How is "Cal is short a couple players" the takeaway from this team. Any competent person would realize all the issues with Cals team are in the coaching. Talent on the roster isn't tournament level but a good coach could get a lot more out of this roster than Fox does, even with all the same injuries.
i happen to think we have a ton of athletes and wings - Kuany, Alijiki, Newell, Bowers, Anyanwu, Roberson - those are 5 decent wings. We ARE very short on point guards and anyone who can shoot reliably from the outside - but I think another coach would figure out a way around it instead of continually mentioning it to the press.
The thing about the Benson article is that Fox’s deficiencies as a Head Coach on the offensive end are easy to see just by watching the team. Even a novice basketball fan can look at Cal players running around but not actually setting screens, and wonder what they’re doing. Interesting to hear a former ball player say the same thing.
I would propose that Askew is our best player, however, we seem to defer to him too much to create shots when he's in - and get really passive. So we play slightly better offense when he's not there - I think.
I’m just not convinced on Askew’s ability to make other players better. Same with Jordan Shepherd last year…but Fox doesn’t know schitt about coaching offense, so he asks these volume scorers to do everything. I don’t think it’s any surprise that Cal is winless in games Askew plays, though that is definitely more an indictment of Mark Fox.
A better coach though would have a couple of long, quick, athletic guys that are 6’8” and 6’10” respectively and can shoot, playing key roles offensively. Fox just doesn’t know how to do that.
Jordan Pope of OSU played for Prolific Prep in Napa and was never recruited by Cal.A three time pac 12 freshman of the week and a bay area kid that would have loved Cal. A coaching blunder.
KenPom was over-optimistic about scoring for both teams, but adjusting for the lower score, really close on the margin. So did both Cal and Colorado underperform relative to recent outings? Or was it just a product of Cal's second half collapse?
I know plus minus is a very iffy stat sometimes but wrenn was the only player with a positive plus minus all game in 8 minutes he had 2 assists where Joel brown the starting point guard had 3 assists in 32 minutes.
Since wren Robinson has joined the team he has been a player who can play point guard minutes mark fox hasn’t played him at all this season and he’s a good player at a position of need
https://open.substack.com/pub/writeforcalifornia/p/breaking-news-cal-mbb-point-guard?utm_source=direct&r=3xskm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
How is "Cal is short a couple players" the takeaway from this team. Any competent person would realize all the issues with Cals team are in the coaching. Talent on the roster isn't tournament level but a good coach could get a lot more out of this roster than Fox does, even with all the same injuries.
i happen to think we have a ton of athletes and wings - Kuany, Alijiki, Newell, Bowers, Anyanwu, Roberson - those are 5 decent wings. We ARE very short on point guards and anyone who can shoot reliably from the outside - but I think another coach would figure out a way around it instead of continually mentioning it to the press.
Any number of coaches would have this team playing better ball.
Rod Benson wrote it best in his article: there is no offensive concept here. It’s the offense of a guy that really doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Where can I find the Benson article?
https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/cal-mens-basketball-column-17670025.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email
Spot on. We should hire the Utah State coach btw.
Odom would be great.
Stan Johnson would too…I’ve even come around on the Pencilneck, Jorge run-in notwithstanding.
The thing about the Benson article is that Fox’s deficiencies as a Head Coach on the offensive end are easy to see just by watching the team. Even a novice basketball fan can look at Cal players running around but not actually setting screens, and wonder what they’re doing. Interesting to hear a former ball player say the same thing.
Sorry, Bob, but no, they’re not.
We have to stop making Jalen Celestine into something he is not. He is a solid role player…nothing more.
Cal is 0-13 with Devin Askew in the lineup.
These are not Cal’s best players.
I would propose that Askew is our best player, however, we seem to defer to him too much to create shots when he's in - and get really passive. So we play slightly better offense when he's not there - I think.
That’s very fair.
I’m throwing Grant Newell’s name into the hat as our best all around player…with Kuany actually in the mix as well.
These are the two guys that a better head coach could make into elite college players, IMHO.
I'm not sure about elite - but above average starters sure.
I think Devin is probably the best offensive player - but Newell has the size, rebounding and defensive chops to maybe be the guy next season.
I’m just not convinced on Askew’s ability to make other players better. Same with Jordan Shepherd last year…but Fox doesn’t know schitt about coaching offense, so he asks these volume scorers to do everything. I don’t think it’s any surprise that Cal is winless in games Askew plays, though that is definitely more an indictment of Mark Fox.
A better coach though would have a couple of long, quick, athletic guys that are 6’8” and 6’10” respectively and can shoot, playing key roles offensively. Fox just doesn’t know how to do that.
More Newell please
6’8” with length and athleticism.
He and Kuany are just being wasted.
Jordan Pope of OSU played for Prolific Prep in Napa and was never recruited by Cal.A three time pac 12 freshman of the week and a bay area kid that would have loved Cal. A coaching blunder.
KenPom was over-optimistic about scoring for both teams, but adjusting for the lower score, really close on the margin. So did both Cal and Colorado underperform relative to recent outings? Or was it just a product of Cal's second half collapse?
25 point swing.
With each passing game, Knowlton and Fox literally kill the once proud Cal brand a little bit more.
What a travesty.
Why not try to switch it up sometime and go small ball kuany at the 5 makes some sense.
1.wrenn
2. Dejuan
3.Sam
4.Newell
5.kuany
Kuany in the post is a perfect example of Fox’s deficiency as a head coach.
Dude’s a perfect candidate to stretch the court - a 6’10” with handles and a jump shot
I actually don’t think this team is very hard to coach at all and mark fox is just that bad of a coach
Agreed. It doesn’t shoot well enough to necessarily contend, but it absolutely should be better.
Playing kuany at the 3 is a disservice to him he is a 4/5 in todays basketball
Exactly!
Clayton's not playing tonight.
I was more saying in terms of the rest of the season not this game
I know plus minus is a very iffy stat sometimes but wrenn was the only player with a positive plus minus all game in 8 minutes he had 2 assists where Joel brown the starting point guard had 3 assists in 32 minutes.
46 points.
Clankity clank clank clank
That 3 from Newell coulda made things interesting.
10?
Since wren Robinson has joined the team he has been a player who can play point guard minutes mark fox hasn’t played him at all this season and he’s a good player at a position of need
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10 turnovers in 15 minutes seems bad.
They’ve cratered. Given up
Fork. Done
Ugh. Not gonna break 50
Did Marsalis Roberson grow? He looks bigger.
Clank
Plug your ears cuz here comes the clanking
This is such a poorly coached basketball team.
Wonder what Hurley and tinkle were beefing about?
27-24 bears at half
Offensive foul happy refs
that's cause both teams keep committing them!
Two travels on last two posoessions
And we’re gonna blow it before half
Buffs can’t buy a bucket
10 point lead!
and almost gone. Good thing, too, as a 10 point lead at the half might result in a Coaching extension.....
55 points may win this game
It is a dreadful game. But Cal is leading early
Very very short handed tonight.
Go Bears!!
Mark fox is just dumb and doesn’t play him…