Agreed....they fought hard...had a few bad breaks down the stretch, and Mobley got away with a pretty awful traveling call on that buzzer beater in the lane.
While I'm hard on Grant, I still totally appreciate him and the time he's spent here in Berkeley...he's turned himself into a decent player.
I do NOT share the same affinity for Jordan Shepherd, tho...there's not nearly as much invested in him, and I do not love his game, his execution or his decision making...
I’m ambivalent on him now. He’s being asked to be the Paris Austin/Matt Bradley role in late shot clock for this offense but he’s not that type of player and that isn’t his skill set hence why he doesn’t look natural in certain positions or looks. He’s defn fiery and is a competitor. Which comes down to Fox and his recruitment/analysis of players and where they fit. Shep would be great next to Matt Bradley or Paris Austin but since Joel can’t shoot and is a slasher we’re back in the Ty Wallace and Jaylen Brown conundrum of spacing with only one shooter. Again turns back to fox and recruiting especially of a PG after Joel. He’s only brought in combo guards or shooters and not a PG whether transfer or freshman and that’s killed the rotation since we’re forcing PG roles into guys that aren’t PGs.
I agree. I'd rather have Foreman at that time, and even Hyder. Roberson just doesn't have much experience defensively, and he is not a shooter as far as I can tell
No he’s not much of a spot up shooter more of a shot creator and a good wing defender who can run the floor. I think hyder can still be good, basketball is 50% confidence he just needs to gain some back
So, the Hyder we’ve seen in Berkeley is so clearly not the same player that averaged over 9 a game as a true FR at Fresno....makes you wonder if he’ll ever be right injury-wise, either this year or career-wise. Poor kid.
The alternative is that this coaching staff completely whiffs on player evaluations, at least at the guard position. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Provided they all return in ‘22, which is no sure thing, the play of the injured fellas Hyder, Bowser & Thorpe figures to be a major factor in whether Cal is at all competitive next year...
He’s better defensively than foreman and why not give a freshman big minutes against a good team what does giving foreman the minutes do for us in the grand scheme of things
Foreman has developed a nice pull up jumper, and even a tear drop this year ... he needed that middle game as defenders were chasing him off the line ... but his 3 point shooting has digressed. Nice to see him hit a 3, but then he missed a wide open side-step shot
for us to win this game, we need to continue to hit 3s, because it's obvious USC will score
Fewer minutes for Grant, please. He is hurting the ball club....tho that was on Shepherd...Jordan can't dribble to the bucket and then throw it back to half court...brutal.
Drew Peterson is like 75% Casey Jacobsen in hateability.
YES!! Best post of the day....
When you're Shepherd, and you have a chance to go 1-on-1 with lottery pick Mobley, you've got to take your chance. (sarcasm)
Weak call on Kelly. Refs should've swallowed that.
Yup...Verne Harris crew SMH
One of these days, Fox will coach for the 2-for-1 opportunities at the end of halves. Frustrating that they couldn't do more there.
Agreed...that's his 1950's Indiana High School basketball approach to offense tho...
Really don't see Cal ever sniffing .500 in the P12 with Fox at the helm...
Celestine and Kuany have been elevating their play the last couple games. They are initiating instead of waiting for the game to 'come to them'.
agree ... they are starting to understand they are no longer role players
KK, Jalen and Alajiki are your nucleus next year.
Foreman!!!
Feel bad for Grant.
He's overmatched v. good teams...it's not his fault he's the best option they have tho.
He's a good Cal Bear tho and ALWAYS plays hard.
Kinda enjoying Eddie House with the color commentary. First time seeing him in the role.
I remember watching him go for 60 at Haas...that was impressive...
Grant on an 0-11 streak. Sigh.
Streak has been broken.
First bucket in LA with :24 left in the 1H Saturday....
Not good.
Cal made it a game, despite losing Kelly at a critical time
Welcome back Makale Foreman! 5-7, including 3-4 from deep (before the heat check buzzer shot)
Agreed....they fought hard...had a few bad breaks down the stretch, and Mobley got away with a pretty awful traveling call on that buzzer beater in the lane.
While I'm hard on Grant, I still totally appreciate him and the time he's spent here in Berkeley...he's turned himself into a decent player.
I do NOT share the same affinity for Jordan Shepherd, tho...there's not nearly as much invested in him, and I do not love his game, his execution or his decision making...
I’m ambivalent on him now. He’s being asked to be the Paris Austin/Matt Bradley role in late shot clock for this offense but he’s not that type of player and that isn’t his skill set hence why he doesn’t look natural in certain positions or looks. He’s defn fiery and is a competitor. Which comes down to Fox and his recruitment/analysis of players and where they fit. Shep would be great next to Matt Bradley or Paris Austin but since Joel can’t shoot and is a slasher we’re back in the Ty Wallace and Jaylen Brown conundrum of spacing with only one shooter. Again turns back to fox and recruiting especially of a PG after Joel. He’s only brought in combo guards or shooters and not a PG whether transfer or freshman and that’s killed the rotation since we’re forcing PG roles into guys that aren’t PGs.
That's a good point, Rob. Shepherd is probably being asked to do a little bit more than his skillset dictates...
Seriously question why the hell Roberson is out there at this point of the game....
I agree. I'd rather have Foreman at that time, and even Hyder. Roberson just doesn't have much experience defensively, and he is not a shooter as far as I can tell
No he’s not much of a spot up shooter more of a shot creator and a good wing defender who can run the floor. I think hyder can still be good, basketball is 50% confidence he just needs to gain some back
So, the Hyder we’ve seen in Berkeley is so clearly not the same player that averaged over 9 a game as a true FR at Fresno....makes you wonder if he’ll ever be right injury-wise, either this year or career-wise. Poor kid.
The alternative is that this coaching staff completely whiffs on player evaluations, at least at the guard position. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Provided they all return in ‘22, which is no sure thing, the play of the injured fellas Hyder, Bowser & Thorpe figures to be a major factor in whether Cal is at all competitive next year...
He’s better defensively than foreman and why not give a freshman big minutes against a good team what does giving foreman the minutes do for us in the grand scheme of things
Well, what does giving Grant or Shepherd the minutes do for us in the grand scheme of things?
I'm not opposed to getting Roberson minutes - just not with 2 minutes left in a close game.
Verne's crew starting to assert their whistledom....
Brown hits an open mid range followed with the veteran move to finish at the rim
If you get that consistently next year, you can work with it
Alajiki needed to make one more pass there...KK in the corner was wide open, instead he forced a 3 with a guy in his face.
Good offensive start for the Bears!
My first in-person MBB game since January 19, 2020.
Celestine is a very nice player… just needs to develop a right hand so he can create his own shot
A 2022 rotation with Joel, Celestine, KK and Alajiki isn't looking too shabby...
If Okafor is an impact player.....(nodding)
Grant is KILLING them...so is Shepherd.
5th year seniors gotta play well if you're gonna win...that's a big reason why you're in 10th place.
Grant is defending an all Pac-12 player who is longer than him
Defense has been solid
They switch so much, you really can't say Grant has been on Mobley the whole time.
Kyle Peterson is one ugly looking MF-er
It's the haircut that bugs me.
How is that a foul on Celestine???
Mobley fouled shep
How come you never hear Assistant Coach's salaries in MBB being a detriment? Always with Wilcox's crew tho?
Kelly with the Monster slam
Dreaded high ankle sprain....
Cal keeping it tight. Someone has to step up and make some big plays
Foreman needs to hit that shot
Yep.
Let's see what Roberson gives him here...6:00 mark entry
Answer is: not much. Sigh.
Foreman has developed a nice pull up jumper, and even a tear drop this year ... he needed that middle game as defenders were chasing him off the line ... but his 3 point shooting has digressed. Nice to see him hit a 3, but then he missed a wide open side-step shot
for us to win this game, we need to continue to hit 3s, because it's obvious USC will score
I agree - I feel bad for Foreman to be struggling with the injuries this year...
Anyone else notice that this Cal team fouls a ton?
The refs certainly have.
But it's every game...they struggle to defend without fouling.
Totally agree.
I'm trying to figure out what they're missing, K....
A rim protecting big maybe? AK is undersized in the post, and Grant doesn't help you much.
They play 20 seconds of good D but as soon as the ball handler drives, it all falls apart.
we certainly miss a rim protector, especially since we'll not good at keep perimeter players in front of us
Cal hot shooting start, like vs ucla
But can they keep it up?
What does Joel Brown give you again?
Above average on-the-ball defense and usually competent ballhandling. But that was lazy.
It's a sign of the state of the program that he's your starting PG...he's AJ Diggs 2.0.
You made me go look it up. Diggs 3 PPG/2 APG average. Brown closer to 5 PPG/3 APG over their careers. Brown's 50% better :-)
Ah, matches Joel's FT percentage. ;-)... Diggs was >60+%
Also, Diggs wasn't your starting PG..he was a backup on a better team, like Joel SHOULD be.
Again, it's the state of the program and a sign of Fox's recruiting/transfer whiffs that he's your starting PG.
Fewer minutes for Grant, please. He is hurting the ball club....tho that was on Shepherd...Jordan can't dribble to the bucket and then throw it back to half court...brutal.
Kid is not a really smart player.
Go Bears. Haas is Bears territory!
Not at Haas today, though I agree with your sentiment.
Probably right. goldenone
Kelly, Shep and Grant need to have a big game. Either Celestine or 2K needs to have a breakout game.
Brown, Sam, Lars, Foreman and others need to limit turnovers, play strong defense, and keep the defense honest. They need hold court at the minimum.
Sam doesn't really have a turnover problem, probably the only guy on the team, UCLA game notwithstanding. Prior to Thursday, he had 1 in last 8 games.