Me too. Ola-Joseph as well. Wilkinson is heads and shoulders a better athlete than any other guard on the team, but not ready. He forced some pretty wild shots. I think his minutes might drop off unless we need a spark.
Interesting that Madsen opted to play 2 sometimes 3 (not even just at the end) smaller guards at all times. I assume this was because CSUB liked playing pressure and we needed the ball handling. I expected to see more Stojakovic guarding the 2.
Having an athletic and strong front court is such a revelation. Sissoko and Dort can run, jump and assert their will. Throw in explosive guys like Ola-Joseph and Omot in there and unlike last year we finally have a backline defense that can credibly alter shots.
Two huge storylines to watch this year, and a real positive start on both fronts: free throw shooting and turnovers.
We shot 72.7% as a team from the line last year, good for 144th in the country, per ESPN. Small sample-size notwithstanding, last night the Bears converted on 77.5%, which if kept up over a full season would have been top-25. Better FT shooting = more W’s.
I was surprised to see recently that Stoja shot just 52% from the line last year. That's like Andre Drummond bad, and particularly odd considering his dad led the league in FT%. He looked good on Monday, but he's gonna have to keep it up if he wants to stick in the lineup late in games.
Good point. Dort saved us by converting 2 FTs on the possession where we mishandled a 4 on 1 fast break, so that was nice, but 6-11 overall needs to hopefully improve a titch.
Bakersfield is a solid team with good athleticism and coaching. It's a solid win for the Bears. Super impressed by BJ Omot, who I didn't know well. This will be a fun team to watch, and I love the team play and energy. Go Bears!
I was really surprised and impressed by their overall size and athleticism when they took the floor. Fortunately for us they can’t really shoot it efficiently.
Omot was the player of the game by the radio broadcast team. His versatility will keep him on the court. He said that he views himself as a long 2. He said that he has handles, can shoot the 3 and can pass.
Kuany was raw and still had a ways to go when he left Cal. It’s already apparent that Omot knows what he’s doing on the court. He has good basketball IQ. Their games are similar but Omot is eons ahead of where Kuany ever was at Cal.
After a long wait finally got to see the new team. The roster looks to be solid with size, quickness, multiple scoring options and depth. Need to see Ola-Joseph settle in.
Though I was impressed by lots of players my new favorite player is DJ Campbell!!
Obviously it’s early and Madsen was content to spread around playing time, but I am expecting a larger role for Petraitis.
Me too. Ola-Joseph as well. Wilkinson is heads and shoulders a better athlete than any other guard on the team, but not ready. He forced some pretty wild shots. I think his minutes might drop off unless we need a spark.
Interesting that Madsen opted to play 2 sometimes 3 (not even just at the end) smaller guards at all times. I assume this was because CSUB liked playing pressure and we needed the ball handling. I expected to see more Stojakovic guarding the 2.
Having an athletic and strong front court is such a revelation. Sissoko and Dort can run, jump and assert their will. Throw in explosive guys like Ola-Joseph and Omot in there and unlike last year we finally have a backline defense that can credibly alter shots.
Yeah, I don’t expect Wilkerson will be part of the core rotation by conference season. He’s pretty raw.
Yeah, I don’t expect Wilkerson will be part of the core rotation by conference season. He’s pretty raw.
Didn’t watch the game - sounds like he played bigger than what his +/- shows?
Two huge storylines to watch this year, and a real positive start on both fronts: free throw shooting and turnovers.
We shot 72.7% as a team from the line last year, good for 144th in the country, per ESPN. Small sample-size notwithstanding, last night the Bears converted on 77.5%, which if kept up over a full season would have been top-25. Better FT shooting = more W’s.
Also, only 11 TO’s last night…a great start.
I was surprised to see recently that Stoja shot just 52% from the line last year. That's like Andre Drummond bad, and particularly odd considering his dad led the league in FT%. He looked good on Monday, but he's gonna have to keep it up if he wants to stick in the lineup late in games.
One area of concern is FTs by the two that would most likely would be patrolling the key.
Good point. Dort saved us by converting 2 FTs on the possession where we mishandled a 4 on 1 fast break, so that was nice, but 6-11 overall needs to hopefully improve a titch.
We probably lose this game in any of the previous 6 seasons. CSUB has some scorers.
That's what I was thinking. 3s and fade aways were brutal
Bakersfield is a solid team with good athleticism and coaching. It's a solid win for the Bears. Super impressed by BJ Omot, who I didn't know well. This will be a fun team to watch, and I love the team play and energy. Go Bears!
I was really surprised and impressed by their overall size and athleticism when they took the floor. Fortunately for us they can’t really shoot it efficiently.
Omot was the player of the game by the radio broadcast team. His versatility will keep him on the court. He said that he views himself as a long 2. He said that he has handles, can shoot the 3 and can pass.
He has sneaky handles, especially on the open floor and the "push it upcourt fast" mode. Was nicely surprised by him.
Omot is what I hoped Kuanyx2 would be. He wasn’t dressed for the scrimmage heyalumnigo & I went to.
A very pleasant surprise.
Kuany was raw and still had a ways to go when he left Cal. It’s already apparent that Omot knows what he’s doing on the court. He has good basketball IQ. Their games are similar but Omot is eons ahead of where Kuany ever was at Cal.
Yup, absolutely.
Team looked more cohesive and complete this year than at the start of last year. We shall see if that impression holds against tougher competition.
Madsen was able to try some things, learn, and still win handily. I can't complain.
The options available this year are greater for sure.
I thought we would see Larson last night. Unless my memory is failing me, didn't he improve significantly by the end of last season.
Still well behind Sissoko and Dort in development.
Not really.
He also declared for portal I think and is back at Cal…
I was more surprised to not see Curtis getting some run.
After a long wait finally got to see the new team. The roster looks to be solid with size, quickness, multiple scoring options and depth. Need to see Ola-Joseph settle in.
Though I was impressed by lots of players my new favorite player is DJ Campbell!!
Is it me or was Bakersfield doing some Oscar quality flopping?
They were playing very frantically, thriwing themselves all around. It worked sometimes on defense, it also got them into foul trouble early.
Didn't notice too much of that. They did get penalized for the kick out.