Cal Men's Basketball Preview: Bears return home to face Colorado
Can the Bears go on a win streak to end the year?
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
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
Expected Starting 5
Guard KJ Simpson
Guard Julian Hammond
Forward Nique Clifford
Forward Jabari Walker
Center Evan Battey
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.
Cal’s Win Probability and Score according to KenPom: 51% (65-64 Win)
Jabari is a problem
But Battey could be a bigger problem
this is the game we will most miss Kelly as he could have defended Battey in the post and perimeter.
Lars will have a much harder time defending Battey all over the court, and could get in foul trouble also. If that happens, does Grant have a chance of defending Battey?
Just watched mark fox’s interview on bearinsider on YouTube and it sounds like he can 100% come back next year if he would like to.