Nov 8Liked by Avinash Kunnath, Rob Hwang, SGBear, BentPawn
Some thoughts:
- Petraitis plays with a lack of self-regard for his body unseen since Jorge Guttierez
- Dort had a ton of energy tonight, on a night where Sissoko looked a bit gassed at points. That said, Sissoko had a three block stretch early in the second half that was impressive
- Trio of Stojakovic, Blacksher, and Omot is going to be the main offense, Campbell and Tucker can score but that's not what they do. Continually impressed with how comfortable Omot looks as a ball-handler at his height
- Peja was there to see his son, was funny looking over when Andrej hit a three and seeing Peja look stone-faced
- Getting some flashes from Wilkinson and Ola-Joseph, still want to see more. Starting Omot was probably the right call over Ola-Joseph, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Petraitis in the other forward spot.
All in all, we'll see how they hold up in Nashville next week
Watching Dort was so enjoyable. I don't know these players really but he and Petraitis were just so fun to watch. On defense, did it seem like we had some slow/poor rotations (BentPawn & Trace)? Like the Mustang play drives to the basket, Cal's big comes to cut off and double but then Cal's backside player doesn't follow the big's player into the lane. Is that a normal issue for game 2?
"On defense, did it seem like we had some slow/poor rotations (BentPawn & Trace)?"
That was an issue on Monday as well, not committing to the switch and being slow on switchbacks. In postgame, I asked about it, and he said the coaches really got into the players as they had been practicing it all week. Madsen was also right in calling out that miscues on switches happen at all levels. It's easy to expect perfection when watching replays, vs the realtime decisions that happen. Much of that is timing, unspoken communications you have with your teammates as how and when to react to those situations. I expect it to get better as the season goes on.
Without watching any replays, I'm willing to chalk it up to how Cal Poly plays (lot of movement, no interior threats), which dragged Sissoko out to the perimeter on switches a couple times, but that is something to keep an eye on
Stojakovic has been underwhelming for the first two games. His father knows that 2 of 9 from 3pt land and 5 of 17 from elsewhere doesn't deserve an overt reaction.
He was really forcing the action yesterday and pressing. Not sure he’s even needed to hoist 17 shots with this team. Last night was certainly one to forget.
Super impressed by Petraitis's energy. Give that man a nickname.
So far lots to like about the team. They faced early adversity and used tough defense to reverse the tide. Will have to see if they can replicate against stronger opponent.
Really fun team to watch, and deep. Lots of personality. Ryan is a beast. Had great stats at Air Force.
Need to be a bit patient with Andrej. He’s pressing a bit, however he is very skilled on the offensive end. Even though he was off, he continued to hustle and dive for loose balls.
Like the 2 center combo of Dort and Sissoko. Dort has pro potential if he continues to develop offensively and stays clean.
Omot has been the biggest surprise so for. Another very skilled played with tons of upside.
Vandy is similar to Cal with 11 transfers, picked to finish 15th is SEC. Good early test for Cal, with legitimate shot at a W.
A little Ginobili-esque. Kind of guy you hate playing against. He's probably going to lure one or two players into technicals at some point this season.
I continue to be impressed with Coach Madsen's approach to rebuilding Cal's basketball program. He brought in a wide range of talent, and it appears that he is using it and its depth to form a tough defensive team. The hope is that if Cal can rebound on the defensive side, they can manufacture points on the offensive side. They need to continue building team play on the offense, learn to set screens, and produce assists. The next two games--Vanderbilt and USC on the road will tell us how fast they are coming along.
Some thoughts:
- Petraitis plays with a lack of self-regard for his body unseen since Jorge Guttierez
- Dort had a ton of energy tonight, on a night where Sissoko looked a bit gassed at points. That said, Sissoko had a three block stretch early in the second half that was impressive
- Trio of Stojakovic, Blacksher, and Omot is going to be the main offense, Campbell and Tucker can score but that's not what they do. Continually impressed with how comfortable Omot looks as a ball-handler at his height
- Peja was there to see his son, was funny looking over when Andrej hit a three and seeing Peja look stone-faced
- Getting some flashes from Wilkinson and Ola-Joseph, still want to see more. Starting Omot was probably the right call over Ola-Joseph, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Petraitis in the other forward spot.
All in all, we'll see how they hold up in Nashville next week
Watching Dort was so enjoyable. I don't know these players really but he and Petraitis were just so fun to watch. On defense, did it seem like we had some slow/poor rotations (BentPawn & Trace)? Like the Mustang play drives to the basket, Cal's big comes to cut off and double but then Cal's backside player doesn't follow the big's player into the lane. Is that a normal issue for game 2?
"On defense, did it seem like we had some slow/poor rotations (BentPawn & Trace)?"
That was an issue on Monday as well, not committing to the switch and being slow on switchbacks. In postgame, I asked about it, and he said the coaches really got into the players as they had been practicing it all week. Madsen was also right in calling out that miscues on switches happen at all levels. It's easy to expect perfection when watching replays, vs the realtime decisions that happen. Much of that is timing, unspoken communications you have with your teammates as how and when to react to those situations. I expect it to get better as the season goes on.
Without watching any replays, I'm willing to chalk it up to how Cal Poly plays (lot of movement, no interior threats), which dragged Sissoko out to the perimeter on switches a couple times, but that is something to keep an eye on
I did notice that Cal became very ballhawkish as the game went on. Much more agrressive in pinching the screen vs encouraging going over/under.
"...lack of self-regard for his body unseen since Jorge Guttierez." This prose is beautiful and so was Jorge's defense.
Stojakovic has been underwhelming for the first two games. His father knows that 2 of 9 from 3pt land and 5 of 17 from elsewhere doesn't deserve an overt reaction.
He was really forcing the action yesterday and pressing. Not sure he’s even needed to hoist 17 shots with this team. Last night was certainly one to forget.
Cal Men’s basketball team is 2-0 with a +31 point differential.
Last time they met those benchmarks was 2016-2017. They finished 21-13
Cal's women's team was also in action yesterday defeating Idaho State, 88-36 at Haas. https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/7/womens-basketball-bears-bash-bengals-88-36.aspx
Super impressed by Petraitis's energy. Give that man a nickname.
So far lots to like about the team. They faced early adversity and used tough defense to reverse the tide. Will have to see if they can replicate against stronger opponent.
We called him the Lithuanian Austin Reeves today.
Really fun team to watch, and deep. Lots of personality. Ryan is a beast. Had great stats at Air Force.
Need to be a bit patient with Andrej. He’s pressing a bit, however he is very skilled on the offensive end. Even though he was off, he continued to hustle and dive for loose balls.
Like the 2 center combo of Dort and Sissoko. Dort has pro potential if he continues to develop offensively and stays clean.
Omot has been the biggest surprise so for. Another very skilled played with tons of upside.
Vandy is similar to Cal with 11 transfers, picked to finish 15th is SEC. Good early test for Cal, with legitimate shot at a W.
Go Bears tonight!!
Blacksher’s got a lot of Kyrie in his game.
and DJ Campbell has vibes of early Houston Rockets Harden.
He needs to work on not dribbling into double teams and traps that lead to TOs.
Or maybe Petraitis being the Bear’s version of Podz?
A little Ginobili-esque. Kind of guy you hate playing against. He's probably going to lure one or two players into technicals at some point this season.
I continue to be impressed with Coach Madsen's approach to rebuilding Cal's basketball program. He brought in a wide range of talent, and it appears that he is using it and its depth to form a tough defensive team. The hope is that if Cal can rebound on the defensive side, they can manufacture points on the offensive side. They need to continue building team play on the offense, learn to set screens, and produce assists. The next two games--Vanderbilt and USC on the road will tell us how fast they are coming along.
Thanks BP.
I like this team….really just scratching the surface.
I caught the tail end of the first half. With the time difference I went to bed at half. Sounds like I missed the best part.
Honestly can't remember a Cal team that looked so deep and balanced. Gonna be a good year (at last)!
The depth is so key.