lol they randomly decided to turn it on at the end of the game. An NIT invite and run would be nice just because Cal has gone so long without any postseason play. But the team's lack of depth really caused them to run out of steam towards the end of the season. I think the momentum is there to build into a NCAAT team next year if they can retain guys like Pippen, Dai Dai, Rytis, Ruff. There's a couple interesting guys coming in as freshmen next year + still might get Quincy Wadley to commit who's a top 50 recruit. But who knows in this transfer portal era
It will be interesting to see. Losing a lot of rotation (Camden, Bell, Ilic, DJ, Dorsey), and recent Cal history says you’ll be fortunate to get 1 of the starting guards back. I’d take either/or back now in a heartbeat. Both would be fantastic. Gotta have some continuity eventually but the NIL/portal world is stupid.
Tough to really be sure what they even have in Ruff - rumors of an injury, which hopefully has healed, because the top recruit on a team with serious depth issues taking a RS year to fix his shot, as a SG, is a concern, tbh. Liked the Poly film and the ability to slash but it’s all gonna come down to how efficient he is at finishing outside the key - can he hit the 3? More importantly, can he defend v ACC 2-guards?
Dort needs to petition for another year, and word is he’s looking for a bag. IMO, they need a more polished offensive finisher in the post, a true back to the basket guy, so it becomes a Moneyball issue. Lee and Mady Sissoko put up solid #’s in that role, but honestly both were limited offensively. If you’re just gonna roll with 1 big and 4 shooters that big needs to have a more diverse arsenal on the block, IMO. But both bigs were athletic.
TT needs to develop his jumper. If the midrange game/outside shot is not even passable at this level, there is really a ceiling on what he gives you. He has the speed to be a real good defender, but was out of position far too often.
Yeanay, Kocanas and Dut need to really improve over the offseason to make any kind of impact.
Rytis getting another year is also a factor. He’s struggled with injuries both years - when he plays, he’s solid, but…..
Looks like there is dissension on the team lately. A lot of argueing between players on the bench and not passing to wide open players at times. Also, very little inside game.
Our NIL is brutal and it shows - it’s why Jim Knowlton should be indicted.
We don’t have P4 athletes, and lack depth. The lineup he has gone to all year at the first timeout has struggled, all year. He hasn’t switched it up…a large indictment of Mark Madsen’s coaching, IMO. Yet regardless, the staff has done a great job with what they’ve had.
Encouraging season but a really sour ending to the year. Other bubble teams collapsing and there was a chance. Team lacks toughness and rebounding. When threes aren’t falling, not a very good squad.
Yup. And Cal currently does not have the donors to really compete.
This was a great year, all in all…it also is probably the ceiling until we can raise more NIL money because they simply lack the financial support to have the talent and depth they need to contend for a top-5 ACC finish.
Still a good year, but we looked pretty average once we started playing P4 teams consistently.
A lineup consisting of a combination of Carr, Dorsey, Campbell, Ilic is simply not good enough and he’s been playing them together the past 3 months…it’s a concern.
Going to turn off the second half. Maybe not watching changes the mojo. Team has declined in the last four weeks, between defense and ball handling. Was scrappy four the majority of the season but then grew soft. Maybe the NIT will be a chance to change the atttitude.
Definitely at times. 2H of Pitt they looked tired.
But at the end of the day, this is a roster comprised largely of mid-major players…we won all our mid-major games and are a .500 club against P4 rosters….we lack length, quickness, athleticism…
This season was a complete success. After 9 years, that’s fantastic.
But these last 4 games have really exposed just how far we still have to go to be a legit NCAA Tournament team, IMO.
And it’s simply unsustainable for a Mark Madsen coached team to be as bad a rebounding club as this…that needs to improve.
Cal does not force turnovers under Madsen. They simply don’t have the length, speed and athleticism needed, and they struggle to come up with loose balls.
Nit here we go
lol they randomly decided to turn it on at the end of the game. An NIT invite and run would be nice just because Cal has gone so long without any postseason play. But the team's lack of depth really caused them to run out of steam towards the end of the season. I think the momentum is there to build into a NCAAT team next year if they can retain guys like Pippen, Dai Dai, Rytis, Ruff. There's a couple interesting guys coming in as freshmen next year + still might get Quincy Wadley to commit who's a top 50 recruit. But who knows in this transfer portal era
It will be interesting to see. Losing a lot of rotation (Camden, Bell, Ilic, DJ, Dorsey), and recent Cal history says you’ll be fortunate to get 1 of the starting guards back. I’d take either/or back now in a heartbeat. Both would be fantastic. Gotta have some continuity eventually but the NIL/portal world is stupid.
Tough to really be sure what they even have in Ruff - rumors of an injury, which hopefully has healed, because the top recruit on a team with serious depth issues taking a RS year to fix his shot, as a SG, is a concern, tbh. Liked the Poly film and the ability to slash but it’s all gonna come down to how efficient he is at finishing outside the key - can he hit the 3? More importantly, can he defend v ACC 2-guards?
Dort needs to petition for another year, and word is he’s looking for a bag. IMO, they need a more polished offensive finisher in the post, a true back to the basket guy, so it becomes a Moneyball issue. Lee and Mady Sissoko put up solid #’s in that role, but honestly both were limited offensively. If you’re just gonna roll with 1 big and 4 shooters that big needs to have a more diverse arsenal on the block, IMO. But both bigs were athletic.
TT needs to develop his jumper. If the midrange game/outside shot is not even passable at this level, there is really a ceiling on what he gives you. He has the speed to be a real good defender, but was out of position far too often.
Yeanay, Kocanas and Dut need to really improve over the offseason to make any kind of impact.
Rytis getting another year is also a factor. He’s struggled with injuries both years - when he plays, he’s solid, but…..
Just gonna face reality and admit that we need a big fix offseason 🥲🥲😑
So many bubble teams have lost. We had so many chances.
Turning this garbage off.
Great year regardless - 20 wins with this limited roster is awesome, especially after the past 9+ years.
We know where we need to improve….whether we can shall be determined.
Looks like there is dissension on the team lately. A lot of argueing between players on the bench and not passing to wide open players at times. Also, very little inside game.
why does nearly every team look bigger and more athletic than us? Too many Smurfs?
Unfortunately, OCB, because they are.
Our NIL is brutal and it shows - it’s why Jim Knowlton should be indicted.
We don’t have P4 athletes, and lack depth. The lineup he has gone to all year at the first timeout has struggled, all year. He hasn’t switched it up…a large indictment of Mark Madsen’s coaching, IMO. Yet regardless, the staff has done a great job with what they’ve had.
Encouraging season but a really sour ending to the year. Other bubble teams collapsing and there was a chance. Team lacks toughness and rebounding. When threes aren’t falling, not a very good squad.
They lack athleticism, length, and quickness as well.
This was an encouraging season but another full rebuild is coming and massive upgrades are needed everywhere.
Even harder to follow with a whole new team every year. That’s the new world but it’s not great
YES! The NIL really sucks.
Yup. And Cal currently does not have the donors to really compete.
This was a great year, all in all…it also is probably the ceiling until we can raise more NIL money because they simply lack the financial support to have the talent and depth they need to contend for a top-5 ACC finish.
Still a good year, but we looked pretty average once we started playing P4 teams consistently.
Team and coach look demoralized.
Ran out of steam down the stretch.
A lineup consisting of a combination of Carr, Dorsey, Campbell, Ilic is simply not good enough and he’s been playing them together the past 3 months…it’s a concern.
Going to turn off the second half. Maybe not watching changes the mojo. Team has declined in the last four weeks, between defense and ball handling. Was scrappy four the majority of the season but then grew soft. Maybe the NIT will be a chance to change the atttitude.
We need to shake off the last few weeks and win some NIT games to end the season on a more positive note.
They are likely going to have to replace 4 starters with limited NIL funds.
Should be interesting.
The lack of depth is killing them. The drop off in talent after the starters is immense, and they look gassed. Long season.
In the last 7 halves, Cal has played 5 of their worst of the year, by far. Completely gagging down the stretch. Embarrassing.
They don’t even look Iike an NIT team.
dead legs?
Definitely at times. 2H of Pitt they looked tired.
But at the end of the day, this is a roster comprised largely of mid-major players…we won all our mid-major games and are a .500 club against P4 rosters….we lack length, quickness, athleticism…
This season was a complete success. After 9 years, that’s fantastic.
But these last 4 games have really exposed just how far we still have to go to be a legit NCAA Tournament team, IMO.
And it’s simply unsustainable for a Mark Madsen coached team to be as bad a rebounding club as this…that needs to improve.
No turnovers by FSU so far.
Cal does not force turnovers under Madsen. They simply don’t have the length, speed and athleticism needed, and they struggle to come up with loose balls.
The difference in the game is the Seminole with 4 3s
Magee - averages 8 ppg.
We don’t defend nearly well enough.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1999/3/26/cal-wins-nit-pnew-york-californias-comeback/
Cal needs to upgrade in so many areas if they are going to make the Tournament next year.
Indeed.
You reverse the call but do not call the obvious foul.