9 Comments

I get it. Newell may find somewhere he can start. And maybe he would next year at Cal if he stayed. But the portal giveth and taketh. Wish him well and I thank him for his contributions!

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Will be interesting to see how ACC competition affects Cal's recruiting vis a vis OG Pac12 teams.

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Until proven otherwise, in Madsen I trust. He knows full well what he needs on his roster and to the extent any of this up to him, he will make choices about who he fights to retain and who he wishes well in departure. It's stressful to see many familiar names leaving, but so it goes for now until he builds the team of players he chose.

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Not being as roster-savvy as so many of my fellow WFC readers, I truly appreciate the context these updates provide. Upon reading the dreaded “portal” in the headline, my gut reaction always contains a thread of panic. And sometimes it’s warranted (In football, Jeremiah Hunter and Kaleb Elarms-Orr come to mind). However, as with today’s, the backstory allows me to feel that the move might be a positive for all concerned. And lastly, I always appreciate the good sportsmanship on display when the writer wishes the departing player good luck in the future and gratitude for their service to Cal. That’s the kind of example I like to see set for a world that seems to have forgotten some of the most basic kindnesses and manners that keep things proceeding more smoothly.

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There is a troubling movement among college coaches, Saban and Kelly for instance, growing due to the portal and NIL. It is the fact that they are starting to retire or downsize their coaching responsibilities from head coach to assistant or try for NFL jobs. They are saying they really can't develop players skills and loyalty when the players only want to know how many $'s they can make if they stay or transfer. It's sad and college sports are not in a good situation because of it.

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Mar 19·edited Mar 19

I lke Newell but he never had a break through game to become a starter. Im sure he wants to go somewhere where he can start.

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I feel like he could have been an impact player. He rarely got any looks w the two man game of JT and Daws with Jalen Cone and the other guards getting more touches on that offensive rotation. I was really looking forward to seeing Newell have a bigger role in the offense next year. He contributed more as a freshman last year and given more touches can certainly fill up the stat sheet. I would hope that Madsen worked hard to keep him and I’m sorry to see him go.

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I agree. Thought he had lots of potential. He could create his own shots, tough inside, athletic. He seemed to be in his head this year. Sorry to see him go.

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He was not an impact player, especially in the ACC.

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