I'm not going to claim any expertise or high BB IQ, but to my eyes:
This looks like a slightly stronger than average team by Cal standards over the last two decades (and that means AS IS without @YoungIvee)

Okoroh is more athletic than Kam and commits to way more physical play, but also looks like he is playing through minor injury as if we were halfway through conference play. Also, Kam continues to develop and improve with solid reliable play. I think Kam is going to be our backbone big and Kingsley will spell him and bring big energy and highlight blocks. I don't think we've had true center play this good since Solomon Hughes as a senior.

Charlie will definitely be looking to break some ankles, but he does look like he is pushing his speed slightly above comfort level as he is acclimating to D1 play. I hope he gets there by January.

Fab MAB - damn, I really hope he can maintain this level against our conference opponents. He has the grit and is making plays.

Singer, Domingo looking solid. When Sam runs the point our frontcourt will have the size to defend big guards, which has been a weak point with many of our smaller PGs (who I still love, but would always cringe when a 6'2" guard would pull up and shoot right over them seemingly uncontested)

Jabari also solid, but no revelation compared to last year, but I will take that same solid play and hope he finds his stroke earlier and stays comfortable against the really athletic teams.

We are so upper classmen heavy we have awesome depth right now, may our sturdy Golden Bear watch out for us and in Nicodemus we trust to keep us healthy. I think our B-squad this year could have given many of our middling A-squads from the past 15 years a serious run for their money. How much is Marcus part of the secret sauce for helping develop the best out of our starters? I can't wait to see him take the floor with Charlie dishing next year. I was a little worried about a heavy fall off often given we are so upperclassmen heavy and the high likelyhood that Rabb leaves, but I'm feeling optimistic now.

But to balance all of that, I was expecting way more game from SoDak, so I don't think this game is a great yardstick to measure our team against. Many times last year we looked sooooo much better when we had the athletic/size edge over teams, but when they had the edge over us we quickly fell apart.

Thought I saw SoDak run some motion offense tonight, gave me some bad flashbacks.

Again, I am not super great with the rules, but did the PAC not circulate the memo on traveling? I thought I saw a couple that would have been borderline under the old rules so that they were surely travels now...Otherwise, I thought things were leaning a little toward ticky-tack calls, but they weren't numerous enough to induce any eyerolling or complaining for me.

I always have liked RMB's athletic abilites..(raw)... and 1st game in, can see his yearly improvement where he can now be a key contributor to this year's team.

1 data point does not make a trend, but would take RMB's line in a sec.

12/6/5/2/1 (points/rebounds/assists/steals/blocks) and only 1 TO in 20 minutes.

:gobears:

Missed the game last night. Is there any way to watch it? I don't think Pac-12 is playing it today.

gobears;842759855 said:

---

1 data point does not make a trend, but would take RMB's line in a sec.

---

Never mind his line. The most encouraging thing I saw from last night's game was RMB's confidence. He played aggressively and like a Senior that belonged. If he can keep that up he will be a major plus for the team this year.

Civil Bear;842759901 said:

---

Never mind his line. The most encouraging thing I saw from last night's game was RMB's confidence. He played aggressively and like a Senior that belonged. If he can keep that up he will be a major plus for the team this year.

---

+1 Could not agree more.

He is one of many factors that makes me optimistic about this team.

And he appears to be a really good guy.

south bender;842759905 said:

---

+1 Could not agree more.

He is one of many factors that makes me optimistic about this team.

And he appears to be a really good guy.

---

A Prince of a fellow, one might say

mikecohen;842759942 said:

---

A Prince of a fellow, one might say

---

When we talk of royalty, I always think of Dylan's lines,

Steal a little and they throw you in jail

Steal a lot and they make you a king

south bender;842759962 said:

---

When we talk of royalty, I always think of Dylan's lines,

Steal a little and they throw you in jail

Steal a lot and they make you a king

---

A little uncomfortable after Tuesday

south bender;842759962 said:

---

When we talk of royalty, I always think of Dylan's lines,

Steal a little and they throw you in jail

Steal a lot and they make you a king

---

Bob Nostradamus Dylan:
2016 presidential election.

mikecohen;842760000 said:

---

A little uncomfortable after Tuesday

---

Indeed.

However, I think that Trump is more narcissist than anything else, and hence dearly wants to be liked. That may temper some of his more dangerous and loony notions. Reading in the NYT about Obama's conversational impact on him about the importance both of not being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions and of not taking away the coverage of those first getting coverage via Obamacare, I am hoping (foolishly?) that he may surprise some of the traditional Republicans (Paul Ryan, for example) by what he chooses to do with medical care and many other issues.

After all, Donald is not really a Republican, so there may be some hope about what he chooses to do when he takes office.

south bender;842760035 said:

---

After all, Donald is not really a Republican, so there may be some hope about what he chooses to do when he takes office.

---

Don't be fooled. Trump is W Bush on steroids. We're seriously screwed. Expect war, recession and the gutting of the economy for the benefit of Trump and his allies.

Now back to basketball...

Great performance by the Bears. Our defense will continue smother less athletic teams throughout the non-conference season. Can't wait to see how we work the offense around Rabb. Bird was supposedly questionable for last night, but showed some strong moves and his pretty jumper.

R90;842760130 said:

---

Don't be fooled. Trump is W Bush on steroids. We're seriously screwed. Expect war, recession and the gutting of the economy for the benefit of Trump and his allies.

Now back to basketball...

Great performance by the Bears. Our defense will continue smother less athletic teams throughout the non-conference season. Can't wait to see how we work the offense around Rabb. Bird was supposedly questionable for last night, but showed some strong moves and his pretty jumper.

---

LOL on the first part.

Back to hoops made the post.

south bender;842760035 said:

---

Indeed.

However, I think that Trump is more narcissist than anything else, and hence dearly wants to be liked. That may temper some of his more dangerous and loony notions. Reading in the NYT about Obama's conversational impact on him about the importance both of not being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions and of not taking away the coverage of those first getting coverage via Obamacare, I am hoping (foolishly?) that he may surprise some of the traditional Republicans (Paul Ryan, for example) by what he chooses to do with medical care and many other issues.

After all, Donald is not really a Republican, so there may be some hope about what he chooses to do when he takes office.

---

So, what is he? I kept saying during the campaign that he's not really a racist; he just plays one on TV. But, after, at the end of his campaign, the most blatantly Anti-Semitic political ad of which I'm aware since the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and its progeny in the 1930s, I'm wondering what kind of game he (and his son-in-law) are playing.

mikecohen;842760208 said:

---

So, what is he? I kept saying during the campaign that he's not really a racist; he just plays one on TV. But, after, at the end of his campaign, the most blatantly Anti-Semitic political ad of which I'm aware since the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and its progeny in the 1930s, I'm wondering what kind of game he (and his son-in-law) are playing.

---

Ask Steve Bannon. He might know.

If you guys insist on crying about the election results on this board, could you at least do it in Shocky's thread?

TIA

Civil Bear;842760616 said:

---

If you guys insist on crying about the election results on this board, could you at least do it in Shocky's thread?

TIA

---

Amen brother.... amen.

petalumabear;842760880 said:

---

Amen brother.... amen.

---

Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it

^problem is, some of them want to repeat it...

What was wrong with Bird? More back trouble???!!

Here are some observations so far:

1. The team actually looked like one, with 16 assists shared among 6 players, none of whom were named Ivan. Wait until he returns for possibly even more. The bad news was 15 turnovers, against a chopped liver team, so they need to clean that up.

2. Roger was outstanding, and this is what we have hoped for from him. 4-6 floor, 3-3 FT, 12 pts, 6 boards, 5 ASSISTS!!!!!, 2 steals and a shot block, all in 20 minutes of action. He is officially on board now, in the rotation, and let's hope he keeps it up, and stays there. He's earned a start tonight, but that is up to Cuonzo.

3. Moore hasn't looked good so far. He tosses up threes when he feels like it, and takes wild drives to the hoop which he doesn't finish. Kind of reminds me of the freshman Tyrone Wallace. He loses his cool once in a while, which Ty never did. Moore's a freshman, so he needs time to adjust to the college game. I'm not sure starting him so early is a good idea. 2-13 shooting isn't where he wants to be. I was disappointed that he seldom looked to dish. I was also disappointed in his defense. He plays ten feet off his man much of the time. He needs to learn to get up in his face like Singer does. He is quicker than Singer and should be able to do it with experience.

4. Mullins looks like the real deal. All the tools. He does a little bit of everything. Right now, Mullins looks like the best starter at the two guard, and the best backup for point guard, or maybe even the starter, if Singer falters and Domingo continues to play well offensively. Let's see what Mullins does tonight against supposedly better opposition.

5. Domingo needs to play well for this team to make up for the scoring lost from last year's team. He had a career night against the Baptist team, not quite so good against SDSU. I liked his penetration off the bounce, which will add something to his game.

6. Coleman looked like a loose cannon against SDSU. Crazy decisions with the ball, wild shots. They may need to bring in extra ice and a sling for him after each game, to ice down that uncontrollable arm.

7. KO and KR: Rooks still the better rebounder, KO the better shot blocker and passer, IMO. Rooks did make a beautiful dish, so maybe some improvement there. They are what they are, and that is OK.

8. Bird looked decent offensively. He lost his man a couple of times on D. He probably has improved overall, but even if he hasn't, he will be fine.

9. Ivan Rabb: I'm waiting. The earrings look good, I guess.

10. Roman Davis: He is playing, but I'm still waiting.

11. Nick Hamilton: Really happy to see him get into an early game. Nick only played 2 minutes in one game all of last season. Jaylen Brown said one reason he came to Cal was his conversations with the bench players like Hamilton, Glapion, and Welle. He wanted to know how the coach treated those players, because that was so important to him. One way you treat them well is to never let them think they will never play. They work so hard in practice to prepare the rotation for battle. They really live for that moment when they might contribute in a meaningful moment in a game during the season, but Cuonzo needs to at least reward all their hard work with a minute or two in some blowout games at least. Cuonzo, IMO, does not do enough of this. This season, with fewer big stars, he should be able to reward his bench more often with some playing time.

SFCityBear;842762268 said:

---

Here are some observations so far:

1. The team actually looked like one, with 16 assists shared among 6 players, none of whom were named Ivan. Wait until he returns for possibly even more. The bad news was 15 turnovers, against a chopped liver team, so they need to clean that up.

2. Roger was outstanding, and this is what we have hoped for from him. 4-6 floor, 3-3 FT, 12 pts, 6 boards, 5 ASSISTS!!!!!, 2 steals and a shot block, all in 20 minutes of action. He is officially on board now, in the rotation, and let's hope he keeps it up, and stays there. He's earned a start tonight, but that is up to Cuonzo.

3. Moore hasn't looked good so far. He tosses up threes when he feels like it, and takes wild drives to the hoop which he doesn't finish. Kind of reminds me of the freshman Tyrone Wallace. He loses his cool once in a while, which Ty never did. Moore's a freshman, so he needs time to adjust to the college game. I'm not sure starting him so early is a good idea. 2-13 shooting isn't where he wants to be. I was disappointed that he seldom looked to dish. I was also disappointed in his defense. He plays ten feet off his man much of the time. He needs to learn to get up in his face like Singer does. He is quicker than Singer and should be able to do it with experience.

4. Mullins looks like the real deal. All the tools. He does a little bit of everything. Right now, Mullins looks like the best starter at the two guard, and the best backup for point guard, or maybe even the starter, if Singer falters and Domingo continues to play well offensively. Let's see what Mullins does tonight against supposedly better opposition.

5. Domingo needs to play well for this team to make up for the scoring lost from last year's team. He had a career night against the Baptist team, not quite so good against SDSU. I liked his penetration off the bounce, which will add something to his game.

6. Coleman looked like a loose cannon against SDSU. Crazy decisions with the ball, wild shots. They may need to bring in extra ice and a sling for him after each game, to ice down that uncontrollable arm.

7. KO and KR: Rooks still the better rebounder, KO the better shot blocker and passer, IMO. Rooks did make a beautiful dish, so maybe some improvement there. They are what they are, and that is OK.

8. Bird looked decent offensively. He lost his man a couple of times on D. He probably has improved overall, but even if he hasn't, he will be fine.

9. Ivan Rabb: I'm waiting. The earrings look good, I guess.

10. Roman Davis: He is playing, but I'm still waiting.

11. Nick Hamilton: Really happy to see him get into an early game. Nick only played 2 minutes in one game all of last season. Jaylen Brown said one reason he came to Cal was his conversations with the bench players like Hamilton, Glapion, and Welle. He wanted to know how the coach treated those players, because that was so important to him. One way you treat them well is to never let them think they will never play. They work so hard in practice to prepare the rotation for battle. They really live for that moment when they might contribute in a meaningful moment in a game during the season, but Cuonzo needs to at least reward all their hard work with a minute or two in some blowout games at least. Cuonzo, IMO, does not do enough of this. This season, with fewer big stars, he should be able to reward his bench more often with some playing time.

---

Solid post.

One comment on SFCB's good post. It is easy to feel for the bench guys and to want them to see the floor more. However, ultimately Cuonzo is judged almost entirely on W/L record, so he has to concern himself with playing the guys off the bench who he feels need the time and can possibly help the team to win. This is in confllct with being the good guy and giving minutes to all members of the team, even though he feels the guys at the end of the bench will never or almost never play when the game is on the line.

I think that it is easy to be harsh on the coach, to appeal to him to get the non-scholarship players time in the games. However, we might not do things much differently if we actually walked in his shoes.

Go Bears!

One other comment about the first game (and practice game) regarding Don Coleman. Not in physique for sure, but he reminded me of Jerome at the start of his Cal career, trying to do too much and aggressively but injudiciously attacking the basket.

I like his potential and his aggressiveness. Let's give him a little time to learn. I think he might help the rotation before this year is over.

south bender;842762305 said:

---

One other comment about the first game (and practice game) regarding Don Coleman. Not in physique for sure, but he reminded me of Jerome at the start of his Cal career, trying to do too much and aggressively but injudiciously attacking the basket.

I like his potential and his aggressiveness. Let's give him a little time to learn. I think he might help the rotation before this year is over.

---

Good point/comparison SB. While it's a bit early for all of the newer and bench players in terms of them showing us who they are this year, if all of them I also see something in Coleman. He's athletic and aggressive and he just needs some focus. He's got promise...

south bender;842762303 said:

---

One comment on SFCB's good post. It is easy to feel for the bench guys and to want them to see the floor more. However, ultimately Cuonzo is judged almost entirely on W/L record, so he has to concern himself with playing the guys off the bench who he feels need the time and can possibly help the team to win. This is in confllct with being the good guy and giving minutes to all members of the team, even though he feels the guys at the end of the bench will never or almost never play when the game is on the line.

I think that it is easy to be harsh on the coach, to appeal to him to get the non-scholarship players time in the games. However, we might not do things much differently if we actually walked in his shoes.

Go Bears!

---

Thanks for this post and I understand. My view of bench players is colored by the fact that I often was one myself. The point was driven home to me by an experience I will never forget. I was the captain and player-coach of our Putnam Hall intramural team, which was undefeated in the league standings. In one game, I had the hot hand, playing the best game of my life, and we were really blowing out the other team. When the 2nd half was about to begin, one of our bench players came up to me and asked, "Winning like this is great, but do you realize you haven't made a single substitution in the entire first half?" I hadn't realized it, I was so wrapped up in us playing so well. I started the second half, and after a minute, I took myself out and put that player in. Then I subbed in the rest of our bench for the second half. After that I paid attention to all our players.

A fact that is sometimes overlooked is that there are a few oddball players who play much better in games than they do in practice. Something about rising to the occasion, or playing better when there is pressure, I was like that, always better in games than in practice. So I relished the chance to get into a game at garbage time, to show the coach what I could do. I remember a game early in high school against our big rival where I hadn't played at all, and the coach figured the game was over with us down 4 with a few seconds on the clock and he put me in. I made a jumper, turned around, picked off the inbound pass and made another jumper from almost the same spot. That tied the game, and we won in overtime. The next day I was promoted to the first string and stayed there.

Think of some of the players at Cal who nobody thought were very good when they first arrived, maybe a Forehan-Kelly, for example. Once they got a chance, they surprised with their good play under pressure.

When I said it looked like Charlie Moore needed time to adjust to the college game, it was true enough, I guess. I just didn’t realize he would need only three days! What a performance!

Go Bears!

Forehan-Kelly was one of several walk-ons that have been good enough to earn playing minutes. In his case, a whole bunch of them.

As a sophomore in high school, I rode the bench a lot and it killed me (so to speak). So I know how it feels.

However, Cuonzo is not a social worker and his job is to win and win a lot. Braun got fired (and I was happy that he was fired), though he won more than he lost (all games considered). Cuonzo operates under the same scrutiny and thus it makes sense for him to try to make the team as competitive as he can. That means not being the good guy when it comes to playing time for the non-scholarship players. And, of course, I mean by the non-scholarship players all the guy who he feels are not going to help the team be better by taking minutes that should be given to the starters and bench players who might help in the future.