Cal Men's Basketball Preview: A Better Cougs team than the one we lost to

Lost by 8 last time.

Cal Basketball @CalMBBall

Afternoon work. ✅ Hoops in #OurHaas tonight.

Date: Saturday February 5th, 2022 (1PM Pac-12 Networks)

Opponent: Washington State Cougars

Record: 13-7 (Conference: 6-3)

Standings: 5th in Pac-12

KenPom Ranking: #34

Opponent Team Stats: 73.4PPG/38.1RPG/10.9APG/6.4SPG/12.1TPG

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Key Players: 

• Noah Williams

  • Guard (6-foot-5/195lbs)

  • Junior

  • 11.1PPG/3.8RPG/2.5APG/2.2TPG/1.2SPG

  • 35.4%-FG/20.4%-3PT/74.7%-FT

• Tyrell Roberts

  • Guard(5-foot-11/175lbs)

  • Junior

  • 11.0PPG/2.4RPG/1.9APG/1.5TPG

  • 35.2%-FG/32.8%-3PT/94.3%-FT

• Michael Flowers

  • Guard (6-foot-1/190lbs)

  • Senior

  • 13.4PPG/3.5RPG/3.2APG

  • 41.2%-FG/38.1%-3PT/85.2%-FT

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Expected Starting 5

• Guard Michael Flowers

• Guard Tyrell Robert

• Forward TJ Bamba

• Forward Andrej Jakimovski

• Forward Efe Abogidi

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When we faced off against the Cougs, I said it would be a tough out. We ended up losing 57-65. The problem is this team has gotten significantly better over the few weeks since we’ve played them. Kyle Smith’s team also hasn’t lost since beating us on January 15th, pushing a 4 game win streak. 76th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. 22nd in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency. We were just blown out by 20 against a 129th ranked UW team that shot WAY above their average. Sadly, if WSU plays at their average this could also end up a 20 point blowout. The Bears dearly miss Andre Kelly and they don’t have anyone to even try and fill the interior scoring presence by the senior big man. Mark Fox told the media that the starters were tired and had played big minutes so he decided to rest them and give the younger guys who needed some experience a run. He seems to be banking on using this game to get back into the W column after resting his most important players. Let’s hope it pays off as the Bears desperately need a win.

And if you missed there Bears’ last game against Washington make sure to check out the recap.

Washington shoots the nets off in win over Cal

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Cal’s Win Probability and Score according to KenPom: 32% (60-65 Loss)