Why will he attract talent?

Calfan92 said:

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Why will he attract talent?

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And why will his retention rate be so high in Year 2 when big NIL money comes looking for our best players?
I think realistically we are looking at a tournament bid in Madness '27, not '26. I'd like to be optimistic, but it's rare for a team to go from meh .500 to the top third of the ACC, which is what you mean when you say "tournament bid." For me the unknown is how much patience do fans have with Madsen? We gave the awfulness that was Fox three years, so we sure as hell better give Mad Dog four.

Yes to the talent question. Why did we think he was a recruiter? Because he's an ex Laker??

barsad said:

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Calfan92 said:

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Why will he attract talent?

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And why will his retention rate be so high in Year 2 when big NIL money comes looking for our best players?
I think realistically we are looking at a tournament bid in Madness '27, not '26. I'd like to be optimistic, but it's rare for a team to go from meh .500 to the top third of the ACC, which is what you mean when you say "tournament bid." For me the unknown is how much patience do fans have with Madsen? We gave the awfulness that was Fox three years, so we sure as hell better give Mad Dog four.

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Your first question is the most important one - will players stay for Madsen to build around or will everyone leave again like last year? I doubt Madsen has to worry about job security - it took Fox achieving one of the lowest win totals in program and NCAA history to be fired.

Unrealistic to think we will retain every player we still want. Maybe three out of our top five possibilities come back.
Four would be great.

It's business. Pay to play is as American as Apple pie.

Oh, I guess that should be,,"Get paid to play."

Harky4 said:

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Our roster's level of talent is reflected accurately in our record. Yes, JW, BJ, JOJ and Andrej are keepers, but they need help that is not there in flawed Rytis, CJ and Spencer who would not be rotational player on teams in the ACC's top half. We do have 2 very good scholastic guards-recruits signed in TT and Jovani. Lee is a good backup in the post. If (and that is a big if) we have sufficient NIL funds to spend in the new (post July 1) world of the House Settlement, we need to get a really good big man and PG, as well as some reliable outside shooting in the portal.,

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As stated, Dort is a pretty good backup center. Big men tend to keep on improving: if he got much better, he'd be a pretty good starting center. He's kind of "wooden" (for lack of a better word), but if he can develop a couple of go-to moves and improve his footwork and anticipation, he could really help us.

(Obviously we will need another big for next year.)

HoopDreams said:

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Disagree about Rytis
I want him on our team

He does need to be able to hit an open 3

Harky4 said:

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Our roster's level of talent is reflected accurately in our record. Yes, JW, BJ, JOJ and Andrej are keepers, but they need help that is not there in flawed Rytis, CJ and Spencer who would not be rotational player on teams in the ACC's top half. We do have 2 very good scholastic guards-recruits signed in TT and Jovani. Lee is a good backup in the post. If (and that is a big if) we have sufficient NIL funds to spend in the new (post July 1) world of the House Settlement, we need to get a really good big man and PG, as well as some reliable outside shooting in the portal.,

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We need more guys like Rytis, Mady, and JOJ, who know how to play a role and score within the flow of the game. The shot selection relative to skill level for some of the guys on the team is just stomach turning.

concernedparent said:

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We need more guys like Rytis, Mady, and JOJ, who know how to play a role and score within the flow of the game. The shot selection relative to skill level for some of the guys on the team is just stomach turning.

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I might add Lee Dort to the list.

NOTE: in the 13 ACC games, Wilkinson is 20 for 82 (24.4%) on threes.

calbearinamaze said:

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concernedparent said:

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We need more guys like Rytis, Mady, and JOJ, who know how to play a role and score within the flow of the game. The shot selection relative to skill level for some of the guys on the team is just stomach turning.

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I might add Lee Dort to the list.

NOTE: in the 13 ACC games, Wilkinson is 20 for 82 (24.4%) on threes.

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Watching the Superbowl was liking watching Cal. The only difference is I am more interested in Cal.

All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

Really?

Our defensive strategy is to have our center back as a rim protector

Yes, it leaves our defense vulnerable to pull up jumpers and you can debate the strategy

that's a coaching decision, not player decision

We have been very fortunate to have Aimaq (who is dominating overseas) and former 5 star, MSU part-time starter Mady. I hope we will be as fortunate next season

Our bigger issue is shooting and perimeter defense

socaltownie said:

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All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

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HoopDreams said:

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Really?

Our defensive strategy is to have our center back as a rim protector

Yes, it leaves our defense vulnerable to pull up jumpers and you can debate the strategy

that's a coaching decision, not player decision

We have been very fortunate to have Aimaq (who is dominating overseas) and former 5 star, MSU part-time starter Mady. I hope we will be as fortunate next season

Our bigger issue is shooting and perimeter defense

socaltownie said:

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All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

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Lol. Nope. Rewatch tape. Nearly 10 times a game someone abuses us with the high ball screen. During wake it was Andres turn. The screened player goes over the top of screen and then usually on dibbers hip. They either pull up for floater or drive to rim.

A big who was faster could help low while still hedging against the ball hander to stop that

St. Mary's, Santa Clara and USF are better than us. Why?

socaltownie said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Really?

Our defensive strategy is to have our center back as a rim protector

Yes, it leaves our defense vulnerable to pull up jumpers and you can debate the strategy

that's a coaching decision, not player decision

We have been very fortunate to have Aimaq (who is dominating overseas) and former 5 star, MSU part-time starter Mady. I hope we will be as fortunate next season

Our bigger issue is shooting and perimeter defense

socaltownie said:

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All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

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Lol. Nope. Rewatch tape. Nearly 10 times a game someone abuses us with the high ball screen. During wake it was Andres turn. The screened player goes over the top of screen and then usually on dibbers hip. They either pull up for floater or drive to rim.

A big who was faster could help low while still hedging against the ball hander to stop that

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To your point socal, if not a big who is faster, then a big who is longer, who can reduce the space between the ballhandler and his positioning. I am seeing exactly what you are seeing. In the second half of the Wake game they were 17-23 from the field, and it seemed like half of those made baskets were exactly what you're referring to. It's really been a glaring deficiency all season.

More than one thing can be true... and we have more than one weakness.

I love the improvement I've seen in Cal Basketball over the last 2 years and believe that Madsen has the program headed in the right direction. The key to getting to the top half of the ACC next season will be to retain our best players from this year while adding help at key positions of need.

As HoopDreams indicated, we need better & more consistent outside shooting, especially from 3 pt range. If we are going to play an NBA style game we need players who can shoot an opposing team out of a zone defense. Cal is not a very consistent shooting team but I do think we will see growth from Wilkinson & Stojokavic not to mention it will be interesting to see if any of our returning forwards can shoot effectively from the outside & play well enough to stay on the floor.

Cal also needs to improve defensive play both on the perimeter and in the paint. Wake Forest really killed us with the 10-15 ft shot in or near the paint. Our centers couldn't get out fast enough to contest those shots. Not to mention it seems every team we play in the ACC has big men who are significantly taller than our guys.

If everyone returns Madsen will only have one scholarship to give as 12 our already accounted for.

Guards
Wilkinson - S0
Campbell - Sr
Pavlovic - Sr
Car - Fr
Ruff - Fr

Forwards
JOJ - Sr
Stajakovic - Jr
Mahoney - So
Omot - Jr (This year should be a redshirt year)
Petra its - Sr

Center
Dort - Sr
Curtis - So

Positions of Need in Priority Order

1. Center - Unless Curtis had made HUGE progress this year, I don't see him as a player who can be left on the floor for long stretches of time. We need a taller and more athletic center to share minutes with Dort and hope that Curtis develops. If we can't find one in the portal, I'm hoping we can bring a proven player in from overseas who is 6'10" or taller.

2. Point Guard - Would love to see a big (6'2" or taller) point guard who is a great outside shooter and ball distributor. A guard like like Stanfurd's Jalen Blakes who is a graduate transfer from Duke & shoots 45% from the field & 32% from the 3pt line.

3. Forward - It would be great to get a 6'9' or taller athletic forward who can knock down a 3 pt shot.and crash the boards when needed.

Madsen is establishing a foundation this year and if he can use NIL dollars to keep and recruit needed players, My hope is that Cal will make it to the top half of the ACC next year which won't be easy in the toughest basketball conference in the nation. If he can do that Cal will be in position to compete with the top 5 ACC schools in the next two years as our players develop & Cal's profile improves.

Go Bears!

I have a good feeling that Pavlovic, Campbell, and Ola-Joseph will be in the portal

And I'd want to add Kanaan Carlyle or Trey Parker for the guard position

Tyler Nickel from Vandy as a shooter/forward

And another version of Sissoko but slightly taller

Calfan92 said:

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Why will he attract talent?

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The best barometer of that will be whether or not he can land Obinna Ekezie

CNHTH said:

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Calfan92 said:

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Why will he attract talent?

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The best barometer of that will be whether or not he can land Obinna Ekezie

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Wow! CNHTH,

Landing a 5-Star 7' center like Obinna Ekezie Jr. would change the whole profile for the Cal Program. It would be a real coup for Madsen as he is competing against the best BB schools in the country for his commitment. I know that Cal has offered him but he doesn't graduate until 2027 so that won't help us next year, but I like your thinking.

JohnFox,

Are Kanaan, Trey & Tyler just on your wish list or have you heard these guys are heading into the portal?

socaltownie said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Really?

Our defensive strategy is to have our center back as a rim protector

Yes, it leaves our defense vulnerable to pull up jumpers and you can debate the strategy

that's a coaching decision, not player decision

We have been very fortunate to have Aimaq (who is dominating overseas) and former 5 star, MSU part-time starter Mady. I hope we will be as fortunate next season

Our bigger issue is shooting and perimeter defense

socaltownie said:

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All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

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Lol. Nope. Rewatch tape. Nearly 10 times a game someone abuses us with the high ball screen. During wake it was Andres turn. The screened player goes over the top of screen and then usually on dibbers hip. They either pull up for floater or drive to rim.

A big who was faster could help low while still hedging against the ball hander to stop that

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It's the scheme. The bigs are clearly instructed to play gap coverage to protect against the roll and rim protect on drives. Other teams abuse this because our guards are not good at navigating screens and are often too small to contest those pull-ups and floaters. Mady and Dort are athletic enough to hedge. Hell, in the Monty years we had guys like Thurman hedging.

I don't know if hedging would be more effective. We play 4 out and once you commit your big up top you lose your only rim protector.

Current state: Not good, also not historically bad as Wyking/Fox.

In high likelihood that Aidan Mahaney transfers from Uconn, would you guys want to take a flier on him for Cal?

SadDog hugs LeBron, everyone thinks he is a great recruiter. Next James kid goes to U of A. Don't forget, Kobe was laughing at him, not with him.....pretty sure IU doesn't have Madsen on their list, so neither should we.

Maybe Mahaney's value went down... into our price range. Love to have him: good shooter with high hoops IQ. One poster here said he might have let his academics slip while at St. Mary's; no idea if that's true.

No doubt we are scouring the globe for more talent.

oskidunker said:

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calbearinamaze said:

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concernedparent said:

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We need more guys like Rytis, Mady, and JOJ, who know how to play a role and score within the flow of the game. The shot selection relative to skill level for some of the guys on the team is just stomach turning.

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I might add Lee Dort to the list.

NOTE: in the 13 ACC games, Wilkinson is 20 for 82 (24.4%) on threes.

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Watching the Superbowl was liking watching Cal. The only difference is I am more interested in Cal.

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Rooting for the Eagles was nothing like rooting for Cal of late. And I too am more interested in Cal.

I hope we're scouring the globe! Cal truly does have a worldwide reputation, so if a mediocre school like Wake Forest has multiple overseas players, why can't Cal attract them? Yes, Sissoko is from overseas, but has been in the USA for at least 4 years before coming here, so really is more a domestic recruit.

HearstMining said:

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I hope we're scouring the globe! Cal truly does have a worldwide reputation, so if a mediocre school like Wake Forest has multiple overseas players, why can't Cal attract them? Yes, Sissoko is from overseas, but has been in the USA for at least 4 years before coming here, so really is more a domestic recruit.

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Our women's team has two players from Spain, two from Greece, and one from Australia. Three are starters.

Concerned, this is exactly my point. I've repeatedly said I was surprised we don't blitz our bigs as Aimaq is no longer here.

I've also pointed out multiple times that we are vulnerable to mid range jumpers which is clear opposing coaches' strategy against Cal.

Our coaches dictate this strategy, not Mady/Dort

We keep wanting a better center, but we've had two very good centers.

Sure, I'd like a 6-11 center who shoots/scores like Aimaq and is as athletic and as good a post defender/shot blocker as Mady

Yeah, let's get one of those guys!

(I think we got bigger defensive issues elsewhere, and hope we get someone as good as Aimaq or Mady)

concernedparent said:

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socaltownie said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Really?

Our defensive strategy is to have our center back as a rim protector

Yes, it leaves our defense vulnerable to pull up jumpers and you can debate the strategy

that's a coaching decision, not player decision

We have been very fortunate to have Aimaq (who is dominating overseas) and former 5 star, MSU part-time starter Mady. I hope we will be as fortunate next season

Our bigger issue is shooting and perimeter defense

socaltownie said:

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All I want in the offseason is a big who doesn't get caught REPEATEDLY in no mans land off the high ball screen. Been happening all year and it is the most fundamentally frustrating thing about this team.

---

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Lol. Nope. Rewatch tape. Nearly 10 times a game someone abuses us with the high ball screen. During wake it was Andres turn. The screened player goes over the top of screen and then usually on dibbers hip. They either pull up for floater or drive to rim.

A big who was faster could help low while still hedging against the ball hander to stop that

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It's the scheme. The bigs are clearly instructed to play gap coverage to protect against the roll and rim protect on drives. Other teams abuse this because our guards are not good at navigating screens and are often too small to contest those pull-ups and floaters. Mady and Dort are athletic enough to hedge. Hell, in the Monty years we had guys like Thurman hedging.

I don't know if hedging would be more effective. We play 4 out and once you commit your big up top you lose your only rim protector.

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Such a blessing having Aimaq as a scoring big because every time a team hedged the screen, it was an easy floater/layup for Aimaq

CNHTH said:

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Calfan92 said:

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Why will he attract talent?

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The best barometer of that will be whether or not he can land Obinna Ekezie

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I know for a fact we're being considered strongly and that Madsen has been to Napa Christian a few times and that's all I'll say about that.