We wasted so much time trying to foul when there was about a minute and a half left. And then we took WAY too much time to take a shot. Still can't figure out how to finish games, whether we are ahead or behind.

Johnfox said:

---

Offense has been way better without Cone in the lineup

---

I like Brown, and although he makes mistakes defensively they can't attack him like they do Cone

So net net I think Brown is better for us until Cone learns to take better shots

Problem is if Cone and Askew out we will need to play another guard as Brown can't

I also hate it when you foul with 2.5 seconds left

Just pads their score

HoopDreams said:

---

I also hate it when you foul with 2.5 seconds left

Just pads their score

---

Last spread I saw was 7.5.
If that was legit those two points made or lost some bets.

If Brown can put some muscle on this offseason, he's primed for a strong sophomore season.

And he learns defense. Physically and effort-wise he can be a very good defender, but right now he is out of place sometimes (although our senior center is also out of place sometimes too)

Johnfox said:

---

If Brown can put some muscle on this offseason, he's primed for a strong sophomore season.

---

75bear said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Their entire game plan is to attack Cone

---

When Cone isn't producing offense, and is a liablity on defense, it's a recipe for bad results.

We're 342nd in the nation coming into this game for opponent 3pt FG%. At this point in the season, we can't claim it's a statistical anomaly. It's because we give everyone wide open 3s, don't close out on shooters, or fight hard enough through screens.

We need to start by changing something up on defense, we can't keep trying the same things over and over again and expecting different results. USC mixed in zone a few times, and it resulted in Cal turnovers and easy buckets.

Let's try something new for the 2nd half!

This game isn't over yet. USC is clearly more talented than us, but they are a bit undisciplined, and seem like a team that is still figuring itself out. We're not out of this yet, but we need to pivot.

---

this needed to be said

It's still very early in Mad Dog's coaching career arc, and I can already see from the way he talks, seemingly tries to learn from every situation, and is not deflective, he will just get better.

That said, I don't buy the this is such a complete rebuild it has to take 3+ years to win, esp in basketball.

He has already rebuilt the roster with pretty much solid talent. I don't think talent is quite the issue. This team shouldn't be losing so many games. There is lack of cohesion on offense and defense where the whole is less than the sum of its parts right now. You still have guys like Tyson and Aimaq getting their numbers. With those consistent numbers, that usually should be enough to win games if the team is on the same page.

The number one thing though is willing to sell out on defense. I don't think anyone can accuse our team of maxing out our defensive effort. That's also not a talent issue.

Don MacLean said in the intro that D is basically Cal's issue. Isn't that more of a here and now coaching issue and not a 3 years from now amassing more talent issue?

bearister said:

---

Don MacLean said in the intro that D is basically Cal's issue. Isn't that more of a here and now coaching issue and not a 3 years from now amassing more talent issue?

---

Exactly. But the here and now has its own challenges: 1) compiling essentially a roster of new guys that haven't played together (too bad we burned the Europe trip on Fox which could have helped players gel) and 2) Mad Dog being a newer coach, does he or someone on the staff know how to get guys to buy in and play elite defense, which is more of a willingness to commit rather than pure talent?

Big C said:

---

75bear said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Their entire game plan is to attack Cone

---

When Cone isn't producing offense, and is a liablity on defense, it's a recipe for bad results.

We're 342nd in the nation coming into this game for opponent 3pt FG%. At this point in the season, we can't claim it's a statistical anomaly. It's because we give everyone wide open 3s, don't close out on shooters, or fight hard enough through screens.

We need to start by changing something up on defense, we can't keep trying the same things over and over again and expecting different results. USC mixed in zone a few times, and it resulted in Cal turnovers and easy buckets.

Let's try something new for the 2nd half!

This game isn't over yet. USC is clearly more talented than us, but they are a bit undisciplined, and seem like a team that is still figuring itself out. We're not out of this yet, but we need to pivot.

---

this needed to be said

---

This is kind of like forced to play Mendoza and shocked how much of a difference it made. For a freshman Brown is showing a lot .

KoreAmBear said:

---

It's still very early in Mad Dog's coaching career arc, and I can already see from the way he talks, seemingly tries to learn from every situation, and is not deflective, he will just get better.

That said, I don't buy the this is such a complete rebuild it has to take 3+ years to win, esp in basketball.

He has already rebuilt the roster with pretty much solid talent. I don't think talent is quite the issue. This team shouldn't be losing so many games. There is lack of cohesion on offense and defense where the whole is less than the sum of its parts right now. You still have guys like Tyson and Aimaq getting their numbers. With those consistent numbers, that usually should be enough to win games if the team is on the same page.

The number one thing though is willing to sell out on defense. I don't think anyone can accuse our team of maxing out our defensive effort. That's also not a talent issue.

---

This is Mark Madsen's fifth year as a head coach. I understand that this is his first year with these guys, but after four years of coaching he really should be past the "seemingly tries to learn from every situation" stage.

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

It's still very early in Mad Dog's coaching career arc, and I can already see from the way he talks, seemingly tries to learn from every situation, and is not deflective, he will just get better.

That said, I don't buy the this is such a complete rebuild it has to take 3+ years to win, esp in basketball.

He has already rebuilt the roster with pretty much solid talent. I don't think talent is quite the issue. This team shouldn't be losing so many games. There is lack of cohesion on offense and defense where the whole is less than the sum of its parts right now. You still have guys like Tyson and Aimaq getting their numbers. With those consistent numbers, that usually should be enough to win games if the team is on the same page.

The number one thing though is willing to sell out on defense. I don't think anyone can accuse our team of maxing out our defensive effort. That's also not a talent issue.

---

This is Mark Madsen's fifth year as a head coach. I understand that this is his first year with these guys, but after four years of coaching he really should be past the "seemingly tries to learn from every situation" stage.

---

I didn't realize he has been coaching for that long. Still relatively green.

As far as playing D, I am sure all 320+ D1 teams want to play elite D. But only a few do it (and not necessarily teams that have athletic/skilled talent). I think it does require a combo of the players completely buying in and coaching scheme. Right now we appear to be lacking in both.

Mediocre defense would have won some of the games we lost. Elite defense would take some time.

I remember going back many years that teams that had 4 or 5 6'6-6'7 guys that were quick and could handle the ball gave the Bears fits, even when we were good. The current squad is long like that now but we aren't taking advantage of it.

KoreAmBear said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

It's still very early in Mad Dog's coaching career arc, and I can already see from the way he talks, seemingly tries to learn from every situation, and is not deflective, he will just get better.

That said, I don't buy the this is such a complete rebuild it has to take 3+ years to win, esp in basketball.

He has already rebuilt the roster with pretty much solid talent. I don't think talent is quite the issue. This team shouldn't be losing so many games. There is lack of cohesion on offense and defense where the whole is less than the sum of its parts right now. You still have guys like Tyson and Aimaq getting their numbers. With those consistent numbers, that usually should be enough to win games if the team is on the same page.

The number one thing though is willing to sell out on defense. I don't think anyone can accuse our team of maxing out our defensive effort. That's also not a talent issue.

---

This is Mark Madsen's fifth year as a head coach. I understand that this is his first year with these guys, but after four years of coaching he really should be past the "seemingly tries to learn from every situation" stage.

---

I didn't realize he has been coaching for that long. Still relatively green.

As far as playing D, I am sure all 320+ D1 teams want to play elite D. But only a few do it (and not necessarily teams that have athletic/skilled talent). I think it does require a combo of the players completely buying in and coaching scheme. Right now we appear to be lacking in both.

---

With MM he came aboard so late that it had to be difficult in putting a team together over and above what was left on the roster. Unfortunately that required he had to go heavily to the transfer portal and they are mostly the player getting playing time. Thank goodness we have them, but it leaves the door open to next year being like this year. We have to develop a core of good recruits or if transfer portal players, those with a few years left. With four players, maybe more, being gone next year having had but one year left, I just hope we don't repeat this year even though same was pretty necessary.

Two things:

1. Braun had 19 years experience, Campenelli had 14 years, Monty had 30 years, even Cuonzo had 6 years. Of course Fox 14 years, so it's not always true, but generally Madsen is at the start of his HC career in comparison to past coaches. I think he's still learning and he'll definitely spend the off-season speaking with other coaches about what changes to make and what went right or wrong. Probably can't do it in season (sorry Rod).

2. I keep watching and wondering what they are doing "wrong" and I think it's more than desire or scheme. It's just talent. Getting to the 3-pointer shooters isn't just being late or out of position, opponents aren't doing anything special, they are just moving the ball to the open man. But getting there late is a combination of anticipation and talent. More practice helps, but they are what they are, otherwise they'd be getting better at this point. And to me, that's the most frustrating part.

So, unfortunately, while I really anticipated more progress at this point (and maybe it's happening slowly), the wins are just not coming. There are definitely some less talented, physical and skilled opponents remaining on the schedule than Arizona and USC, but it's seems like it's going to take a real big effort to get break the 10 win barrier.

"…..he'll definitely spend the off-season speaking with other coaches about what changes to make and what went right or wrong."

Don't you just assume Monty has his ear? If not, why not?

bearister said:

---

"…..he'll definitely spend the off-season speaking with other coaches about what changes to make and what went right or wrong."

Don't you just assume Monty has his ear? If not, why not?

---

He's got a wealth of informal consultants around him with connections to our program -- Monty, Ben, and Jay John (is he still around)?

bearister said:

---

Don MacLean said in the intro that D is basically Cal's issue. Isn't that more of a here and now coaching issue and not a 3 years from now amassing more talent issue?

---

Generally, you'd be correct, but Cone and Aimaq have some specific inherent defensive liabilities that cannot be fixed with coaching. Daws is just slow, and no amount of cocahing or training will give him quick first step. Cone is not only small but also makes bad decisions on D. And since he also makes bad decisions on O as a 5th player, that aint' fixable either.

Big Dog said:

---

bearister said:

---

Don MacLean said in the intro that D is basically Cal's issue. Isn't that more of a here and now coaching issue and not a 3 years from now amassing more talent issue?

---

Generally, you'd be correct, but Cone and Aimaq have some specific inherent defensive liabilities that cannot be fixed with coaching. Daws is just slow, and no amount of cocahing or training will give him quick first step. Cone is not only small but also makes bad decisions on D. And since he also makes bad decisions on O as a 5th player, that aint' fixable either.

---

So basically we are screwed and may win less conference games than Fox, who is probably laughing hiss ass off.

Against a team that can shoot 3's, yes, we have no answer.