Hoop Thoughts as Cal Begins Conference Play
On Cal's offensive strategy, and my favorite play so far this year
The California Golden Bears Men’s Basketball team will enter conference play next week with a 4-7 overall record.
Despite the losing record, Cal is +11 total points scored against their opposition.
There have been two decisive wins (Bakersfield +20, Santa Clara +15), and one decisive loss (Ole Miss -10).
In parallel, the remaining games (2-6 record) were all tightly contested, with two overtime finishes and five games decided by 5 points or less.
It’s not a stretch to say they could have a few more wins. Don’t overthink it. Even the wins could be flipped to losses if we want to go down the would’ve/could’ve route. The record is what it is, and I am fine with it. This is a skilled, well coached team who has yet to hit their ceiling. Even if the team were 7-4 at this point, I don’t think I’d have a much different opinion.
Cal’s primary offensive strategy in general is to start outside, and look for openings as the players cut, set screens, and rotate. The interior starts out empty, and the players use the area for motion opportunities or openings for a drive. Cal’s post players may settle into an interior spot, but that’s usually after setting a screen at the top or some other action. The player with the ball appears to always have a choice. This is a roster with multiple wing/guard players, and a skilled big man in Aimaq who is an adept passer and has a good shooting touch. The outside → in offensive approach is an excellent way to maximize their abilities.
This approach requires good ball movement and execution. Everyone is involved. It is not iso-ball, where one player gets the ball and then is required to make a play. Sure, Jaylon Tyson has a stretch every game where he just takes over. But it happens within the context of the existing offensive sets, and everyone else is helping facilitate. Even Coach Madsen says that in those moments, they want to feed him the ball more, and give him more opportunities.
A couple key statistics show when they are executing and moving the ball well.
Average assists in wins: 14
Average assists in losses: 10
Average turnovers in wins: 8
Average turnovers in losses: 16
Devin Askew played only 12 minutes against UC-San Diego on Wednesday as he returned from injury. In his absence, Cal employed a point guard by committee approach, with Jalen Cone, Jaylon Tyson and Keonte Kennedy sharing the duties. In the three complete games he has played this year, Askew has averaged 8 shot attempts per game. Last year, he averaged 14 attempts per game on a team where he was asked to do everything. In Madsen’s system, Askew is best suited to be a distributor and let the other players be on the receiving end of his facilitation. Devin Askew’s return should improve the team’s assists and turnover numbers, and will help unlock this offense even more as the team enters the conference season.
The play below is my favorite play I have seen in-person this year. The initial set is high, with Jalen Celestine and Grant Newell settling into spots on the lower left. Pay attention to the 3-man rotation and screen game that Fardaws Aimaq, Jalen Cone and Keonte Kennedy play at the top right.
The initial idea is to free up Jalen Cone so he has space to shoot or drive from the outside. Cone’s defender fights through the screen well and does not give him any space. Cone passes over to Kennedy.
Kennedy can feed it to Aimaq in the post and then clear out to allow Aimaq to go one-on-one. He chooses to use a soft screen from Aimaq and drive, drawing two defenders with him. Aimaq rotates out. Kennedy does not hesitate and passes back to the open Aimaq. Cone’s defender rotates over to Aimaq. Celestine points over to the wide open Cone.
Aimaq drives and sucks the defense with him. He makes a nice pass out to Cone, who has now drawn over Celestine’s defender. Cone can shoot, but instead passes over to a wide open Celestine, who makes the basket.
I love the little things from all of the players. There are four individual screening actions. The ease of Keonte's behind the back bounce pass. The relaxed way Aimaq makes a perfect hookshot pass back out to Cone. Cone's immediate pass over to Celestine. Celestine pointing over to Cone when Aimaq begins his drive. Newell ready for a catch and shoot at the end.
Credit also has to go to Jalen Cone’s initial defender, UCSD’s Hayden Gray (#10). He puts in so much work throughout the entire sequence, and does a great job of fighting through all the motion and staying connected with Cone. In the end, Jalen Celestine’s defender bailed on Celestine to pressure Cone, leaving Celestine wide open.
Of course, no basketball article is complete without a baseline clip.
This play has a few similarities to the first one. All players start outside, leaving the interior wide open. Three players start motion on the high right side. Askew cuts to the free throw line. His options include passing off to a rolling Aimaq, attempting a quick midrange jumpshot, or making an on-the-mark bounce pass to a cutting Jaylon Tyson. The initial setup, with the space open in the interior, is why this play works. Tyson is decisive when he makes his move, and Askew is fluid from catching the pass to bouncing it inside. It’s beautiful basketball.
Coach Madsen is doing an excellent job putting this team into a position to compete in every game. The players are bought in, displaying intensity and passion every time they are on the floor. The games are exciting and entertaining. The energy in Haas gets palpable in the second half of games.
Cal begins conference play this Friday when they host the Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats are the best team in the conference, with legitimate national title hopes. Regardless of the outcome of whatever the final record may be, The Golden Bears are on the right track.
Process not results
Believe it or not, they are playing very well. considering what happened last year, anything is good, however, they must get much better to hand Uber ACC next year. we'll know where they're gonna be in the future when they play Ucla Arizona and the top teams in. The pac 12.