95 Comments
User's avatar
MoriBear's avatar

Didn’t watch, but 5 assists on 26 makes is so low. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled watching the Dubs the 8 years, but seems like it’s still just “pass around the perimeter until someone hero-ball drives or jacks a 3”. Is that unfair? Or is there some replicable improvement on O that portends a brighter future?

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

uh, we had a 24-0 run ... if that was poor basketball, then I'll take it!

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

For this one game, it is unfair. If "screens that lead to clean shots" were a stat, we would've had 8-10. The high screen game was very effective in freeing up good drives to the basket or unchallenged shots from outside.

Expand full comment
MoriBear's avatar

Great news!

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

Is Shephard the best Cal transfer? Against the athletic teams like Zona...he's been the only Cal player who looks like he belongs on the same the floor. And maybe Celestine.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Well, this is an easy game to ask this question and make the call, that’s for sure.

It’s not so cut and dried tho, as in 4 tight losses he’s killed them....5-18 v Wazzu, 5-17 @ STAN, 3-13 v SHU in FL, & 3-17 @UNLV paints a different pic....he’s an inefficient scorer that is probably being asked to do a little more than he’s ever had to...but today, he was great.

Will miss him only bc Fox is inept when it comes to coaching O & he relies on Shepherd (and Bradley in ‘20/‘21) to dribble/create & force as the shot clock winds down...not sure who fills that role next year, tho.

Alajiki has the size & athleticism to hang with Arizona’s athletes, but like with Celestine last year, Fox doesn’t play true FR more than 10mpg. But Celestine & Sam next year will be a solid SG/SF tandem.

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

This...."he’s an inefficient scorer that is probably being asked to do a little more than he’s ever had to!" Basically, he's the only one that can create on his own!

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Exactly...imagine if Fox could have landed a PG who can create & score, in addition to Shepherd...this team would be pretty good.

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

I'd put him up there with Paris Austin as top tier transfers. Both frustrating and exhilarating slightly undersized guards.

Expand full comment
Cugel's avatar

The announcers were annoying me a bit, in that they kept on talking about what Oregon need to do to win, instead of giving us credit for beating them until the very end of the game.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

It was Jordan & Ernie Kent, and their pro-Oregon ties were clearly on full display.

Expand full comment
goldenone's avatar

I actually recorded the 2nd half and didn't watch it. I didn't feel like witnessing another loss in the last 3 minutes of the game. But this time the Bears triumphed. I'm grilling salmon so I'll watch the 2nd half after dinner.

Expand full comment
Daddy's avatar

I saw two other Cal fans at Matt knight arena today. Pretty good showing! Go Bears!

Expand full comment
goldenone's avatar

1st time Cal has swept the Oregon schools since 2014.

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Credit to Fox when due. He has tightened up the rotation the last couple games and has stuck with what is working. For example, Lars was solid all game, then was pulled after 4 fouls around 14 minutes. Instead of putting him back in with 4-8 minutes left, Fox stuck to the lineup that was maintaining a 14ish point lead.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Feb 12, 2022
Comment removed
Expand full comment
goldenone's avatar

Agreed. HIs footwork has improved dramatically as has his foul shot. Still can't jump very high but not a problem unless he is going against freakish athletes with size and leaping ability.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

What he improved was his lower body strength. He couldn’t move fast enough so couldn’t defend and he would too often make dumb fouls. He also couldn’t play in long periods

I think the credit goes to the S&C and nutrition staff for his stronger body, and conditioning

The staff gets credit for improving his FT shooting and post offense, and teaching him to reduce his fouling

He also sets good screens, improved his pick and roll, and rebounding

At 7 feet he has bothered a lot of guards and bigs, and doesn’t need to block shots for him to be a solid defender

Still has poor hands, especially when the ball is low or a bounced pass, but he catches most of the passes at chest level

His shot is also too slow and he goes too low to gather himself for the shot, allowing smaller players to get their hands on the ball or defenders to block the shot from in front or behind

He’s played major minutes since Kelly went down and has played well in every game

Expand full comment
tiger woodlets's avatar

Oregon was favored by 14.5 points. Anyone able to determine when the last time any team was that far an underdog but went on to win by as much as the Bears did today? Pretty stunning

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

28 point swing

Expand full comment
tiger woodlets's avatar

Indeed...................given how they barely beat Oregon State to end a ten game losing streak, a seemingly miraculous outcome............kept expecting them to fold down the stretch but they never did........................

Expand full comment
goldenone's avatar

And Jordan with the Jordanesque dunk at the end of the 1st half.

Expand full comment
tiger woodlets's avatar

He finished like Jordan................................

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

his new nickname... Air Jordan

Expand full comment
tiger woodlets's avatar

I like it!

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

cal shoots 53%, 35% 3s, 83% FT, out rebounds ducks by 5 ... only bad stat was TO margin was net 6 favoring ducks

Expand full comment
KJ1980's avatar

A sweep in Oregon!

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

i meant 33

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

30 for shep

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

we are in double bonus

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

And now the announcers are talking about Kelly coming back next year and future optimism. Just stop it.

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

Shephard putting on a clinic!

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

This game was Shepherd in ultimate form. 25 points on good shooting, defensive presence and not a liability.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

It's Good Jordan

Like Good Jimmy Garoppolo...

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

are we having fun yet???

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Saves Fox's job

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Ballgame.

Biggest stunner of the Fox era.

Well done boys

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Joel can NOT be on the court right now...can he???

WOW he hit 2!!

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

Maybe Lars has been working with him on his FT's...lol!

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Exactly.

Lars' improvement at the FT line is huge...if he can pick up 2-3 points per night from the line, along with a couple of layups, all of a sudden, his 6-8 ppg and 5 rpg don't look bad at all!

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

You could tell Oregon knows he is bad at the line. But he nails these ones at least.

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

If Cal just dribbles the ball for at least 24 seconds each possession, we win.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Yep.

Run clock, they win.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

So the key to beating a good team on the road?

They shoot 10% from 3....

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Well, it helps.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

we have to get to double bonus

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

That should've been a charge. Alajaki was there in plenty of time.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

the was the second time cal got to the spot. every 50/50 call goes to oregon

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

The earlier one I though was valid. Kuany sild in laterally and did not have defensive position in time.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Horrible call there...Sam beat the ballhandler to the spot and was set.

That's a charge.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Grant with 2 misses early in the shot clock.

Play smarter!

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

It's annoying that the tv banner doesn't include foul count for Cal.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Dagger 3 by Makale....

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Wow, run the clock and then nail that shot. I'm still nervous though.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

I'll take the next 2 possessions as violations if I'm Cal...seriously

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Up by 14 at the 8 minute timeout. They've been sloppy at spots, but still dictating the tempo. It helps that the Duck are like 1 for 18 from 3 points. Does Lars come in now, or leave him out until 4-5 minutes?

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

Ducks offensive sets are horrible...mostly 1/1 and not a lot ball movement.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

unforced TO

Cal needs to survive till sheperd can return

Expand full comment
KJ1980's avatar

Cal could win this

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Run clock...

Melting time is key now.

F-ing Shepherd misses 2 FTs at 10:10...that could hurt.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Obinnnnnna!!!

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

this is what I mean by cal has to maintain their poise

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Run shot clock down, don't turn the ball over...make FTs.

Win.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Ducks doing everything they can to hand this game over...

Expand full comment
Ynot Cal's avatar

This team is the worst with the in-bounds pass. JB can't be the in-bound passer! This is coaching.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

3 straight turnovers for the Bears....

3 misses too....yikes.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

10 second clock doesn't reset with out of bounds?

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Guess not. Could've sworn it did tho

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

No, as team possession does not change on the tip-out.

Expand full comment
Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Turn on the game and Lars with a turnover and back to back almosts....

C'mon Lance, be strong with the ball!

Expand full comment
GlueAndBold's avatar

Huh.

Usually it's Stanford's tournament chances we sink. I don't mind mixing things up.

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Right there, Lars held his ground better than in the first half. Let's hope he keeps it up.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

cal needs to be ready for the ducks aggressive defense including full court press, traps, and jumping the passing lanes ... and the ducks will make a run ... cal needs to remain poised

Expand full comment
Cal fan's avatar

Feels weird watching a game with nothing to complain about

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Shepherd with the emphatic dunk to close out the half, Cal up by 16! Oregon has been lackluster, but plenty of credit goes to Cal for playing a complete half. No second chances for Oregon, and Cal's offense has been extremely efficient.

Expand full comment
Daddy's avatar

Day dunk was great

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

sheperd with the thunder dunk!

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

Not thrilled with Lars' defensive positioning. It's like he's trying to protect his left side, but leaving the right pivot wide open. Needs to stop hedging.

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

@hoopdreams, from the other thread. Sorry to hear you had a bed refereeing experience. I've talked to peers who work multiple sports (I only do hoops), and they say basketball is the hardest. The loop of observing the split-second play, mentally processing what you just saw, then immediately having to physically react with the correct hand and body signals, is like no other in officiating. Good for you for trying it out. Let me know if you'd ever like to talk further.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

thanks ... I actually saw a youtube video of a head of referee for a HS league. He said the drop out rate for refs is very high ... for me one of the things I have a hard time reffing is the up and under ... where a player drives, stops and apparently looks like they stopped their dribble, but then walks through and puts up a shot

it always looks like a travel to me

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Feb 12, 2022
Comment removed
Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

I also reffed Cal intramural ... it's the worst ... only one ref, and you've got less authority than the water boy

Expand full comment
BentPawn's avatar

This is crazy. Cal up 24-12, looking very very solid in all facets.

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

I hate to say it, but cal just double-up oregon ... expect oregon to try to speed up the game with aggressive defense

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

I saw no chance at that 2K shot

Expand full comment
hoopdreams's avatar

cal with the run, Lars with the 3 point play!

Expand full comment