As for the team, I saw:
3 PG's in Austin, Brown, and South.
1 SF stud in Bradley and
1 uber-athlete in JHD - though not a complete basketball player, as he passed up all standstill shots, electing to drive if he was gonna shoot.
3 man interior rotation in Anticevich, Lars, and Kelly - none of whom are good enough to play vs most front decent courts. Kelly was getting abused, but then he hit 3 good shots down the stretch, which was like "where was that all game?" Lars is not lost, but a foreign freshman.

We are at a distinct disadvantage with the bigs. We need someone other than Bradley to create their own shots.
South was VERY impressive to me. I liked Brown a lot - he should develop well over the years. Both strong guards with size. And South has a smooth stroke! Too bad we only get him for one season.

I'd like a serious Center, another jump shooter to go with Bradley (like if JHD could be a scorer - but he won't be that).

concordtom said:

---

MinotStateBeav said:

---

Fox was the right choice. He's got this team playing smart basketball..so refreshing to see it..it's been missing a long time. Obviously the team has some limits but man they play hard. Go Bears!!

---

I sat behind Fox. He looked like a man out of control at times.
A couple observations:

Paris' jersey was out of his shorts, and Fox was going crazy, looking back at assistants and yelling about it while the game was going on. Calm the F down, fella.

Coming into a timeout, Fox took 3-4 steps out onto the floor to setup what he was gonna do. Then turned around to get his clip board, and was furious that he had to take 2 steps back to grab it from the hand of the student asst who was trailing him a half second late. He ripped it from the student asst's hand like a ********.

I was afraid he was going to be like this all game, but it turns out that there were moments where he bottled that inner rage and was engaged in pensive strategic thought. A nice mix, but I think everyone around him is going to be on eggshells fearful of getting the horns when he pops.

---

I was worried about that part, one of the reasons I thought he'd be a bad fit for Cal. Sad to hear it came out in a game we won. Hopefully he calms down, takes a meditation class or something.

MinotStateBeav said:

---

Fox was the right choice.

---

Not if he can't recruit

calumnus said:

---

concordtom said:

---

MinotStateBeav said:

---

Fox was the right choice. He's got this team playing smart basketball..so refreshing to see it..it's been missing a long time. Obviously the team has some limits but man they play hard. Go Bears!!

---

I sat behind Fox. He looked like a man out of control at times.
A couple observations:

Paris' jersey was out of his shorts, and Fox was going crazy, looking back at assistants and yelling about it while the game was going on. Calm the F down, fella.

Coming into a timeout, Fox took 3-4 steps out onto the floor to setup what he was gonna do. Then turned around to get his clip board, and was furious that he had to take 2 steps back to grab it from the hand of the student asst who was trailing him a half second late. He ripped it from the student asst's hand like a ********.

I was afraid he was going to be like this all game, but it turns out that there were moments where he bottled that inner rage and was engaged in pensive strategic thought. A nice mix, but I think everyone around him is going to be on eggshells fearful of getting the horns when he pops.

---

I was worried about that part, one of the reasons I thought he'd be a bad fit for Cal. Sad to hear it came out in a game we won. Hopefully he calms down, takes a meditation class or something.

---

Well Monty was pretty wound up at times and we liked him, but yah I hear what you're saying. We don't need another Lou so hopefully he learns how to control his anger. On TV yes all we saw was that pensive look almost like you didn't know he was coaching a basketball game lol. Knowlton picked him partly bc of how clean he ran his program in the dirty SEC. But if he can't keep his sh-t together that may be just as bad. Hope this was just one of those moments, but we're going to have adversity and maybe some beat downs. What's he going to do then?

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any stories about Fox mistreating his staff, players or anybody else. Only comments saying that he is a fine human being. Maybe he just gets worked up a bit trying to win games..

Critical free throws, halftime adjustments, perimeter shooting, great coaching. This is the opposite of last year's team. What a game.

Wings and guards Fox has gotten us up to competitive rather quickly. Post not so. Will take time, but I was shocked how a player as big as Lars/Kelly could be taken to the shed so repeatedly. It will take some time and fully recognize what Fox was left. All in all, looking much better than last year, but will take some time.

Nice win, and even better coming back after being down 9 so late in the game.

Please recall all the angst about the Fox hiring. Think of this: the execution last night was C-. Fox's direction will improve this team hugely, game to game, for the first half of the season. Regarding Lars, he will be much more effective when his teammates get him the ball the about 50 times they missed him last night. This year is really going to be fun.

bearchamp said:

---

Please recall all the angst about the Fox hiring. Think of this: the execution last night was C-. Fox's direction will improve this team hugely, game to game, for the first half of the season. Regarding Lars, he will be much more effective when his teammates get him the ball the about 50 times they missed him last night. This year is really going to be fun.

---

A big problem on this team is its inability to get the ball to Kelly or Lars when they have deep position.

Both need to pick up their defense, but hopefully they will.

Especially Kelly has a lot to offer offensively and should get the ball much more than has happened so far in his career as a Bear.

My guess (hope?) is that Lars will improve steadily during his four years as a Bear.

As for Fox, we should all be thankful he has replaced Wyking and refrain from nit picking the emotions he shows during a game.

annarborbear said:

---

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any stories about Fox mistreating his staff, players or anybody else. Only comments saying that he is a fine human being. Maybe he just gets worked up a bit trying to win games..

---

Well that's good to hear. I wonder if Paris and Fox are going to have a decent relationship. I can see Paris feeling slighted about not starting games, often not playing in key moments, and then I head this about Fox going crazy about his shirt not tucked in. Hope they're good.

south bender said:

---

bearchamp said:

---

Please recall all the angst about the Fox hiring. Think of this: the execution last night was C-. Fox's direction will improve this team hugely, game to game, for the first half of the season. Regarding Lars, he will be much more effective when his teammates get him the ball the about 50 times they missed him last night. This year is really going tfar in his career as a Bear.

---

My guess (hope?) is that Lars will improve steadily during his four years .

---

Let me help you out. Based on what we've seen so far this is a hope.

I also sit behind the bench (very close to the floor) and saw what Concordtom was saying. However, I never saw him go off on a player (and I've been to all 3 games). His coaching appears calm and to the point (at the St Martin's exhibition I could hear everything he was saying). His behavior toward officials seemed appropriate as well: angry when appropriate but never over the line. If he goes off on the clipboard or the occasional assistant, I guess it's not ideal, but we can live with it.

bearsandgiants said:

---

Critical free throws, halftime adjustments, perimeter shooting, great coaching. This is the opposite of last year's team. What a game.

---

By the way, that was an INTENTIONAL foul at the end of the game. UNLV dude grabbed our guy by the waste from behind as he had a fastbreak at the top of the key. Total BS that they gave a common foul. Could have cost us the game!!!

UrsaMajor said:

---

I also sit behind the bench (very close to the floor) and saw what Concordtom was saying. However, I never saw him go off on a player (and I've been to all 3 games). His coaching appears calm and to the point (at the St Martin's exhibition I could hear everything he was saying). His behavior toward officials seemed appropriate as well: angry when appropriate but never over the line. If he goes off on the clipboard or the occasional assistant, I guess it's not ideal, but we can live with it.

---

True. I just felt he was a boil inside and could blow up at any point.
I don't think I would want to play for that.
I'm trying man - get off my back with your volcanic energy. Try encouraging me a bit more, please.
I didn't see one smile or fanny slap.

south bender said:

---

As for Fox, we should all be thankful he has replaced Wyking and refrain from nit picking the emotions he shows during a game.

---

Just to clarify, it was an observation, not an indictment. I watched 1 game. One game. And I was watching the game mostly. Just a side observation. Will need much more time to gather a solid opinion of him as a coach.
Definitely glad Wyking in gone.

KoreAmBear said:

---

annarborbear said:

---

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any stories about Fox mistreating his staff, players or anybody else. Only comments saying that he is a fine human being. Maybe he just gets worked up a bit trying to win games..

---

Well that's good to hear. I wonder if Paris and Fox are going to have a decent relationship. I can see Paris feeling slighted about not starting games, often not playing in key moments, and then I head this about Fox going crazy about his shirt not tucked in. Hope they're good.

---

I am confident it's not an issue.
It was a comment about his reaction to it - not insight into their relationship.
They have so much more to worry about.

I liked his substitutional usage between the 3 of South, Brown, and Austin. Well done.

That's interesting because on tv, it seems every shot of him so far has been a pensive look, hand on chin, trying to figure out what's working and what is not...I would have never know this if you hadn't posted it. On tv, he seems the exact opposite of a fired up Monty shoving a player.

KoreAmBear said:

---

annarborbear said:

---

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any stories about Fox mistreating his staff, players or anybody else. Only comments saying that he is a fine human being. Maybe he just gets worked up a bit trying to win games..

---

Well that's good to hear. I wonder if Paris and Fox are going to have a decent relationship. I can see Paris feeling slighted about not starting games, often not playing in key moments, and then I head this about Fox going crazy about his shirt not tucked in. Hope they're good.

---

I don't know how much of Paris not starting or the limited minutes was health related, but Fox definitely mentioned it in the post game press conference, that Paris was limited and missed practices due to health reasons. It'll be interesting to see if he returns to starting or a more prominent role once he's back to full strength.

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

Austin is talented, but frequently not very smart in his play. The Coach's only power to change a player's actions is to sit him down. All players want to play and sitting them down gets their attention. Regarding fanny slaps vs. suppressed frustration (anger), actual performance is more important than either: if the team plays better, then the "style" will be accommodated by the players. Cal has won multiple NCAA championships with players and coaches in utter disdain for each other. The adversity sometimes works as a bonding agent.

Fox put Paris in to go end to end and try to win in regulation with a floater. Seems like Fox knows his players strengths and will go to them. If everyone is a team player, they will all get their chances to shine in what looks like a nine player rotation.

Civil Bear said:

---

oskidunker said:

---

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

---

When you say Brown's shooting looked pretty darn good, are you referring to his shot or the box score? 'Cuz the first two were birthday gifts. The last one looked pure though, in crunch-time, when it was really needed.

---

totally agree. I like him as a player but shooting is not his strength. He could have easily missed all three of those 3s.

graguna said:

---

Civil Bear said:

---

oskidunker said:

---

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

---

When you say Brown's shooting looked pretty darn good, are you referring to his shot or the box score? 'Cuz the first two were birthday gifts. The last one looked pure though, in crunch-time, when it was really needed.

---

totally agree. I like him as a player but shooting is not his strength. He could have easily missed all three of those 3s.

---

I think Brown's value will be as a gamer. He is already comfortable with the ball as a true freshman. Guy that just will do whatever it takes to win a game whether dishing, rebounding, playing D, attacking the rim, or keeping Ds honest with occasional jumpers. Maybe Prentice McGruder but more athletic and long?

KoreAmBear said:

---

graguna said:

---

Civil Bear said:

---

oskidunker said:

---

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

---

When you say Brown's shooting looked pretty darn good, are you referring to his shot or the box score? 'Cuz the first two were birthday gifts. The last one looked pure though, in crunch-time, when it was really needed.

---

totally agree. I like him as a player but shooting is not his strength. He could have easily missed all three of those 3s.

---

I think Brown's value will be as a gamer. He is already comfortable with the ball as a true freshman. Guy that just will do whatever it takes to win a game whether dishing, rebounding, playing D, attacking the rim, or keeping Ds honest with occasional jumpers. Maybe Prentice McGruder but more athletic and long?

---

Yep. He is very active and it must be a headache running around guarding him. Guys like him have caused us much pain when they play for the other team. He will be killing it his last two years at Cal.

How did he shoot in high school? Someone said they were unable to find out. Maybe he is a decent shooter.Anyway 3 ot of 3 means at least he was close.Like Jason Kidd, he could get better.

Civil Bear said:

---

oskidunker said:

---

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

---

When you say Brown's shooting looked pretty darn good, are you referring to his shot or the box score? 'Cuz the first two were birthday gifts. The last one looked pure though, in crunch-time, when it was really needed.

---

Let's just say that the quality of hoops analysis by our fanbase needs some work. Too many years wandering in the desert.

oskidunker said:

---

How did he shoot in high school? Someone said they were unable to find out. Maybe he is a decent shooter.Anyway 3 ot of 3 means at least he was close.Like Jason Kidd, he could get better.

---

Sure he could. For now, we have to hope he can do enough non-shooting things to be a positive impact.

oskidunker said:

---

To those who were concerned with Browns shooting, it looked pretty darned good. 3-3 on threes, I think. This team is killing it from three.

---

Brown's first three, a bank shot, was probably not his plan. His second three was closer, hitting the rim first. His final three looked good. Maybe that is his style, and he needs to warm up and then gets better with each attempt. I hope so.

We shot 38%, which is very good for a team, and if we shoot that way all season, that might be top 25 or top 50 in D1. UNLV was killing it from three, at 47% in that game.

Cal was killing it from three against Pepperdine, 53%, and if Cal shoots that well for a season, that would lead the nation. You can take that to the bank.