I'm wrestling with something. It is just me or is the difference between the top, mid and lower teams greater than before? I don't recall feeling so helpless against the top teams. I remember going to the game when Oregon State beat top 10 Arizona in Corvallis, and though it was an upset, it wasn't such a huge deal. Right now, it feels like why bother playing the games. And this is not a criticism of Cal, but a reflection on the NCAA. I think recruiting has gone National and the top talent is concentrated more densely in a few places. The result is a less interesting league and sport.
You don't recall feeling so helpless because our program is really THAT bad now, so feel free to criticize us. When you add it up, we've probably been the worst P5 program over the last five years. That's hard to do. I don't think this is going to change under the current administration. Though I also agree there's less parity in the conference this year between the top, middle and bottom. Maybe the regional talent is not sticking around as much or UCLA, AZ and USC are just that good? Personally I think the top has kept pace while the non-premier conference programs have just gotten worse.
yeah, the game where Jorge single-handedly took UCLA apart scoring 25 points in everyday possible, and the game that Crabbe & Co ran them off the court in a rout
Yeah, we're getting into such a long period of incompetence that you're gonna start seeing some of those "Cal hasn't beat UCLA in x tries"; "Cal hasn't beat AZ since X"; "Cal hasn't been to tourney since?" It reminds me of when my folks started dragging me to Cal games in 79/80. Felt like we were a Pac-10 program in name only. We were outclassed, but at least we had Harmon, which made even a thrashing entertaining.
Anticevich can shoot when not bothered, but can't create his own shots. and has trouble getting open against higher caliber athletes. Last night he appeared statuesque.
yeah, Pac12 coaches know a key to beating Cal is to not let Grant go off, and since he can't create his own shot against Pac12 defenders, that is not difficult to do. He still has been playing solid fundamental defense and rebounding, but his scoring is way down... and that's bad news for Cal
Maybe, maybe not, AK...Grant has kind of played himself into a slightly lesser role with the past 3 weeks of struggles, especially on the offensive end....not coincidentally, as the schedule has gotten more challenging. But he's really having trouble guarding wings, and the bigs are giving him trouble as well.
It's not hard to see that Alajiki brings a lot to the table and probably needs to be on the court more...those minutes are going to come at someone's expense. You'd love to see the young guys get plenty of minutes.
I think a lot of people have been on the Alajiki train, at least the ones that have actually been watching the games. Every time he hit the court, he would do something good...hit a 3, play solid D, grab a board. He has a nose for the ball.
One look at his size and athleticism shows you the kid belongs. If his buddy Okafor can make an impact next year as a FR, they'll have some ballplayers.
Opening day lineup next year.....Joel, Celestine, Kuany, Alajiki, Thiemann...but Fox is right - they've got to defend better. And for a team that doesn't force turnovers, they can't afford to lose track of their assignments as often as they do.
I predict they'll get a starting big man through the portal in the offseason. I'm a Lars hype-man, but even I think his ultimate form is coming off the bench for a productive 15 minutes a game.
Not sure they have a free scholarship. They may have to get back to 13 schollie's next year, so even if they lose 4, they only have 2 available, which they've used.
I'm wrestling with something. It is just me or is the difference between the top, mid and lower teams greater than before? I don't recall feeling so helpless against the top teams. I remember going to the game when Oregon State beat top 10 Arizona in Corvallis, and though it was an upset, it wasn't such a huge deal. Right now, it feels like why bother playing the games. And this is not a criticism of Cal, but a reflection on the NCAA. I think recruiting has gone National and the top talent is concentrated more densely in a few places. The result is a less interesting league and sport.
You don't recall feeling so helpless because our program is really THAT bad now, so feel free to criticize us. When you add it up, we've probably been the worst P5 program over the last five years. That's hard to do. I don't think this is going to change under the current administration. Though I also agree there's less parity in the conference this year between the top, middle and bottom. Maybe the regional talent is not sticking around as much or UCLA, AZ and USC are just that good? Personally I think the top has kept pace while the non-premier conference programs have just gotten worse.
Cal routinely beat UCLA (thanks, Steve Lavin!) when I first attended so it is frustrating to feel like the Bears are now powerless against them.
yeah, the game where Jorge single-handedly took UCLA apart scoring 25 points in everyday possible, and the game that Crabbe & Co ran them off the court in a rout
Yeah, we're getting into such a long period of incompetence that you're gonna start seeing some of those "Cal hasn't beat UCLA in x tries"; "Cal hasn't beat AZ since X"; "Cal hasn't been to tourney since?" It reminds me of when my folks started dragging me to Cal games in 79/80. Felt like we were a Pac-10 program in name only. We were outclassed, but at least we had Harmon, which made even a thrashing entertaining.
Alajiki definitely has some skill, but I can't imagine the Bears win too many games when Anticevich doesn't register a point.
Anticevich can shoot when not bothered, but can't create his own shots. and has trouble getting open against higher caliber athletes. Last night he appeared statuesque.
yeah, Pac12 coaches know a key to beating Cal is to not let Grant go off, and since he can't create his own shot against Pac12 defenders, that is not difficult to do. He still has been playing solid fundamental defense and rebounding, but his scoring is way down... and that's bad news for Cal
Grant's still getting some open looks...he's just missing them. Shooting slumps are magnified for a guy that struggles to create his own shot...
agree, including wide open shots. I think he doesn't know how open he is sometimes and rushes those shots
Maybe, maybe not, AK...Grant has kind of played himself into a slightly lesser role with the past 3 weeks of struggles, especially on the offensive end....not coincidentally, as the schedule has gotten more challenging. But he's really having trouble guarding wings, and the bigs are giving him trouble as well.
It's not hard to see that Alajiki brings a lot to the table and probably needs to be on the court more...those minutes are going to come at someone's expense. You'd love to see the young guys get plenty of minutes.
And that comes back to the point on recruiting.
In the Sam Alajiki fan club, I'm at the "bring in the giant cutout" membership level.
I think a lot of people have been on the Alajiki train, at least the ones that have actually been watching the games. Every time he hit the court, he would do something good...hit a 3, play solid D, grab a board. He has a nose for the ball.
One look at his size and athleticism shows you the kid belongs. If his buddy Okafor can make an impact next year as a FR, they'll have some ballplayers.
Opening day lineup next year.....Joel, Celestine, Kuany, Alajiki, Thiemann...but Fox is right - they've got to defend better. And for a team that doesn't force turnovers, they can't afford to lose track of their assignments as often as they do.
I predict they'll get a starting big man through the portal in the offseason. I'm a Lars hype-man, but even I think his ultimate form is coming off the bench for a productive 15 minutes a game.
Not sure they have a free scholarship. They may have to get back to 13 schollie's next year, so even if they lose 4, they only have 2 available, which they've used.