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The Rodcast: Thoughts on Cal's Comeback Win Over Colorado

January 12, 2024
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In today’s podcast, former Cal and pro center and Bear Insider contributor Rod Benson breaks down Cal's 20-point comeback win over 11-4 Colorado.

You can listen on Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts or on any of your favorite podcast sources.

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The Rodcast: Thoughts on Cal's Comeback Win Over Colorado

2,915 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by HoopDreams
stu
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7:54p, 1/12/24
Thanks for the insight! All I could see against Colorado was we started hitting threes, I hadn't noticed the details of our defensive improvement.
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KoreAmBear
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9:33a, 1/13/24
Hi Rod -- great content. You need some intro music to get the vibe going.
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oskidunker
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In reply to KoreAmBear • 9:47a, 1/13/24
KoreAmBear said:
Hi Rod -- great content. You need some intro music to get the vibe going.


Louie Louie.
Go Bears!
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HoopDreams
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10:01a, 1/13/24
Aimaq is definitely a dilemma

Good offensive, great rebounder

Huge defensive liability when forced to defend the perimeter, defensive liability on the block

The thing is, we are so thin in the post. Before the season I advocated using our last scholarship for a transfer big. I said we should be able to find one of those mid major bigs that often seem to cause us problems

With Okofor out for an extended time, we have walkon Larson and previously red shirting Curtis

Neither of these guys were even supposed to play this year

I would say Larson is better than expected but he is undersized and thin and not a good rebounder.

Neither have any post scoring offense although both can hit an occasional open 3

I think it's ok if your center can't score inside if they are a great defender/rebounder but neither are that

So for me it makes the most sense to play Aimaq the majority of minutes and use more 2-3 zone, or send more help when the ball enters the post

We also might add a center high hedge for Larson since he is fast enough to recover to give us an defensive option when a guard is killing us on a pick and roll
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75bear
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2:38p, 1/13/24
I love hearing Rod's thoughts and insights.

Aimaq clearly has to play some minutes for us, we don't have enough other bodies to cover a full game. I hope Larson has done enough to prove he deserves more minutes than he's been getting.

Madsen is going to have to figure out how to maximize Aimaq's potential. Some of the decisions are going to have to be match up dependent.

I'm so invested in this team, more so than any other in a long time. There are lots of solid pieces, it's just a matter of figuring out the best way to fit everyone together. I love how the team never gives up, and fights hard even when we're down big and things look bleak.
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ducky23
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2:41p, 1/13/24
Just got done hearing the podcast. I'm glad Rod can say the quiet part out loud. Aimaq is the main reason why our defense has been struggling. Whether it's a stretch 5 or a low post center, Aimaq is getting targeted by opposing offenses.

But I don't think Aimaq is entirely to blame. I think Madsen is used to the defensive player of the year Aimaq who was able to defend probably less talented players in the WAC.

But I think now Madsen is realizing you can't keep Aimaq completely on an island down low. We don't have to double every time, but at least show different looks. Just don't leave him completely on an island. I think our defense is now smart enough (and athletic enough) to make the necessary rotations.
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Big Dog
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4:44p, 1/13/24
It seemed to me that we had quite a few double-teams in the paint after halftime. I trust that was coaching adjustments.

And Rod is spot-on. We didnt run out of gas in teh second half bcos of a few minutes of Zone. Instead, the Buffs seemed to tire.

Mark's big problem is that we have two defensive liabilities. Aimaq & Cone. A solid four can help out one not-so-great defender, but hard to do when you only have a 3 solids and two not-great.
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HoopDreams
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7:10p, 1/14/24
Aimaq played a great game on both sides of the court vs Oregon, including out playing their 7 foot center Dante. Aimaq scored 18 efficient points, grabbed 9 rebounds ... vs their 7 foot center Dante who was 3-8 shooting with 2 boards). Like many things in basketball, it's a lot about matchups.

Aimaq did much better against Dante who is the most athletic and longest player Aimaq has played, but probably not the quickest and mostly stays in the paint

by the way, still enjoying reading the book!

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