Barring any last additions...

CENTERS:

Matz Stockman, Conor Vanover

POWER FORWARDS:

Andre Kelly, Grant Anticevich, Roman Davis

WING PLAYERS:

Justice Sueing, Juwann Harris-Dyson, Matt Bradley, Jacobi Gordon, Darius McNeill

POINT GUARDS:

Paris Austin (McNeill)

Well, at least it's a fairly balanced roster now. I listed McNeil last, but I'm hoping/expecting big things from him, both at shooting guard and also as an occasional back-up point. Speaking of point, Austin will need to stay healthy. At least one of those power forwards will need to come through. It will be interesting to see how much the big Norwegian can provide.

Prediction: 14-17 overall; 6-12 conference. Significantly improved over last season, but will it be the start of something bigger?

EDIT: Thanks, Stu, I had left out Jacoby Gordon, inexcusably, but just put him in there.

Big C said:

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WING PLAYERS:

Justice Sueing, Juwann Harris-Dyson, Matt Bradley, Darius McNeill

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Also Jacobi Gordon. We seem to be strongest at wing, I could see three of these guys on the court together at times.

Also, you forgot to add walk-ons and wasted scholarship slots thru roster mismanagement blundering.

So much seems to hinge on Austin, we are all backcourt. Looking forward to this season in any case.

I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

Dear Socal: I can see that you have been neglecting your meds.

stu said:

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Big C said:

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WING PLAYERS:

Justice Sueing, Juwann Harris-Dyson, Matt Bradley, Darius McNeill

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Also Jacobi Gordon. We seem to be strongest at wing, I could see three of these guys on the court together at times.

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Thanks, I can't believe I forgot Gordon: Going back to edit the OP. Gordon also looks to be big enough to where he can play some 4 -- he and Sueing both -- in a "small ball" lineup.

socaliganbear said:

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I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

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Well, I'm on the record for six. Wanna bet a cyber-beverage and we'll see who's closer?

Big C said:

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socaliganbear said:

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I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

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Well, I'm on the record for six. Wanna bet a cyber-beverage and we'll see who's closer?

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Sure. I was on the money last season so I'm feeling good.

Fairly complete is right. But not quite complete. Cal's roster is not yet complete enough to be able to have the fully competitive scrimmage of two complete units I'd like to see. The problem is that the 2nd unit point guard is also the 1st unit shooting guard. In an ideal world, you'd like to have a player at every position on the 2nd unit who is a bit below the player at the same position on the 1st unit, so every player has a player of almost equal ability to work against, pushing both players to get better at that position. This roster is improved over last year in that regard, but the hole remains at point guard on the 2nd unit. Ideally, you don't want to have McNeill playing two positions. Austin is likely to get tired and need some breaks, and it would be better if someone else could play some point to relieve McNeill of some of that work, so he can concentrate on scoring. I wonder if Harris-Dyson could not play his way into that role. Hopefully, Coach Jones will have him working on ball-handling, passing, and court vision, and if he has improved enough, give him a chance at playing point on the 2nd unit.

SFCityBear said:

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Fairly complete is right. But not quite complete. Cal's roster is not yet complete enough to be able to have the fully competitive scrimmage of two complete units I'd like to see. The problem is that the 2nd unit point guard is also the 1st unit shooting guard. In an ideal world, you'd like to have a player at every position on the 2nd unit who is a bit below the player at the same position on the 1st unit, so every player has a player of almost equal ability to work against, pushing both players to get better at that position. This roster is improved over last year in that regard, but the hole remains at point guard on the 2nd unit. Ideally, you don't want to have McNeill playing two positions. Austin is likely to get tired and need some breaks, and it would be better if someone else could play some point to relieve McNeill of some of that work, so he can concentrate on scoring. I wonder if Harris-Dyson could not play his way into that role. Hopefully, Coach Jones will have him working on ball-handling, passing, and court vision, and if he has improved enough, give him a chance at playing point on the 2nd unit.

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Bradley could get some time at PG

Dear SFCB: This was exactly my point when I lamented the fact that we did not pick up Harris, the PG, when he decided against joining Cal. It's true, of course, that WJ will recruit a PG this fall to spell Austin for the 2019-20 season but the failure to obtain a PG for 209187-2019 will harm the team. ( that should read 2018) To make up for the lack of bonafide interior players this season, we can expect to see both Roman Davis and Sueing playing many minutes at PF. Not ideal, of course, but, it is what it is. 2018-2019 will be better than the previous year. No evaluation of WJ will be fair or complete until the end of the 2019-20 season.

helltopay1 said:

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Dear Socal: I can see that you have been neglecting your meds.

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Yes. He is being way too optomistic. Our "center" is going to get poserized on a regular basis. Please, god, let this nightmare end.

Amen

Dear Socal: I know a nightmare specialist. Rates are reasonable in a warm, loving setting. All credit cards are accepted.

socaliganbear said:

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I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

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Maybe 4 or 5 conference wins. UofA may be in too much turmoil and have too strange a line-up (four starting guards) to compete effectively. Then you probably can eke out some wins agains the OSU or WSU types, and maybe an upset like Furd last year. There will be a non-conference upset or two where are bigs get dominated. Call it 12-13 wins. The following year the nightmare ends.

The 22 year-old (#45) in this video has one year eligibility left. He could challenge
for playing time and might even be able to fill the void at PG for the second unit.





"You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave."

GO BEARS

Sorry, my bad, wrong clip above.



Being in DC can feel like being in The Hotel California at times.

"You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave."

GO BEARS!

wifeisafurd said:

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socaliganbear said:

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I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

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Maybe 4 or 5 conference wins. UofA may be in too much turmoil and have too strange a line-up (four starting guards) to compete effectively. Then you probably can eke out some wins agains the OSU or WSU types, and maybe an upset like Furd last year. There will be a non-conference upset or two where are bigs get dominated. Call it 12-13 wins. The following year the nightmare ends.

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You're suggesting Arizona loses to this team?

Btw I think we have a new coach the following year, so really I think the nightmare ends in 4ish years. We set the program back.

For reference, this is Wilner's ranking from a few weeks ago, since then other teams have added more talent than we have.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/04/basketball-picks/

concordtom said:

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LOL. Hope springs eternal. I gave up this self abuse the time that Ivan Rabb said that Roman was dominating everyone in practice.

socaltownie said:

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concordtom said:

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LOL. Hope springs eternal. I gave up this self abuse the time that Ivan Rabb said that Roman was dominating everyone in practice.

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Jon tweets something positive about every stop he makes.

PtownBear1 said:

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SFCityBear said:

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Fairly complete is right. But not quite complete. Cal's roster is not yet complete enough to be able to have the fully competitive scrimmage of two complete units I'd like to see. The problem is that the 2nd unit point guard is also the 1st unit shooting guard. In an ideal world, you'd like to have a player at every position on the 2nd unit who is a bit below the player at the same position on the 1st unit, so every player has a player of almost equal ability to work against, pushing both players to get better at that position. This roster is improved over last year in that regard, but the hole remains at point guard on the 2nd unit. Ideally, you don't want to have McNeill playing two positions. Austin is likely to get tired and need some breaks, and it would be better if someone else could play some point to relieve McNeill of some of that work, so he can concentrate on scoring. I wonder if Harris-Dyson could not play his way into that role. Hopefully, Coach Jones will have him working on ball-handling, passing, and court vision, and if he has improved enough, give him a chance at playing point on the 2nd unit.

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Bradley could get some time at PG

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Harris-Dyson is the LAST PLAYER on this team capable of playing point guard. Great hustle and athleticism, worst handle on the squad.

parentswerebears said:

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I have stopped by to see how things are after the commitment of Stockman. Nothing has changed. I won't be coming back any time soon. I must say that Shocks was an arrogant egotistical jackass, but at least he brought some fun to the site. Now, it's just whiners.

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Be the change you want to see.

parentswerebears said:

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I have stopped by to see how things are after the commitment of Stockman. Nothing has changed. I won't be coming back any time soon. I must say that Shocks was an arrogant egotistical jackass, but at least he brought some fun to the site. Now, it's just whiners.

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Look who's whining now. Again.
I thought you repented and said 3 Hail Marys.
?

SFCityBear said:

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Fairly complete is right. But not quite complete. Cal's roster is not yet complete enough to be able to have the fully competitive scrimmage of two complete units I'd like to see. The problem is that the 2nd unit point guard is also the 1st unit shooting guard. In an ideal world, you'd like to have a player at every position on the 2nd unit who is a bit below the player at the same position on the 1st unit, so every player has a player of almost equal ability to work against, pushing both players to get better at that position. This roster is improved over last year in that regard, but the hole remains at point guard on the 2nd unit. Ideally, you don't want to have McNeill playing two positions. Austin is likely to get tired and need some breaks, and it would be better if someone else could play some point to relieve McNeill of some of that work, so he can concentrate on scoring. I wonder if Harris-Dyson could not play his way into that role. Hopefully, Coach Jones will have him working on ball-handling, passing, and court vision, and if he has improved enough, give him a chance at playing point on the 2nd unit.

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Uh, I'd love to see these squads get a solid run in for a full 40:00!!

OLD --- NEW
BLUE --- GOLD

McNeill --- Austin
JHD --- Bradley
Sueing --- Gordon
Davis --- Kelly
Stockman --- Vanover

Anticevich might have to take Gordon's spot, whom I question is ready for a full run!

socaliganbear said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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socaliganbear said:

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I can see this roster winning 3 conference games.

---

Maybe 4 or 5 conference wins. UofA may be in too much turmoil and have too strange a line-up (four starting guards) to compete effectively. Then you probably can eke out some wins agains the OSU or WSU types, and maybe an upset like Furd last year. There will be a non-conference upset or two where are bigs get dominated. Call it 12-13 wins. The following year the nightmare ends.

---

You're suggesting Arizona loses to this team?

Btw I think we have a new coach the following year, so really I think the nightmare ends in 4ish years. We set the program back.

For reference, this is Wilner's ranking from a few weeks ago, since then other teams have added more talent than we have.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/04/basketball-picks/

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I didn't appreciate the transfers, but the UofA writers are predicting a last place finish. They are also predicting their coach gets indicted, and has to leave. I have found Wilner is actually not bad in football, but doesn't have a clue about basketball. At least he still covers the Pac, as few journalists do anymore.

concordtom said:

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Also, you forgot to add walk-ons and wasted scholarship slots thru roster mismanagement blundering.

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I get it, you have strong convictions about this. I got to a same place with Ben Braun, so I understand. But Jesus, give it a rest already.

The roster is still pretty terrible. We are going to be bad. Best case scenario...the Boise State transfer is a real PGd the young wings take a big step forward. We see obvious signs of improvement but the lack of skilled big men kills us.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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PtownBear1 said:

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SFCityBear said:

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Fairly complete is right. But not quite complete. Cal's roster is not yet complete enough to be able to have the fully competitive scrimmage of two complete units I'd like to see. The problem is that the 2nd unit point guard is also the 1st unit shooting guard. In an ideal world, you'd like to have a player at every position on the 2nd unit who is a bit below the player at the same position on the 1st unit, so every player has a player of almost equal ability to work against, pushing both players to get better at that position. This roster is improved over last year in that regard, but the hole remains at point guard on the 2nd unit. Ideally, you don't want to have McNeill playing two positions. Austin is likely to get tired and need some breaks, and it would be better if someone else could play some point to relieve McNeill of some of that work, so he can concentrate on scoring. I wonder if Harris-Dyson could not play his way into that role. Hopefully, Coach Jones will have him working on ball-handling, passing, and court vision, and if he has improved enough, give him a chance at playing point on the 2nd unit.

---

Bradley could get some time at PG

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Harris-Dyson is the LAST PLAYER on this team capable of playing point guard. Great hustle and athleticism, worst handle on the squad.

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I'm sure walk-on PG Jacob Orender can run point on the 2nd team for scrimmages. I don't see that as a top 10 concern.

tequila4kapp said:

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concordtom said:

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Also, you forgot to add walk-ons and wasted scholarship slots thru roster mismanagement blundering.

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I get it, you have strong convictions about this. I got to a same place with Ben Braun, so I understand. But Jesus, give it a rest already.

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Really?
I thought I was doing pretty good.


I didn't start counting scholarships and such until Leon, so what are you referring to with Ben? I know he used walk-ones often...

tequila4kapp said:

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The roster is still pretty terrible. We are going to be bad. Best case scenario...the Boise State transfer is a real PGd the young wings take a big step forward. We see obvious signs of improvement but the lack of skilled big men kills us.

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I definitely see more sunshine than this!
I think I'd have agreed pre-stockman, but the dude is going to be 22 or so and he's 7 feet tall, and Rick Pitino once said with a straight face that he was told he would be the #3 center in the US. Now, CLEARLY, that turned out to be wildly off. But serviceable defense in the middle? I'm guessing so.

Correction: he is already 23, turns 24 in December.

So, who wants to guess the starting lineup?

PG: Austin
SG: McNeill
SF: Bradley
PF: Sueing
C: Stockman or Vanover, whoever wins tips better.

JHD
Gordon - will he be ready to go this year?
Davis
Kelly
Anticevich

If Kelly can be a force in the paint, we are good to go. If he's soft like Anticevich, then Sueing must play the 4, and I'm less a fan of that!

Can't imagine any freshman moving in front of JHD. I'd put JHD at PF and Sueing at SF.