I think we should be able to make strong case in the offseason that this is a coach and a program on the rise, and put the pieces together to go to the tournament next time. This isn’t the broken program of the last 2 coaches.
Next up is donor support, which Knowlton singlehandedly basically killed off.
Hopefully this stretch gets the financial dominos falling, which is essential if the program is going to capitalize on this momentum. As we’ve seen, it’s impossible to have the necessary quality depth without NIL $ and Cal MBB is at the bottom of the list in that regard. A number of donors have been funneled to football…need a MBB GM in the worst way.
It's pretty unlikely that Cal catches multiple teams ahead of us, but as long as we can hang on to a top half conference finish we'll get a first round bye in the conference tournament and avoid a no-upside game.
Huge step forward for the program. We're still not deep, but we've managed to weather injuries to key players in ways we couldn't before. And we're seeing role players develop throughout the season. Tourney or not, we've already my exceeded expectations and I am so proud of what the team and Madsen has done.
I think the fact that we have been able to still have success without Dort and Rytis suggests we are somewhat deep, just maybe lacking elite backup talent at a few key positions (esp. at center). I think Ilic has been a plus player, overall.
We are deep at point guard (finally) and many of our points are more combo guards that can play 1/2/or even 3. Interestingly, we don't really have 3 beyond Chris Bell. We could definitely use a 2/3 that can drive and has nice touch around the basket. Pippen playing on or off ball is the closest thing we have and I hope he continues to develop his touch; he's great at drawing fouls. DaiDai lacks the length to be a great finisher but has a deadly pull-up game. DJ has good energy can drive the lane (and can be a plus shooter at low volume) but is a little out of control around the rim. When Bell commits he is a deadly shooter and can fly. Really, we're a great 3-point and foul-shooting team that plays good defense (most of the time). Sad we don't get more time with Camden.
Really hoping we can retain DaiDai, Pippen, Rytis (maybe on an injury extension waiver??), Dort, Carr...and excited to see what we have in Ruff-- then build around that. All in all, I love this team and coaching staff and fingers crossed that they can finish strong, and keep building. Sucks that we'll probably lose one of the above to portal, but hope springs eternal. Go Bears.
I think this is accurate. We need to run 2-deep across the board to properly compete and just aren't there, especially defensively inside. Ilic and even Kocanas look much improved offensively compared to early in the season. Honestly, they leveled up just in time to keep us on the bubble.
Hoping that some of our football swagger spills over to basketball. Thrilled by what we've done and the progress we've made in hoops. I'm sure we'll be dividing the revenue sharing similar to other programs so maybe we'll continue our ascendance.
Thank you, Nick. Always a slice of sunshine, a healthy dose or reality, and keeping it all in perspective. That 2010 season was pure magic -- I remember Hass lit up when the baby bear cubs came to visit. It would be tremendous to make the tourney, but even if we just eke out a winning conference record, this season would be an overwhelming success. Dare I say, athletic momentum is with us -- maybe the Tosh Tornado benefits hoops as well?
The picture with 4 Bears defending Okorie is telling, but as you pointed out Cal’s blitzing effectively shut him down (scored 17 inefficient points (3 assts, 3 TOs)
I agree with your “lightning quick” description and he is lockdown defender. No one could drive on him including Pippin and Dai Dai.
But gotta say Dai Dai’s “lightning quick” spin move was elite.
Very interesting shot clock map and confirms what I’ve noticed in recent games … that teams are scheming to have a rim protector when Dai Dai got the ball.
Bell and Camden provided the points, and it was an excellent team rebounding effort with starting five grabbing 7 (Milos, Pippin, Ames), 8 Camden (none bigger than the rebound off the missed FT at the end), and nice to see Bell with 4.
He was a transfer portal big addition out of Grand Canyon, where he flashed upside as a FR in the post in limited PT (only 5 GP in PHX). He was initially ticketed to be the backup to Lee Dort but suffered a lower-body injury in the summer and has been slow to get back. This made Milos Ilic Dort’s primary backup, and while he has improved offensively and at the FT line over the season, his defense is unfortunately nowhere near competent enough in a league as strong as the ACC. Ideally, Milos is playing 10-12 minutes in a bench role but now he’s being asked to play 30. We’re 4-3, which is a solid record down your only legit P4 big.
Sammie offers size, some athleticism, length and hopefully defense, but is incredibly raw after having seen action in only 7 career games now over almost 2 full NCAA seasons. He CAN hit the 3, but as we have seen, his shot is still a work in progress as he rounds into form. He is struggling to defend without fouling, although so is Ilic. Ideally, he continues to see 3-4 mpg, and works out some of the kinks. He’s more physical and athletic than Ilic, so if he can shake off the rust, he offers the possibility of better rim protection at the very least, though ideally Lee Dort returns sooner rather than later and they can tag team the post with a combo of Dort, Ilic, Yeanay, and a little Mantas.
I think we should be able to make strong case in the offseason that this is a coach and a program on the rise, and put the pieces together to go to the tournament next time. This isn’t the broken program of the last 2 coaches.
It’s been a great season.
Next up is donor support, which Knowlton singlehandedly basically killed off.
Hopefully this stretch gets the financial dominos falling, which is essential if the program is going to capitalize on this momentum. As we’ve seen, it’s impossible to have the necessary quality depth without NIL $ and Cal MBB is at the bottom of the list in that regard. A number of donors have been funneled to football…need a MBB GM in the worst way.
Excellent as always, Nick.
It's pretty unlikely that Cal catches multiple teams ahead of us, but as long as we can hang on to a top half conference finish we'll get a first round bye in the conference tournament and avoid a no-upside game.
Huge step forward for the program. We're still not deep, but we've managed to weather injuries to key players in ways we couldn't before. And we're seeing role players develop throughout the season. Tourney or not, we've already my exceeded expectations and I am so proud of what the team and Madsen has done.
Right! Imagine if we had Dort and Rytis Petraitis
Even just 1.
I think the fact that we have been able to still have success without Dort and Rytis suggests we are somewhat deep, just maybe lacking elite backup talent at a few key positions (esp. at center). I think Ilic has been a plus player, overall.
We are deep at point guard (finally) and many of our points are more combo guards that can play 1/2/or even 3. Interestingly, we don't really have 3 beyond Chris Bell. We could definitely use a 2/3 that can drive and has nice touch around the basket. Pippen playing on or off ball is the closest thing we have and I hope he continues to develop his touch; he's great at drawing fouls. DaiDai lacks the length to be a great finisher but has a deadly pull-up game. DJ has good energy can drive the lane (and can be a plus shooter at low volume) but is a little out of control around the rim. When Bell commits he is a deadly shooter and can fly. Really, we're a great 3-point and foul-shooting team that plays good defense (most of the time). Sad we don't get more time with Camden.
Really hoping we can retain DaiDai, Pippen, Rytis (maybe on an injury extension waiver??), Dort, Carr...and excited to see what we have in Ruff-- then build around that. All in all, I love this team and coaching staff and fingers crossed that they can finish strong, and keep building. Sucks that we'll probably lose one of the above to portal, but hope springs eternal. Go Bears.
I think this is accurate. We need to run 2-deep across the board to properly compete and just aren't there, especially defensively inside. Ilic and even Kocanas look much improved offensively compared to early in the season. Honestly, they leveled up just in time to keep us on the bubble.
Hoping that some of our football swagger spills over to basketball. Thrilled by what we've done and the progress we've made in hoops. I'm sure we'll be dividing the revenue sharing similar to other programs so maybe we'll continue our ascendance.
Thank you, Nick. Always a slice of sunshine, a healthy dose or reality, and keeping it all in perspective. That 2010 season was pure magic -- I remember Hass lit up when the baby bear cubs came to visit. It would be tremendous to make the tourney, but even if we just eke out a winning conference record, this season would be an overwhelming success. Dare I say, athletic momentum is with us -- maybe the Tosh Tornado benefits hoops as well?
Let’s raise NIL for men’s and women’s basketball and all Cal sports!
Stanford sweep!!!
The picture with 4 Bears defending Okorie is telling, but as you pointed out Cal’s blitzing effectively shut him down (scored 17 inefficient points (3 assts, 3 TOs)
I agree with your “lightning quick” description and he is lockdown defender. No one could drive on him including Pippin and Dai Dai.
But gotta say Dai Dai’s “lightning quick” spin move was elite.
Very interesting shot clock map and confirms what I’ve noticed in recent games … that teams are scheming to have a rim protector when Dai Dai got the ball.
Bell and Camden provided the points, and it was an excellent team rebounding effort with starting five grabbing 7 (Milos, Pippin, Ames), 8 Camden (none bigger than the rebound off the missed FT at the end), and nice to see Bell with 4.
Yes, that rebound by Camden was BIG!
Can you give some insight on #23 getting playing time? Function of fatigue?
Sammie Yeanay.
He was a transfer portal big addition out of Grand Canyon, where he flashed upside as a FR in the post in limited PT (only 5 GP in PHX). He was initially ticketed to be the backup to Lee Dort but suffered a lower-body injury in the summer and has been slow to get back. This made Milos Ilic Dort’s primary backup, and while he has improved offensively and at the FT line over the season, his defense is unfortunately nowhere near competent enough in a league as strong as the ACC. Ideally, Milos is playing 10-12 minutes in a bench role but now he’s being asked to play 30. We’re 4-3, which is a solid record down your only legit P4 big.
Sammie offers size, some athleticism, length and hopefully defense, but is incredibly raw after having seen action in only 7 career games now over almost 2 full NCAA seasons. He CAN hit the 3, but as we have seen, his shot is still a work in progress as he rounds into form. He is struggling to defend without fouling, although so is Ilic. Ideally, he continues to see 3-4 mpg, and works out some of the kinks. He’s more physical and athletic than Ilic, so if he can shake off the rust, he offers the possibility of better rim protection at the very least, though ideally Lee Dort returns sooner rather than later and they can tag team the post with a combo of Dort, Ilic, Yeanay, and a little Mantas.