Team played its best game offensively against a P5 opponent. I really do wish we won it (either in regulation or OT), not just for the record, but for the locker room. Loses can really wear on a team, especially at this point in the season with all the injuries, tired legs, etc.
But I've said all year that it's our defense, not our offense, and not really our post defense. We have good rim protectors and rebounders this year.
It's our perimeter defense. We lack length and some players lack fundamentals. The only plus defender we have on the perimeter is Campbell (Rytis is a solid defender and rebounder too)
I'm not ready to talk about next season yet, which seems pointless until we know who's on the roster.
It’s not good when Wilkinson is Cal’s best threat at the rim. So the Bears need to get better inside… better down low threats and better in the key D. Improve team IQ.
They played well and hit a bunch of shots. If Stoja gets back to early season form we can upset some good teams. Wilkinson played like a man on a mission!
Love Mad Dog, but I don’t think we’re a particularly well coached team. Team plays hard and there has certainly greater talent influx and engagement around the program, which are more valuable than X’s and O’s. But as a tactician, there is room for growth. We haven’t done well in tight games, lose big leads and don’t improve better relative to competition over the course of the season. Those are kind of tells. But don’t get me wrong, I think Mad Dog is the guy. He’s just got to get better imo.
If he is going to run an offense that relies solely on guys to win 1-on-1 battles, he needs players good enough to do so. Only 2 of 10 players in the rotation can do that.
If Andrej gets a chance to jump to the league, he takes it. It’s a loaded draft tho. But I do think he makes himself eligible until/if he pulls himself out. Don’t see him jumping programs, as we feature him well. Wilks will have suitors. His size makes him unlikely to be an NBA prospect, so grabbing the biggest bags while he can may be a priority.
It’s “an” answer. But not the only answer. Look at a guy like Kyle Smith. That dude squeezes out more than the sum of his parts from his teams year after year.
Absent above-average efficiency numbers on either/both sides of the ball, it is just tough to win in the ACC with average ballplayers from the WAC, Southern and AAC conferences playing big minutes. Not saying it can’t happen, but you need to execute better as a team than this roster does to do so.
I didn't get the chance to tune in until the 2nd half. But I was shocked at how well our offense was running. I saw successful entry passes, using the roll man, drive-and-kick. Like actual inside-out play instead of dithering around the perimeter. I didn't love the last play of regulation, but we did get a look.
I have no idea if we're uniquely better suited against GT's defense or if we deliberately changed our scheme. I think we'd win this game more often than not. Just sucks that we didn't get the W in reality.
Nick, I think you nailed it (not surprised)
Team played its best game offensively against a P5 opponent. I really do wish we won it (either in regulation or OT), not just for the record, but for the locker room. Loses can really wear on a team, especially at this point in the season with all the injuries, tired legs, etc.
But I've said all year that it's our defense, not our offense, and not really our post defense. We have good rim protectors and rebounders this year.
It's our perimeter defense. We lack length and some players lack fundamentals. The only plus defender we have on the perimeter is Campbell (Rytis is a solid defender and rebounder too)
I'm not ready to talk about next season yet, which seems pointless until we know who's on the roster.
It’s not good when Wilkinson is Cal’s best threat at the rim. So the Bears need to get better inside… better down low threats and better in the key D. Improve team IQ.
They played well and hit a bunch of shots. If Stoja gets back to early season form we can upset some good teams. Wilkinson played like a man on a mission!
Love Mad Dog, but I don’t think we’re a particularly well coached team. Team plays hard and there has certainly greater talent influx and engagement around the program, which are more valuable than X’s and O’s. But as a tactician, there is room for growth. We haven’t done well in tight games, lose big leads and don’t improve better relative to competition over the course of the season. Those are kind of tells. But don’t get me wrong, I think Mad Dog is the guy. He’s just got to get better imo.
Huge offseason.
If he is going to run an offense that relies solely on guys to win 1-on-1 battles, he needs players good enough to do so. Only 2 of 10 players in the rotation can do that.
Can you adequately describe Cal's offensive scheme, other than the one that produced turnovers in regulation and overtime?
Spacing and movement to create isolated driving lanes for Andrej or Wilkinson.
That’s pretty much it.
Chances that both Stoja and Wilk come back?
If Andrej gets a chance to jump to the league, he takes it. It’s a loaded draft tho. But I do think he makes himself eligible until/if he pulls himself out. Don’t see him jumping programs, as we feature him well. Wilks will have suitors. His size makes him unlikely to be an NBA prospect, so grabbing the biggest bags while he can may be a priority.
Honestly, slim.
Wilkinson is from SEC country and is a lock to receive multiple 7-figure offers. Hoping he just loves Berkeley.
The answer is RECRUIT till we win MORE !!!
It’s “an” answer. But not the only answer. Look at a guy like Kyle Smith. That dude squeezes out more than the sum of his parts from his teams year after year.
agree, although having a super center helps a lot
with our luck, he doesn't get quite the NBA look as he wants and returns to Stanford next season. If that happens, look out for Stanford
Absent above-average efficiency numbers on either/both sides of the ball, it is just tough to win in the ACC with average ballplayers from the WAC, Southern and AAC conferences playing big minutes. Not saying it can’t happen, but you need to execute better as a team than this roster does to do so.
I didn't get the chance to tune in until the 2nd half. But I was shocked at how well our offense was running. I saw successful entry passes, using the roll man, drive-and-kick. Like actual inside-out play instead of dithering around the perimeter. I didn't love the last play of regulation, but we did get a look.
I have no idea if we're uniquely better suited against GT's defense or if we deliberately changed our scheme. I think we'd win this game more often than not. Just sucks that we didn't get the W in reality.