The most encouraging takeaway (other than the obvious: massive resume win) is that Dort was back and looked 100% ready to go, no rust. 10 rebounds in 22 minutes, and brought exactly the rim protection we've been needing against a team that knows how to finish inside.
In recent years, Cal would have found a way to lose a game like this. This year, Cal is finding ways to win close games like this. Madsen has brought an amazing change in the culture of Cal men's basketball.
So I popped into a bar last night before the Cal game, here in Upstate New York. The UConn/St. Johns game was on and I struck up a college shootyhoops conversation with the older lady next to me, who was watching the game intently with her husband.
When she asked who my team was, I pointed to the California written on my sweatshirt. She said "Creighton?" so I turned more fully towards her so she could read it fully.
"Oh, California. We don't care about any of those teams out there," she said.
Had the same thought when Cal's down 1 with 1:09 to play. Great work. I wonder if Enfield played the whole game in a zone how that would have worked and I don't understand why full court pressure is such an issue these last two games!
Fantastic pair of nights from a bubble competition perspective too. SDSU smoked Utah State and Missouri knocked off Tennessee, but other than that pretty much every bubble team lost. Expect to see Cal in more mock brackets over the next couple of days!
Another scary thing about this game is that, despite all the great play by Cal, we would have lost if SMU did not totally choke at the line. Fortuitous for them to have their worse free-throw shooting night of the season.
Also, it seems like our offense gets stagnant when we have no sense of urgency. When the game tightens up, we usually have a nice flurry to pull back up. Mad Dog has to figure out how to get them to play with that kind of intensity and focus for longer stretches.
Five of those SMU missed free throws were the 7'2" Turk. I thought the strategy of fouling that big gump was great. Send the oaf to the line all you want. He'll make 1 at best and we get the ball back. The team that executes, wins.
Agreed SMU's horrible free-throw shooting saved us! Also, we didn't play well against their zone defense. So nice to have Dort back. What a BIG win. GO BEARS!!!!
Give Chris Bell credit. We would not have been in this game without his great scoring in the first half. Justin Pippen stepped up when the game was on the line. That long jumper and free-throws were so clutch. Just think that Justin is only a sophomore! Dude closed out the game like a veteran guard. Definitely the all around MVP of the season to this point. We gotta make sure we retain him.
Cool to see Yeanay on the floor. I had to do a double-take because it was hard to see his name on the back. I was like....is that Dort? ...but he's flying around the perimiter....is it Dort, no strong looking but a little smaller....ah it's Yeanay, whoa. He did not have much impact on the game but I was impressed by his energy on the floor. He could be depth piece at the 4 we have been lacking (and I did not even consider him in the last thread; just figured he was out-out). Anybody have any details on Yeanay's game? Hard to tell based on limited time at GCU last year.
He was a transfer portal big addition out of Grand Canyon, where he flashed upside as a FR in the post in limited PT (only 5 GP in PHX). He was initially ticketed to be the backup to Lee Dort but suffered a lower-body injury in the summer and has been slow to get back. This made Milos Ilic Dort’s primary backup - ideally, Milos is playing 10-12 minutes in a bench role but he’s been asked to play 30. We’re 4-3, which is a solid record down your only legit P4 big.
Sammie offers size, some athleticism, length and hopefully defense, but is incredibly raw after having seen action in only 8 career games now over almost 2 full NCAA seasons. He CAN hit the 3, but as we have seen, his shot is still a work in progress as he rounds into form. He is struggling to defend without fouling, although so is Ilic.
Ideally, he continues to see 3-4 mpg, and works out some of the kinks. He’s more physical and athletic than Ilic, so if he can shake off the rust, he offers the possibility of better rim protection at the very least, though ideally Lee Dort returns, which as we saw he did in a big way.
Sammie was sneaky yesterday - hit a FT, grabbed a board, and had a sweet dish in the paint to Mantas for a layup. Best game to date…the size and athleticism are plusses.
In a game with the margins as slim as they were last night, every little thing matters. Ilic's 3, some nice boards by TT, the lay-in by Mantas, the Sammie FT. Would have liked to have seen him give it up late when the shot clock was running down instead of dribbling the ball for 7 seconds and hoisting a deep 2, but again, he can hit that shot. Still, SMU's FT line struggles were the biggest story IMO.
6'8", 240 with a little length definitely offers intriguing upside...would love to see him back next year after a healthy offseason.
It was especially good to see Dort really into the game. He got really hyped a couple of times when SMU beat them to a lose ball or the Bears were out of position. He’s usually more mellow. Not on Wednesday. Go Bears!!
In the last game telecast against Stanfurd, Ben Braun noted that Cal has the best opponent free throw percentage, meaning worst, in the ACC. He was joking that maybe it's because we tire them out. I really believe that's the reason! Our great D makes them work so hard that when they get to the line, they have a greater tendency to miss. I don't think it's just coincidence.
I've watched more of the 2025/26 Cal MBB than the 4 previous seasons combined (time zone is helping me). Have to say that I really love watching Pippen and Ames (even his off night). And Carr is so damn fast with and without the ball. Along with great FT shooting; well it makes the team very easy & fun to root for.
Someone needs to work with Carr on his shot though. Very stiff looking and too low (easier to block for sure). Since he’s not a threat, their offense is noticeably hampered with him on the floor. His D is good but still could use some work.
That game shows how much our Cal team has jelled as a cohesive unit. It was really evident when Ames was having a terrible offensive night and the rest of guys took over that slack in scoring. Plus, our DEENSE was great.
Especially the court spacing and help on D. Most noticeable was how it seems that the D is clicking for Bell. It helps when drivers can be funneled to Dort.
I couldn't watch because I'm out of country. Reading this, I am so glad to see Dort back grabbing boards and swatting shots because that's the one thing no one else on the team can do as reliably.
We may not have superstars, but we have enough talented yet streaky players such that someone is always poised to get hot. Winning critical games without Dort demonstrates that Madsen understands his players and how to strategically deploy them despite the constant roster reboots. ACC coach of the year candidate, IMO.
Cal fans: That was a great game and I thoroughly enjoyed watching, especially since our Golden Bears did not choke as the game started to wind down. However, one point of concern (at least for me) was that Haas appeared to be half-empty. I understand that it was a mid-week game but this was also about getting a resume defining win for a chance to get invited to the big dance. I hope that there is a bigger, louder turnout for Saturday's game against Pitt. GO BEARS!!!!! FOREVER!!!!
For some reason not many students. Except for football team and maybe other Calathletes behind visitors basket in second half and they were loud! And SMU FT shooting was horrific and probably was difference in game - so football maybe should get assist for the win!
The most encouraging takeaway (other than the obvious: massive resume win) is that Dort was back and looked 100% ready to go, no rust. 10 rebounds in 22 minutes, and brought exactly the rim protection we've been needing against a team that knows how to finish inside.
Maybe the committee gives his absence consideration.
They definitely would give consideration for that if Cal was spelled "Ohio State" or some such.
In recent years, Cal would have found a way to lose a game like this. This year, Cal is finding ways to win close games like this. Madsen has brought an amazing change in the culture of Cal men's basketball.
He should be in the running for ACC coach of the year.
I agree but with the "east coast bias", I doubt it'll happen.
So I popped into a bar last night before the Cal game, here in Upstate New York. The UConn/St. Johns game was on and I struck up a college shootyhoops conversation with the older lady next to me, who was watching the game intently with her husband.
When she asked who my team was, I pointed to the California written on my sweatshirt. She said "Creighton?" so I turned more fully towards her so she could read it fully.
"Oh, California. We don't care about any of those teams out there," she said.
Yup.
Maybe a few votes then to get some PR for the program.
Especially if they Dance.
Had the same thought when Cal's down 1 with 1:09 to play. Great work. I wonder if Enfield played the whole game in a zone how that would have worked and I don't understand why full court pressure is such an issue these last two games!
Fantastic pair of nights from a bubble competition perspective too. SDSU smoked Utah State and Missouri knocked off Tennessee, but other than that pretty much every bubble team lost. Expect to see Cal in more mock brackets over the next couple of days!
Needed this one bad.
Surprised that there's not a single bubble game tonight in all of college basketball. Not one.
What the hell am I gonna do with myself tonight... talk to my family????
Justin Pippen was nails.
Just nails.
The article is WRONG. Cal plays PITT Saturday, then on the road against Tech and Wake. Wake lost tonight to a terrible Boston College squad.
OMG, you’re SO right! Perhaps political slants should be left out of WFC handles.
Random thoughts:
Another scary thing about this game is that, despite all the great play by Cal, we would have lost if SMU did not totally choke at the line. Fortuitous for them to have their worse free-throw shooting night of the season.
Also, it seems like our offense gets stagnant when we have no sense of urgency. When the game tightens up, we usually have a nice flurry to pull back up. Mad Dog has to figure out how to get them to play with that kind of intensity and focus for longer stretches.
Five of those SMU missed free throws were the 7'2" Turk. I thought the strategy of fouling that big gump was great. Send the oaf to the line all you want. He'll make 1 at best and we get the ball back. The team that executes, wins.
Hack a Shaq!
I would take that oaf still. Problem was he gassed out after the first half. The Airbus A380 is not fuel efficient.
FTs are part of the game and always more difficult to make em when you’re in a tight game on the road. Bears did their part. Go Bears!!
Agreed SMU's horrible free-throw shooting saved us! Also, we didn't play well against their zone defense. So nice to have Dort back. What a BIG win. GO BEARS!!!!
Give Chris Bell credit. We would not have been in this game without his great scoring in the first half. Justin Pippen stepped up when the game was on the line. That long jumper and free-throws were so clutch. Just think that Justin is only a sophomore! Dude closed out the game like a veteran guard. Definitely the all around MVP of the season to this point. We gotta make sure we retain him.
Cool to see Yeanay on the floor. I had to do a double-take because it was hard to see his name on the back. I was like....is that Dort? ...but he's flying around the perimiter....is it Dort, no strong looking but a little smaller....ah it's Yeanay, whoa. He did not have much impact on the game but I was impressed by his energy on the floor. He could be depth piece at the 4 we have been lacking (and I did not even consider him in the last thread; just figured he was out-out). Anybody have any details on Yeanay's game? Hard to tell based on limited time at GCU last year.
Posted this in another thread - edited:
Sammie Yeanay.
He was a transfer portal big addition out of Grand Canyon, where he flashed upside as a FR in the post in limited PT (only 5 GP in PHX). He was initially ticketed to be the backup to Lee Dort but suffered a lower-body injury in the summer and has been slow to get back. This made Milos Ilic Dort’s primary backup - ideally, Milos is playing 10-12 minutes in a bench role but he’s been asked to play 30. We’re 4-3, which is a solid record down your only legit P4 big.
Sammie offers size, some athleticism, length and hopefully defense, but is incredibly raw after having seen action in only 8 career games now over almost 2 full NCAA seasons. He CAN hit the 3, but as we have seen, his shot is still a work in progress as he rounds into form. He is struggling to defend without fouling, although so is Ilic.
Ideally, he continues to see 3-4 mpg, and works out some of the kinks. He’s more physical and athletic than Ilic, so if he can shake off the rust, he offers the possibility of better rim protection at the very least, though ideally Lee Dort returns, which as we saw he did in a big way.
Sammie was sneaky yesterday - hit a FT, grabbed a board, and had a sweet dish in the paint to Mantas for a layup. Best game to date…the size and athleticism are plusses.
Thanks Jimmy! That really helps. I noticed him spaced out in the three line more than underneath the basket so I figured he must have a shot.
He has some quicknessfor his size. Excited to see how he develops. Did not seem hesitant for a guy that has seen limited action.
In a game with the margins as slim as they were last night, every little thing matters. Ilic's 3, some nice boards by TT, the lay-in by Mantas, the Sammie FT. Would have liked to have seen him give it up late when the shot clock was running down instead of dribbling the ball for 7 seconds and hoisting a deep 2, but again, he can hit that shot. Still, SMU's FT line struggles were the biggest story IMO.
6'8", 240 with a little length definitely offers intriguing upside...would love to see him back next year after a healthy offseason.
It was especially good to see Dort really into the game. He got really hyped a couple of times when SMU beat them to a lose ball or the Bears were out of position. He’s usually more mellow. Not on Wednesday. Go Bears!!
In the last game telecast against Stanfurd, Ben Braun noted that Cal has the best opponent free throw percentage, meaning worst, in the ACC. He was joking that maybe it's because we tire them out. I really believe that's the reason! Our great D makes them work so hard that when they get to the line, they have a greater tendency to miss. I don't think it's just coincidence.
I've watched more of the 2025/26 Cal MBB than the 4 previous seasons combined (time zone is helping me). Have to say that I really love watching Pippen and Ames (even his off night). And Carr is so damn fast with and without the ball. Along with great FT shooting; well it makes the team very easy & fun to root for.
Someone needs to work with Carr on his shot though. Very stiff looking and too low (easier to block for sure). Since he’s not a threat, their offense is noticeably hampered with him on the floor. His D is good but still could use some work.
That game shows how much our Cal team has jelled as a cohesive unit. It was really evident when Ames was having a terrible offensive night and the rest of guys took over that slack in scoring. Plus, our DEENSE was great.
Especially the court spacing and help on D. Most noticeable was how it seems that the D is clicking for Bell. It helps when drivers can be funneled to Dort.
I couldn't watch because I'm out of country. Reading this, I am so glad to see Dort back grabbing boards and swatting shots because that's the one thing no one else on the team can do as reliably.
We may not have superstars, but we have enough talented yet streaky players such that someone is always poised to get hot. Winning critical games without Dort demonstrates that Madsen understands his players and how to strategically deploy them despite the constant roster reboots. ACC coach of the year candidate, IMO.
Double digit boards for Dort against an athletic and long SMU squad in a slightly limited role.
Winning ugly gets teams to March
Cal fans: That was a great game and I thoroughly enjoyed watching, especially since our Golden Bears did not choke as the game started to wind down. However, one point of concern (at least for me) was that Haas appeared to be half-empty. I understand that it was a mid-week game but this was also about getting a resume defining win for a chance to get invited to the big dance. I hope that there is a bigger, louder turnout for Saturday's game against Pitt. GO BEARS!!!!! FOREVER!!!!
For some reason not many students. Except for football team and maybe other Calathletes behind visitors basket in second half and they were loud! And SMU FT shooting was horrific and probably was difference in game - so football maybe should get assist for the win!
Just watched the game, and I don't know if Pippen knows what it means to be nervous.
Imagine he’s learned a few things from Pop. He’s the calming force on the team.
Still on track! I still think 22 wins does it for us as long we win against Pitt and Ga Tech. But let’s win all three
It was a rock fight that our Bears won! Yoo Hoo!