Each loss somehow manages to be more typically 'Cal' than the last.  When we look back at a game where a 5'7" player scored 22 points against us and our starting center nailed two 3s in the final minute, it makes perfect sense.  Not surprisingly, Monty was not too pleased with the effort in the first half.

On the game:

"The first half was ridiculous; we didn't come to play. Whatever the reason, we just didn't come out to compete. USC did; they got physical and we backed off. They are good defensively, and we are playing with different lineups. We challenged Jorge (Gutierrez) at the half, and one guy playing hard got the whole team going. If we had done that the whole game, we wouldn't have been down 11 at the half and it would have been a whole different game."

On his halftime talk:

"The worst thing that can happen is you lose, but at least you can lose playing hard. In the first half, everybody was trying to play one-on-one and not help each other out. Nobody was moving to get open. Nobody was setting screens to get open. "

Of course someone asked MSF about making not one, but two threes in the final minute.

On his first two career three pointers:
"I was taking them because I had to take them. That's about it. I always work on my shot, but that is not my strength so I never do it. I just felt I had to take it with the time left on the clock."

After the jump ESPN talks about the QB battle, several Bears receive NFL Combine invitations, and AT&T Park opens its doors next week to Cal fans.

Basketball

• The Bears kept battling back, but they could not overtake USC.
• If not for the awful first half, Cal might have won.

Football

• Bruce Feldman takes a look at the nation's top-10 quarterback battles this spring, with Cal coming in at 10th.  Feldman thinks Zach Maynard will rise to the top.  Ted Miller weighs in and gives Allan Bridgford the edge.
• Ted Miller looks at what Pac-12 North teams will need to work on this spring.  Cal has to find a quarterback, find a running back, and find someone to call plays.  No problem, right?
• Cameron Jordan is drafted 17th by the New England Patriots in Mel Kiper's most recent mock draft.
• Saturday February 26th is Cal Football Open House at AT&T Park.
• JO reports from the Tiny Bates award ceremony.  Next week norcalnick will provide much more comprehensive of the event.
• Chris Conte, Cameron Jordan, Shane Vereen, and Mike Mohamed have been invited to the NFL combine.
• Jordan was named the number 6 draft prospect by Sports Illustrated.