There is no way to spin this. The fact that Cal was just 2.5 point favorites over a UCSD team that's in year 3 of even being a DI program is pathetic. Fox has lost this team in week 2.
This game really wasn't even as close as the score...Cal needed an unsustainable effort from the FT line to keep this game tight, going 21-24 (87.5%)...in the first two games of the year, Cal was combined 22-34 (64.7%) from the line...in the Fox era, Cal has shot as a team 73.8% (2019); 69.7% (2020); 72.7% (2021).
UCSD scored 1 FG the final 6+ minutes.
This is probably the worst loss the program has endured in the past 50 years.
Thankfully the disaster of a narrow win was averted, despite the Tritons' best efforts. I believe UCSD had one FG in the final 6 minutes if the game and yet we still lost. Hopefully this finally ratchets up pressure on Fox's seat.
It feels disgusting and miserable to root against Cal in even a single game but continued bad losses are the only reason we might see change.
Well, you would think the only way meaningful change will take place is with losses, but Justin Wilcox parlayed L's into a contract extension, so there's that.
The seeds of this Athletic Department incompetence were planted by Chancellor Dirks in 2014...this is the logical result.
The only thing Cal MBB has going for it is that it has some recent history as a functional program that would get high caliber talent / student athletes and would compete for tournaments every few years. A good, not great program. The further we drift away from those years, the harder it will be to get back. It turns out the "safe" pick is very often the worst pick, because it sends the message to recruits, fans and amateur coaches that your heart is only half in it. No one cares to sign up for that, except only if the have to.
The only thing more embarrassing than the product is Fox’s constant blaming of players, specifically the “young guys.”
Short of not watching the team, not donating or spending $, and writing letters to Knowlton and Christ, not sure what else to do but I am open to suggestions.
“Cal fell into a deep hole with a long scoring drought of an occasional field goal coupled with a parade of turnovers”
Did you just copy and paste that from a Cal football game describing the Cal football offense from this season? Cal football and Cal basketball has merged into one inept organism.
Do you think Fox ever once discusses boxing out. I know its minor and not this teams only issue but I rarely see anybody box out for a defensive rebound. It the little fundamentals like this you have to get right if you can't recruit. Also whenever I see comments about lack of talent on the roster, that is all on Fox at this point. In year four it's basically all the guys you recruited and are supposed to develop.
Dennis Gates is 4-0 at Mizzou and looking like a god damn king on that sideline. Somehow he persevering over the wreckage that Cuonzo left him. Isn't it supposed to take a full decade or so to come out of? That's what we've been told.
Somehow Fox/Knowlton have managed to outdo even Wyking. But Fox and Knowlton continue to give themselves the benefit of the doubt that wasn't given to Wyking, cause, well, you know . . .
Monty would have this team 3-0. Braun would have this team 3-0. We are losing for reasons of How To as well as Want To. What a dark winter this will be.
We were home v. the worst B12 team, tho in fairness to K-State, they're probably won't finish in the cellar of the B12. The media poll was taken while Keyontae Johnson was still a question mark and Tang was an unknown as a 1st time HC.
Though it doesn't excuse Mark Fox, that Wildcats team is pretty solid.
Remember when MBB was fun? I had a 15 year stretch where I missed 3 home games in person. Last night when I noticed that the game was going to require me to jump through some hoops to watch on TV, I decided my time would be better spent washing dishes and listening to a podcast.
Watching the first half, this was an extremely poor defensive effort. Tritons scored their first 4 points on simple baseline drives. Consistently Cal defenders gave Tritons guards so much space as if it was me guarding Allen Iverson. Defensive rotations were confused. I was flipping over to CSUN / CBU during timeouts and those teams both looked like they would give Cal fits. I don't know enough if it's effort or skill or coaching. I am guessing it's all three.
Burn it all down.
UCSD? What the heck? Bring back Wyking Jones!!!
A 1 basket loss in a close, competitive contest against a comparable opponent. Could have easily gone either way.
There is no way to spin this. The fact that Cal was just 2.5 point favorites over a UCSD team that's in year 3 of even being a DI program is pathetic. Fox has lost this team in week 2.
This game really wasn't even as close as the score...Cal needed an unsustainable effort from the FT line to keep this game tight, going 21-24 (87.5%)...in the first two games of the year, Cal was combined 22-34 (64.7%) from the line...in the Fox era, Cal has shot as a team 73.8% (2019); 69.7% (2020); 72.7% (2021).
UCSD scored 1 FG the final 6+ minutes.
This is probably the worst loss the program has endured in the past 50 years.
Fox should have been fired on the tarmac at SDG.
The "comparable opponent" part of your statement is the problem.
Thankfully the disaster of a narrow win was averted, despite the Tritons' best efforts. I believe UCSD had one FG in the final 6 minutes if the game and yet we still lost. Hopefully this finally ratchets up pressure on Fox's seat.
It feels disgusting and miserable to root against Cal in even a single game but continued bad losses are the only reason we might see change.
Well, you would think the only way meaningful change will take place is with losses, but Justin Wilcox parlayed L's into a contract extension, so there's that.
The seeds of this Athletic Department incompetence were planted by Chancellor Dirks in 2014...this is the logical result.
Indeed. Dirks was a piece of work. Arrogance was his best quality.
The only thing Cal MBB has going for it is that it has some recent history as a functional program that would get high caliber talent / student athletes and would compete for tournaments every few years. A good, not great program. The further we drift away from those years, the harder it will be to get back. It turns out the "safe" pick is very often the worst pick, because it sends the message to recruits, fans and amateur coaches that your heart is only half in it. No one cares to sign up for that, except only if the have to.
The only thing more embarrassing than the product is Fox’s constant blaming of players, specifically the “young guys.”
Short of not watching the team, not donating or spending $, and writing letters to Knowlton and Christ, not sure what else to do but I am open to suggestions.
Go Furd!!
“Cal fell into a deep hole with a long scoring drought of an occasional field goal coupled with a parade of turnovers”
Did you just copy and paste that from a Cal football game describing the Cal football offense from this season? Cal football and Cal basketball has merged into one inept organism.
I assumed he did.
Do you think Fox ever once discusses boxing out. I know its minor and not this teams only issue but I rarely see anybody box out for a defensive rebound. It the little fundamentals like this you have to get right if you can't recruit. Also whenever I see comments about lack of talent on the roster, that is all on Fox at this point. In year four it's basically all the guys you recruited and are supposed to develop.
Remember when Musselman wanted this job? Not long ago ago, and yet forever ago already.
he didn't. it was leverage for a contract extension at nevada.
Hmmm, I seem to recall he did, but he indicated Cal was dragging its feet and Williams gave him bad vibes, which totally lines up.
Dennis Gates is 4-0 at Mizzou and looking like a god damn king on that sideline. Somehow he persevering over the wreckage that Cuonzo left him. Isn't it supposed to take a full decade or so to come out of? That's what we've been told.
Somehow Fox/Knowlton have managed to outdo even Wyking. But Fox and Knowlton continue to give themselves the benefit of the doubt that wasn't given to Wyking, cause, well, you know . . .
Because of diversity and wokeness or so I’ve been told.
heck no, it's covid (which apparently only affected Cal and not the other 300 D1 programs).
Monty would have this team 3-0. Braun would have this team 3-0. We are losing for reasons of How To as well as Want To. What a dark winter this will be.
80% of Division 1 coaches would have this team at 3-0. We've played two middling Big West opponents and on the road at the worst Big 12 team.
We were home v. the worst B12 team, tho in fairness to K-State, they're probably won't finish in the cellar of the B12. The media poll was taken while Keyontae Johnson was still a question mark and Tang was an unknown as a 1st time HC.
Though it doesn't excuse Mark Fox, that Wildcats team is pretty solid.
Carol Christ cares more for wraparound porches than wraparound passes...
Only high level donors can save this Department.
Christ and Knowlton will Pollyanna until they are forced to do something.
Never mind that the front door is unhinged and bandaged over with rotting 2 x 4s.
Remember when MBB was fun? I had a 15 year stretch where I missed 3 home games in person. Last night when I noticed that the game was going to require me to jump through some hoops to watch on TV, I decided my time would be better spent washing dishes and listening to a podcast.
I've had season tickets in the pass and more recently went to about a dozen home games a season. Since the Wyking days I've had zero interest. Sad.
Watching the first half, this was an extremely poor defensive effort. Tritons scored their first 4 points on simple baseline drives. Consistently Cal defenders gave Tritons guards so much space as if it was me guarding Allen Iverson. Defensive rotations were confused. I was flipping over to CSUN / CBU during timeouts and those teams both looked like they would give Cal fits. I don't know enough if it's effort or skill or coaching. I am guessing it's all three.
Mark Fox does not blame Mark Fox.
Mark Fox believes in Mark Fox.
Mark Fox thinks Mark Fox should get a raise / extension for having to deal with these children all the time.