Good win by Cal. As I told Rob and Avi, SCU is a finesse team (going there I’ve seen their home games), they fold at physicality and have a lack of mental fortitude.
While SCU may have more talent, Cal had more grit and physicality which is what won them this game. Good win regardless in a game I had SCU winning 72-60 (irony for the final score),
One of the more complete games in the Fox era at Cal. Once Shepherd starts sharing the ball, good things tend to happen, and the lineup of him, Alajiki, Makale, & Lars for the last few minutes of 1H was the difference in the game…10 down to up 4, with Lars giving them quite a lift in that stretch, esp. on D…nice work, Lars.
Didn’t think they’d be >.500 this late in the season…
Lars Thiemann gave them solid minutes in the crucial stretch of the first half....kid has a couple solid efforts in a row...nice to see...good job Lars.
Things are starting to click for Lars and he’s giving them plus minutes the past few weeks...so nice to see and a testament to both him and the coaching staff, as he’s clearly been working on his game...as a legit 7’-er, if he can just be a presence down low that impacts shots, grabs a couple of boards, protects the rim & maybe hits some layups, it’ll be all this team needs from him in 10-12 minutes per game.
I’m happy for him & it’s good to see...this team plays a competent brand of basketball not seen in these parts since the tail end of the Obama administration.
The starting lineup Fox used tonight CAN NOT score the basketball...Shepherd, Grant and Joel Brown are all looking to shoot, all with varying degrees of success, or lack thereof...
More Makale and Alajiki...that's a far better combo for a game that prioritizes being able to put the ball through the hoop.
Cal also has a women's basketball. team They defeated McNeese State, 102-60 this afternoon at Haas to raise their record to 7-2. Cal's leading scorer is Jayda Curry who has already been named conference freshman of the week three times. The team deserves more support and recognition -- and coverage.
Injury report from the Santa Clara side to my knowledge
Starting C Josip Vrankic (mono, questionable), been out since nov 13
Backup C Jaden Bediako (non covid illness, questionable) didn’t play in SCU’s last game on tuesday
Keys to the game: Santa Clara needs pace, especially averaging over 80 ppg. If they push the pace and get in transition the game is over.
Cal needs to get to Kelly early and often, especially with the unknown of Santa Clara centers. If Vrankic plays then Kelly will have to play some defense, but can get physical in his first game back on the offensive end and force him to work on defenses.
Win win game for me, hopefully I see some of you there as I hop off BART now enroute to Top Dog.
Vrankuc wasn't in attendance. Cal game plan was to take Parker Braun inside as he can't guard anyone and it worked quite well.
Good win by Cal. As I told Rob and Avi, SCU is a finesse team (going there I’ve seen their home games), they fold at physicality and have a lack of mental fortitude.
While SCU may have more talent, Cal had more grit and physicality which is what won them this game. Good win regardless in a game I had SCU winning 72-60 (irony for the final score),
One of the more complete games in the Fox era at Cal. Once Shepherd starts sharing the ball, good things tend to happen, and the lineup of him, Alajiki, Makale, & Lars for the last few minutes of 1H was the difference in the game…10 down to up 4, with Lars giving them quite a lift in that stretch, esp. on D…nice work, Lars.
Didn’t think they’d be >.500 this late in the season…
Really good win by the Bears...very nice effort.
Lars Thiemann gave them solid minutes in the crucial stretch of the first half....kid has a couple solid efforts in a row...nice to see...good job Lars.
I was surprised to see Lars being so agile. His footwork has improved dramatically and he did not commit dumb fouls.
Things are starting to click for Lars and he’s giving them plus minutes the past few weeks...so nice to see and a testament to both him and the coaching staff, as he’s clearly been working on his game...as a legit 7’-er, if he can just be a presence down low that impacts shots, grabs a couple of boards, protects the rim & maybe hits some layups, it’ll be all this team needs from him in 10-12 minutes per game.
I’m happy for him & it’s good to see...this team plays a competent brand of basketball not seen in these parts since the tail end of the Obama administration.
Alajiki giving boss 6th man energy.
Bombs away on those 3's!
He’s one of their best 3p shooters…when he develops starts putting it on the deck and develops a mid-range game look out…
Potentially all PAC-12 as a JR, or at least honorable mention
Kid should be one of top 5 men tho!! ;-) hahaha
Right?!
Less Joel Brown and Anticevich, Mark...don't know why it's so hard to figure out....
Tho Grant with a nice step back and then a sweet lefty layup...competent basketball.
Shepherd 5-17 (too many shots, Jordan) but leads the team in assists again...when he shares the basketball, the O flows very well.
Shepherd and Kelly had some nice chemistry during stretches, especially since Kelly is a credible roll man.
And a beautiful pass from AK to Shepherd for the dagger...
Get Joel out of there.
Because of the FTs
ALAJIKI
The starting lineup Fox used tonight CAN NOT score the basketball...Shepherd, Grant and Joel Brown are all looking to shoot, all with varying degrees of success, or lack thereof...
More Makale and Alajiki...that's a far better combo for a game that prioritizes being able to put the ball through the hoop.
Best stretch of basketball of the year for the Bears here behind Makale Foreman with Alajiki on the court AND Lars F-ing Thiemann giving huge minutes.
Sendek must think he's out of timeouts
For real man Herb let my boys sink
Sam Alajiki should start for this team...any night that this kid doesn't get 22-25 minutes is a disservice to the team.
After an OK start, Bears get sloppy with the ball. And they can't get a shot off in the paint, with Santa Clara swatting 3 downlow early.
Alajiki should not be the 4th guy off the bench on this team, Celestine has regressed & Foreman can't guard anybody...
Only reason we're not down double digits is Broncos aren't hitting their jumpers.
Update: Backup C Jaden Bediako (Foot) is OUT
Starting C Josip Vrankic (mono) looks to be probable (seeing him warmup), big get for SCU
Vrankic will not play, only in emergency as he hits 1 month removed from mono
Go Bears!!!
If you're in attendance, I'll see you there!
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Cal also has a women's basketball. team They defeated McNeese State, 102-60 this afternoon at Haas to raise their record to 7-2. Cal's leading scorer is Jayda Curry who has already been named conference freshman of the week three times. The team deserves more support and recognition -- and coverage.
Injury report from the Santa Clara side to my knowledge
Starting C Josip Vrankic (mono, questionable), been out since nov 13
Backup C Jaden Bediako (non covid illness, questionable) didn’t play in SCU’s last game on tuesday
Keys to the game: Santa Clara needs pace, especially averaging over 80 ppg. If they push the pace and get in transition the game is over.
Cal needs to get to Kelly early and often, especially with the unknown of Santa Clara centers. If Vrankic plays then Kelly will have to play some defense, but can get physical in his first game back on the offensive end and force him to work on defenses.
Win win game for me, hopefully I see some of you there as I hop off BART now enroute to Top Dog.