If you’re looking for a glimmer of positivity from Cal’s men’s hoops 2020-2021 season, sophomore center Lars Thiemann provides just that. Yes, his scoring output basically stayed the same (3 points per game last season to 2.9 this year). And Thiemann still shot right about 50% from the free-throw line. But the seven-foot center from Germany took a step (albeit a small one) forward.
| Year |
Games |
%Min |
ORtg |
%Poss |
%Shots |
| 2021 |
27 |
31.50% |
91.3 |
14.30% |
9.70% |
| 2020 |
32 |
35.60% |
86.2 |
14.50% |
11.40% |
During his two years at Cal, Thiemann has played in all but one game (he missed the home win against San Francisco this season). This season, Thiemann saw his minutes per game drop by about one and a half minutes, but he still averaged 13 minutes per game. His usage rates went down, but only slightly. Still, that drop in usage — especially shot% — likely helped Thiemann increase his offensive efficiency by about five points. That’s pretty solid.
| Year |
eFG% |
TS% |
FT% |
2P% |
3P% |
| 2021 |
57.80% |
56.20% |
50.00% |
57.80% |
N/A |
| 2020 |
55.90% |
54.90% |
48.70% |
55.90% |
N/A |
Again, Thiemann made increases (albeit small ones) in all shooting percentage categories. Thiemann seemed to let the game and the ball come to him a bit more this season compared to his freshman campaign when he had a tendency to force the issue a bit too much.
| Year |
OR% |
DR% |
ARate |
TORate |
Blk% |
Stl% |
FC/40 |
FD/40 |
FTRate |
| 2021 |
7.60% |
19.60% |
4.1 |
27.7 |
3.10% |
1.00% |
5.1 |
3.6 |
88.9 |
| 2020 |
6.50% |
12.40% |
1.9 |
29.2 |
3.60% |
0.80% |
6.5 |
3.1 |
57.4 |
Thiemann’s rebounding rates increased on both the offensive and defensive side of the court. Overall, his average rebounds per game climbed from 2.2 as a freshman to 2.8 last season. His assist rate increased while his turnover rate decreased (again, slightly). And, perhaps more importantly, Thiemann dropped his fouls committed per 40 minutes rate while increasing his fouls drawn per 40 minutes rate. Thiemann’s ability to be a decent defender with relatively minimal fouling continues to earn him playing time over his sophomore frontcourt counterpart, D.J. Thorpe.
Production from Thiemann or Thorpe or both is an important piece to Cal taking a step forward and up the league standings next season. It’s common for the junior season to be the breakout one for frontcourt college players. With Andre Kelly returning, Cal doesn’t necessarily need Thiemann to have a “breakout” season (although it would be nice). But if you could get closer to 15 or 20 minutes a game out of Thiemann with an average of seven points and five rebounds each game, that’d win Cal more games than if we get another slight increase season out of Thiemann.
Getting close to those levels should be the goal for Thiemann’s junior season. That, and improving those free throw percentages.
Cal Hoops Player Season Reviews:
D.J. Thorpe
Kuany Kuany
Jalen Celestine
Monty Bowser
