Cal Men's Basketball Preview: Bears return home to face Colorado

Can the Bears go on a win streak to end the year?

Cal Basketball @CalMBBall

Road trip ✅ Back in #OurHaas this week! #InvestAndAttack

Date: Thursday February 17th, 2022 (6:30PM Pac-12 Networks)

Opponent: Colorado Buffaloes

Record: 16-9 (Conference: 8-7)

Standings: 6th in Pac-12

KenPom Ranking: #93

Opponent Team Stats: 70.3PPG/37.6RPG/13.4APG/5.4SPG/14.3TPG

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Key Players: 

• Jabari Walker

  • Forward (6-foot-9/215lbs)

  • Sophomore

  • 14.5PPG/9.2RPG/1.2APG/2.4TPG

  • 46.5%-FG/31.0%-3PT/77.5%-FT

• Evan Battey

  • Forward (6-foot-8/259lbs)

  • Senior

  • 11.2PPG/4.5RPG/1.2APG/1.3TPG

  • 50.0%-FG/45.8%-3PT/73.1%-FT

• Keeshawn Barthelemy

  • Guard (6-foot-2/171lbs)

  • Sophomore

  • 11.1PPG/2.5RPG/2.5APG/1.6TPG

  • 41.1%-FG/33.0%-3PT/81.6%-FT

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Expected Starting 5

• Guard KJ Simpson

• Guard Julian Hammond

• Forward Nique Clifford

• Forward Jabari Walker

• Center Evan Battey

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The Bears are coming off a 2 game win streak and a road sweep in the state of Oregon. Can the Bears continue their hot shooting against the mountain schools at home? First up is Colorado. The Buffs have had an up and down season all year with some key upsets, losing favorited games, and everything in between. The Buffs have a top 60 defense in the country but sit at 150 on offense. In reality, the Buffs are statistically a slightly better version of the Bears. The expectation for the Bears might’ve been something like what the Buffs are at, had everything gone according to plan and reached their max potential. So this is a very intriguing matchup. Colorado is by no means an easy team to beat. Jabari Walker is right behind the first tier of favorites for Pac-12 Player of the Year. They have the #1 3PT shooting team in the conference, shooting a blazing 38.5% as a team. A tough matchup that, with a win, could bring life back to Haas for the rest of the season.

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

Shock win: Bears smash Ducks in Eugene

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Cal’s Win Probability and Score according to KenPom: 51% (65-64 Win)