I remain convinced that Fox is not using Kuany properly...a long, 6’9” athletic player with quickness, hops and a 7’ wingspan SHOULD be making more of an impact, on the offensive glass, of course, but especially on D.
Instead, he spends a majority of time either getting back on D as soon as a Cal shot goes up, or he’s chasing shorter 2 guards around in half-court sets.
It just seems a more imaginative coach would be able to make better use of a weapon such as this.
This game was a blue print of what Fox wants. So, credit to the players for executing it to the best of their ability. Clearly Fox has to let some of the younger players get more minutes. Like NOW. As good as the team looked today, I'm still not a fan of Fox. I don't like much about him and he is, to my observation, the only PAC12 coach that stands ON the court while play is going on. He comes across, to me, as a bully and petulant child all wrapped up in one.
I believe Kelly's injury was in the ankle area and not the knee.
It insane how little Fox plays the younger players. Alajiki should be getting at least 25 minutes a game and every healthy freshman and sophomore should be getting at least 10 minutes a game. Would go a long way to being a better team next year. Nothing against the older guys but this season isn't ending with any postseason tournament so developing young guys should be the focus of all games moving forward. Best way to do that is to give them actual minutes in games.
We’ve been lamenting Alajiki’s minutes all season. The fact that Sam is not getting 20+ a night is a joke. He’s definitely one of the 5 best players...
If a team is on a seven game losing streak not playing the young guys it can't get worse. Give them some minutes to see who will respond and could potentially play much larger roles next year. Sticking young guys on the bench of a losing team in favor of seniors does nothing to help the long term prospects of the team. Also glad to join the Sam Alajiki Fan Club love his heart and hustle more than anything else
Yeah looked to me to be an ankle, and possibly a high ankle. Not sure speculation is good, but when you have a really bad ankle sprain you can’t put ANY weight on it.
Kelly kinda bounced off the floor in pain, suggesting that it might have been a high ankle injury
In any case, I would be surprised to see him play in the two games this week which of course is a freaking disaster
Jan 30, 2022·edited Jan 30, 2022Liked by Alex Khalifa
Thanks Alex.
Watched the 1H of Cleveland St. as they battled the gritty Norse of N. Kentucky on the road....I am 100% convinced that based on his offensive scheme alone, Dennis Gates would have this same Cal team a tad more competitive, despite the talent deficit. Like the Bears, Sheriff has a team light on consistent shooters, but everyone can run the floor, and the spacing is something we haven't come close to seeing from Fox.
This SC game is probably what we can expect from Cal during the Fox regime, however long it lasts...tough, hard fought games v. more talented teams, that end in L's by just a few plays/possessions...
Cleveland State's offensive profile cracks me up, but also impresses me. Like you said, ZERO shooting. So it appears that Gates just has them attack attack attack attack, try to get to the bucket, draw fouls, grab offensive rebounds, because that's what you have to do when you have no shooting.
Finding the right scheme for YOUR talent matters more, tho, no AP? Those recent Loyola-Chicago teams under Porter Moser are the perfect example...they weren't the most talented kids, but his system allowed them to play to their strengths, which was spacing, ball movement, passing and cuts. That's what puts your players in the best possible position for success.
And plenty of Cal fans are not convinced Fox is doing that. Watching Cal continuously run a cluttered, packed-in motion offense with little spacing grows tiresome...
The one player Fox is completely wasting is Kuany...
Agree with JC. Once the season starts we should stop talking about talent as there is nothing that can be done with that
Once the team is set it’s about preparation , offense and defense systems to maximize your team, game planning against your opponent, in game coaching and getting the best effort of the players
<rant> I am not impressed with Fox' coaching inside of maybe 5 minutes. He doesn't call strategic time outs, doesn't change the pace, doesn't run the press...in short does nothing to help the team out while we invariably trail by 4-5 points and can get no closer. At least a handful of times one would expect a come from behind victory, but with Fox this never happens, no matter how hard the lads are playing....</rant>
The fact that Fox stresses D, yet his D doesn’t force TO’s, is a mystery.
Your team is deep, and you substitute constantly...why not try more trapping throughout the game? This team sure doesn’t seem to have the lockdown individual players to play a half-court D...one that doesn’t force turnovers no less...
I remain convinced that Fox is not using Kuany properly...a long, 6’9” athletic player with quickness, hops and a 7’ wingspan SHOULD be making more of an impact, on the offensive glass, of course, but especially on D.
Instead, he spends a majority of time either getting back on D as soon as a Cal shot goes up, or he’s chasing shorter 2 guards around in half-court sets.
It just seems a more imaginative coach would be able to make better use of a weapon such as this.
Kelly could definitely score over Mobley, and when SC brought a double he kicked out at just the right time.
Cal then shot the ball or rotated to the side the help defender vacated
Cal has that play down when ever Kelly can take his man
Not so easy with ucla when Cody was able to defend Kelly himself
Therefore Kelly is the key to our offense and if he’s hurt prospects for the rest of the games goes to life support
The entire offense revolves around Kelly....if he misses any time, they could be in trouble.
This game was a blue print of what Fox wants. So, credit to the players for executing it to the best of their ability. Clearly Fox has to let some of the younger players get more minutes. Like NOW. As good as the team looked today, I'm still not a fan of Fox. I don't like much about him and he is, to my observation, the only PAC12 coach that stands ON the court while play is going on. He comes across, to me, as a bully and petulant child all wrapped up in one.
I believe Kelly's injury was in the ankle area and not the knee.
It insane how little Fox plays the younger players. Alajiki should be getting at least 25 minutes a game and every healthy freshman and sophomore should be getting at least 10 minutes a game. Would go a long way to being a better team next year. Nothing against the older guys but this season isn't ending with any postseason tournament so developing young guys should be the focus of all games moving forward. Best way to do that is to give them actual minutes in games.
This what coaches who are coaching for their jobs do.
The goal in every game should be to win it
Lost the last seven why not switch it up give some young guys more minutes can't get a worse result
We’ve been lamenting Alajiki’s minutes all season. The fact that Sam is not getting 20+ a night is a joke. He’s definitely one of the 5 best players...
Fox’s substitution patterns are inexplicable.
If a team is on a seven game losing streak not playing the young guys it can't get worse. Give them some minutes to see who will respond and could potentially play much larger roles next year. Sticking young guys on the bench of a losing team in favor of seniors does nothing to help the long term prospects of the team. Also glad to join the Sam Alajiki Fan Club love his heart and hustle more than anything else
Yeah looked to me to be an ankle, and possibly a high ankle. Not sure speculation is good, but when you have a really bad ankle sprain you can’t put ANY weight on it.
Kelly kinda bounced off the floor in pain, suggesting that it might have been a high ankle injury
In any case, I would be surprised to see him play in the two games this week which of course is a freaking disaster
Thanks Alex.
Watched the 1H of Cleveland St. as they battled the gritty Norse of N. Kentucky on the road....I am 100% convinced that based on his offensive scheme alone, Dennis Gates would have this same Cal team a tad more competitive, despite the talent deficit. Like the Bears, Sheriff has a team light on consistent shooters, but everyone can run the floor, and the spacing is something we haven't come close to seeing from Fox.
This SC game is probably what we can expect from Cal during the Fox regime, however long it lasts...tough, hard fought games v. more talented teams, that end in L's by just a few plays/possessions...
Cleveland State's offensive profile cracks me up, but also impresses me. Like you said, ZERO shooting. So it appears that Gates just has them attack attack attack attack, try to get to the bucket, draw fouls, grab offensive rebounds, because that's what you have to do when you have no shooting.
That's one thing I wish this team did - crash the offensive glass...
Kuany seems like he would be a matchup nightmare on the offensive boards, yet he rarely makes a play...12 ORebs in 19 games?
Turns out both talent and scheme/system matter? Who would have guessed it isn't an "or" choice?
Sure, of course talent matters.
Finding the right scheme for YOUR talent matters more, tho, no AP? Those recent Loyola-Chicago teams under Porter Moser are the perfect example...they weren't the most talented kids, but his system allowed them to play to their strengths, which was spacing, ball movement, passing and cuts. That's what puts your players in the best possible position for success.
And plenty of Cal fans are not convinced Fox is doing that. Watching Cal continuously run a cluttered, packed-in motion offense with little spacing grows tiresome...
The one player Fox is completely wasting is Kuany...
Agree with JC. Once the season starts we should stop talking about talent as there is nothing that can be done with that
Once the team is set it’s about preparation , offense and defense systems to maximize your team, game planning against your opponent, in game coaching and getting the best effort of the players
<rant> I am not impressed with Fox' coaching inside of maybe 5 minutes. He doesn't call strategic time outs, doesn't change the pace, doesn't run the press...in short does nothing to help the team out while we invariably trail by 4-5 points and can get no closer. At least a handful of times one would expect a come from behind victory, but with Fox this never happens, no matter how hard the lads are playing....</rant>
The fact that Fox stresses D, yet his D doesn’t force TO’s, is a mystery.
Your team is deep, and you substitute constantly...why not try more trapping throughout the game? This team sure doesn’t seem to have the lockdown individual players to play a half-court D...one that doesn’t force turnovers no less...
some teams defensive strategy is to play tough, man on man fundamental defense. some teams play aggressive, pressure defense.
Fox and Martin before him are examples of the former strategy, and those defenses don't force a lot of turnovers