great analysis. during the game, I was trying to figure out why Cal was getting so open. A lot of it was Clayton is such a threat on all three levels and makes everyone around him better, and of course a lot of it was just Cal being in the shooting zone, but Stanford does look to have a poor defense.
You're right about Lars' ineffectiveness in all aspects of the game (offense, defense, rebounding) and Okofor had another very good game, but I would disagree that he sets better screens than Lars, who is a very good screener. For example, in the 3 second clip you showed above, Okafor could have easily been called for a moving screen.
Regarding Clayton's jersey issue. Thanks for explaining. I was wondering what that was about. Part way through the game a ref pointed out a similar issue with another player. Fox was very upset and yelled to the bench. Not sure if it was to the players to assistant coaches. A fan next to me said "he's a yeller"
I was wondering what Fox's mini-rant was about, did not catch it during the game. If it was more than 1 player, than that is definitely on the supporting staff to catch.
One other thing....maybe I should say that Okafor's screen are more effective than Lars' screens. you are right that Okafor could've been called for a hip check on that screen.
For me, Lars bails too quickly for the move to the basket, not fully committing to the stationary spot. Okafor is more physically present at the point of the screen than Lars is.
I would encourage you to watch a half of Lars just attempting to set screens. He often leaves before the dribbler gets there - he's not slipping them, he's just flat out bailing on the screen.
Seeing Grant Newell, Okafor, Roberson (best game as a Bear), Kuany and my main man Sam Alajiki (best game as a Bear) ball out was awesome to see, though it still left me slightly melancholy when I imagined what this team could do with competent coaching…the pieces are there.
Certainly DeJuan's presence helps in many ways. But Stanford's defense was bad. We will regress to a mean of 35-40% as a team. Markedly better than early season, but anything north of 50% is not sustainable.
dont think anyone from the Fire Fox group would change their mind at this point. in fact most Cal fans--most who stopped caring, a bigger issue--will not change their attitude barring a miraculous Linsanity type of finish to the season.
Hypothetically, 40% winout means a 9-22 year for the Bears, bringing Fox’s all time record at Cal to 43-80 which would cement him as Cal’s 2nd worst head coach ever by win percentage. Short of making it deep in the tourney, there is nothing Mark Fox can do to save his job.
What do you like about Fox so much? I feel like everyone who was on here has very coherently explained what they didn't like about him ad nauseam, and they were more than justified to be outraged over an historically bad start. Something like the worst start for a D1 program in 60 years?
Instead of simply being the antagonist to the Fire Fox people, can you please write up an essay for us about why you support Fox. It would honestly be helpful. Also, please provide 3 different source references.
We await your response. Preferably a minimum of 1000 words.
Cal’s played, and lost to, 3 of the top 5 schools in the Conference. They’ve beaten 3-3 Colorado, who as usual is quite helter-skelter away from the Boulder altitude, and 0-5 ‘Furd, who is alone in last place and will be looking for a new coach.
Honestly Bob, a majority of the Cal basketball fans don’t even watch the games, or post, anymore…the program is effectively dead to so many, and that’s a huge problem in and of itself, as WtGene said. The remainder are for the most part anti-Fox because as a high floor/low ceiling guy, he has failed immensely in his endeavors…high floor guys can’t be the worst team in college basketball for half of their 4th season. The whole thing with Fox was that he would right the ship after Wyking and get the program back on it’s feet.
I will say that these past 2 games have likely bought him the rest of the year…Knowlton is a tool, and has been excusing away the 0-12 start, so Fox is here to stay in ‘23…it’s nice to see competent basketball finally, but what happens when they come back to Earth?
The problem is two-fold, tho: his shortcomings as a HC, primarily schematically and as a recruiter, have been totally exposed. Secondly, we have to see IF he can win games against better competition…and on the road…and when the team shoots more in line with what the data says they should…regression is coming…when? Can they start getting wins when they shoot 40% from the floor, not 60%, and 35% from 3, not 63%.
This shooting is not sustainable…if they do somehow sustain it, then Fox will probably be extended…and the faith you and OskiOfTarth have shown in him will be rewarded…but the ceiling is still low…the guy doesn’t recruit and coach well enough to be a contender at the P5 level…we know that.
Love the 'shooting awesomeness'
great analysis. during the game, I was trying to figure out why Cal was getting so open. A lot of it was Clayton is such a threat on all three levels and makes everyone around him better, and of course a lot of it was just Cal being in the shooting zone, but Stanford does look to have a poor defense.
You're right about Lars' ineffectiveness in all aspects of the game (offense, defense, rebounding) and Okofor had another very good game, but I would disagree that he sets better screens than Lars, who is a very good screener. For example, in the 3 second clip you showed above, Okafor could have easily been called for a moving screen.
Regarding Clayton's jersey issue. Thanks for explaining. I was wondering what that was about. Part way through the game a ref pointed out a similar issue with another player. Fox was very upset and yelled to the bench. Not sure if it was to the players to assistant coaches. A fan next to me said "he's a yeller"
I was wondering what Fox's mini-rant was about, did not catch it during the game. If it was more than 1 player, than that is definitely on the supporting staff to catch.
One other thing....maybe I should say that Okafor's screen are more effective than Lars' screens. you are right that Okafor could've been called for a hip check on that screen.
For me, Lars bails too quickly for the move to the basket, not fully committing to the stationary spot. Okafor is more physically present at the point of the screen than Lars is.
I would encourage you to watch a half of Lars just attempting to set screens. He often leaves before the dribbler gets there - he's not slipping them, he's just flat out bailing on the screen.
Pretty remarkable turn of events for the Bears.
Great win…great write up BP! Thank you!
Seeing Grant Newell, Okafor, Roberson (best game as a Bear), Kuany and my main man Sam Alajiki (best game as a Bear) ball out was awesome to see, though it still left me slightly melancholy when I imagined what this team could do with competent coaching…the pieces are there.
cal wbb almost made it a weekend hoops sweep over stanford losing in a tight battle
here is what stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said about game:
"It’s really a game that could be really good for our team in the long run. It felt like a root canal in the short run."
The game was a joy to watch. The only question I have is-is anytihing like this sustainable against better teams?
Certainly DeJuan's presence helps in many ways. But Stanford's defense was bad. We will regress to a mean of 35-40% as a team. Markedly better than early season, but anything north of 50% is not sustainable.
Sigh...
dont think anyone from the Fire Fox group would change their mind at this point. in fact most Cal fans--most who stopped caring, a bigger issue--will not change their attitude barring a miraculous Linsanity type of finish to the season.
First or second year into his tenure, sure.
4th year, no way.
Long time reader, first time commenter.
Hypothetically, 40% winout means a 9-22 year for the Bears, bringing Fox’s all time record at Cal to 43-80 which would cement him as Cal’s 2nd worst head coach ever by win percentage. Short of making it deep in the tourney, there is nothing Mark Fox can do to save his job.
That would effectively be 9-10 down the stretch…Knowlton may not extend, as he’ll still have 2 years left. But he likely won’t fire him, either.
PS - Welcome! Go Bears!!
What do you like about Fox so much? I feel like everyone who was on here has very coherently explained what they didn't like about him ad nauseam, and they were more than justified to be outraged over an historically bad start. Something like the worst start for a D1 program in 60 years?
Instead of simply being the antagonist to the Fire Fox people, can you please write up an essay for us about why you support Fox. It would honestly be helpful. Also, please provide 3 different source references.
We await your response. Preferably a minimum of 1000 words.
Thanks!
Thanks! Appreciate the spirit!
Cal’s played, and lost to, 3 of the top 5 schools in the Conference. They’ve beaten 3-3 Colorado, who as usual is quite helter-skelter away from the Boulder altitude, and 0-5 ‘Furd, who is alone in last place and will be looking for a new coach.
Honestly Bob, a majority of the Cal basketball fans don’t even watch the games, or post, anymore…the program is effectively dead to so many, and that’s a huge problem in and of itself, as WtGene said. The remainder are for the most part anti-Fox because as a high floor/low ceiling guy, he has failed immensely in his endeavors…high floor guys can’t be the worst team in college basketball for half of their 4th season. The whole thing with Fox was that he would right the ship after Wyking and get the program back on it’s feet.
I will say that these past 2 games have likely bought him the rest of the year…Knowlton is a tool, and has been excusing away the 0-12 start, so Fox is here to stay in ‘23…it’s nice to see competent basketball finally, but what happens when they come back to Earth?
The problem is two-fold, tho: his shortcomings as a HC, primarily schematically and as a recruiter, have been totally exposed. Secondly, we have to see IF he can win games against better competition…and on the road…and when the team shoots more in line with what the data says they should…regression is coming…when? Can they start getting wins when they shoot 40% from the floor, not 60%, and 35% from 3, not 63%.
This shooting is not sustainable…if they do somehow sustain it, then Fox will probably be extended…and the faith you and OskiOfTarth have shown in him will be rewarded…but the ceiling is still low…the guy doesn’t recruit and coach well enough to be a contender at the P5 level…we know that.
No it will not