Should be a good one, hope the team really steps up

I haven't watched the southern branch teacher's college play but this will be a great measure. Like Kansas State, in that the talent will be there to beat us, and they are well coached. So if we win, it's huge. If we play them close, that's good. I expect we can make it uncomfortable for them, at least, but winning will be a hard go. What we are seeing recently is a Cal team that plays awesome together, and has good shooters and somewhat good defense. Any team with a dominant big is going to crush us because Dort can't stay out of foul trouble. But aside from that, we are showing we can compete with good teams and I hope we pull out a few surprise wins starting with fUCLA.

Honestly kinda a no lose situation. Go bears

calbear91 said:

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I haven't watched the southern branch teacher's college play but this will be a great measure. Like Kansas State, in that the talent will be there to beat us, and they are well coached. So if we win, it's huge. If we play them close, that's good. I expect we can make it uncomfortable for them, at least, but winning will be a hard go. What we are seeing recently is a Cal team that plays awesome together, and has good shooters and somewhat good defense. Any team with a dominant big is going to crush us because Dort can't stay out of foul trouble. But aside from that, we are showing we can compete with good teams and I hope we pull out a few surprise wins starting with fUCLA.

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They dont list a center on the roster, but they have several tall guys with some weight

I think dort can manage to foul out, he has a knack

The one negative issue we have right now is a short bench. Don't know the statis on Dorsey, but I was hoping that by now Campbell and Yeaney would be in the mix. We could sure use any of these 3 guys for ucla. If not, then we're gonna need an extrordinary effort from the first eight.

Dorsey was out of his boot last night and he was walking ok. So there's that.

I think it's been reported that soonest yeanay will be available is January, if at that.

For what it's worth, Madsen commented in his postgame radio interview our depth will be back very soon. So that's encouraging

I'm still on the fence whether to attend UCLA game. Tickets are very pricey. And im going to be miserable if cal loses big, especially knowing how many UCLA idiots are going to be in attendance.

But they played well last night, which gives me hope we can make it a game

UCLA pasted Presbyterian by 40 last night, whom we struggled with. Even getting one or two players back I don't see a 30pt. gap closing that much unless UCLA comes out cold.

HongKong_Bear said:

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UCLA pasted Presbyterian by 40 last night, whom we struggled with. Even getting one or two players back I don't see a 30pt. gap closing that much unless UCLA comes out cold.

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A by 40 over C., B by 10 over C, does not automatically mean A will beat B by 30. I've seen enough basketball over the years to realize that.

On Tuesday UCLA beat Sac State by 31, Cal beats Sac State last night by 24. Whoa, all of a sudden the "gap" is just 7 points.

I think one of their players is out with injury, so that evens out the injury impacts a little

RedlessWardrobe said:

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HongKong_Bear said:

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UCLA pasted Presbyterian by 40 last night, whom we struggled with. Even getting one or two players back I don't see a 30pt. gap closing that much unless UCLA comes out cold.

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A by 40 over C., B by 10 over C, does not automatically mean A will beat B by 30. I've seen enough basketball over the years to realize that.

On Tuesday UCLA beat Sac State by 31, Cal beats Sac State last night by 24. Whoa, all of a sudden the "gap" is just 7 points.

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Agreed, fans put way too much stock in the transitive property.

59 bucks for a nosebleed at Chase Center, over $100 just to sit anywhere that's not on the end. No thank you.
Would it really have been a big deal for Cal to reserve a few hundred tickets for the small group of season ticket holders who have actually showed up for the team in these lean years? Then sell it to us for 20 bucks as a thank you? No, that would have been generous, creative marketing, and good for fan relations, something in very short supply lately.

Honestly, why is this game being played at Chase Center in the first place? The attendance will be minimal. I guess we're supposed to be excited that the game is being played there? Who cares? Why did we turn Harmon Gym into Haas Pavillion? I just don't get it.

Yea, disappointed this game is at Chase. I'll be there but am expecting it to be pretty empty tbh.

75bear said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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HongKong_Bear said:

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UCLA pasted Presbyterian by 40 last night, whom we struggled with. Even getting one or two players back I don't see a 30pt. gap closing that much unless UCLA comes out cold.

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A by 40 over C., B by 10 over C, does not automatically mean A will beat B by 30. I've seen enough basketball over the years to realize that.

On Tuesday UCLA beat Sac State by 31, Cal beats Sac State last night by 24. Whoa, all of a sudden the "gap" is just 7 points.

---

Agreed, fans put way too much stock in the transitive property.

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Presbyterian was clearly Cal's worst performance of this year, and probably not the norm. UCLA should still beat us, but I don't know how much stock I'd put in that one game.

So far exceeding expectations and i have probably jinxed the team

Ilck is a real liability; horrible free throw shooter. We're really hurt when Dort goes out.

Wow, almost makes up for the fox years

Guess we are a basketball school now.

Our defense is night and day better than prior years, and he's a part of that

Yeah, he doesn't have great hands for rebounds and not much lift or quickness, but he has some offensive moves and plays fundamental defense and he's a solid passer.

He's far from perfect but is a key second team player

BearGreg said:

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Golden One said:

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Ilck is a real liability; horrible free throw shooter. We're really hurt when Dort goes out.

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Milos was +17 tonight when on the floor

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I think that on top of everything, getting some minutes from DJ was an additional factor in the win. It gave Ames and Pippen a few extra minutes of rest that had to help near the end.

HoopDreams said:

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Our defense is night and day better than prior years, and he's a part of that

Yeah, he doesn't have great hands for rebounds and not much lift or quickness, but he has some offensive moves and plays fundamental defense and he's a solid passer.

He's far from perfect but is a key second team player

BearGreg said:

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Golden One said:

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Ilck is a real liability; horrible free throw shooter. We're really hurt when Dort goes out.

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Milos was +17 tonight when on the floor

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It's been a level step up for him. It wouldn't surprise me if he improves over the course of the season. Let's reserve a little judgment on this guy.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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Honestly, why is this game being played at Chase Center in the first place? The attendance will be minimal. I guess we're supposed to be excited that the game is being played there? Who cares? Why did we turn Harmon Gym into Haas Pavillion? I just don't get it.

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Because it was a tournament.
Wrong. Terrific atmosphere.
Yes.
Everyone but you.
I guess you never went to games 2000-2016.

Clearly. Thanks for posting, seems that's all you do.

Big big big ups to Madson, I think his coaching and in particular, rotations, played a huge role in the win.

What I want to keep seeing moving forward:

Continue to balance out minutes and develop depth. Most guys were in the 20 min range. Bell led with 31 and Carr had the least at 13 (but they were productive).

Develop specific on/off matchups that play to strengths and minimize weaknesses as Madson learns to trust this roster and players adjust to each other.

I would try to split up Ames and Pippen as much possible so that Ames/Carr and Pippen/Carr pairings anchor the backcourt. And try the Ames/Pippen/Campbell trio when the tempo slows down and it's a half court battle.

Ames is our best guard and the only guy who can consistently create his own shot but when you play him with Pippen, who is also ball dominant (but less decisive and an inconsistent shot maker), the offense can grind to a halt, like the final possessions that were bailed out by tough Ames shot making.

Carr is up tempo and decisive. On back to back possessions in the 2nd, he rebounded a Dent miss, turned up court and quickly found a streaking Bell for a manufactured fast break layup. The next play, he immediately went to get the ball after a Rytis rebound and pushed the pace to find Bell with a cross court pass for a big 3. That 5 point swing got the lead into double digits and doesn't happen without his PG instincts.

It's also hard to play Camden and Rytis together and Rytis has taken a bigger hit in mins this year than I would have predicted. But he had a huge impact yesterday.

Figuring out ways to stagger their minutes and put each guy with teammates who enhance their skills and cover their deficits will be another key since our frontcourt talent and depth is not a strength.

Great game and I'm really optimistic that Madson will continue to coach this team well. I think the poor and mismatched talent on his prior terms have hamstrung his impact as an in game coach.

carnicelat said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Honestly, why is this game being played at Chase Center in the first place? The attendance will be minimal. I guess we're supposed to be excited that the game is being played there? Who cares? Why did we turn Harmon Gym into Haas Pavillion? I just don't get it.

---

Because it was a tournament.
Wrong. Terrific atmosphere.
Yes.
Everyone but you.
I guess you never went to games 2000-2016.

Clearly. Thanks for posting, seems that's all you do.

---

Before you go jumping to conclusions, I've probably been to more Cal basketball games than you will ever see in your lifetime. My first game attended was in 1966, and I estimate that between then and now I've been to roughly 600 Cal home games at Harmon and Haas, and from '00 to '16 about 200. How about you?

Secondly, I guess its hard for some people to figure out that going to games and posting on Bear Insider don't have to be mutually exclusive of each other.

And wow, it was a "tournament". When did they play the other games at Chase? Oh wait, they didn't. Some tournament when the "two finalists" are already guaranteed to be playing in it? Interesting concept.

And finally, the attendance was 7,293. Guess what? You can fit that many people in Haas Pavillion. That's why we spent the money the renovate Harmon to Haas. Were you around then?

It was a great game and I'm sure the atmosphere was fantastic, maybe as good as when I saw the Bears end UCLA's 52 game winning streak in 1986. Come to think of it, nope, not as good. I look forward to reading some of your posts in the future, since I don't recall ever reading one before.

Go Bears!

HoopDreams said:

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Our defense is night and day better than prior years, and he's a part of that

Yeah, he doesn't have great hands for rebounds and not much lift or quickness, but he has some offensive moves and plays fundamental defense and he's a solid passer.

He's far from perfect but is a key second team player

BearGreg said:

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Golden One said:

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Ilck is a real liability; horrible free throw shooter. We're really hurt when Dort goes out.

---

Milos was +17 tonight when on the floor

---

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At least he can pass. Glad Madsen knew to take him out of the game near the end before UCLA could plan to keep fouling him. Can he be trained up to shoot free throws better? Dort needs to stay out of foul trouble. If Seamy sp was available- would he be the starting center?

RedlessWardrobe said:

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carnicelat said:

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RedlessWardrobe said:

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Honestly, why is this game being played at Chase Center in the first place? The attendance will be minimal. I guess we're supposed to be excited that the game is being played there? Who cares? Why did we turn Harmon Gym into Haas Pavillion? I just don't get it.

---

Because it was a tournament.
Wrong. Terrific atmosphere.
Yes.
Everyone but you.
I guess you never went to games 2000-2016.

Clearly. Thanks for posting, seems that's all you do.

---

Before you go jumping to conclusions, I've probably been to more Cal basketball games than you will ever see in your lifetime. My first game attended was in 1966, and I estimate that between then and now I've been to roughly 600 Cal home games at Harmon and Haas, and from '00 to '16 about 200. How about you?

Secondly, I guess its hard for some people to figure out that going to games and posting on Bear Insider don't have to be mutually exclusive of each other.

And wow, it was a "tournament". When did they play the other games at Chase? Oh wait, they didn't. Some tournament when the "two finalists" are already guaranteed to be playing in it? Interesting concept.

And finally, the attendance was 7,293. Guess what? You can fit that many people in Haas Pavillion. That's why we spent the money the renovate Harmon to Haas. Were you around then?

It was a great game and I'm sure the atmosphere was fantastic, maybe as good as when I saw the Bears end UCLA's 52 game winning streak in 1986. Come to think of it, nope, not as good. I look forward to reading some of your posts in the future, since I don't recall ever reading one before.

Go Bears!

So sorry, I shouldn't have written this. Yes I have been to several hundred games as well, on the floor at the '86 game at Harmon, a Haas Campaign donor, continue to hold season tickets, and of course a Bear Backer. Merely replying to what I perceived to be a whining post reflective of others who choose not to attend Cal games because of one thing or another. I don't get on this Board too much (did so b/c I was excited about the game result) and didn't bother to check who wrote it. My apologies.

The tournament was sponsored by Skyscanner, and I'm certain that the Chase location was essential to the sponsorship.

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carnicelat said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

carnicelat said:

---

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

Honestly, why is this game being played at Chase Center in the first place? The attendance will be minimal. I guess we're supposed to be excited that the game is being played there? Who cares? Why did we turn Harmon Gym into Haas Pavillion? I just don't get it.

---

Because it was a tournament.
Wrong. Terrific atmosphere.
Yes.
Everyone but you.
I guess you never went to games 2000-2016.

Clearly. Thanks for posting, seems that's all you do.

---

Before you go jumping to conclusions, I've probably been to more Cal basketball games than you will ever see in your lifetime. My first game attended was in 1966, and I estimate that between then and now I've been to roughly 600 Cal home games at Harmon and Haas, and from '00 to '16 about 200. How about you?

Secondly, I guess its hard for some people to figure out that going to games and posting on Bear Insider don't have to be mutually exclusive of each other.

And wow, it was a "tournament". When did they play the other games at Chase? Oh wait, they didn't. Some tournament when the "two finalists" are already guaranteed to be playing in it? Interesting concept.

And finally, the attendance was 7,293. Guess what? You can fit that many people in Haas Pavillion. That's why we spent the money the renovate Harmon to Haas. Were you around then?

It was a great game and I'm sure the atmosphere was fantastic, maybe as good as when I saw the Bears end UCLA's 52 game winning streak in 1986. Come to think of it, nope, not as good. I look forward to reading some of your posts in the future, since I don't recall ever reading one before.

Go Bears!

So sorry, I shouldn't have written this. Yes I have been to several hundred games as well, on the floor at the '86 game at Harmon, a Haas Campaign donor, continue to hold season tickets, and of course a Bear Backer. Merely replying to what I perceived to be a whining post reflective of others who choose not to attend Cal games because of one thing or another. I don't get on this Board too much (did so b/c I was excited about the game result) and didn't bother to check who wrote it. My apologies.

The tournament was sponsored by Skyscanner, and I'm certain that the Chase location was essential to the sponsorship.

---

---

Fair enough. It just bugged me that the game wasn't played at Haas. Most important thing was the Bears' victory. It's all good. Go Bears!

Carr has been a revelation

I was skeptical he'd make a big impact until his second year as an undersized PG with a questionable shot after I saw him in an all-star game as a HS senior.

But he has excellent vision and runs the team with confidence and savvy.

Defensively he looks fundamental

He's also more athletic than expected. Get find and signing by the coaches

northbay said:

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Big big big ups to Madson, I think his coaching and in particular, rotations, played a huge role in the win.

What I want to keep seeing moving forward:

Continue to balance out minutes and develop depth. Most guys were in the 20 min range. Bell led with 31 and Carr had the least at 13 (but they were productive).

Develop specific on/off matchups that play to strengths and minimize weaknesses as Madson learns to trust this roster and players adjust to each other.

I would try to split up Ames and Pippen as much possible so that Ames/Carr and Pippen/Carr pairings anchor the backcourt. And try the Ames/Pippen/Campbell trio when the tempo slows down and it's a half court battle.

Ames is our best guard and the only guy who can consistently create his own shot but when you play him with Pippen, who is also ball dominant (but less decisive and an inconsistent shot maker), the offense can grind to a halt, like the final possessions that were bailed out by tough Ames shot making.

Carr is up tempo and decisive. On back to back possessions in the 2nd, he rebounded a Dent miss, turned up court and quickly found a streaking Bell for a manufactured fast break layup. The next play, he immediately went to get the ball after a Rytis rebound and pushed the pace to find Bell with a cross court pass for a big 3. That 5 point swing got the lead into double digits and doesn't happen without his PG instincts.

It's also hard to play Camden and Rytis together and Rytis has taken a bigger hit in mins this year than I would have predicted. But he had a huge impact yesterday.

Figuring out ways to stagger their minutes and put each guy with teammates who enhance their skills and cover their deficits will be another key since our frontcourt talent and depth is not a strength.

Great game and I'm really optimistic that Madson will continue to coach this team well. I think the poor and mismatched talent on his prior terms have hamstrung his impact as an in game coach.

---

It's great to see Madson target Bay Area talent including from non-hotbeds like Marin.

Madson obviously saw something in TT to keep pursuing him after the initial UW commitment whereas I don't think Cal was heavily in on TT's higher ranked Branson teammate Jase Butler in HS or the portal (for the record, I think TT will have a better college career).

Madson also made an offer last year to Branson's ND Gray as a sophomore.

ND played garbage mins as a frosh behind Jase and TT and was supposed to be Robin to TT's Batman last year until TT flirted with Prolific Prep and then Saint Ignatious before ultimately landing at another MCAL school.

I saw ND a couple of times last year as the focal point on a Branson team that over achieved their talent primarily due to his high level play & think ND has the potential to be the best of the trio.

He has a much broader frame than TT (but much less vertical ability/pure speed) and could have another growth spurt in him.

He already plays a really steady, mature game as a sophomore shouldering a ton of responsibility.

His biggest strengths are court feel and body control. He's James Harden-esque in his ability to smoothly get to his spots, has a pretty tight handle and has advanced moves like the Euro step already in his bag.

Excited to see more of him this HS season and hope Madson can lock him down for the 2027 class.