Weak foul call in our favor (on Stojakovic). They also got one against Dort at the other end.

Even the homer announcers are turning on NC State.

Make your free throws, guys!

Mady is the Sultan of Swat!

Two minute drought.

Calling last time out with 2:40 to go? Can't wait for the "Madsen's bad at game management" crowd to get going on that one. Andrej was about to turn it over on a trap.

I assume the refs are going to dinner with the NC State team after the game?

Blacksher's ill-advised 3-point attempts are costing us this game.

He atoned with the drive, now it's all about good D, no stupid fouls.

Blacksher scores a lead bucket.

No timeouts left. Better get Wilkinson in NOW with 47 left. No one else is shooting. Our problem now is not defense but NO offense.

See saw in the last minute. Hold on

Woo Hoo

Nice road win!

Bears win. Whew!!!!

A win on Tobacco Road is never an easy thing! Defensive effort great. Still sloppy, but gritty.

Big win on the road for the Bears!!!

well, kinda big...

Great Bear win. Hopefully it gets Cal over the hump.

Now let's see, who was our leading scorer today?

GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big C said:

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Michael O'Connell?!? Isn't that that guy who was mediocre for Furd for 6-7 years?

I'm surprised he hasn't moved on to his professional career, playing the mean frat guy in lousy movies.

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Before a game, when I look at the opposing players and see Michael O'Connell (has happened fairly often over the past 8-9 years), I'm penciling in a "W". I'm pretty sure his record against Cal is something like 2-17.

HoopDreams said:

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barsad said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Sissoko is key ... nationally ranked in offense rebounds, and he's been able to score on put backs and dunks

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Agreed… I like his aggressiveness lately, but can he really not learn a step-in move or a baby hook - anything, really - to make him more of an offensive threat? I thought Madsen was going to run a Big Man Academy and get Mady and Dort to Mad Dog status. But it never materialized.

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yes, he can improve his offensive moves, but so far he hasn't learned the footwork

however you are right that Madsen is the perfect coach for him as Mark didn't have an NBA career from his athleticism

some players can quickly learn these advanced moves, and then use them naturally, but most need to learn these skills over years before they can use effectively in games

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Too bad Pete Newell isn't with us anymore

bearister said:

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Even the homer announcers are turning on NC State.

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Honestly, I didn't think announcers were homers at all. Debbie Antonelli was one of the better color commentators I've heard all season. I found her comments relevant and constructive. The entire game the play by play guy told us that both teams needed the game. I thought these two did a real good job.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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bearister said:

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Even the homer announcers are turning on NC State.

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Honestly, I didn't think announcers were homers at all. Debbie Antonelli was one of the better color commentators I've heard all season. I found her comments relevant and constructive. The entire game the play by play guy told us that both teams needed the game. I thought these two did a real good job.

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They were pretty good. But every game we have, they speak from an "ACC perspective" and that is OK. We are the newcomer. But the aura of ACC is great is a bit much. A bit of "Who are you?" but much better than Chapel Hill.

Is she related to Laura? Woof, Woof.

HoopDreams said:

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yes, he can improve his offensive moves, but so far he hasn't learned the footwork

however you are right that Madsen is the perfect coach for him as Mark didn't have an NBA career from his athleticism

some players can quickly learn these advanced moves, and then use them naturally, but most need to learn these skills over years before they can use effectively in games.

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Sissoko is 24 years old with 4+ years of Div 1 experience, almost all of that time playing for one of the best coaches in NCAA history.
So let's not group him in with the 18-year-old freshmen who might still need time to develop moves. He's learned as much as he possibly can, and Madsen should have taken his limitations into account before he decided he was our No. 1 big man.
I would much rather have a younger guy with more eligibility and the ability to learn how to score when he's further than dunk-range. That takes nothing away from his contributions on blocks, rebounds, etc. we just need to pick better next year. Dort is kind of the same problem if he's No. 1 next year, no moves, all size and blocks.

5 players in double figures. That usually works.

bearister said:

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If Bears win this one and Lions beat Commanders, it will be Cal Nirvana.

If Bears lose this one, a Goff win will provide a soothing salve.

If Bears lose and Lions lose, it may be an interesting evening playing games of chance:

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I should have known. The scenario I didn't mention played out: Bears win; Goff loses.

Sissoko maybe our MVP

Defends, rebounds, scores… watch how the players react to him….i think he's the team leader

Very tough to sign good bigs, and Sissoko is a very good big

I don't get it… last year we had a strong scoring center who could hit 3s, and was an elite rebounder, but people complained about his defense

Cal is very fortunate to have two good centers last two seasons

barsad said:

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HoopDreams said:

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yes, he can improve his offensive moves, but so far he hasn't learned the footwork

however you are right that Madsen is the perfect coach for him as Mark didn't have an NBA career from his athleticism

some players can quickly learn these advanced moves, and then use them naturally, but most need to learn these skills over years before they can use effectively in games.

---

Sissoko is 24 years old with 4+ years of Div 1 experience, almost all of that time playing for one of the best coaches in NCAA history.
So let's not group him in with the 18-year-old freshmen who might still need time to develop moves. He's learned as much as he possibly can, and Madsen should have taken his limitations into account before he decided he was our No. 1 big man.
I would much rather have a younger guy with more eligibility and the ability to learn how to score when he's further than dunk-range. That takes nothing away from his contributions on blocks, rebounds, etc. we just need to pick better next year. Dort is kind of the same problem if he's No. 1 next year, no moves, all size and blocks.

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HoopDreams said:

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Sissoko maybe our MVP

Defends, rebounds, scores… watch how the players react to him….i think he's the team leader

Very tough to sign good bigs, and Sissoko is a very good big

I don't get it… last year we had a strong scoring center who could hit 3s, and was an elite rebounder, but people complained about his defense

Cal is very fortunate to have two good centers last two seasons

barsad said:

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HoopDreams said:

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yes, he can improve his offensive moves, but so far he hasn't learned the footwork

however you are right that Madsen is the perfect coach for him as Mark didn't have an NBA career from his athleticism

some players can quickly learn these advanced moves, and then use them naturally, but most need to learn these skills over years before they can use effectively in games.

---

Sissoko is 24 years old with 4+ years of Div 1 experience, almost all of that time playing for one of the best coaches in NCAA history.
So let's not group him in with the 18-year-old freshmen who might still need time to develop moves. He's learned as much as he possibly can, and Madsen should have taken his limitations into account before he decided he was our No. 1 big man.
I would much rather have a younger guy with more eligibility and the ability to learn how to score when he's further than dunk-range. That takes nothing away from his contributions on blocks, rebounds, etc. we just need to pick better next year. Dort is kind of the same problem if he's No. 1 next year, no moves, all size and blocks.

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Obviously I'd rather have both but I'd 100% rather have a strong defense only post than an offensive only post player. Rim protection and rebounding is more important than post offense, ESPECIALLY on a team with so many scorers and that plays 4 out. Mady is a bright spot and wish he had another year.

Point of attack defense and rotations, and hero ball offense are the big problems with this team.