Great win to build on. My mind automatically jumps to figuring out a path to the NCAA but I need to slow my roll. The team and Coach look solid. Here’s continued improvement and racking up the wins.
The only way is if the ACC gets a massive number of teams in. Which we actually might this year. We just have to be competitive with them, and I don't know that we've played anyone ACC level just yet.
Kenpom is high on the ACC right now. Despite being 65th (which is decent), Cal is 12th in the ACC. The conference is much stronger than last year and could get half its teams in if this keeps up.
The UCLA team showed their size and talent early on with their interior defense and rebounding. But Cal broke them down by disrupting passing lanes, moving the ball, and scoring in transition. Camden taking a shot 5 seconds after the opening tip, to me, suggested to me that Madsen's plan was to choose transition over half court sets whenever possible.
Just a spectacular effort. Gaining 7 steals while only turning the ball over 8 times is my favorite stat, aside from the final score.
Main thing to work on: Dort needs to avoid fouls and Ilic REALLY needs to figure out FTs. I loved our defense but we may be asking Dort to do too much work away from the basket. Maybe game experience is all he needs, but we do need to find a way to keep him on the court at the end of games.
Dort just brain farts randomly throughout the game, and it's so weird. He started out the season so strong. But the ball will be at half court and then we'll just lose it to some weird thing he did. I would mind him fouling out less if he just did it defending the rim.
Dort needs to be smarter and not give the refs any excuse to call fouls. The last 2 foul calls were ridiculous but once a player (especially a big guy) gets a reputation for fouling the refs will simply call fouls on that player every chance they get. This is a historical pattern.
That Utah game is massive. Need to avoid a let down, they just lost to Grand Canyon. 12-1 going into ACC would be glorious and its right there for the taking
Would also love to hear an interview with Madsen about this team and staff. It seems to be largely the same staff as last year, but the style of play is so different. Is that Madsen adapting to his roster? Or was there a change in team/coaching philosophy? Whatever, really proud of Madsen and his staff for assembling and coaching up this amazing team. They have done a fantastic job so far.
This Cal team may or may not be better than the last two seasons in final results but they are so much more fun to watch. The ball moves, the team shares energy, the defense plays on a string. Just much more pleasing. The eventual worry of "who do we throw it to to get a bucket in a clutch situation" will rise up (Dai Dai and Chris Bell in a two man game?) but it's just a lot more joy this year.
I’m ok that the bigs are not much of a threat on offense as long as they play solid D and clean the glass. Dort fouling 30 feet from the basket cannot continue. The team’s good court sense and IQ is welcomed. DJ’s energy was good but not being able to finish gave me flashbacks to teams past. Uptempo pace is the Bears’ game.
This can’t be right. UCLA fans told me they were now the best UC in all things! Were they too overconfident?
Yes, over-confident.
Have they seen UCSD basketball? They might legitimately be better than UCLA lol.
More like UCLOL!
Great win to build on. My mind automatically jumps to figuring out a path to the NCAA but I need to slow my roll. The team and Coach look solid. Here’s continued improvement and racking up the wins.
Nah. After that win you can at least map out a scenario.
Newellbany and I have a plausible one….beat Utah, avoid bad losses, win 8 in ACC, and the 1st round ACCT win and you’re bubble.
Never slow your roll, Dave!! ;-)
The only way is if the ACC gets a massive number of teams in. Which we actually might this year. We just have to be competitive with them, and I don't know that we've played anyone ACC level just yet.
Kenpom is high on the ACC right now. Despite being 65th (which is decent), Cal is 12th in the ACC. The conference is much stronger than last year and could get half its teams in if this keeps up.
It was close to being even crazier. A lot of recent 1-3 point losses to ranked teams, those being wins would have helped boost us a bit more.
The UCLA team showed their size and talent early on with their interior defense and rebounding. But Cal broke them down by disrupting passing lanes, moving the ball, and scoring in transition. Camden taking a shot 5 seconds after the opening tip, to me, suggested to me that Madsen's plan was to choose transition over half court sets whenever possible.
Just a spectacular effort. Gaining 7 steals while only turning the ball over 8 times is my favorite stat, aside from the final score.
Main thing to work on: Dort needs to avoid fouls and Ilic REALLY needs to figure out FTs. I loved our defense but we may be asking Dort to do too much work away from the basket. Maybe game experience is all he needs, but we do need to find a way to keep him on the court at the end of games.
Dort just brain farts randomly throughout the game, and it's so weird. He started out the season so strong. But the ball will be at half court and then we'll just lose it to some weird thing he did. I would mind him fouling out less if he just did it defending the rim.
Dort needs to be smarter and not give the refs any excuse to call fouls. The last 2 foul calls were ridiculous but once a player (especially a big guy) gets a reputation for fouling the refs will simply call fouls on that player every chance they get. This is a historical pattern.
It's been a while to watch great shooting and physical defensive boards. Go Bears.
The Pete Newell uniforms were made for beating UCLA.
That Utah game is massive. Need to avoid a let down, they just lost to Grand Canyon. 12-1 going into ACC would be glorious and its right there for the taking
GIMME
Would also love to hear an interview with Madsen about this team and staff. It seems to be largely the same staff as last year, but the style of play is so different. Is that Madsen adapting to his roster? Or was there a change in team/coaching philosophy? Whatever, really proud of Madsen and his staff for assembling and coaching up this amazing team. They have done a fantastic job so far.
We have point guards who can dribble and pass now :*)
Holy Moly Chris Bell can shoot!
3 legit P4-caliber shooters. Haven’t had that since Cuonzo.
December 30 against #6 Louisville at Haas 👀
There’s a clear path to the Bubble!
This team is fun to watch! Lot of legit scorers, shooting depth, a bit of flair. I like it! Go Bears!!!
Go Bears! A big W. I needed that!
This Cal team may or may not be better than the last two seasons in final results but they are so much more fun to watch. The ball moves, the team shares energy, the defense plays on a string. Just much more pleasing. The eventual worry of "who do we throw it to to get a bucket in a clutch situation" will rise up (Dai Dai and Chris Bell in a two man game?) but it's just a lot more joy this year.
This team will be way better in terms of final results...trust.
I’m ok that the bigs are not much of a threat on offense as long as they play solid D and clean the glass. Dort fouling 30 feet from the basket cannot continue. The team’s good court sense and IQ is welcomed. DJ’s energy was good but not being able to finish gave me flashbacks to teams past. Uptempo pace is the Bears’ game.
Huge confidence-building win, for the players and the fans. Gotta get up to Haas for a game.
If Cal’s football team can rise to the same level of effort, discipline and smarts as MM’s basketball team then football will be in good shape.