Cal-Arizona State Men's Basketball Open Thread
California Golden Bears at Arizona St. Sun Devils, Jan 28, 2010 5:30 PM PST
Time: 5:30 PM PST/8:30 PM EST
TV: CSN California/FSN Arizona
Radio: KFRC 1550 AM
Streams: Post in comments
Spread: ASU by 2.5
Injury report: Sanders-Frison (out)
ryandrew disagreed with me about the difficulty of tonight's game, so to hear his sunny-side take on what will happen tonight, take a look below.
This is NOT our toughest road game of the season, and ASU is not our biggest threat in the Pac-10 race. I’ve watched most of ASU’s games (cause I’m a habitual gambler-what can I say), and ASU gets by because they play a 2-3 zone in a poor shooting league. In the games they’ve won, they usually hold opponents to ridiculous shooting percentages. Basically ASU is playing the perfect type of defense for the league this year, cause no team (outside of Cal) can actually shoot (maybe WSU). But UofA has created the blueprint for beating them; running. ASU is slow and unathletic, and cannot run with you. As long as you don’t give them a chance to setup their defense, they can be beaten badly.
Cal actually matches up very favorably with ASU. #1 we can shoot the ball. #2, ASU’s zone is not a trapping zone (like Syracuse or OSU – which we will struggle with). The game will probably come down to a shooting contest (cause they have almost zero post play as well) and with them without McMillan, I feel comfortable out-shooting them. The big key will be getting stops and getting the defensive rebound; if we can do that, we will get a lot of open transition 3’s (ala WSU). Another thing in our favor is that we have our best defender (Theo) going against their best shooter (Kuksiks).
I guess that's what I get for watching ASU for about twenty minutes this year.
Note: Women's game starts around 7 PM at Haas. Norcalnick will fill you in on that game a later tonight!
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i wish justin.tv weren’t blocked at work lol
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
Randle
Damn, he canned it.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:40 PM PST reply actions
Empty Crowd
Where are the Arizona State fans?
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:41 PM PST reply actions
Scoreboard
It’s broken!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:42 PM PST reply actions
No
The clock never started and so they took it off.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
Lockett's killing it
14-8 ASU.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:46 PM PST reply actions
Lockett with 7 points and a block of Amoke, Randle with 5 points, Christopher with 3. Robertson two bad turnovers that led to 4 transition points.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
Timeout
I think they’re on an 11-0 run.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:46 PM PST reply actions
Boykin with a putback, TV timeout, 14-10 ASU
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:48 PM PST reply actions
Thanks Av…. you’re our eyes and ears here
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
is cal being scared of attacking the zone?
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 5:49 PM PST up reply actions
They’re mixing it up alright.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:51 PM PST up reply actions
Just weren’t hitting the jumpers well to start.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:53 PM PST up reply actions
Gutierrez
I think he got away with a travel.
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 5:52 PM PST reply actions
Yeah he did. Oh wells.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:53 PM PST up reply actions
Boykin gets 2 on goaltending, Max tip-in, ties the game!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:52 PM PST reply actions
Randle to Christopher ALLEYOOP! 16-14 Cal, timeout ASU.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:53 PM PST reply actions
It’s not about minutes, it’s about matchups. Max is a better matchup because ASU has actual bigs they go into the post with.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
Just got in and it looks like ASU is getting open looks from 3. Good thing they’ve missed them lately – gotta close out on ASU from 3 or they’ll kill you
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Let’s hope they have a similar night against us like UCLA did against us…we’re having trouble closing out the perimeter.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:56 PM PST up reply actions
Randle with a TOUGH pullup. 18-14. Zhang bothered Boateng’s shot too.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 5:58 PM PST reply actions
Christopher with a 3. Abbott with 2 3s. Boykin and Boateng exchanged baskets. 24-23 ASU.
This Lockett kid is doing really well, even with Jorge on him. Freaky.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:03 PM PST reply actions
I hope they don’t put that Walker kid in
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 6:05 PM PST up reply actions
Randle launches a playground fadeaway 3. 26-24.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:04 PM PST reply actions
I love that Cal has made two crazy hard jumpers off of timeouts and that for some reason means something to the announcers.
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Randle good. Soooo good.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:05 PM PST up reply actions
man those were some shaky minutes from jorge on both ends. lets hope DJ can do better. hopefully this is his breakout game
Looks like he’s only 80% at this point. Might not be full strength until February.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:06 PM PST up reply actions
Christopher with a 3. Nice ball movement.
Then Randle with a sick lookaway pass to Boykin to get him to the line.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:08 PM PST reply actions
Boateng also had a hook shot in there. 31-26
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:09 PM PST up reply actions
looks like Boateng has the advantage on Boykin so far
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 6:11 PM PST up reply actions
Well Boateng does have three inches on him. Not easy shots he’s making.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:15 PM PST up reply actions
Nice penetration inside, Robertson to Boykin!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:12 PM PST reply actions
god, they need someone to fill that 4th perimeter spot. jorge no. dj no. is it nikola time? mbe even try brandon smith and move randle to the 2.
33-26 Cal
Bears have been moving the ball very well. Really impressed with how they’ve been attacking the zone, spacing the floor, getting good looks at the basket.
Their defense on the other side is average, although it’s mostly Sun Devils missing good looks.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:14 PM PST reply actions
Did Amoke pick up some early fouls? I don’t think I’ve seen him on the court yet
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Yeah, I think so. Not sure though, I know he got one.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:18 PM PST up reply actions
37-28 Cal
Abbott with a jumper, Randle with a nice drive to the basket, Boykin with a basket, Robertson with a BEAUTIFUL pass in transition to Seeley to get him to the line.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:17 PM PST reply actions
Yummy
Bacon is good and an 11-point lead is better.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:19 PM PST reply actions
Boykin goes deep inside, layup makes it 39-28
Cal playing very well so far.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:19 PM PST reply actions
unlucky
That was a painful swing – from a fast break FG to an open 3 from Abbot.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Nice
We’ll also get the last shot now.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:21 PM PST reply actions
Definitely his best effort so far.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
Ahh man unlucky bounce on that Abbott 3
That was nearly a 2 on 0. 39-31
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:21 PM PST reply actions
Cal 40 ASU 33, halftime
I’ll take it.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:23 PM PST reply actions
Yeah, not an ideal finish
But I’ll take the lead, and I like that we’re defending well enough that we’re not hacking shooters as much as we usually seem to.
by Tony Macaroni on Jan 28, 2010 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
Just gotta keep ASU from getting hot shooting wise.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
Come alive Theo!
Boykin—13 points
Randle—12 points
Christopher—11 points
Seeley—2 points
Max—2 points
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:31 PM PST reply actions
Other Pac-10 scores (odd that all the games are early today)
Arizona up 8 on Stanfurd with 11 to go in the 2nd half
USC up 27-22 on OSU at halftime in a real barnburner. First to 50 wins!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
FYI: Women’s open thread now up
The game doesn’t start til 7:00 PST. After the men’s game, stick around and watch the women try to extend their 4 game winning streak!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
URL's blank.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:34 PM PST up reply actions
Not sure what's going on and why we can't handle Lockett.
Although I guess I’ll take him going off on us rather than Kusicks or Abbott or Boateng.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:37 PM PST reply actions
Theo with a bad TO that ASU can’t convert, Christopher with a tough runner off glass.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:41 PM PST reply actions
Good jumper too!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:43 PM PST up reply actions
Good Defense
Once again, Boykin forced a miss from Boateng and grabbed the rebound.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:43 PM PST up reply actions
Bingo
That was a sick shot by Randle!
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:43 PM PST reply actions
Christopher with a great steal more great defense by Boykin, then a great And-1 by Randle. Great!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:43 PM PST reply actions
Randle
He keeps it coming!
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:44 PM PST reply actions
Great transition 3
15 point lead. Keep on going for it, send the crowd to the exits.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:45 PM PST reply actions
Well, Monty said Cal needed to improve their ability to hold a lead. Now’s the chance to put a team away. NO MERCY!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
What?
He’s trying to get the game back within the spread or something?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
Bad turnover by Randle there. Can’t let them get back to single digits.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:48 PM PST reply actions
Good Passing
Boykin finishes from Gutierrez and is closing in on a career-high.
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:51 PM PST reply actions
Boykin
He can’t be stopped!
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:51 PM PST reply actions
Knee to knee looks like
Should be fine for Randle.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:53 PM PST reply actions
Damn, Randle came back in there quick.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:55 PM PST reply actions
Crap
They’ve cut the lead in half.
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:56 PM PST reply actions
Boom
You rule, Jerome!
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 6:57 PM PST reply actions
You mean send him on dribble drives and setting up other guys? I’ve noticed he’s had a few good assists.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:59 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, just put him in situations were he has the opportunity to drive and make an interior pass but leave him with Randle or Robertson as a safety valve on the outside. I think he can beat most players off the dribble, his problem is that he isn’t a quick enough finisher to score a ton of points off lay-ups. But I think we could still use it to our advantage more.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
Theo can still have a big game without scoring the ball. Not his greatest game, but he’s done a few things that won’t show up on the box score.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
Good resiliency
Still wish we’d play sounder D, but whatevs.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 6:58 PM PST reply actions
anyone sick of watching ASU run the same play over and over again? they should pick nikola in and tell him to just shut abbott down
You say it, you get it.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:01 PM PST up reply actions
Nice passing!!! Great move by Boykin.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:02 PM PST reply actions
i think we’re going to miss boykin more than we think next year
by ryandrew on Jan 28, 2010 7:02 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
My hope is that Kamp can more or less replace his numbers + Kamp is a better passer. That may be overly optimistic.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t think Kamp has the moves, plus he’ll be rusty. I hope you’re right though.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:08 PM PST up reply actions
Could be true. I don’t think that rust should matter that much though – plenty of guys miss a full season and come back stronger than before.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
We’re going to miss everyone next year.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
playing against boateng’s really firing him up. good stuff.
by EchoOfSilence on Jan 28, 2010 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
Why don’t they have jump balls in college basketball again? Possession arrow is so stupid.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
I’m OK with it, it speeds up the game significantly, and jump balls are pretty dumb too.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Theo’s really not confident with that shot right now. Passed up a few open looks and dished to other guys.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:07 PM PST reply actions
yeah, he’s not handling the ball confidently.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
Box out Boateng!!!!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:12 PM PST reply actions
They are a pretty good team, especially on defense. No one should expect teams to just fold when we get a lead.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
Bears have really slowed down. Get to 80!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:13 PM PST reply actions
Cal is playing a similarly talented team on the road. Losing to them would not be pathetic
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Yeah, but they gave up a big lead that they shouldn’t have. They’re playing at Cal’s pace, offensively.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:18 PM PST up reply actions
There's no excuse
And yes it will be pathetic if they lose. Losing a 13 point lead when it looks like the team is control yes it is pathetic.
Would it hurt Montgomery to call a timeout?
When will he get sick of their shot selection and just dumb turnover
ASU ramped up the defense, Cal slowed down offensively…really need more ball movement and open looks, lot of tough looking shots.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
Wow
That was amazing.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 7:20 PM PST reply actions
Tough shot by PC. Two money shots.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:21 PM PST reply actions
I dunno, man. Jorge shooting a 3 and PC shooting a fadeaway are not the two shots I would hope for, but hey, they went in!
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:22 PM PST up reply actions
Jorge’s shooting 49% from downtown and loves that corner. I’m quite happy with that shot.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
Why? – the Jorge three was wide-open and the PChris jumper was a pretty good shot considering we ran a ton of time off the clock.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
OK guys, you win! Jorge hasn’t been playing much, and he hadn’t made a shot tonight. I guess the PC shot isn’t too worthy of criticism, because I’ve seen him make that plenty of times, but it was a tough, off-balance shot.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
Intentional Foul
The rule itself is dumb if you ask me.
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by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 28, 2010 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
I agree – in that situation the refs should be able to award two free throws without it being a technical. Just because you are prevented from even attempting a shot doesn’t mean that you should only get a one and one.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
Got that right
Yes, it was a foul that was intentional by definition. But it was to stop an easy layup he didn’t do anything that was flagrant or would cause physical harm to the man with the ball. It wasn’t like it was a breakaway either. I think that was a good no call in terms of blowing the whistle for intentional foul.
Gut wants an Academy Award for that one
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:28 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, but it didn’t look to me like he really should have gone down that hard.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t mind a little acting. Sometimes even if you deserve the call you have to sell it a little or else you might not get it.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
I love acting – when it is a Cal player doing it.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:31 PM PST up reply actions
WTF? Did they just cut off the game?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:32 PM PST reply actions
I think he’s supposed to be that next Lebron kid. Walker?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
Theo’s looked a little slow tonight. Oh well, if you would’ve told me he wouldn’t score and we’d win, awesome.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:34 PM PST reply actions
I would say that if 3 of the 4 seniors show up on any given night Cal will probably win.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
At least he took out Kuksics tonight. Cancelled each other out.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:36 PM PST up reply actions
Final score 78-70
Big big win, no matter how much of a nailbiter it became near the end.
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:36 PM PST reply actions
sweet sweet victory!
Head over HERE for the Cal women – they’re currently tied with AZ at 26
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Nice win. ASU is a pretty good team and honestly I wouldn’t have been shocked for us to lose this one. I saw some things in this one that hopefully will become trends – especially Christopher’s confidence with the ball down the stretch.
Oh and being perfect at the foul line for the rest of the year would be nice too.
by Tedfordisgod on Jan 28, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
Damn, another battle for first place on Sunday afternoon against Zona.
Wow, OSU beat USC?
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:46 PM PST up reply actions
36-31 at the half
Cal has made 8 3’s (8-15 over all) to only 5 2 pointers. Up is down, left is right, dogs and cats living together! Mass Hysteria!
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
Damnit, I don't want to play another half with ASU!
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by Avinash Kunnath on Jan 28, 2010 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
Great playing by PC. I was nervous when Randle went down with that knee injury and then ASU stormed back. But often times the team storms back just to lose energy right when they catch up. That seemed to be the case.
Now, Im watching this hockey game. I dont really know whats going on, but it seems cool. Apparently these are two of the better teams in the NHL
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
slightly less stressful than previous ones.
by atomsareenough on Jan 28, 2010 9:30 PM PST up reply actions

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