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Love Jalen Celestine

Last year when he sat out injured he was always engaged with the team and players being one of the team leader from the floor

This year he plays within himself and doesn’t force it

But we also saw what he could do in the big moments

Proud of him

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Can we build an algorithm that can ascertain when Cone will be streaking hot/cold? Cuz when he's cold, he's cold. Great to see the Bears play as a team and lift themselves to victory w/ their best player out and the "streaky shooter" having a frigid night. Great team win and happy the lads came out ahead of this single digit margin for victory.

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I did some charting earlier this year where Cone was a better shooter when he had the ball in his hands and pulled the trigger vs catch and shoots. But that means he is the nominal PG and over time is predictable to defend.

I like the evolution of Cone as a tertiary ball handler, and his willingness to drive towards the lane more. Plus, his action is more lane oriented and not starting in the corner. He is an exceptional screen-setter for being undersized.

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Him going 8-9 from the line was really important in both scoring AND drawing fouls on Stanford’s perimeter defenders

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This just might be a milestone, turn in the road type of win for the Bears, bigger than just beating Stanford would be (though that, admittedly, would always be important). Good crowd, good come from behind effort against an arguably good opponent that is at least capable of being good), and proof of product and progress.

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I'm not a BB strategist, but here are some of my observations:

1. What's with the absence in the key when our guys were shooting? Was this a strategy to favor defense and be several steps ahead on the break? Several brick shots, thrown in haste were sure turnovers to Furd. Just wondering.

2. Yes, the free throws were painful to watch. One time that I saw, the second throw was more of a frozen rope than a loft that hit the front of the rim. I couldn't be sure whether or not that was a rebound strategy, but we could have used the point, then.

3. When Jaylon went out, I initially thought, "Game over." But, then, thought better. Tyson carries the bulk of the water and, sometimes, a team can get lazy and full of bad habits. As it happened, "Next man up" came through and that's very encouraging.

Overall, no 'The Bear does not quit, the Bear does not die."

Great job for both the coach and team!

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No the missed FT was not an attempt to get a rebound

When you are still trying to fix/improve your form, sometimes you throw up an egg

The really good shooters have a repeatable shot and aren’t thinking about their form when shooting

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Yeah, I just wondered. So much of the Mad Dog strategy seems focused on the break, I just wondered if that miss was purposeful.

As for missing FTs, there's pros that are poster boys for such. Shaq comes to mind. LOL

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For #1, you are correct. Madsen does not send everyone to rebound. He does not like getting beat in quick transitions.

For #2, no strategy. Some of the shots were just that bad.

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Cal offense has been stagnant all year, not enough pass and cut. I see lots of iso and guys standing around, in almost every game. If they want to take it to the next level, more movement and Cone is the key. He can’t constantly disappear. He is super quick off dribble and he needs to be consistent with 3’s

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You and I have not been watching the same games. Yes tonight was alot of ISO and perimeter ball movement. I credit Stanford for disrupting Cal's usual schemes.

Cal's offense has not been stagnant all year. It's been a joy to watch the motions and play design. Sometimes "standing around" is being a part of secondary action after Tyson or someone initiates. Also, the team runs alot of 3-man action, where the other players are decoys away from the main play motion.

Cone had an off night, but when his shot was not falling he drove more. He ended up 8/9 from the free throw line.

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Cone has also evolved his game within this team from 3 point gunner to occasionally mixing in the 15’ floater which I think he hits decently well

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He needs to do more of that otherwise teams just overplay the shot

Gotta burn them on that strategy and when they finally give him an inch of space he can rise and shoot

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Jan 27·edited Jan 27

The beauty of what Madsen is building is that in his first year, they can beat a quality opponent even after an injury to Tyson, despite a brutal shooting night from a 14 ppg scorer, and without hitting like 14-21 from 3…

Better lock him up if/when ‘Furd fires Haase…

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that was cool

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Can’t overstate what Keonte brings defensively. He deserves as many accolades as JC for this win. Go Bears!

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Yeah he kept us in the game in the first half!

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Wow! So impressive were the Cal Students turning out in huge numbers. The message is getting out that what is happening at Haas Pavilion is pretty special and worth the effort to show up. Jalen Celestine is a baller. I believe his early season injury spell had a major impact on a lot of those early season close losses.

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Great game and awesome win.

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“Jalen Celestine scored 7 straight points to keep Cal close, 60-58 with 8 minutes to go.”

This was the most important stretch of the game.

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This was ELECTRIC: "Keonte Kennedy had 2 steals and dunks"

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anyone have a video who can play his dunks in slo-mo? I'm guessing he took 5 steps on his way to the basket. Whatever happened to traveling? Or is ths the new NBA-style offense that Mark loves?

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One the last play the Stanford guard took 3 or 4 steps and no call

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absolutely took 5 steps!

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The only other game that came close to the excitement level of this game was the last win at Haas against Furd. This was a glorious win. One to build on even though the next ones will be tough especially if Tyson cannot go or is less than 100%.

The revelation of the game was the emergence of Celestine. He’s been overshadowed by the new players but showed tonight that he is everything that they are. His length allows him to shoot over players. The Bears have to find a way to get him more shots.

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Tyson should be fine he was cramping

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Go Bears! First off, any win tonight is an outstanding win. So important to reward that big crowd with happiness. Second, to win with a poor night from Cone and absent Tyson for major stretches is just wonderful. Did you see coach Madsen after the game with fans? Who doesn't want to cheer for him and this team? I hear he went to some fraternities? That's how you build a campus passion for your team. Bright things ahead, even with painful losses coming too. Boy I wish I had been there.

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Me too!!

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Great win and even sweeter to beat Stanford in Haas with 8,500+ in attendance. Keep building the momentum!

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Cal wins! I’m not a big fan of the Cal offense, way too much standing around and too much ISO ball, but a win is a win! Go Bears…

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Cal runs a pro offense

Recruits are noticing and want to play in this style

(Unlike *cough* Foxes slowdown ball)

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Yeah it seems like we survived, but as you say a win is a win ;-) GO BEARS!

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Cal's offense is not designed for ISO ball, but they fell into it when Stanford went to a Zone. And when Tyson is yoru best initiator, things fall apart when he is out. Fardaws does'nt seem to be able to pass out of the post...so we have no Assist-machines on the floor

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Jan 27·edited Jan 27Liked by BentPawn

We really have no point guard, which makes it tough to get the O initiated in a half court set. Tyson is doing his best but is playing a little out of position.

But you can tell this coaching staff really understands offense. Once they get a couple of recruiting classes under their belts, it’s going to be glorious.

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Credit Stanford defense tonight for that. Their length took away Cal's usual passing opportunities and limited the pick and roll.

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Agreed. Length and good hand quickness. Spencer Jones (14) was listed at 6’7” but looked to be much taller than Celestine and Tyson.

It appears that Jerod Haase knows his Xs & Os.

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Any explanation re the late soup on Newell that was originally called in Furd? The only replay I saw at the game looked like it might have been a flagrant 1 in Furd.

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A toss up call at best. Shouldn’t have been overturned. The ball handler is entitled to certain amount of space, which they apparently felt Newell had encroached. Newell was in his body, but straight up when he caught the elbow.

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Absolutely should not have been overturned. Angel initiated contact beyond the sphere.

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Jan 27·edited Jan 27

the fact that it took the Refs 10+ minutes to make a decision made it clear to me that they were undecided and not unanimous. I would have waived off the call as incidental contact and returned the ball to Stanford on teh sideline.

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Yeah I feel like a call like this should be a let’s go with as called on the floor

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There’s a rule in college basketball where the offensive player must be given a “cylinder” of space to turn, dribble or pass. Newell was within the Stanford player’s cylinder (and honestly he flopped on the elbow - the Stanford player might have got him on the shoulder but Newell swung his chin back like he took a face shot)

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And they say we've given up the arts. What the Hell, that was some great acting.

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