Golden Nuggets: MBB's injured backcourt and preliminary NFL prospect evaluations

Injuries have struck MBB's backcourt heading into Pac-12 play and some early evaluations for NFL hopefuls.

By Leland Wong Dec 31, 2013, 3:30pm PST

When the glorious Golden Bears and the vile Stanfurd Cardinal face off to start Pac-12 play, these two different programs will have one thing in common: injury-ravaged backcourts.

Cal's injuries [to Ricky Kreklow and Jabari Bird] will give freshman guards Jordan Mathews and Sam Singer more playing time. Senior Jeff Powers will get the chance to build on a surprise performance Saturday, when he made six 3-pointers against Furman.

Mostly, the Bears will lean on senior point guard Justin Cobbs, who must find offense for himself and his teammates.

"He needs to be a scorer for us," Montgomery said. "But it can't be one or the other way -- it's got to be both, like a good guard should do."

Meanwhile, ESPN has begun evaluating our NFL hopefuls. Unfortunately, no Cal players are listed among the top six at their position, even including senior vs. non-senior status. This includes TE Richard Rodgers, who recently declared he would enter the draft in lieu of finishing his senior year at Cal. DL Deandre Coleman was listed as the 16th best DT and the 176th best prospect overall with a grade of 47/100.

Cal Athletics

Summarizing Cal's performance during Fall 2013

Women's Basketball

Women's Gymnastics

Emily Richardson, an accomplished member of the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, will join Cal

Men's Golf

Pace Johnson is tied for 13th after the second round in the Patriot All-America

Football

DL Deandre Coleman will represent Cal in the East-West Shrine Game
And very impressive showings all around for the Bears in the Pros; there will be 15 Golden Bears participating in the NFL Playoffs
- WR Marvin Jones had a TD catch against the Ravens, but after watching him play at Cal, I expect these kinds of plays from him.