We tried to the move the ball around but between SDSU's sticking defense and our poor ball movement, that was a total, ugly, butt kicking. I had a lot of hope after the first couple games but I am worried now.
I know the competition level has increased overall, but we're playing worse ball now than we did earlier in the season. There's either some anti-learning or Madsen is coaching something that is wrong for this team. Either way, Madsen better fix this quick.
It's such a bummer to have an underperforming Men's basketball team on the heels of an underperforming Football team. Insult to injury. I'm a broken record on this but Montgomery coached teams played hard, team defense and smart, team offense. Arguably, he had no more talent than Madsen has this year. I know he's a Hall of Fame coach and all that, but I'm getting at leadership skills. You gotta want to. Even aside from the lack of assists and defense and such, there is something keeping them from wanting it more than the other team. That can be on the players selected, but more likely the coach.
The good news is that Mad Dog is a product of the Montgomery coaching tree. However, at some point you also need the talent to help you produce wins. SDSU is a top 25 team for a reason and last night they just out played us. Mad Dog needs to recruit some good high school and portal talent. Then, we might start seeing results.
This team is a mess rn. Playing far worse than the sum of their parts. Gonna learn over these next couple of months if Madsen is a good coach or merely a good salesman.
Yes, the assist numbers are especially concerning when you consider how good PGs Blacksher and Tucker were in their prior years with other teams. They’re capable of being good ball distributors, but Madsen’s offense seems to place a priority on crowbarring oneself into the key first; trying to score off the dribble has been a trademark of the Bears these two seasons also. Trying to play an NBA style, uptempo, looks instead like a frantic hurry for the Bears against good defenses. I’m nostalgic, but I miss the days of KJ handling the ball patiently at the top of the key. Be quick, but not in a hurry.
Meanwhile Cal's 24th ranked women's team raised their record to 12-1 with a 69-53 home victory versus Fordham. They take on Temple today at 5:00 in their Raising the B.A.R. tourney title game. https://calbears.com/news/2024/12/21/womens-basketball-no-24-cal-extends-win-streak-to-six-against-fordham.aspx
Charmin has her team swarming on defense and moving the ball effectively on offense. It's gorgeous basketball.
We tried to the move the ball around but between SDSU's sticking defense and our poor ball movement, that was a total, ugly, butt kicking. I had a lot of hope after the first couple games but I am worried now.
I know the competition level has increased overall, but we're playing worse ball now than we did earlier in the season. There's either some anti-learning or Madsen is coaching something that is wrong for this team. Either way, Madsen better fix this quick.
Somewhere we should note that Cal WBB did win on the same day.
I gave them a plug (see below).
It's such a bummer to have an underperforming Men's basketball team on the heels of an underperforming Football team. Insult to injury. I'm a broken record on this but Montgomery coached teams played hard, team defense and smart, team offense. Arguably, he had no more talent than Madsen has this year. I know he's a Hall of Fame coach and all that, but I'm getting at leadership skills. You gotta want to. Even aside from the lack of assists and defense and such, there is something keeping them from wanting it more than the other team. That can be on the players selected, but more likely the coach.
The good news is that Mad Dog is a product of the Montgomery coaching tree. However, at some point you also need the talent to help you produce wins. SDSU is a top 25 team for a reason and last night they just out played us. Mad Dog needs to recruit some good high school and portal talent. Then, we might start seeing results.
This team is a mess rn. Playing far worse than the sum of their parts. Gonna learn over these next couple of months if Madsen is a good coach or merely a good salesman.
Yes, the assist numbers are especially concerning when you consider how good PGs Blacksher and Tucker were in their prior years with other teams. They’re capable of being good ball distributors, but Madsen’s offense seems to place a priority on crowbarring oneself into the key first; trying to score off the dribble has been a trademark of the Bears these two seasons also. Trying to play an NBA style, uptempo, looks instead like a frantic hurry for the Bears against good defenses. I’m nostalgic, but I miss the days of KJ handling the ball patiently at the top of the key. Be quick, but not in a hurry.
Cal just couldn't capitalize on anything. The team forced about 13 TOs in the first half but only scored like 4 points off of them.
We need to improve team play. More assists and teamwork. The modern transfer after a year does not necessarily lead to that.
Time for conference season. Go Bears!
My wife and friends are happy and getting bragging rights in men’s bball this year but I got them in football.