77 Comments
User's avatar
Bear Me's avatar

Looking forward to watching this year's team for a change. Also finally got a hack to watch Pac-12 Network. Better late than never.

CalGal2004's avatar

Care to share said “hack”? 😉

Bear Me's avatar

Crazy but it works. Use a VPN to connect through another country (I chose Spain), then go to YouTube International and search for Pac 12 Network. Click on that and you’re on! Bonus is that I get to watch some commercials from Spain.

CalGal2004's avatar

Ah, yes makes sense. Curious - Which VPN provider do you use?

Bear Me's avatar

My kids had me get NordVPN. If you go to cashbackmonitor.com, you can find out how to get lots of cash back or airline/credit card points. I'm sure there are lots of other good ones.

Justbear's avatar

It was a watchable game for the first time in 5 years.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

A solid, workmanlike effort. They battled, executed when they had to, showed some toughness, and leaned on the SR leaders down the stretch.

A really nice win.

KetamineCal's avatar

My Pac 12 network subscription wasn't working but I'll just assume this was a cakewalk and routine win that didn't involve coming from behind.

Glad to start the Madsen era with a W.

GlueAndBold's avatar

Welcome to the UNDEFEATED Madsen Era!

Bluehenbear's avatar

Cal BB did a thing! W #1 for ‘23-24

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Bears hang on...great effort.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Boom. Aimaq and Cone...playing like veterans.

GlueAndBold's avatar

Our last win was exactly 10 months ago. Let's fix that!

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Welcome to the CONE ZONE, bubby.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

How TF is that a foul on Cal?

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

I haven't seen the replays but not sure why the whistle...

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Askew made a bucket. Big shot, Devin...gotta give it. Shoulda been an and-1.

Come on Cone...make your FTs.

Bluehenbear's avatar

Got a big break with that dribble off of foot

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Horrible missed FT...come on Celestine.

bigaddi's avatar

Hoping that if Cal can get a fully healthy team this year, plus Tyson being eligible, means that we don't see too much of Askew. Get your degree and leave

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Cal's assist totals are in the pisser because of Askew.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

St. Thomas beats Fox's team last year by 18 tonight.

Gobears512's avatar

Then I like the improvement :)

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

They're definitely much better. This Tommie's team is solid and can shoot it. Their HC has won national titles.

Gobears512's avatar

I read that in the previous analysis (on this website). I appreciate the info as this team is totally new and I can't find anything else on either team.

Bluehenbear's avatar

Defense seems lacking. Maybe cuz no Kennedy?

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

No Kennedy, No Jaylon, and only about 10 minutes of Newell.

Tonight's team is missing key players...hopefully they can escape with a victory, but win or lose, the team you see tonight is not the same one you will see in January.

Gobears512's avatar

Whew... until that 3 pointer I was starting to have dark thoughts... please CAL... you can do this!!!!

Justbear's avatar

Aimaq can move quickly

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Bears in trouble.Sigh.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

JFC St Thomas is hitting everything

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Come on Cone...get going here.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Really hoping Cone doesn't cost them this game...but this is a really rough performance.

WilderThanGene's avatar

wanted to see more of Okafor after the half, and hoping to see some scoring from Aimaq. we should be using our size

GoBears's avatar

Celestine is stud

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

St. Thomas hitting some really tough shots tonight.

concernedparent's avatar

Not really sure what he brings

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Yeah, not much. Was hoping to see a lot less of him TBH.

Gobears512's avatar

As a Cal fan, I don't think it's fair when other teams make a 3 pointer RIGHT AFTER we make one. It's just rude and I don't appreciate it. Let us have that one little moment of joy!

Gobears512's avatar

Haven't been able to watch the game - I'm hoping that the reason it's close is mostly due to unreal 3 point shooting percentage. Madsen did say that he feels Minnesota is a pretty good team but... this?

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

They're getting some open looks and banging them. You make your 3's in college basketball in this day and age you can definitely hang around.

Let's see if they make some adjustments at half. Expecting no Newell, unfortunately, though hopefully it's just a little hyperextension of the knee.

Askew remains an inefficient, ball dominant player. Needs to facilitate a little more.

Gobears512's avatar

Ugh... it's worse because he's one of the few guys I actually recognize with all the new players. Thanks for clarifying.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Celestine, OTOH, is balling! Great sign.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Slow start, ya maybe...but this team is missing some important pieces tonight.

Cone is pressing. Just get out with the W.

Justbear's avatar

Woohoo new Sprouts commercial

Go Eat A Taco's avatar

Lighting seems to be terrible in Haas or is it the camera man?

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Alright...35-34 at half. St. Thomas hitting practically all of their 3's to keep it close. Bears need to defend the 3 better.

Newell hurt...may not play in the 2H with a knee. Game 1 we have a depth issue.

Cal's Strength and Conditioning program is really poor...THAT's been an issue for 50 years.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Aimaq's a beast in the paint.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Monty B's hustling.

Justbear's avatar

The talent is so much better than last year

GoldenSD81's avatar

Better coaching + better talent = HOPE

WilderThanGene's avatar

whats up with the names on the jerseys being so small? someone pick the wrong font?

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Knowlton skimping on the material.

GoldenSD81's avatar

When trying to buyout Wilcox you have to save where you can

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Boom! And we're on the board.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

This team is nowhere near full strength.

Let's get a W.

Let's see energy.

Let's see Fardaws and Cone make an impact.

Let's see Askew and Celestine shake off some rust.

Let's see Grant Newell and ND show signs of taking the next step...

Justbear's avatar

Is it basketball season yet?