49 Comments
author

If by year 3 were struggling to compete against non P5 and getting blown out by basically a d2 school we have severe issues.

Expand full comment

Yes, this! Exactly, Rob. And no one is expecting this team to even approach .500...yet they've still managed to underwhelm.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment
author

They’ve been in d1 since July of 2020. Which means their roster is all guys that were playing d2 until last year outside of a few guys. One of whom is a former USC/UW player but he didn’t play. The point stands. It’s not about who they have on the schedule.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment
author

Being good in d2 means nothing when the level of competition and athletic profile jumps as soon as you get into d1.

Expand full comment

They have a roster of players that would be bench contributors on a good team, same with Cal. We should not get waxed by this team in the home opener, ever.

Expand full comment
author

That’s being VERY nice.

Expand full comment

I'm working on having a more positive attitude, Rob, especially after losing my schitt last week after the COVID-aided L at U of A. I'd say Rocak, Pope and Nwakorie could see time, at least. Rocak is pretty good...he's got a real shot to be all Big West....

Expand full comment

Just came up short. That's gonna happen a lot this season. Too much Shepherd, already!

Expand full comment

Kid's battled. They were 6 point dogs, and lose by 3 and were in it. Gonna be a lot of nights like this for Cal....and the kids play hard....and holding UNLV to 55, MOST teams are gonna win most nights, but not this team, with this O. Not when you let a kid shoot 17 shots....

Bears with 4 airballs in the 2H, and the defensive letdowns that led to easy, wide open looks from 3.

And in news surprising NO ONE, rough season ahead.

Expand full comment
author

Jordan "I must shoot everything" Shepherd

Expand full comment

I'm not the least bit impressed by him - 27 v. UCSD doesn't move the needle much if you lose by 12. 3-17 is unacceptable.

This Cal team will play hard, which is a testament to their heart...there's just not enough P12 talent here. Most of these kids are contributors off the bench on a Tournament team.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

The Shepard I saw vs UC San Diego was not a team player - out for himself, going one-on-four a bunch of times, not making the obvious pass for an easy assist, doing nothing to make the players around him better. He's a bust, should be moved to the end of the bench. Bring on the freshmen. I'd rather lose with them than this selfish 2nd tier guard.

Expand full comment

Yes, he was volume scorer at UNCC, but not an overly impressive one. He's not a heat check dude - he's a guy on his 3rd college team in 5 years that's gonna need 15-20 shots to get 20...that does NOTHING to help this team long-term - worse yet, he's taking wing minutes from Alajiki, Anyanwu, (and the BOD guys when they're healthy) just by being on the floor.

I am only watching these games to see if the FR and SO get run and show any glimpses for the future....nights like this are wasted L's bc kids can't develop if they don't play, and Alajiki was the only guy to play, and only 3 minutes at that.

Expand full comment
author

This was winnable. Grant deferred way too much and seemed to doubt himself. Frustrating.

Expand full comment

Whereas Shepard had all of the confidence in the world!

Expand full comment

Cal's basketball season continues apace...

Expand full comment
author

And shepherds with am awful shot to end it.

Expand full comment

Jordan Shepherd is not a P12 player.

Expand full comment
author

Grant just shoot it!

Expand full comment

Jordan Shepherd was an inefficient scorer at both OK and UNCC...3-15 is right on schedule. He's been the worst player on the court for Cal in 2H, yet is shooting every trip.

Expand full comment

this ^

Expand full comment

FOUL

Expand full comment
author

Yeah he was hammered on the follow through.

Expand full comment

In the head....they've gone to the monitor for flagrant for less....

Expand full comment
author

1 point game. 46 seconds. Cal with the ball. Will they go 2 for 1? Probably not.

Expand full comment

Probably not. Fox doesn't think like that....does he?

Expand full comment

Let's see what they draw up here....maybe they can get a good shot and the lead

Expand full comment

Grant with an awful turnover there....sigh. 5th year senior needs to be better.

Expand full comment
author

Grant needs to take those shots from 3 instead of putting it on the floor.

Expand full comment

They have no answer whatsoever for Bryce Hamilton...no one on their team can guard him.

Expand full comment
author

I hope he fouls out.

Expand full comment

He's a helluva player....lots of teams will struggle to guard him.

Expand full comment
author

Cal looking kinda competent in 2H. Consistent defense making UNLV take ugly shots and just enough ball motion for Cal on offense. Up by 2 at the 8 minute mark.

Expand full comment
author

I take back this comment about defense.

Expand full comment

The intensity is there...but they don't know their rotations...

Expand full comment

Kids are battling - hanging in there. But, I don't want to hear anything this year about "variance" on their 3P% D because they allow teams to shoot wide open 3's off of a single pass. It's happened 4 times tonight....one pass, wide open 3 - brutal.

Expand full comment
author

Cal has played I think 10 different players so far. Lars with a couple scrappy putbacks so far. Cal up 18-17 at 9 minute mark.

Expand full comment
author

Celestine's in. Nice to see him playing after missing the first game.

Expand full comment
author

UNLV 12-7 at the first timeout. Shepherd seems to be forcing it a little early on. Can't even tell Grant is on the court so far.

Expand full comment
author

Fubo carries stadium network, in all it's 240p glory. 6-2 UNLV early on.

Expand full comment

Ok, sorry I asked😌

Expand full comment
author

game isnt even listed on stadium live...even they dont want Cal

Expand full comment

Any hints on watching on stadium?

Expand full comment

Loloks like they have a 7 day free trial at watch stadium.com

Expand full comment

Link autocorrected wrong, it’s watchstadium.com

Expand full comment

Go Bears!

Expand full comment

When you say bounce back, I imagine that we're talking about measuring how far up a rock can bounce...

Expand full comment