I don’t think this one had anything to do with luck or tight rims. We just didn’t come in with any focus. Careless basketball all around and a lack of physicality to match theirs. Refs were garbage, but we weren’t beating them or anyone yesterday regardless of the scenario. Extremely disappointing.
exactly. Stanford's bench seniors outplayed our starters. I was surprised that Haase called a TO to sub them out. The way that they were playing, they coudl have easily held the lead at the 10 minute mark.
Three straight turnovers to start the 2nd half was inexcusable. Many of our turnovers were unforced errors, reminiscent of the non-conference games. (And I thought we had grown out of such poor play.)
I mean clearly Stanford was focused and hyped up for senior night and we had lack of focus but there was a sequence where we might have made a second half run and Tyson, Celestine and Aimaq all missed shots that rimmed in and out in the same possession. All things considered - we’re pretty clearly similar in talent to Stanford and they were better prepped because it was an important game to them. Sometimes the coin flips don’t go our way. This is much less egregious a loss than the early season ones.
We’re playing our worst basketball at exactly the wrong time. It’s clear that this team has been looking past these last few games towards the P12 tourney, and as a result we will have a punishing seeding in the tourney. Anything can happen, but difficult to have the same enthusiasm for our chances that I did a month ago. We’ve regressed.
Cal got caught up in the Wilner jinx. Every time Jon Wilner goes on one his "Fire Jerod Haase" campaigns, and there was another episode of that this week, the he and the Cardinal proceed to pound someone.
I don’t hold much stock in jinxes. The Bears need to limit their mistakes and make the right plays against the opponent in front of them. If they do this, I like their chances.
It’s too that this transitional period with the current players is only one year but it has been an enjoyable one.
Honestly, there was a point where I thought they oiled the court or something.
You summarized my feelings about this game exactly, and put the stats behind it, which made it even worse
This was the most frustrating and puzzling cal game in the Pac12 this season
I give some credit to Stanford who got a big boost from senior night but it doesn’t explain the sleep walking turnovers and wide open missed shots
I like your idea of just burying it
Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in the basket. (Or as our old friend Reef would say - variance!)
I don’t think this one had anything to do with luck or tight rims. We just didn’t come in with any focus. Careless basketball all around and a lack of physicality to match theirs. Refs were garbage, but we weren’t beating them or anyone yesterday regardless of the scenario. Extremely disappointing.
exactly. Stanford's bench seniors outplayed our starters. I was surprised that Haase called a TO to sub them out. The way that they were playing, they coudl have easily held the lead at the 10 minute mark.
Three straight turnovers to start the 2nd half was inexcusable. Many of our turnovers were unforced errors, reminiscent of the non-conference games. (And I thought we had grown out of such poor play.)
And their walk ons out played our walk ons!
I mean clearly Stanford was focused and hyped up for senior night and we had lack of focus but there was a sequence where we might have made a second half run and Tyson, Celestine and Aimaq all missed shots that rimmed in and out in the same possession. All things considered - we’re pretty clearly similar in talent to Stanford and they were better prepped because it was an important game to them. Sometimes the coin flips don’t go our way. This is much less egregious a loss than the early season ones.
We’re playing our worst basketball at exactly the wrong time. It’s clear that this team has been looking past these last few games towards the P12 tourney, and as a result we will have a punishing seeding in the tourney. Anything can happen, but difficult to have the same enthusiasm for our chances that I did a month ago. We’ve regressed.
Exactly. They’ve regressed badly. Yesterday was simply a dreadful all-around effort.
Plenty of things to work on and address for next year…but a real solid start.
Thanks Nick!
Cal got caught up in the Wilner jinx. Every time Jon Wilner goes on one his "Fire Jerod Haase" campaigns, and there was another episode of that this week, the he and the Cardinal proceed to pound someone.
I don’t hold much stock in jinxes. The Bears need to limit their mistakes and make the right plays against the opponent in front of them. If they do this, I like their chances.
Cal playing the long game here keeping him employed.
Fucla!