/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25344349/20131214_pjc_se9_061.0.jpg)
Vlad Belo: There are multiple players who could fit this description, but I'll go with Richard Solomon. Solo is averaging a double double. And we were shown how important he was when he was absent for those two games in Maui. We could have used his presence.
TwistNHook: I would have to agree regarding Tricky Dick Solo. Cal has always struggled with its inside presence ever since Leon Powe left lo those many years ago. Solomon was to be the guy. He's shown flashes in the past, but never been truly consistent. It appears like he's rounding into form this year, which is great! Plus, as Vlad Belo noted, when we didn't have him in Maui, this team seemed totally different.
Ruey Yen: Given the lack of depth (ugh, this again) for Cal Men's Basketball, everybody in the rotation is very very important for the team's success. Bears have only have 7 players averaging 10+ minutes per game (and they have all averaged at least 15+), and can't really afford to have anyone out (like during the Maui Invitational). Of course, the Bears are the thinnest in the middle with two great bigs in David Kravish and Richard Solomon, follow by a work in progress (but better than what I would have expected) Kameron Rooks.
While the big guys are going to be key for the Bears in many games, I would argue that an even more important contribution for the Bears' upcoming conference success would be the 3 point shooting from Jabari Bird and Ricky Kreklow. Currently, both of those guys are hitting 3's at an about 39% rate. Since Bird is a freshmen and Kreklow has been hurt, this is their first showcase of what they can do for the Bears. Despite last year's success and a similar lack of bigs, the Bears were not a good (or even great) 3 point shooting team (remember that long 3 point shooting drought around this time last year that included the home loss to Harvard?). To potentially pull off another upset of Arizona or another really solid teams (plenty of them in the Pac this year, on paper), the Bears would likely need the outside game to carry them.
Solomon: 23.9%
Mathews: 23.5%
Bird: 22.4%
Wallace: 20.8%