1. I really want to like Shepherd. He's got a sweet shot and is capable of creating on his own. But the ball moves around so much better when it's running through Joel and Makhale tonight.
2. Grant's long 2's are not worth it. Either drive to draw in the defense then look to dish, or move 2 feet farther back to make it a 3-point shot. Too many quick ctch and release from just inside the 3-point line.
3. Alajaki was the key, in that he shut down (enough) Knight and was enough of a presence onm the boards. I think he should be starting over Kuany. It'll be interesting to see his PT once Thorpe returns.
4. Not sure why Foreman got 25 minutes tonight over Hyder or others. His shot wasn't great tonight, he's not a great defender. He is a capable ball handler, I guess Fox wanted that with Shepherd in foul trouble.
5. That said, he was a champ tonight going to the free throw line when he knee was obviously hurting him.
6. I like Joel's attacking tonight, even if it didn't always work. I think he'll make a leap by years end.
1. Shepherd is not suited to the role Fox has carved out for him, and Fox does not get the benefit of the doubt in terms of knowing what he’s doing as HC ;-)...Shepherd is just too inefficient as a shooter/scorer, he’s careless w/ the ball & turns it over way too much, and he doesn’t create opportunities for his teammates...he’s been a rotational piece for his 4 years at 2 other schools...thinking he can all of a sudden be your go-to guy and carry the ball club is folly. The UNLV game was embarrassingly bad...
2. Grant was so overmatched by SUU’s athleticism & quickness on both sides, but damn if he didn’t bang 2-3 huge shots. He is what he is, & tho frustrating at times, he can hit a big shot. Where was he late at Vegas, Mark Fox???
3. I was high on Alajiki from the day he signed...kid should get more run...despite size/length/athleticism, Kuany gives you very little - get Sam on the court. He’s raw, but athletic, and is probably their best defender, along with Joel. Sweet enough stroke from the line, too...MORE COURT TIME FOR SAM, Mark.
4./5. Hyder is arguably not a P12 caliber player, at least now when he’s coming back from an injury....doubts persist as to whether he can be anything more than a minutes eater, bc he rarely contributes to the stat sheet when he’s on the court, which begs the question of why he’s out there. Celestine should get those minutes, or Foreman, like tonight. Foreman at least can hit a FT and is a threat from 3 that opposing defenses need to account for. That said, Makale needs to shoot better than 2-8/1-6 on 3pa.
6. Joel Brown’s D in 2H was so big, and he had a huge stop in OT...he runs the O alright, and definitely gets into the paint, which is important for this team. But the missed FTs are absolute killers for a team w/ such a slim margin for error. Still, he helped get Andre Kelly have a career night.
Solid, entertaining win...and keep an eye on Southern Utah in March if they win 5h3 Big Sky Conf Tourney...they got 3-4 legit scorers & could pull a 14/3 upset...
I originally was going to ask why Foreman took Celestine's minutes, but then looked it up and they both played 25 minutes. Didn't feel like Celestine was out there that much. I guess I answered my own question about why Foreman gets so much PT.
Remember getting blown out by Dayton, USF, etc. under Montgomery? Those teams had a bunch of strong, explosive 6'7 wings that may not have been the most skilled, but just ran our guys out of the gym. That's what Alajiki brings.
Why do I still pay attention and go to games? The joy on Alajiki's and Foreman's faces as they left the arena. The smile from Andre Kelly despite his fatigue from a heroic effort. The personality of this team fighting to the end and staying supportive of one another even when adversity arose. These are kids who give their all for Cal, and while fans may not always show up, the players show up for the fans, their own pride, and the university. They are playing hard, playing together, making mistakes but growing. Games like this are worth it. The play is imperfect, but the game reveals the hard work and character of our team. Go Bears!
Really nice effort for the kids…everyone other than Brown, per usual, made their FTs…solid D last 20 mins (incl 2OT).
Andre Kelly MVP, Grant has his hands full on both ends with the quickness of SUU but made 3 huge shots. Alajiki 8 pts/5 rebs/2stls/3 blks/0 TOs & game changing D on Knight, who was torching them.
Most years, a 2OT home win over a Big Sky team is a head scratcher…not with this program now tho…satisfying win.
Well, as someone who is often critical of this program, that was a helluva game, v. the Big Sky favorites...Nice effort by the boys, and they ratcheted up the D and cut down on the TO's in 2H...major frustrations & lapses remain, and these guys have their clear limitations...
but....
Great win. The Andre Kelly game....and the game where Sam Alajiki established himself as a potential shutdown, defensive stopper.
Observations:
1. I really want to like Shepherd. He's got a sweet shot and is capable of creating on his own. But the ball moves around so much better when it's running through Joel and Makhale tonight.
2. Grant's long 2's are not worth it. Either drive to draw in the defense then look to dish, or move 2 feet farther back to make it a 3-point shot. Too many quick ctch and release from just inside the 3-point line.
3. Alajaki was the key, in that he shut down (enough) Knight and was enough of a presence onm the boards. I think he should be starting over Kuany. It'll be interesting to see his PT once Thorpe returns.
4. Not sure why Foreman got 25 minutes tonight over Hyder or others. His shot wasn't great tonight, he's not a great defender. He is a capable ball handler, I guess Fox wanted that with Shepherd in foul trouble.
5. That said, he was a champ tonight going to the free throw line when he knee was obviously hurting him.
6. I like Joel's attacking tonight, even if it didn't always work. I think he'll make a leap by years end.
Well said, Bent Pawn
Continued observations....
1. Shepherd is not suited to the role Fox has carved out for him, and Fox does not get the benefit of the doubt in terms of knowing what he’s doing as HC ;-)...Shepherd is just too inefficient as a shooter/scorer, he’s careless w/ the ball & turns it over way too much, and he doesn’t create opportunities for his teammates...he’s been a rotational piece for his 4 years at 2 other schools...thinking he can all of a sudden be your go-to guy and carry the ball club is folly. The UNLV game was embarrassingly bad...
2. Grant was so overmatched by SUU’s athleticism & quickness on both sides, but damn if he didn’t bang 2-3 huge shots. He is what he is, & tho frustrating at times, he can hit a big shot. Where was he late at Vegas, Mark Fox???
3. I was high on Alajiki from the day he signed...kid should get more run...despite size/length/athleticism, Kuany gives you very little - get Sam on the court. He’s raw, but athletic, and is probably their best defender, along with Joel. Sweet enough stroke from the line, too...MORE COURT TIME FOR SAM, Mark.
4./5. Hyder is arguably not a P12 caliber player, at least now when he’s coming back from an injury....doubts persist as to whether he can be anything more than a minutes eater, bc he rarely contributes to the stat sheet when he’s on the court, which begs the question of why he’s out there. Celestine should get those minutes, or Foreman, like tonight. Foreman at least can hit a FT and is a threat from 3 that opposing defenses need to account for. That said, Makale needs to shoot better than 2-8/1-6 on 3pa.
6. Joel Brown’s D in 2H was so big, and he had a huge stop in OT...he runs the O alright, and definitely gets into the paint, which is important for this team. But the missed FTs are absolute killers for a team w/ such a slim margin for error. Still, he helped get Andre Kelly have a career night.
Solid, entertaining win...and keep an eye on Southern Utah in March if they win 5h3 Big Sky Conf Tourney...they got 3-4 legit scorers & could pull a 14/3 upset...
I originally was going to ask why Foreman took Celestine's minutes, but then looked it up and they both played 25 minutes. Didn't feel like Celestine was out there that much. I guess I answered my own question about why Foreman gets so much PT.
Alajiki is solid. Kelly is great. Grant Anticiveich is finding good ways to piss me off on many possessions
RIGHT?!!!??!! Killing me.
Big time jumper there, tho. Tip of the cap to GA there...battling.
Another!
Hey Rob, we won last week. Gotta savor them when they happen.
This was a nice one ☝️
Remember getting blown out by Dayton, USF, etc. under Montgomery? Those teams had a bunch of strong, explosive 6'7 wings that may not have been the most skilled, but just ran our guys out of the gym. That's what Alajiki brings.
Why do I still pay attention and go to games? The joy on Alajiki's and Foreman's faces as they left the arena. The smile from Andre Kelly despite his fatigue from a heroic effort. The personality of this team fighting to the end and staying supportive of one another even when adversity arose. These are kids who give their all for Cal, and while fans may not always show up, the players show up for the fans, their own pride, and the university. They are playing hard, playing together, making mistakes but growing. Games like this are worth it. The play is imperfect, but the game reveals the hard work and character of our team. Go Bears!
Agreed - kids earned this one...they had every reason to be pleased...hard fought W!
Victory!!!
Really nice effort for the kids…everyone other than Brown, per usual, made their FTs…solid D last 20 mins (incl 2OT).
Andre Kelly MVP, Grant has his hands full on both ends with the quickness of SUU but made 3 huge shots. Alajiki 8 pts/5 rebs/2stls/3 blks/0 TOs & game changing D on Knight, who was torching them.
Most years, a 2OT home win over a Big Sky team is a head scratcher…not with this program now tho…satisfying win.
Well, as someone who is often critical of this program, that was a helluva game, v. the Big Sky favorites...Nice effort by the boys, and they ratcheted up the D and cut down on the TO's in 2H...major frustrations & lapses remain, and these guys have their clear limitations...
but....
Great win. The Andre Kelly game....and the game where Sam Alajiki established himself as a potential shutdown, defensive stopper.
Alajiki!!! Stud.
TOO MANY F-ING TURNOVERS
Great D by Joel Brown there...2:03 - big play for the kid.
SUU has 3 players that would be the go-to, leading scorer this year at Cal....sigh. That's a Big South team.
This Southern Utah team is just too quick for Anticevich
ALAJIKI is giving good minutes for a FR!
AK22 having a career game...be nice to get this one.
This Southern Utah team should win the Big Sky.
Jordan Shepherd hurts this team.
Great to hear Buolomne but the play-by-play guy is subpar.
I may just watch a tape of the Duke/Cal NCAA tournament game with Jadon Kidd and co.
More enjoyable.
I thought attendance at SD was 421. How did they fit all 421 in those photos?
Go Bears!!!