RedlessWardrobe said:

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This looks like the most appropriate thread to throw in my 2 cents worth from game #1, so here I go. As usual, I will remind everybody that my comments may be oversimplistic, and I certainly encourage anyone to agree, disagree, modify, or go into more depth on any of them:

What has been the recurring theme is how bad Cal is on defense. Either the players aren't talented enough to play defense with a purpose, or the coaching staff just doesn't do a good job of teaching it. Point of example, late in the game Cal was pressuring SD to the point where there was only 5 second left on the shot clock, the ball was still 32 feet away from the hoop at the corner angle, and the player was still able to pick up the dribble and drive for what was basically an uncontested layup.
My uneducated guess is that the coaches spend time teaching defensive techniques but very little teaching defensive STRATEGY, i.e. time, clock, score, etc. My guess is maybe playing more zone is a easier path to be able to get in the mindset of the players some semblance of defensive strategy. What do you guys think?

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socaltownie said:

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sluggo said:

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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Because Cal is a P5 program paying a coach 1.5 million a year (low by P5 standards but still) with lowered admission standards while UCSD is a formerly D2 program with limited athletic scholarships awarded to players that have to meet full UCSD admission requirements (which right now are running about 20% admission rate - lower for the hard sciences).

Yes - they were the better team with frankly better players at numerous positions. But that is an indictment of the lack of recruiting and development and skill by those Fox HAS brought in.

We are going to win, MAYBE, 4 games. MAYBE.

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socaltownie said:

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sluggo said:

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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Because Cal is a P5 program paying a coach 1.5 million a year (low by P5 standards but still) with lowered admission standards while UCSD is a formerly D2 program with limited athletic scholarships awarded to players that have to meet full UCSD admission requirements (which right now are running about 20% admission rate - lower for the hard sciences).

Yes - they were the better team with frankly better players at numerous positions. But that is an indictment of the lack of recruiting and development and skill by those Fox HAS brought in.

We are going to win, MAYBE, 4 games. MAYBE.

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Yes, the GLARING weakness on this team is defense. (except for Joel Brown)
Either are guys are not capable of playing good team defense, or our coaches are not capable of teaching it. Got to be one or the other.

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4thGenCal said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Yes, the GLARING weakness on this team is defense. (except for Joel Brown)
Either are guys are not capable of playing good team defense, or our coaches are not capable of teaching it. Got to be one or the other.

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Agreed - big guys are limited athletically and there is not a rim protector plain and simple to see. Its more on the players we have, as the practices have been fundamentally well run on defensive principles. Joel and Sam are really the only "get after it" tough/hard nosed defenders the team has currently. However to also be objective, UCSD played an outstanding game - likely to their maximum in terms of shooting/FT % and few mistakes. Conversely Cal played what is hoped to be near the bottom level of their season long games. However the pattern of no interior athleticism/rim protector etc, cannot be hidden and will be exploited thru out the season.

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4thGenCal said:

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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Big C said:

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I was delighted to be able to go to the game today and hang out with some of my good friends for a couple of hours! Surprisingly little problem parking and getting into Haas (despite the restrictions). As you could guess, Haas was a great place to practice social distancing today.

I can't believe we lost to that team, although they looked better than a UCSD team should have a right to look. They play well together, have some shooters and that #10 Toni Rocak, the Swiss guy, is quite good. We were ahead 18-8, seemed in control, but then the Tritons went on a little 72-49 run and it was all over.

What was the deal with all of our injuries? Foreman's in a boot, then we got Thorpe, Bowser, Roberson and Celestine not available. What gives?

Why did we lose? Our interior defense and interior help defense sucked. We missed too many FTs. Anticevich is streaky and was off today.

Individuals:

Jordan Shepherd is pretty good. He likes to shoot the ball. I would say almost too much, but somebody had to make the baskets today. He will get a lot of minutes this season, for lack of anybody better.

Andre Kelly had a solid game with something like 17 pts and 12 boards. He has made incremental progress every season, S&C-wise. Same this year. Probably our best player. Too bad he's not, like, our 4th best.

The rest of the news isn't that good...

Anticevich has always been a streak shooter. I could swear when he's missing, his jumper has a little hitch in it. Seems to be mental with him. His all-around game may be marginally improved. He will have a few games this season when he goes over 20, but several where he gets less than 10. Like he does.

Jordan Brown always looks like a bundle of athletic energy out there, but he had zero assists today (according to the big screen) and is still a 50% FT shooter. That's not going to cut it.

Lars might be a bit better. At least he didn't have any "Lars moments", but then he didn't play that many minutes, either.

I was watching Jared Hyder in warm-ups. He has a funky looking jumper. Not much from him today, backing up Brown.

Kuany still doesn't seem to have a role on the court that would put him in a position to succeed.

Alajiki: Looks athletic. Drained his first 3 pt shot.

Anyanwu: At this point, it's hard to get a gauge on what he can give us.

Klonaras: Still a marginal-level player. Seems like a good guy!

UCSD isn't bad. They will win their share this season. This coach of theirs, Eric Olen, is he a good coach? Somebody to keep an eye on. Still, it's not easy to wrap my head around us losing quietly and semi-decisively to UC San Diego. Having followed our team the past four years, though, why am I surprised?

Maybe we will improve this season! I hope so and will continue to go to most of the games. However, we are likely to be just what today's game says we are.

go bears

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Good assessment/recap - We miss Bradley and his fire and toughness, Shepard was very good and per Paris Austin, needs to assert himself even more, as no one else can create shots when guarded. Other than Joel Brown, we had a passive team. Dissapointed in the staff's coaching for this game. Zero adjustments to #10 who continually beat our interior defenders going hard to the right (his strong hand) - force him left! Interior defense simply poor. Only slight quibble would be Lars play(ineffective) though very limited with PT, needs to be more assertive with the ball and Joel though very poor from the line - did play very hard and shot 50% from the field (nearly all drives and 10 pts). Was surprised that Klonaras played as many minutes as he did - game is too fast for him and bluntly is a wasted scholarship. Very depressing performance and at least the head coach said the play was "totally on him, with not preparing the team well". Want to say "Its just one game" BUT that was a team that Cal should have beaten by double digits.

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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I meant (and backed up by the former coach within the dept and also a current HC who covets the Cal job) that we should beat them minimum 75% of the time. Namely, Cal is bigger, more athletic and should have made a couple of key adjustments, such as taking away their best player's right hand (turn him left) and second got the ball down low more often. Game showed a couple of things: 1) Grant will have to shoot far better 2) Celestine, Foreman and DJ need to be healthy 3) Interior defense HAS to be tougher (glaring issue/weakness). Lars has literally not improved into his 3rd season. Without the above occuring, Cal will end up per your forecast. I am hoping for 12 wins total and I may be far too optimistic. Let's see where the team is when at full strength. However yes, its likely a bleak season ahead. I still enjoy going to the games, as its a great sport, the players give their all and Cal is in my roots and loyalty.

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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Big C said:

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I was delighted to be able to go to the game today and hang out with some of my good friends for a couple of hours! Surprisingly little problem parking and getting into Haas (despite the restrictions). As you could guess, Haas was a great place to practice social distancing today.

I can't believe we lost to that team, although they looked better than a UCSD team should have a right to look. They play well together, have some shooters and that #10 Toni Rocak, the Swiss guy, is quite good. We were ahead 18-8, seemed in control, but then the Tritons went on a little 72-49 run and it was all over.

What was the deal with all of our injuries? Foreman's in a boot, then we got Thorpe, Bowser, Roberson and Celestine not available. What gives?

Why did we lose? Our interior defense and interior help defense sucked. We missed too many FTs. Anticevich is streaky and was off today.

Individuals:

Jordan Shepherd is pretty good. He likes to shoot the ball. I would say almost too much, but somebody had to make the baskets today. He will get a lot of minutes this season, for lack of anybody better.

Andre Kelly had a solid game with something like 17 pts and 12 boards. He has made incremental progress every season, S&C-wise. Same this year. Probably our best player. Too bad he's not, like, our 4th best.

The rest of the news isn't that good...

Anticevich has always been a streak shooter. I could swear when he's missing, his jumper has a little hitch in it. Seems to be mental with him. His all-around game may be marginally improved. He will have a few games this season when he goes over 20, but several where he gets less than 10. Like he does.

Jordan Brown always looks like a bundle of athletic energy out there, but he had zero assists today (according to the big screen) and is still a 50% FT shooter. That's not going to cut it.

Lars might be a bit better. At least he didn't have any "Lars moments", but then he didn't play that many minutes, either.

I was watching Jared Hyder in warm-ups. He has a funky looking jumper. Not much from him today, backing up Brown.

Kuany still doesn't seem to have a role on the court that would put him in a position to succeed.

Alajiki: Looks athletic. Drained his first 3 pt shot.

Anyanwu: At this point, it's hard to get a gauge on what he can give us.

Klonaras: Still a marginal-level player. Seems like a good guy!

UCSD isn't bad. They will win their share this season. This coach of theirs, Eric Olen, is he a good coach? Somebody to keep an eye on. Still, it's not easy to wrap my head around us losing quietly and semi-decisively to UC San Diego. Having followed our team the past four years, though, why am I surprised?

Maybe we will improve this season! I hope so and will continue to go to most of the games. However, we are likely to be just what today's game says we are.

go bears

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Good assessment/recap - We miss Bradley and his fire and toughness, Shepard was very good and per Paris Austin, needs to assert himself even more, as no one else can create shots when guarded. Other than Joel Brown, we had a passive team. Dissapointed in the staff's coaching for this game. Zero adjustments to #10 who continually beat our interior defenders going hard to the right (his strong hand) - force him left! Interior defense simply poor. Only slight quibble would be Lars play(ineffective) though very limited with PT, needs to be more assertive with the ball and Joel though very poor from the line - did play very hard and shot 50% from the field (nearly all drives and 10 pts). Was surprised that Klonaras played as many minutes as he did - game is too fast for him and bluntly is a wasted scholarship. Very depressing performance and at least the head coach said the play was "totally on him, with not preparing the team well". Want to say "Its just one game" BUT that was a team that Cal should have beaten by double digits.

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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I meant (and backed up by the former coach within the dept and also a current HC who covets the Cal job) that we should beat them minimum 75% of the time. Namely, Cal is bigger, more athletic and should have made a couple of key adjustments, such as taking away their best player's right hand (turn him left) and second got the ball down low more often. Game showed a couple of things: 1) Grant will have to shoot far better 2) Celestine, Foreman and DJ need to be healthy 3) Interior defense HAS to be tougher (glaring issue/weakness). Lars has literally not improved into his 3rd season. Without the above occuring, Cal will end up per your forecast. I am hoping for 12 wins total and I may be far too optimistic. Let's see where the team is when at full strength. However yes, its likely a bleak season ahead. I still enjoy going to the games, as its a great sport, the players give their all and Cal is in my roots and loyalty.

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I am not giving up either. Fan and student going back to the 80s with more bad times than good. What you are saying is that Cal should win because it has better players but does not have an adequate coach. Yes.

On the interior defense the problem is that Kelly and Grant A. are both minus defenders. Kuany needs to move down low. But that would move them from 3 scorers to 2. Of all the things I dislike about Fox, which is really everything, the lack of recruiting of scorers is at the top of the list.

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calumnus said:

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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Big C said:

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I was delighted to be able to go to the game today and hang out with some of my good friends for a couple of hours! Surprisingly little problem parking and getting into Haas (despite the restrictions). As you could guess, Haas was a great place to practice social distancing today.

I can't believe we lost to that team, although they looked better than a UCSD team should have a right to look. They play well together, have some shooters and that #10 Toni Rocak, the Swiss guy, is quite good. We were ahead 18-8, seemed in control, but then the Tritons went on a little 72-49 run and it was all over.

What was the deal with all of our injuries? Foreman's in a boot, then we got Thorpe, Bowser, Roberson and Celestine not available. What gives?

Why did we lose? Our interior defense and interior help defense sucked. We missed too many FTs. Anticevich is streaky and was off today.

Individuals:

Jordan Shepherd is pretty good. He likes to shoot the ball. I would say almost too much, but somebody had to make the baskets today. He will get a lot of minutes this season, for lack of anybody better.

Andre Kelly had a solid game with something like 17 pts and 12 boards. He has made incremental progress every season, S&C-wise. Same this year. Probably our best player. Too bad he's not, like, our 4th best.

The rest of the news isn't that good...

Anticevich has always been a streak shooter. I could swear when he's missing, his jumper has a little hitch in it. Seems to be mental with him. His all-around game may be marginally improved. He will have a few games this season when he goes over 20, but several where he gets less than 10. Like he does.

Jordan Brown always looks like a bundle of athletic energy out there, but he had zero assists today (according to the big screen) and is still a 50% FT shooter. That's not going to cut it.

Lars might be a bit better. At least he didn't have any "Lars moments", but then he didn't play that many minutes, either.

I was watching Jared Hyder in warm-ups. He has a funky looking jumper. Not much from him today, backing up Brown.

Kuany still doesn't seem to have a role on the court that would put him in a position to succeed.

Alajiki: Looks athletic. Drained his first 3 pt shot.

Anyanwu: At this point, it's hard to get a gauge on what he can give us.

Klonaras: Still a marginal-level player. Seems like a good guy!

UCSD isn't bad. They will win their share this season. This coach of theirs, Eric Olen, is he a good coach? Somebody to keep an eye on. Still, it's not easy to wrap my head around us losing quietly and semi-decisively to UC San Diego. Having followed our team the past four years, though, why am I surprised?

Maybe we will improve this season! I hope so and will continue to go to most of the games. However, we are likely to be just what today's game says we are.

go bears

---

Good assessment/recap - We miss Bradley and his fire and toughness, Shepard was very good and per Paris Austin, needs to assert himself even more, as no one else can create shots when guarded. Other than Joel Brown, we had a passive team. Dissapointed in the staff's coaching for this game. Zero adjustments to #10 who continually beat our interior defenders going hard to the right (his strong hand) - force him left! Interior defense simply poor. Only slight quibble would be Lars play(ineffective) though very limited with PT, needs to be more assertive with the ball and Joel though very poor from the line - did play very hard and shot 50% from the field (nearly all drives and 10 pts). Was surprised that Klonaras played as many minutes as he did - game is too fast for him and bluntly is a wasted scholarship. Very depressing performance and at least the head coach said the play was "totally on him, with not preparing the team well". Want to say "Its just one game" BUT that was a team that Cal should have beaten by double digits.

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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I meant (and backed up by the former coach within the dept and also a current HC who covets the Cal job) that we should beat them minimum 75% of the time. Namely, Cal is bigger, more athletic and should have made a couple of key adjustments, such as taking away their best player's right hand (turn him left) and second got the ball down low more often. Game showed a couple of things: 1) Grant will have to shoot far better 2) Celestine, Foreman and DJ need to be healthy 3) Interior defense HAS to be tougher (glaring issue/weakness). Lars has literally not improved into his 3rd season. Without the above occuring, Cal will end up per your forecast. I am hoping for 12 wins total and I may be far too optimistic. Let's see where the team is when at full strength. However yes, its likely a bleak season ahead. I still enjoy going to the games, as its a great sport, the players give their all and Cal is in my roots and loyalty.

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I am not giving up either. Fan and student going back to the 80s with more bad times than good. What you are saying is that Cal should win because it has better players but does not have an adequate coach. Yes.

On the interior defense the problem is that Kelly and Grant A. are both minus defenders. Kuany needs to move down low. But that would move them from 3 scorers to 2. Of all the things I dislike about Fox, which is really everything, the lack of recruiting of scorers is at the top of the list.

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Not near the top of my list, but the lack of recruiting shooters is a head scratcher. The 3 pt shot has revolutionized basketball. (Actually, looking at his video, Newell's 3pt shot looks pretty
good).

Right now we need Kelly and Anticevich for their offense, but yeah, due to physical limitations they will never be good man defenders. Given that, I think a 3-2 zone might be our best option on defense. Take away the three, defend the basket and live with the rest.

Next year, with Kelly and Anticevich gone, we will be far more athletic across the board and Fox can play the hard nosed man defense he prefers. I don't know how we will score points, but At least our defense should improve.

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sluggo said:

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4thGenCal said:

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Big C said:

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I was delighted to be able to go to the game today and hang out with some of my good friends for a couple of hours! Surprisingly little problem parking and getting into Haas (despite the restrictions). As you could guess, Haas was a great place to practice social distancing today.

I can't believe we lost to that team, although they looked better than a UCSD team should have a right to look. They play well together, have some shooters and that #10 Toni Rocak, the Swiss guy, is quite good. We were ahead 18-8, seemed in control, but then the Tritons went on a little 72-49 run and it was all over.

What was the deal with all of our injuries? Foreman's in a boot, then we got Thorpe, Bowser, Roberson and Celestine not available. What gives?

Why did we lose? Our interior defense and interior help defense sucked. We missed too many FTs. Anticevich is streaky and was off today.

Individuals:

Jordan Shepherd is pretty good. He likes to shoot the ball. I would say almost too much, but somebody had to make the baskets today. He will get a lot of minutes this season, for lack of anybody better.

Andre Kelly had a solid game with something like 17 pts and 12 boards. He has made incremental progress every season, S&C-wise. Same this year. Probably our best player. Too bad he's not, like, our 4th best.

The rest of the news isn't that good...

Anticevich has always been a streak shooter. I could swear when he's missing, his jumper has a little hitch in it. Seems to be mental with him. His all-around game may be marginally improved. He will have a few games this season when he goes over 20, but several where he gets less than 10. Like he does.

Jordan Brown always looks like a bundle of athletic energy out there, but he had zero assists today (according to the big screen) and is still a 50% FT shooter. That's not going to cut it.

Lars might be a bit better. At least he didn't have any "Lars moments", but then he didn't play that many minutes, either.

I was watching Jared Hyder in warm-ups. He has a funky looking jumper. Not much from him today, backing up Brown.

Kuany still doesn't seem to have a role on the court that would put him in a position to succeed.

Alajiki: Looks athletic. Drained his first 3 pt shot.

Anyanwu: At this point, it's hard to get a gauge on what he can give us.

Klonaras: Still a marginal-level player. Seems like a good guy!

UCSD isn't bad. They will win their share this season. This coach of theirs, Eric Olen, is he a good coach? Somebody to keep an eye on. Still, it's not easy to wrap my head around us losing quietly and semi-decisively to UC San Diego. Having followed our team the past four years, though, why am I surprised?

Maybe we will improve this season! I hope so and will continue to go to most of the games. However, we are likely to be just what today's game says we are.

go bears

---

Good assessment/recap - We miss Bradley and his fire and toughness, Shepard was very good and per Paris Austin, needs to assert himself even more, as no one else can create shots when guarded. Other than Joel Brown, we had a passive team. Dissapointed in the staff's coaching for this game. Zero adjustments to #10 who continually beat our interior defenders going hard to the right (his strong hand) - force him left! Interior defense simply poor. Only slight quibble would be Lars play(ineffective) though very limited with PT, needs to be more assertive with the ball and Joel though very poor from the line - did play very hard and shot 50% from the field (nearly all drives and 10 pts). Was surprised that Klonaras played as many minutes as he did - game is too fast for him and bluntly is a wasted scholarship. Very depressing performance and at least the head coach said the play was "totally on him, with not preparing the team well". Want to say "Its just one game" BUT that was a team that Cal should have beaten by double digits.

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When you say "should," what does that mean? Because Cal's players are so much better? Because Cal has more of a history and resources? Because Cal has such a strong coach? Why should they have won, much less by double digits? Because watching the game I think if they played 100 times UCSD would win at least half the time. They had the best player. They are much better shooters. And the coaching difference is night and day. Fox could not exploit the athletic advantage of his players. But we knew that.

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