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.
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.
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
@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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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
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........................
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
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.
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.
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
That should've been a charge. Alajaki was there in plenty of time.
the was the second time cal got to the spot. every 50/50 call goes to oregon
The earlier one I though was valid. Kuany sild in laterally and did not have defensive position in time.
Yup
@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.
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
I also reffed Cal intramural ... it's the worst ... only one ref, and you've got less authority than the water boy
If Cal just dribbles the ball for at least 24 seconds each possession, we win.
Yep.
Run clock, they win.
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.
Day dunk was great
This is crazy. Cal up 24-12, looking very very solid in all facets.
Wow, nice little run from Cal, ending with the Jordan/Lars pick and roll 3-point play.
Feels weird watching a game with nothing to complain about
Horrible call there...Sam beat the ballhandler to the spot and was set.
That's a charge.
And now the announcers are talking about Kelly coming back next year and future optimism. Just stop it.
This game was Shepherd in ultimate form. 25 points on good shooting, defensive presence and not a liability.
It's Good Jordan
Like Good Jimmy Garoppolo...
It's annoying that the tv banner doesn't include foul count for Cal.
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?
Right there, Lars held his ground better than in the first half. Let's hope he keeps it up.
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.
The floor in Eugene is annoying.
For sure. Been a while since I viewed this court and with new large screen TV the visual scrambling seems more acute.
A sweep in Oregon!
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.
I'd put him up there with Paris Austin as top tier transfers. Both frustrating and exhilarating slightly undersized guards.
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.
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!
Exactly...imagine if Fox could have landed a PG who can create & score, in addition to Shepherd...this team would be pretty good.
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.
It was Jordan & Ernie Kent, and their pro-Oregon ties were clearly on full display.
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.
1st time Cal has swept the Oregon schools since 2014.
cal shoots 53%, 35% 3s, 83% FT, out rebounds ducks by 5 ... only bad stat was TO margin was net 6 favoring ducks
i meant 33
Shephard putting on a clinic!
Joel can NOT be on the court right now...can he???
WOW he hit 2!!
You could tell Oregon knows he is bad at the line. But he nails these ones at least.
Maybe Lars has been working with him on his FT's...lol!
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!
Obinnnnnna!!!
sheperd with the thunder dunk!
Go Bears!
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?
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.
Great news!
uh, we had a 24-0 run ... if that was poor basketball, then I'll take it!
I saw two other Cal fans at Matt knight arena today. Pretty good showing! Go Bears!
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
28 point swing
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........................
And Jordan with the Jordanesque dunk at the end of the 1st half.
He finished like Jordan................................
his new nickname... Air Jordan
I like it!
30 for shep
we are in double bonus
are we having fun yet???
Saves Fox's job
Ballgame.
Biggest stunner of the Fox era.
Well done boys
So the key to beating a good team on the road?
They shoot 10% from 3....
Well, it helps.
we have to get to double bonus
Grant with 2 misses early in the shot clock.
Play smarter!
Dagger 3 by Makale....
Wow, run the clock and then nail that shot. I'm still nervous though.
I'll take the next 2 possessions as violations if I'm Cal...seriously
Ducks offensive sets are horrible...mostly 1/1 and not a lot ball movement.
unforced TO
Cal needs to survive till sheperd can return
Cal could win this
Run clock...
Melting time is key now.
F-ing Shepherd misses 2 FTs at 10:10...that could hurt.
this is what I mean by cal has to maintain their poise
Run shot clock down, don't turn the ball over...make FTs.
Win.
Ducks doing everything they can to hand this game over...
This team is the worst with the in-bounds pass. JB can't be the in-bound passer! This is coaching.
3 straight turnovers for the Bears....
3 misses too....yikes.
10 second clock doesn't reset with out of bounds?
No, as team possession does not change on the tip-out.
Guess not. Could've sworn it did tho
Turn on the game and Lars with a turnover and back to back almosts....
C'mon Lance, be strong with the ball!
Huh.
Usually it's Stanford's tournament chances we sink. I don't mind mixing things up.
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
Zoiks