Madsen is a huge upgrade for MBB. His enthusiasm and recruiting are a nice surprise for a sad basketball program the last 5 years.
Coach Wilcox hiring new offensive coaches is something he needed to do, probably earlier than he did, but things look promising with the new recruits for '23 and '24.
And, BTW, screw The Bruins and USC. Hope they get hammered.
This will be the biggest make-or-break year in Cal athletics in over a decade. Last make-or-break year was the 2012 season when Memorial finished renovations, and we all know how that one went...
- HUGE year for Cal football. It's vital that they show considerable improvement especially on offense. If not, it could be crushing for both recruiting, the portal, and for conference realignment
- Cal MBB and the need for the practice facility. If they can ink that in, it would be monumental for the program and give Madsen the tools to recruit the best (which I think he can)
- Cal WBB overhauled their roster, big year for them
- Conference realignment
- We need a chancellor that cares about sports and new AD that is actually good. Last time Cal football was good was when we had a good chancellor and a good AD
Don't fully get the pessimism. Won 3 nattys, softball made a good run in the regional, women's gymnastics almost made the final show. MBB can only go up from where it is and recruiting for both MBB and FB has been way better. 21st overall in the directors cup. The major sports year was rough but Cal did pretty well outside those sports and is trending upwards.
I have grave concerns about the Pac-12 situation and the possibility that Cal could find itself reaching out to the Mountain West for a lifeline for 2024. Until that gets resolved, I have no optimism whatsoever, because all of the recruiting gains we may have made can disappear in the portal just as easily as we found them.
It's cool that some of the Olympic sports are doing well, but contrast that with the issues with women's swimming & diving and soccer.
All-in, I have trouble understanding why any Cal supporter is better than neutral right now.
I agree with the damning accusations around some of the programs. IMO that is the biggest blight. I don't agree that Cal will end up in the MWC. If the PAC12 falls apart the B10 will come in and scoop them up on a reduced payout. Which I think is truly what the B10 wants. Get Cal, Oregon, UW and Stanford on the cheap, control the west coast TV market/recruiting map, and have a conference that runs from the Pacific to the Atlantic. If the PAC falls apart those schools have zero leverage and will have to take the best deal available which IMO will be a reduced B10 deal. Or Cal goes to the B12, because as much as they wont admit it Cal/Stanford etc is a much better add than Tulane...
As much as I'd love to have a regular excuse to return to my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, I'm definitely not convinced of Cal's value to the B1G.
The B1G is not a charity, and they would get all the benefits of the SF media market by bringing Stanford (a team with much bigger brand value) into the conference. There's no need for Cal - we'd be dilutive to the share of media rights going to other teams (even with a reduced share). And if you think Stanford would decline that offer just because Cal didn't get a golden ticket, you haven't been paying attention.
I'm similarly not convinced that the Cal administration would conclude that being part of the Big 12 is worth that much more than the MW.
I think its debatable that Stanford is a bigger brand. I'd say majority of Northern California sides with Cal Fandom. The B1G isn't a charity but the B1G presidents who sign these deals understand the academic implications of bringing in a school like Cal from a research funding/coordination standpoint. It's why we are hearing about UVA being vetted from the ACC (Basically our ACC equivalent). I think people are too focused on the now vs looking at the ceilings of programs. How is UVA being looked at more seriously than Clemson? Have to think about what does Clemson become if they are just a .500 football team. 15 years ago more people watched Cal than Clemson. Cal will always have elite academics. In the Bay Area and California in general, it's not the same fandom/passion as in other areas. Too many choices/too much to do. But when teams do well they draw. Think of what the warriors have become in 15 years. Or on the other hand see what has happened to the Sharks attendance numbers from their golden age 2005-2018. My point: Cal has a high ceiling, higher than most people give it credit for. B10 can buy low now and see what it can become in an elevated conference.
I'd say that the vast majority of Northern California is indifferent (at best) about college sports in the Bay Area, and don't have any interest at all in either team. College football and MBB ratings in the Bay Area bear that out.
I can guarantee that none of the B1G Presidents are thinking that Cal's academic prestige has any value when it comes to making B1G decisions (other than the absence of academic reputation would be fatal). It's all about the product on the field that is sold to the media companies. Research funding/coordination doesn't weigh into it. Any coordination among top tier schools is already happening, and/or they're competing with each other.
UVa isn't being looked at by the ACC more seriously than Clemson - they're frantically trying to come up with options for if/when Clemson bolts for the SEC. UVa would be one.
And sure, Cal has a high ceiling, but that's a ceiling they haven't seen in almost 30 years, and there's minimal data that would lead an observant Cal fan to conclude that we're going to reach it anytime soon.
We have to be realistic here. Otherwise you may have your heart obliterated.
Agree with your first point but California likes winners and shows up when teams do well.
Academics does matter/certainly does not hurt when your academics are as elite/powerful as Cal/Stanford. If that was the case why didn't the B10 go after UO or specifically UW and grab the Seattle market? UCLA is an easy travel partner but if it's purely about the product on the field...
This is a recent article so maybe you have missed it but it outlines why UNC/UVA are most desired by the B10 as of now. It's widely reported that UVA is being looked at over Clemson.
The Bay Area is almost exclusively a pro market. To get more attendance Cal would have to either win more or giveaway free tickets. Creative marketing is called for. In an era where TV revenue trumps all you might as well give away tickets to generate more eyeballs, higher TV ratings, and a greater online following.
I'll also add, the B10 isn't just competing with the SEC. They also are competing with the NFL who would love nothing more to see CFB fandoms killed off and then start playing Saturday games like the Patriots vs 49ers and outdraw the CFB game of the week which then would reduce the value of college TV deals.
I don't buy that. They might be too academic for our liking but they are not dumb. You don't walk away from a lucrative money making venture for your school.
Quick google search had them finish 3rd in 2010-2011. So as "bad" as this year was finishing 21st isn't some historic drop-off. Cal hasn't cracked the top 10 since that year.
Every sport is weighed the same but unfortunately Mens rowing doesn't count because it isn't organized by the NCAA. But using the same point structure they use for other sports Cal would have jumped up to 16th overall.
I haven't seen enough of an upgrade on the football side of the ball to be optimistic. There have been a few linemen added through the portal that "might" be an improvement but that is tbd. The bigger tbd is the QB. I'm not impressed as most are and doubt he can survive a season of play given his style of play. Honestly I haven't seen a QB jump to throw the ball since the old clips of when the forward pass was first utilized in the NFL.
MBB seems to have upgraded their talent significantly. As importantly, the coaching staff appears to be exceptional.
Women's softball and gymnastics are good. Rugby remains at the top along with several Olympic sports.
Bigger areas of concern for me are when is Knowlton going to be gone? Who will replace Christ and will they be friendly to athletics? Until then I don't see a lot changing on the Cal athletic landscape.
You need an "anxious" option in the poll. I think we've taken some significant steps forward in basketball and football coaching. If not for the existential conference drama, I'd probably be cautiously excited.
We're on our last legs. Backs are against the wall. If the 2022 season is repeated in 2023 we can kiss our place in the Big 10 goodbye. And open ourselves up to the likely possibility of being rejected from modern power 5 sports for the rest of time.
(In the event that either Oregon/UW defect to the Big 10 or the Big 12 poaches some south schools)
But thankfully it seems some alumni have noticed our scary predicament and finally provided our athletic department with much needed NIL money. A 6-6 record in football and a tournament appearance in basketball that wakes up the student turn out numbers would be more valuable to us now than it ever has been in the past. And honestly, I believe in Madsen, I believe in Spav, I think we can do it. THE BEAR WOULD NOT QUIT, THE BEAR WOULD NOT DIE!
Given the uncertainty of the Pac-12, Christ's eventual departure, and Knowlton's continued leadership, there's a lot to be nervous about. But I'm really enjoying the current sunshine coming out of the MBB and football programs while it lasts.
Something tells me if Cal finally starts putting points on the board with this new offense, the defense will have a collapse. It's almost scripted that a guy like Wilcox is not going to have everything running smoothly at the same time. I mean, he hasn't in 7 seasons, right? On the other hand, most HC's with that level of mediocrity are not given an 8th season to make things right. Who knows?
Christ’s retirement is a good start…wish her the best, but change was needed. Knowlton absolutely needs to be gone, ASAP…Madsen was certainly a great hire, no doubt about it, but Montgomery and Jay John were just as responsible for that lead, if not more so. If the team is just competitive this year, as they should be, things should get going again quickly. However, it all comes down to football, IMO.
Now more than ever, football needs to right the ship. Given the uncertainty surrounding the NCAA landscape, this is as big a year for the football program as we’ve seen in a long while. The schedule is real tough (thanks a bunch for the early September trip to Denton, TX, Sonny, you punk) and while I remain hopeful, Wilcox remains just a huge question mark. I hope he gets things turned around, but it really is just a leap of faith right now….a rising blue tide on the gridiron is literally the key to survival right now.
I’ve always felt like collegiate athletic success is either an extremely iterative process in that one generation places allegorical rings on the ladder so that the next can go higher and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that; or a process driven by big personality coaches who can 180 programs in a year or two.
The problem with us is our clock has been ticking for quite a while and the rungs are slowly rusting away and we don’t appear to have coaches (other than Madden) with the potential to 180 a program. We’re getting to the point that recruits no longer idolize an Aaron Rodgers, Desean Jackson, Jahvid, CJ, Marshawn, et al and those days are long since gone in basketball.
All said I think on the football side we still have a glimmer of ability to recruit based on alumni recognition but have lost all hope on success being driven by good coaching. On the basketball side our hope is that a big personality coach can 180 us. I think Madsen can but I’m pensive because he could leave for an NBA gig in a heartbeat whereas with Wilcox the opposite worries me. I worry we might get stuck with him.
We most certainly are at an inflection point but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A good season from Wilcox and Madsen and big invite is a near certainty. A bad one and we’re riding this bitch (the p12) not just til the wheels fall off but until it crashes into an Acme Bread van and bursts into flames.
I agree that we are stuck with Wilcox for 3 or 4 years. What the hell compelled Knowlton to give him such a generous extension especially when Troy Taylor was ripe for the picking. I continue to be stewed about Taylor in red when he could have come home. My preference for the next AD is Mark Orr...
I think the Bears have made some good moves this year....especially with the hires in mens BB and football. However, I'm extremely discouraged in the larger picture of college sports. I think the transfer portal is ruining important traditions in college sports. There is no loyalty among the players and that will lead to a lack of identity and loyalty by fans. It's terrible to see what Colorado football has done and what has happened with all the transfers of even key players from the basketball programs throughout the conference. Yes, it's hard to see Troy Taylor at Stanford, but, Stanford has suffered more than any other school because of the new transfer rules. He's going to have a very hard time staying out of the cellar and they have lost key players, and brought in almost no one.
Madsen is a huge upgrade for MBB. His enthusiasm and recruiting are a nice surprise for a sad basketball program the last 5 years.
Coach Wilcox hiring new offensive coaches is something he needed to do, probably earlier than he did, but things look promising with the new recruits for '23 and '24.
And, BTW, screw The Bruins and USC. Hope they get hammered.
This will be the biggest make-or-break year in Cal athletics in over a decade. Last make-or-break year was the 2012 season when Memorial finished renovations, and we all know how that one went...
- HUGE year for Cal football. It's vital that they show considerable improvement especially on offense. If not, it could be crushing for both recruiting, the portal, and for conference realignment
- Cal MBB and the need for the practice facility. If they can ink that in, it would be monumental for the program and give Madsen the tools to recruit the best (which I think he can)
- Cal WBB overhauled their roster, big year for them
- Conference realignment
- We need a chancellor that cares about sports and new AD that is actually good. Last time Cal football was good was when we had a good chancellor and a good AD
For California through and through. Go Bears!
Better hurry up,I have been waiting since Joe Kapp took us to the Rose
Bowl and I’m running out of time.Lets
Win one fot the octogenarians
Don't fully get the pessimism. Won 3 nattys, softball made a good run in the regional, women's gymnastics almost made the final show. MBB can only go up from where it is and recruiting for both MBB and FB has been way better. 21st overall in the directors cup. The major sports year was rough but Cal did pretty well outside those sports and is trending upwards.
I have grave concerns about the Pac-12 situation and the possibility that Cal could find itself reaching out to the Mountain West for a lifeline for 2024. Until that gets resolved, I have no optimism whatsoever, because all of the recruiting gains we may have made can disappear in the portal just as easily as we found them.
It's cool that some of the Olympic sports are doing well, but contrast that with the issues with women's swimming & diving and soccer.
All-in, I have trouble understanding why any Cal supporter is better than neutral right now.
I agree with the damning accusations around some of the programs. IMO that is the biggest blight. I don't agree that Cal will end up in the MWC. If the PAC12 falls apart the B10 will come in and scoop them up on a reduced payout. Which I think is truly what the B10 wants. Get Cal, Oregon, UW and Stanford on the cheap, control the west coast TV market/recruiting map, and have a conference that runs from the Pacific to the Atlantic. If the PAC falls apart those schools have zero leverage and will have to take the best deal available which IMO will be a reduced B10 deal. Or Cal goes to the B12, because as much as they wont admit it Cal/Stanford etc is a much better add than Tulane...
As much as I'd love to have a regular excuse to return to my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, I'm definitely not convinced of Cal's value to the B1G.
The B1G is not a charity, and they would get all the benefits of the SF media market by bringing Stanford (a team with much bigger brand value) into the conference. There's no need for Cal - we'd be dilutive to the share of media rights going to other teams (even with a reduced share). And if you think Stanford would decline that offer just because Cal didn't get a golden ticket, you haven't been paying attention.
I'm similarly not convinced that the Cal administration would conclude that being part of the Big 12 is worth that much more than the MW.
I think its debatable that Stanford is a bigger brand. I'd say majority of Northern California sides with Cal Fandom. The B1G isn't a charity but the B1G presidents who sign these deals understand the academic implications of bringing in a school like Cal from a research funding/coordination standpoint. It's why we are hearing about UVA being vetted from the ACC (Basically our ACC equivalent). I think people are too focused on the now vs looking at the ceilings of programs. How is UVA being looked at more seriously than Clemson? Have to think about what does Clemson become if they are just a .500 football team. 15 years ago more people watched Cal than Clemson. Cal will always have elite academics. In the Bay Area and California in general, it's not the same fandom/passion as in other areas. Too many choices/too much to do. But when teams do well they draw. Think of what the warriors have become in 15 years. Or on the other hand see what has happened to the Sharks attendance numbers from their golden age 2005-2018. My point: Cal has a high ceiling, higher than most people give it credit for. B10 can buy low now and see what it can become in an elevated conference.
I'll try to take these in order.
I'd say that the vast majority of Northern California is indifferent (at best) about college sports in the Bay Area, and don't have any interest at all in either team. College football and MBB ratings in the Bay Area bear that out.
I can guarantee that none of the B1G Presidents are thinking that Cal's academic prestige has any value when it comes to making B1G decisions (other than the absence of academic reputation would be fatal). It's all about the product on the field that is sold to the media companies. Research funding/coordination doesn't weigh into it. Any coordination among top tier schools is already happening, and/or they're competing with each other.
UVa isn't being looked at by the ACC more seriously than Clemson - they're frantically trying to come up with options for if/when Clemson bolts for the SEC. UVa would be one.
And sure, Cal has a high ceiling, but that's a ceiling they haven't seen in almost 30 years, and there's minimal data that would lead an observant Cal fan to conclude that we're going to reach it anytime soon.
We have to be realistic here. Otherwise you may have your heart obliterated.
Agree with your first point but California likes winners and shows up when teams do well.
Academics does matter/certainly does not hurt when your academics are as elite/powerful as Cal/Stanford. If that was the case why didn't the B10 go after UO or specifically UW and grab the Seattle market? UCLA is an easy travel partner but if it's purely about the product on the field...
This is a recent article so maybe you have missed it but it outlines why UNC/UVA are most desired by the B10 as of now. It's widely reported that UVA is being looked at over Clemson.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/37842854/college-realignment-latest-colorado-pac-12-big-12-acc
The Bay Area is almost exclusively a pro market. To get more attendance Cal would have to either win more or giveaway free tickets. Creative marketing is called for. In an era where TV revenue trumps all you might as well give away tickets to generate more eyeballs, higher TV ratings, and a greater online following.
I'll also add, the B10 isn't just competing with the SEC. They also are competing with the NFL who would love nothing more to see CFB fandoms killed off and then start playing Saturday games like the Patriots vs 49ers and outdraw the CFB game of the week which then would reduce the value of college TV deals.
I agree, but tell me how likely it is that a game involving the 2024 version of the Cal Bears will keep B1G fans plastered to their seat?
Check the ratings of Nebraska/Rutgers games in the NYC media market and multiply by 0.75 to find out...
They would take us (and Stanford) in a heartbeat, but I think the administration at both schools would rather shutter the doors than be in the Big 12.
I don't buy that. They might be too academic for our liking but they are not dumb. You don't walk away from a lucrative money making venture for your school.
Quick google search had them finish 3rd in 2010-2011. So as "bad" as this year was finishing 21st isn't some historic drop-off. Cal hasn't cracked the top 10 since that year.
They finished 27th the prior year so this year was actually an objective improvement...
Every sport is weighed the same but unfortunately Mens rowing doesn't count because it isn't organized by the NCAA. But using the same point structure they use for other sports Cal would have jumped up to 16th overall.
Always hype for Cal Athletics. And don’t sleep on the women’s gymnastics program
I haven't seen enough of an upgrade on the football side of the ball to be optimistic. There have been a few linemen added through the portal that "might" be an improvement but that is tbd. The bigger tbd is the QB. I'm not impressed as most are and doubt he can survive a season of play given his style of play. Honestly I haven't seen a QB jump to throw the ball since the old clips of when the forward pass was first utilized in the NFL.
MBB seems to have upgraded their talent significantly. As importantly, the coaching staff appears to be exceptional.
Women's softball and gymnastics are good. Rugby remains at the top along with several Olympic sports.
Bigger areas of concern for me are when is Knowlton going to be gone? Who will replace Christ and will they be friendly to athletics? Until then I don't see a lot changing on the Cal athletic landscape.
You need an "anxious" option in the poll. I think we've taken some significant steps forward in basketball and football coaching. If not for the existential conference drama, I'd probably be cautiously excited.
But, instead, mostly anxious.
We're on our last legs. Backs are against the wall. If the 2022 season is repeated in 2023 we can kiss our place in the Big 10 goodbye. And open ourselves up to the likely possibility of being rejected from modern power 5 sports for the rest of time.
(In the event that either Oregon/UW defect to the Big 10 or the Big 12 poaches some south schools)
But thankfully it seems some alumni have noticed our scary predicament and finally provided our athletic department with much needed NIL money. A 6-6 record in football and a tournament appearance in basketball that wakes up the student turn out numbers would be more valuable to us now than it ever has been in the past. And honestly, I believe in Madsen, I believe in Spav, I think we can do it. THE BEAR WOULD NOT QUIT, THE BEAR WOULD NOT DIE!
Given the uncertainty of the Pac-12, Christ's eventual departure, and Knowlton's continued leadership, there's a lot to be nervous about. But I'm really enjoying the current sunshine coming out of the MBB and football programs while it lasts.
Something tells me if Cal finally starts putting points on the board with this new offense, the defense will have a collapse. It's almost scripted that a guy like Wilcox is not going to have everything running smoothly at the same time. I mean, he hasn't in 7 seasons, right? On the other hand, most HC's with that level of mediocrity are not given an 8th season to make things right. Who knows?
Christ’s retirement is a good start…wish her the best, but change was needed. Knowlton absolutely needs to be gone, ASAP…Madsen was certainly a great hire, no doubt about it, but Montgomery and Jay John were just as responsible for that lead, if not more so. If the team is just competitive this year, as they should be, things should get going again quickly. However, it all comes down to football, IMO.
Now more than ever, football needs to right the ship. Given the uncertainty surrounding the NCAA landscape, this is as big a year for the football program as we’ve seen in a long while. The schedule is real tough (thanks a bunch for the early September trip to Denton, TX, Sonny, you punk) and while I remain hopeful, Wilcox remains just a huge question mark. I hope he gets things turned around, but it really is just a leap of faith right now….a rising blue tide on the gridiron is literally the key to survival right now.
I feel pensive and let me frame it…
I’ve always felt like collegiate athletic success is either an extremely iterative process in that one generation places allegorical rings on the ladder so that the next can go higher and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that; or a process driven by big personality coaches who can 180 programs in a year or two.
The problem with us is our clock has been ticking for quite a while and the rungs are slowly rusting away and we don’t appear to have coaches (other than Madden) with the potential to 180 a program. We’re getting to the point that recruits no longer idolize an Aaron Rodgers, Desean Jackson, Jahvid, CJ, Marshawn, et al and those days are long since gone in basketball.
All said I think on the football side we still have a glimmer of ability to recruit based on alumni recognition but have lost all hope on success being driven by good coaching. On the basketball side our hope is that a big personality coach can 180 us. I think Madsen can but I’m pensive because he could leave for an NBA gig in a heartbeat whereas with Wilcox the opposite worries me. I worry we might get stuck with him.
We most certainly are at an inflection point but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A good season from Wilcox and Madsen and big invite is a near certainty. A bad one and we’re riding this bitch (the p12) not just til the wheels fall off but until it crashes into an Acme Bread van and bursts into flames.
I agree that we are stuck with Wilcox for 3 or 4 years. What the hell compelled Knowlton to give him such a generous extension especially when Troy Taylor was ripe for the picking. I continue to be stewed about Taylor in red when he could have come home. My preference for the next AD is Mark Orr...
Neutral. A lot has to be proven now that we cannot assume the revenue sports will regularly attain even .500 records.
So...I'm saying there's a chance....Always excited, dang facts notwithstanding..GO BEARS!!!!!!!!
I will be surprised if we end the season 5-7 or better. Going bowling prob has same odds as getting into the B1G
I think the Bears have made some good moves this year....especially with the hires in mens BB and football. However, I'm extremely discouraged in the larger picture of college sports. I think the transfer portal is ruining important traditions in college sports. There is no loyalty among the players and that will lead to a lack of identity and loyalty by fans. It's terrible to see what Colorado football has done and what has happened with all the transfers of even key players from the basketball programs throughout the conference. Yes, it's hard to see Troy Taylor at Stanford, but, Stanford has suffered more than any other school because of the new transfer rules. He's going to have a very hard time staying out of the cellar and they have lost key players, and brought in almost no one.