great article and analysis. best cal site for real basketball info. Are those animated GIFs you embed in the story? Cool way to do it.
Hate to say it, but this was a must win game. It was kinda like the first game back at Memorial after the renovation where there was a lot of built up hype and emotion, and then Nevada happened!
But this is exactly the type of game Cal would have lost in the recent past. WK's team would have been embarrassed, and Fox would have made all the excuses for the loss due to the missing players.
St Thomas plays five out and runs a motion to perfection. That's the type of team who can take down a big in the first game of the year, especially vs a team with lots of new parts. Madsen said they threw out 4 different types of defenses. Maybe the last one slowed them down but none of them stopped them. To my eye, Celestine was our best defensive (and offensive) player.
I liked the breakdown of the pick and roll. For some reason Cal never seems to be good at the pick and roll which is THE play in the NBA. Even when we had the perfect pick and roll player in Ivan Rabb we rarely ran a clean pick and roll for him.
Regarding Cone, his impressive high, balanced jump shot was on full display but his first 6 shots missed (the first one was an in-and-out.... his next 5 were hard rim. But one of those misses was a nice teardrop floater which I have constantly said is needed for a PG, especially an undersized one (Randle was the master)
I've been a Bowser advocate since late last season. I wasn't impressed when we signed him and during his earlier play last two seasons (limited by injury), but when he got his shot late last season he showed me a nice pull-up and good potential as a 3 point shooter due to his length. That same length was on full display when he elevated for some key rebounds.
I liked the wolfman for his defense and passing. On the fast break he dribbled at top speed with a very low dribble and made the perfect forward pass to a streaker. He will be a nice change up in the rotation.
Grant was visibly taller than last year. He is now taller than Okofor and is a key starter for us this year. Last year, I felt he was a tall 3, and a tweeter 4. Now he is a legit stretch 4, or just a very long 3. He can play both positions.
Overall defense is a work in progress, and we will need Tyson and Kennedy back to achieve our aspirations, but the team has real potential
I’m so excited for Cal to be playing competent basketball again. This team has already dealt with a number of hurdles, yet came through and got a hard fought win against an efficient, well-coached basketball team that had a good shooting night.
There were so many things Monday to be excited about…
*Fardaws is a potentially dominant anchor in the post;
*Celestine figures to fluorish;
*Cone can frigging light it up and score in bunches when he’s on a heater:;
*Okafor is better and is eligible to continue to improve;
*Newell is sitting on a potential breakout season as a combo forward;
*Add their 2 best defenders in Tyson (probably their BEST overall player…hopefully the waiver is approved ASAP) and Kennedy (back by early DEC) and this team gets deeper and exponentially better defensively.
Why is it that teams come here and always light it up from three? Before I chalked it up to inferior talent/coaching, but it happened again Monday. Are they channeling their inner Steph or what?
First of all, great write-up, as already has been written. I shall look forward to reading and learning more as the season goes on.
Second, of all, I am very excited about this pivot in Cal Basketball to exciting, competitive play. This game, while close, was a great study in watching how coaching can make a huge difference. This is why I made sure to include Cal BB in my NIL donations.
Third, just curious, as I have neglected to watch Cal BB for decades, but why the white unis? I know in football, the dark unis are the norm for home games.
Well, traditionally, baseball was white at home and grey on the road, but the explosion of "we can make money with jersey variations" has messed with that.
I will be glad to be done with the stupid Pac-12 Network. I tried to watch this game while on vacation but it wouldn't let me. But live fan chat and gamecast painted a decent enough picture.
Like I said before, I just wanted a W and a data point to build around. Madsen is a smart guy whose poor choice of college doesn't seem to have crippled him intellectually. Time to see what happens when we connect two data points with a line.
Wow. So happy to find my way back to Haas and calmBBall. With one game in the book we are got a glimpse of what’s in store for the season. Like with many, it’s deeply ingrained that we can’t have shiny new things but guess what? We got a turbo charged shiny new thing and it’s nice!
My one nut to pick. Announcing the Play of the Game with 5 minutes left was weak. In a tight game like it was, got to see if a game winner or game changing moment happens.
That side my nomination for PofG would be Monte’s defensive rebound out on the free throw line where as he extends to gather the ball his knees were at the level of the opponent’s chin.
Nov 8, 2023Liked by Piotr Le, Christopher Helling, BentPawn, TD_24
Great writeup, it was nice to see Haas excited for the first time in a long time.
One thing that really stood out was the lack of fear for the Cal players. Fox, Wyking and Cuonzo all had guys on short leashes (Monty did too, but I feel he had a shorter bench most of the time). The moment there was a mistake, someone would go to the scorers table. On a transition three from Cone last night, I figured Madsen would do the same, but he let him ride it out, then Cone came alive on those same types of shots late. That's something that builds confidence, and as some commenters noted from the post-game presser, the guys are pumped to play for Madsen.
Still a lot to be fixed, namely defensive rotations, the ball movement slowing down in the second half, and getting guys healthy/eligible, but it's a start.
Why do I get the feeling Jake Curtis is, typically, in some sort of half-baked or compromised state? I suppose I am thinking of a photo on his column, where he appeared uber-casually dressed with amatuer lighting and what seemed a happenstance setting. Where the background does little to let the reader know that his column has something to do with sports. Of course, never mind that and just read, but, then, if you're a Cal fan there's the veiled or not so veiled barb directed towards the neediness of Cal money sports, such as this:
"Put it this way: If you're selling the Brooklyn Bridge, you want Mark Madsen making the sales pitch."
Thanks for the snarkery, Mr. Curtis, now go shave, get dressed, and look for a job that suits you better. That is, if the best you can do is kick around Bay Area collegiate sports teams.
Curtis and his cohort Faraudo are trash. They ask leading questions where the answer agrees with the question to provide click bate. I suppose in this day and age that is good reporting. I view it as trash. TD here at WFC asks way more in-depth questions IMO.
Indeed, I feel like I appreciate W4C and BI articles more than either Curtis or Faraudo, both of whom give me the impression they’re bitter that they must or choose to write about Cal, at all. Maybe Fox Sports will hire them.
I read that article, and liked it. It’s refreshing to read something written with a little flavor and attitude every once in a while. Curtis is generally a solid writer.
I know I am being an over sensitive Cal fan. I have not read enough to give summary judgment of Mr. Curtis. That being said, nor does Mr. Curtis have enough of a sample size to call Mr. Madsen a liar.
Disagree. All he does is report on questions asked by himself and other reporters with his questions being leading questions. He and Faraudo are trash. If u want to skip reading trash, just listen to the live interviews on Calbears.com, some reporters ask meaningful questions. But not Curtis nor Faraudo.
great article and analysis. best cal site for real basketball info. Are those animated GIFs you embed in the story? Cool way to do it.
Hate to say it, but this was a must win game. It was kinda like the first game back at Memorial after the renovation where there was a lot of built up hype and emotion, and then Nevada happened!
But this is exactly the type of game Cal would have lost in the recent past. WK's team would have been embarrassed, and Fox would have made all the excuses for the loss due to the missing players.
St Thomas plays five out and runs a motion to perfection. That's the type of team who can take down a big in the first game of the year, especially vs a team with lots of new parts. Madsen said they threw out 4 different types of defenses. Maybe the last one slowed them down but none of them stopped them. To my eye, Celestine was our best defensive (and offensive) player.
I liked the breakdown of the pick and roll. For some reason Cal never seems to be good at the pick and roll which is THE play in the NBA. Even when we had the perfect pick and roll player in Ivan Rabb we rarely ran a clean pick and roll for him.
Regarding Cone, his impressive high, balanced jump shot was on full display but his first 6 shots missed (the first one was an in-and-out.... his next 5 were hard rim. But one of those misses was a nice teardrop floater which I have constantly said is needed for a PG, especially an undersized one (Randle was the master)
I've been a Bowser advocate since late last season. I wasn't impressed when we signed him and during his earlier play last two seasons (limited by injury), but when he got his shot late last season he showed me a nice pull-up and good potential as a 3 point shooter due to his length. That same length was on full display when he elevated for some key rebounds.
I liked the wolfman for his defense and passing. On the fast break he dribbled at top speed with a very low dribble and made the perfect forward pass to a streaker. He will be a nice change up in the rotation.
Grant was visibly taller than last year. He is now taller than Okofor and is a key starter for us this year. Last year, I felt he was a tall 3, and a tweeter 4. Now he is a legit stretch 4, or just a very long 3. He can play both positions.
Overall defense is a work in progress, and we will need Tyson and Kennedy back to achieve our aspirations, but the team has real potential
I’m so excited for Cal to be playing competent basketball again. This team has already dealt with a number of hurdles, yet came through and got a hard fought win against an efficient, well-coached basketball team that had a good shooting night.
There were so many things Monday to be excited about…
*Fardaws is a potentially dominant anchor in the post;
*Celestine figures to fluorish;
*Cone can frigging light it up and score in bunches when he’s on a heater:;
*Okafor is better and is eligible to continue to improve;
*Newell is sitting on a potential breakout season as a combo forward;
*Add their 2 best defenders in Tyson (probably their BEST overall player…hopefully the waiver is approved ASAP) and Kennedy (back by early DEC) and this team gets deeper and exponentially better defensively.
There’s a lot to like, folks. A lot to like.
Go Bears! Just keep developing as a team.
Why is it that teams come here and always light it up from three? Before I chalked it up to inferior talent/coaching, but it happened again Monday. Are they channeling their inner Steph or what?
Nice work, BP!! Thanks homey!
First of all, great write-up, as already has been written. I shall look forward to reading and learning more as the season goes on.
Second, of all, I am very excited about this pivot in Cal Basketball to exciting, competitive play. This game, while close, was a great study in watching how coaching can make a huge difference. This is why I made sure to include Cal BB in my NIL donations.
Third, just curious, as I have neglected to watch Cal BB for decades, but why the white unis? I know in football, the dark unis are the norm for home games.
GO!
BEARS!
Football is actually the odd sport out -- most sports tend to be white at home/dark on the road.
Thanks. Seems like Giants and As both, often wear dark at home, but I can’t remember with certainty
Well, traditionally, baseball was white at home and grey on the road, but the explosion of "we can make money with jersey variations" has messed with that.
Like the new creamsicle thing? Jury is still out.
TBH, I like the creamsicles better than some of the other City Connect jerseys.
I agree some are harder to look at.
home team wear lighter colors in basketball. Our alternative home jerseys are gold.
Thanks, it’s been a while.
Excellent article!
I had a strange feeling of happiness and content after watching this game.
I know it’s one game, but it’s time we start to enjoy ourselves watching Cal sports.
Awesome recap. Thank you.
I will be glad to be done with the stupid Pac-12 Network. I tried to watch this game while on vacation but it wouldn't let me. But live fan chat and gamecast painted a decent enough picture.
Like I said before, I just wanted a W and a data point to build around. Madsen is a smart guy whose poor choice of college doesn't seem to have crippled him intellectually. Time to see what happens when we connect two data points with a line.
Wonderful analysis!
Thank you for helping me figure out exactly what was happening. Because sometimes all I see is a blur.
I too was so thrilled to hear the thunderous roaring of the crowd. So so exhilarating.
And it seemed to me that there were way more fans in attendance than they reported.
An altogether memorable and thrilling win!!!.
It is a real treat watching a game alongside the W4C writing staff because it's a blur for me too. They're knowledgeable and cool people.
I'm sure they could make some space for a VIP visitor.
Wow. So happy to find my way back to Haas and calmBBall. With one game in the book we are got a glimpse of what’s in store for the season. Like with many, it’s deeply ingrained that we can’t have shiny new things but guess what? We got a turbo charged shiny new thing and it’s nice!
My one nut to pick. Announcing the Play of the Game with 5 minutes left was weak. In a tight game like it was, got to see if a game winner or game changing moment happens.
That side my nomination for PofG would be Monte’s defensive rebound out on the free throw line where as he extends to gather the ball his knees were at the level of the opponent’s chin.
^^This
Great writeup, it was nice to see Haas excited for the first time in a long time.
One thing that really stood out was the lack of fear for the Cal players. Fox, Wyking and Cuonzo all had guys on short leashes (Monty did too, but I feel he had a shorter bench most of the time). The moment there was a mistake, someone would go to the scorers table. On a transition three from Cone last night, I figured Madsen would do the same, but he let him ride it out, then Cone came alive on those same types of shots late. That's something that builds confidence, and as some commenters noted from the post-game presser, the guys are pumped to play for Madsen.
Still a lot to be fixed, namely defensive rotations, the ball movement slowing down in the second half, and getting guys healthy/eligible, but it's a start.
Why do I get the feeling Jake Curtis is, typically, in some sort of half-baked or compromised state? I suppose I am thinking of a photo on his column, where he appeared uber-casually dressed with amatuer lighting and what seemed a happenstance setting. Where the background does little to let the reader know that his column has something to do with sports. Of course, never mind that and just read, but, then, if you're a Cal fan there's the veiled or not so veiled barb directed towards the neediness of Cal money sports, such as this:
"Put it this way: If you're selling the Brooklyn Bridge, you want Mark Madsen making the sales pitch."
Thanks for the snarkery, Mr. Curtis, now go shave, get dressed, and look for a job that suits you better. That is, if the best you can do is kick around Bay Area collegiate sports teams.
Curtis and his cohort Faraudo are trash. They ask leading questions where the answer agrees with the question to provide click bate. I suppose in this day and age that is good reporting. I view it as trash. TD here at WFC asks way more in-depth questions IMO.
what can i say I'm a smooth operator 🤫
yes, yes you are
Take your bows. G®️EAT is stingy with compliments. 😉
yes, yes I am
Indeed, I feel like I appreciate W4C and BI articles more than either Curtis or Faraudo, both of whom give me the impression they’re bitter that they must or choose to write about Cal, at all. Maybe Fox Sports will hire them.
I read that article, and liked it. It’s refreshing to read something written with a little flavor and attitude every once in a while. Curtis is generally a solid writer.
I know I am being an over sensitive Cal fan. I have not read enough to give summary judgment of Mr. Curtis. That being said, nor does Mr. Curtis have enough of a sample size to call Mr. Madsen a liar.
Disagree. All he does is report on questions asked by himself and other reporters with his questions being leading questions. He and Faraudo are trash. If u want to skip reading trash, just listen to the live interviews on Calbears.com, some reporters ask meaningful questions. But not Curtis nor Faraudo.