, and you start to believe — truly believe — that you can win another, even if the next opponent is a massive favorite you have no hope of competing against.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
The only prob with bball tourney’s is 99% of teams end the season with a loss.
by CalBandGreat on Mar 19, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
The thing is, the way the season is set up
it’s almost always the case for large-conference teams that most of the wins come at the beginning. There are occasional anomalies like Stanford 2006, or Memphis… well, Memphis every year, but bottom line is, the Big Six can only win 50% of their games in conference play, instead of 80% like in non-conference…
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
True, but even our conference wins were mostly early in the schedule.
losing 4 of 5 to end the season is tough to swallow after how it started
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Again, that's nothing but a scheduling coincidence
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
this nova comeback is interesting. Maybe Kerry Kittles is watching. I loved his socks:
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
WAT U KNOW ABOUT MY KITTLES N BITS?
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
i’m too afraid to watch after the shit i have talked =D
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
If they end up blowing this I’m blaming you.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Can I get some lurving from the “basketball” crew? For a non-basketball fan, I come to life in the tourney (as I said many times…college hoops starts (for me at least) in the tourney!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
well…I’m not undefeated anymore…11-1 tho (I think) so not too bad? WHERE’S MY LURVIN!!!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Did Cal win today? No.
No love for you.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I was afraid of their big guards and strength of conference. Plus, they’ve beaten some good teams and they have a great coach!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
I think today was more a case of us beating ourselves.
I haven’t read thoughts here, but I thought Randle was way too tentative in the second half.
Also, too many fouls were called both ways… LET THEM PLAY
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Randle's occasional narcoleptic halves are very puzzling
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
if that 1 loss was Cal, then maybe.
but you decided to pick against Cal.
I’ve missed two today.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
i missed on Cal and MSU. Washington making the Sweet 16 would hurt.
I wish we played BYU, instead of Maryland
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions
What may REALLY hurt is that I have Mizzou going to the NCG and UCLA and ASU making runs… hehe
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I wanted to pick that, but I only took them in round 1
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions
MSU, really? That was essentially a home game for UDub! A bit ballsy, but I like the effort. Illinois game scares the shit out of me.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
I changed it at the last minute because I didn’t have enough first round upsets =(
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought long and hard about Utah St…but I went with the favorite (WVU?).
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
marquette. yeah, I’m taking athletic black men versus 25 year old white men with kids and mortgages
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions
your bracket has a lot of chalk… maybe that’s the best way to go these days… last couple years haven’t been like 2006 and before
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions
while I am carp the bracketologist, I don’t know what this means:
your bracket has a lot of chalk
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
you didn’t pick a lot of upsets… you mostly adhere to the seeds
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions
What? I didn’t go upset crazy but I picked several. Gonzaga over UNC baby! OU in the final four! I have 2 # 2 seeds in the final four!
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
You didn’t pick a single 12. Did you pick any 11s?
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
and I still can’t get over the fact your name is Rudy Carpenter
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
how many was I supposed to pick
WVU’s a good team
Marquette – see your reasoning
ASU-Temple…who cares
UCLA has to be able to beat VCU…right?!?!
Arizona’s garbage
FSU’s good
Purdue already won
Illinois vs WKU…I almost picked WKU.
So maybe one or 2 games out of 8 should/could be an upset. But maybe not.
Rudy…please. That name’s tacky.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Utah’s garbage too.
but I see your point.
Also, the R can’t really stand for too many thing, Rudy
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
my parents are highly religious. My mom, supposedly, didn’t even get pregnant by my father’s sperm.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
Yeah, it was mine, son.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny you should mention that… this fox who I went to HS with played Ariel at Disneyland (you have to be very hot to be these characters).
Even more funny… she cheated off me in chemistry. I still had absolutely no shot.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Followup
Is Disney the most evil corporation on Earth? I hear they treat their employees like shit.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I wasn’t there long enough to get the full brunt of it. It was meh…
I did get to yell at little children and stressed out parents all night (during fireworks shows)
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
[coughupsetscoringcough]
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Hey man, I do very well every year. I’ll have only two misses by the end of the day.
But, yes, that was a dumb pick.
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions
A pretty boring first day of March Madness so far
Rock the chalk.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions
Crap
I just looked at the standings…and my points possible is waaaay lower than everyone else. Why?
Because apparently I didn’t pick a winner for the championship game. Except I could have sworn I picked Louisville. I swear to god if I would have ended up winning if Louisville wins the championship I’m going to be pissed.
I would have picked Louisville!!!!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
You’re in luck… they’re not going to win!
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Yours is Pac-10 or die, right?
We have the same final four. Clearly we were impressed by Missouri!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
I just love their style of play, and like their path to the Final Four.
I wish I didn’t pick some of those 1 seeds though, but I couldn’t figure out where they’d lose
Teams are just so mediocre in this tourney
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Twisted thinks that Tedford should have played Longshore in the 4th quarter. That doesn’t even make any sense.
Stanfurd Delendum Est.
Still, I bet his vertical is way less than his age
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Interesting
Jeremy Pargo decided to return to school for his senior year, and the results thus far have also been fairly disappointing. While Pargo has raised his A:T ratio for the fourth time in four years, his scoring, assists and scoring efficiency are all down, while he’s struggled in virtually all the big games Gonzaga has played this year.
Looking at his scoring game, there’s a disturbing trend with Pargo over the past three seasons, as his efficiency has declined (TS% from 57% to 56% to 52%), which is likely a direct result of his slashing game becoming less of a priority. Pargo’s FTA/FGA ratio in 2007 was a very strong 0.49, but it’s dropped all the way to 0.27 this season, as Pargo is taking less advantage of his outstanding explosiveness and ability to go strong to the basket.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Strange.
I thought he was a 8th year Senior
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Heh, I forgot, you hate Gonzaga. Any reason why?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
They’re annoying, and they recruit the same areas as Cal
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Oklahoma 12, Morgan State 11
This team seems to be Griffin and stiffs.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 7:19 PM PDT reply actions
I know…I have them going DEEEP…too…carp the bracketologist no more.
Heaps and Hinder...come on down!
They have Willie Warren, who is definitely NOT stiff
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope Dragovic signs a contract with a European team next year
That guy has such a sweet stroke
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
Kind of a wooden head though, from what I can tell
I’m not sure exactly why I have that impression, but it’s probably things like lazy behind-the-back leaves of the ball 5 feet from his own basket with players from the other team wandering around the UCLA backcourt…
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
He has some Hotti-esque Guido pics of him floating around the internet too
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he's a pretty bad defender
Pretty much a 3 point specialist
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
He’s strangely played good D and rebounded well in this game
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably not going to happen
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey, did you know MJ’s son is on Illinois?
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
UCLA-VCU is going at fastbreak speed
But neither of them are having much success finishing at the hoop.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 8:17 PM PDT reply actions
They’ve gotten some nice pairings the last two years: A mid-major last year and a team without its leader this year
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
The refs have been quick with the whistle against Pac-10
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions
MORE MISSED LAYUPS
I’m going to suckerpunch Holliday if I ever meet him.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:02 PM PDT reply actions
They don't really need to lose
They’ve been in full on melt down mode for weeks now, especially after the USC loss. The open thread is really depressing to read. Just a bunch of swearing at the refs, each other, and every player that isn’t josh shipp. Even Howland is getting it from them.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
They don’t have to lose. They just have to win ugly. Remember how angry and bitter they were when they beat us in ’07?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Holliday is an idiot
No wonder the Bruins can’t wait for him to get drafted.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:05 PM PDT reply actions
?
He’s made a lot of good plays in the game too
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I dunno. Maybe my hatred for Bruins has centered towards Jrue.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I think I'm rooting for OT
It’s the only possible way UCLA wins by nine.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:12 PM PDT reply actions
They have such horrible body language
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
If Cal had ended up in Philly we probably would’ve lost by 20.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Eh, that's not happening now
VCU with a chance to win.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:15 PM PDT reply actions
Collison's defense too good again.
UCLA moves on.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions
W. Kentucky doing their best to blow this game
Keep on throwing it in the corners and stand there and get trapped. Good Lord.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:25 PM PDT reply actions
not as bad as like jamba juices. those things have like literally 50 grams of sugar.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Wow
An 16 oz Mango Tango Odwalla has 60 grams of sugar in it!!! Wow… i had no idea.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Propel, a Gatorade made drink, is a better alternative. Only 4 grams of sugar in those.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Gatorade is good for excessive cardio activity. Just don’t drink it if you’re half-assing it during pickup.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, that’s the thing though. probably a good majority of people who drink gatorade don’t do enough physical activity to warrant drinking it.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Half an hour of excessive running is enough for a bottle right?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't believe this
W. Kentucky had this game won three minutes ago.
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:27 PM PDT reply actions
i think the W. Kentucky player should have taken the easy layup instead of burning off more clock. That would have made it a guaranteed 4 point game.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
So you think Arrington should’ve run it in for a TD versus Southern Miss to improve BCS standing rather than taking the knee to ensure victory?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Well that’ different. W. Kentucky player should have taken the points to secure the game (the game wasn’t secure). The So. Miss. game was secure, but we just needed more points to impress.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Well say a touchdown would’ve impressed enough voters to put Cal over Texas. Do you still kneel down to secure the game?
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 19, 2009 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Griffin could’ve avoided that… he likes to draw those things
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
The Oklahoma guy came up behind him, and he grabbed him and flipped the guy completely over his head onto the floor.
The best part is the black teams’ player’s reaction… He’s so stunned and bugeyed he’s ready to give the kid CPR
HYDROTECH IS FREE!
by Thoroughbred on Mar 19, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
He scored an ippon
Too bad he was playing the wrong sport.
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
GoldenBlogs' FAQ and Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
About Us
• About the Golden Bloggers
• Our previous site @ Blogsome
• Avinash @ Bears Necessity
• Best of the Golden Blogs
• Golden Blogs Interviews
• HydroTech's Cal Football Analyses
• Ron Fimrite's Anatomy Of A Miracle
• CGB Weekly Guides
• GoldenBlogs' Community Guidelines
• GoldenBlogs' FAQ
• CGB GIF Army
Learn More About The California Golden Blogs Clothing Store
Pac-12 On SBN
Pacific Takes (Pac-12) NORTH AddictedToQuack: (Oregon)
UW Dawg Pound: (Washington)
CougCenter: (Washington State)
BuildingTheDam: (Oregon State)
Rule Of Tree: (Stanford)
CaliforniaGoldenBlogs: (Cal)
SOUTH
BruinsNation: (UCLA)
ConquestChronicles: (USC)
HouseOfSparky: (ASU)
Arizona Desert Swarm: (Arizona)
TheRalphieReport: (Colorado)
Block U: (Utah)
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 |
Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
8 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
4 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
| South | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
USC Trojans
|
7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|
Utah Utes
|
4 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
2 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
