Looked like we might shock the world for a bit. Oh well.
I do think Dort, Ilic, and Kocanas played well enough for Madsen to use two big sets. They also stayed out of foul trouble while Duke didn't. Cam Boozer is just really tough and led in both points and boards. Camden took the brunt of it defensively and fouled out.
Offensively, Camden finding his shot was a good sign but Bell, Pippen, and Ames were ice cold. Could have been VERY interesting if we shot better.
The rebounding disparity really tells the whole story—16 offensive boards for Duke versus 6 for Cal is brutal when every miss becomes another Blue Devil possession. That 13-0 run to close the first half killed all the early momentum from the Haas crowd. Camden's defensive effort on Boozer in the first half (holding him to 4 points) shows Cal had the tools to compete, but Duke's size in the paint (42 points there) was too much to overcome once they started focusing on high-percentage shots insted of jumpers.
Another missed opportunity, esp. with Stanfurd beating UNC. Kyle Smith is the real deal as a coach.
I like the way Ilic came out. Seemed to be playing with more confidence early. I hope he can keep channeling that energy.
Overall, the game reminded me of Virginia in that the Bear were competitive up until the waning minutes of the first half...when the other team goes on a run to create a sizable disparity going into half time....and then never fully recovering. Our second half mojo has not been there lately.
I do think the Bears will be a better team after getting their butts kicked around. Hopefully, we'll do better against the lesser ACC foes....but first, we need to have a morale boosting performance against UNC, who will be looking to respond after losing at the Farm. Are they vulnerable? Or will they come back inspired? Probably the latter....
Cal is closer to Ga Tech (home and away), FSU (away), and BC (away) than they are UVA, LOU, etc. - those games will be the measuring stick. You have 4 games v those schools, and one against Pitt….plus one at Wake. That’s 6. Plus home v. FURD and SMU. Can they grab some W’s out of those, because they're gonna have to…
With Rytis lost for the year, I’m hoping we can get to 7-11 in ACC play. That’s probably the ceiling of this roster.
Agreed. The 2H schedule is much more conducive…1H was brutal.
And there are still things to like - I hate “moral victories” but they hung with a legit title contender for 30 minutes despite poor shooting. Carr will continue to gain experience, Ilic is starting to settle in, Kocanas is getting legit run and will hopefully improve to the point that he can spell Dort some and maybe defend without fouling, which would be a positive for him because his O is a work in progress now…Campbell is back, and if he can give you what they got last night in spot minutes, that’s great. You can win with that v non-elite teams
Ideally though, you limit the games where multiple starters struggle. That’s gonna be tough for this roster to overcome. Don’t need 20 a night from everyone, but these 1-10, 2-12 nights are daggers.
An NIT berth for this club would be a legitimate step for MM and the program.
I know much of Cal’s poor offensive showing was due to Duke’s defensive pressure, but Cal had plenty of opportunities. The Bears were zero for six on layup attempts, Duke ten of eighteen. Granted, Dort got four successful wide open dunks as described in this article. But Cal couldn’t shoot a spitball into the ocean for long stretches in this game. Wide open threes were not falling, and Pippen seemed a step slow and out of whack with his shot. Bell had an off night shooting, and Carr lacked the confident spark he’s shown in recent outings, turning the ball over three times in limited action. Good to see Camden finally recover his three range for the game. Campbell provided some quality minutes, and Dort and Ilich were productive. It’s frustrating for Cal to look so off overall when it mattered, when the arena was packed to the gills. The biggest roar (or so it sounded on my tv) was in the first couple of minutes, as Bell hit from long range; a glimpse of what Haas can be. Only 56 points in this marquee affair is hard to stomach. Up 30-24 with five+ mins remaining in the 1st half, then to score just 26 points the rest of the way. Ouch.
Also, there's a reason they call it a "lay up" because you literally just have to lay the ball up into the basket. Do this rather than dunk so hard the ball bounces off into the distance.
Ya, Furd is better than us. Have heard people argue that Cal is actually more talented, which is silly. They have a legit NBA talent, a deeper team, they rebound, they defend, and Kyle Smith is a great X’s and O’s HC.
Yesterday was fluky, as two 7 ppg role guys EACH banged 5+ threes, but that’s the way you upset top-25 teams…Cal doesn’t hit those open looks.
Very disappointing to see Stanford slowly but surely climbing back up the ladder by beating nationally ranked teams at home and Cal not able to do this same.
Looked like we might shock the world for a bit. Oh well.
I do think Dort, Ilic, and Kocanas played well enough for Madsen to use two big sets. They also stayed out of foul trouble while Duke didn't. Cam Boozer is just really tough and led in both points and boards. Camden took the brunt of it defensively and fouled out.
Offensively, Camden finding his shot was a good sign but Bell, Pippen, and Ames were ice cold. Could have been VERY interesting if we shot better.
The rebounding disparity really tells the whole story—16 offensive boards for Duke versus 6 for Cal is brutal when every miss becomes another Blue Devil possession. That 13-0 run to close the first half killed all the early momentum from the Haas crowd. Camden's defensive effort on Boozer in the first half (holding him to 4 points) shows Cal had the tools to compete, but Duke's size in the paint (42 points there) was too much to overcome once they started focusing on high-percentage shots insted of jumpers.
Saturday January 17— no NC game thread, maybe fearing that history will repeat itself .
But the Bears are shooting the lights out! At the half, Cal leads 54-37!
And the Bears held on to win! 84-78
Meanwhile Duke is handling you-know-who
Another missed opportunity, esp. with Stanfurd beating UNC. Kyle Smith is the real deal as a coach.
I like the way Ilic came out. Seemed to be playing with more confidence early. I hope he can keep channeling that energy.
Overall, the game reminded me of Virginia in that the Bear were competitive up until the waning minutes of the first half...when the other team goes on a run to create a sizable disparity going into half time....and then never fully recovering. Our second half mojo has not been there lately.
I do think the Bears will be a better team after getting their butts kicked around. Hopefully, we'll do better against the lesser ACC foes....but first, we need to have a morale boosting performance against UNC, who will be looking to respond after losing at the Farm. Are they vulnerable? Or will they come back inspired? Probably the latter....
We are the lesser ACC foes. ;-)
Cal is closer to Ga Tech (home and away), FSU (away), and BC (away) than they are UVA, LOU, etc. - those games will be the measuring stick. You have 4 games v those schools, and one against Pitt….plus one at Wake. That’s 6. Plus home v. FURD and SMU. Can they grab some W’s out of those, because they're gonna have to…
With Rytis lost for the year, I’m hoping we can get to 7-11 in ACC play. That’s probably the ceiling of this roster.
Yeah, though I am expecting a hot streak down the stretch to close out.
Agreed. The 2H schedule is much more conducive…1H was brutal.
And there are still things to like - I hate “moral victories” but they hung with a legit title contender for 30 minutes despite poor shooting. Carr will continue to gain experience, Ilic is starting to settle in, Kocanas is getting legit run and will hopefully improve to the point that he can spell Dort some and maybe defend without fouling, which would be a positive for him because his O is a work in progress now…Campbell is back, and if he can give you what they got last night in spot minutes, that’s great. You can win with that v non-elite teams
Ideally though, you limit the games where multiple starters struggle. That’s gonna be tough for this roster to overcome. Don’t need 20 a night from everyone, but these 1-10, 2-12 nights are daggers.
An NIT berth for this club would be a legitimate step for MM and the program.
My thoughts as well.
I know much of Cal’s poor offensive showing was due to Duke’s defensive pressure, but Cal had plenty of opportunities. The Bears were zero for six on layup attempts, Duke ten of eighteen. Granted, Dort got four successful wide open dunks as described in this article. But Cal couldn’t shoot a spitball into the ocean for long stretches in this game. Wide open threes were not falling, and Pippen seemed a step slow and out of whack with his shot. Bell had an off night shooting, and Carr lacked the confident spark he’s shown in recent outings, turning the ball over three times in limited action. Good to see Camden finally recover his three range for the game. Campbell provided some quality minutes, and Dort and Ilich were productive. It’s frustrating for Cal to look so off overall when it mattered, when the arena was packed to the gills. The biggest roar (or so it sounded on my tv) was in the first couple of minutes, as Bell hit from long range; a glimpse of what Haas can be. Only 56 points in this marquee affair is hard to stomach. Up 30-24 with five+ mins remaining in the 1st half, then to score just 26 points the rest of the way. Ouch.
Also, there's a reason they call it a "lay up" because you literally just have to lay the ball up into the basket. Do this rather than dunk so hard the ball bounces off into the distance.
As a whole, this Cal team does struggle to finish around the tin, which is frustrating.
Definitely!
Has football started?
I’m not much if an expert but my eyeballs told me that Duke is an outstanding team. No shame in losing to them.
The problem though is that Furd appears to be better than us.
Ya, Furd is better than us. Have heard people argue that Cal is actually more talented, which is silly. They have a legit NBA talent, a deeper team, they rebound, they defend, and Kyle Smith is a great X’s and O’s HC.
Yesterday was fluky, as two 7 ppg role guys EACH banged 5+ threes, but that’s the way you upset top-25 teams…Cal doesn’t hit those open looks.
Very disappointing to see Stanford slowly but surely climbing back up the ladder by beating nationally ranked teams at home and Cal not able to do this same.