The non-conference schedule is over as the Cal Bears defeated Furman by 30 points, 90-60 on Saturday to improve to 9-4 on the season.  Injuries are an issue going into the conference slate with Stanford on tap for the Pac-12 opener Thursday evening at Maples Pavilion. Jabari Bird, the freshman standout, has ankle issues, and Ricky Kreklow broke his hand in practice ten days ago leaving Coach Mike Montgomery grasping for offensive firepower at the wing positions entering the clash with Cal’s Bay Area rival.

 

Saturday’s win allowed Montgomery to try some new pieces.  Christian Behrens saw action for only the second time this season and Jeff Powers had a big game shooting 3-pointers.  Behrens could provide some much-needed depth in the frontcourt and Powers could help stretch opposing defenses in the absence of Kreklow and Bird.  The senior forward had six consecutive makes from distance against Furman after missing his initial attempt.

 

With Cal dealing with injuries as well as having a young roster in need of developing chemistry, the non-conference schedule yielded no real breakthroughs.  The Bears lost in Maui to No. 2 Syracuse then couldn’t get past Creighton in Omaha last weekend.   A non-conference schedule that yielded no upsets will put the Bears in a tough spot come NCAA Selection Sunday in March.  And of course, trying to develop chemistry while dealing with injuries is no place to be with the remainder of the Pac-12 season yet to be played.

 

Montgomery has to be concerned that his young, unproven roster could struggle against the beefed-up competition in the Pac-12.  Currently, you have the number one team in the country in Arizona, and Oregon is undefeated with a deep roster and plenty of firepower. UCLA is hovering just outside the Top 25, and Arizona State, Colorado and Utah figure to make some noise as well. 

 

The Cal-Stanford matchup gives the conference opener a heightened platform with the renewal of the rivalry as well as an opportunity for one of the two teams to get an early jump into the win column.  Besides the rivalry, the fact that Montgomery has coached at both schools and enjoyed tremendous success in both places provides additional intrigue.  Also, you get the sense that Montgomery left Stanford on less than ideal terms in 2004, maybe a victim of heightened expectations that he himself created with a Final Four appearance and Stanford twice reaching the top spot in the national polls.   

 

One thing’s certain: the Cal program needs a boost.  With Stanford headed to the Rose Bowl for the second straight season and Cal suffering through a nightmare of a football season, Thursday’s game offers an opportunity for the Cal athletic department to garner a boost and feel better about itself. 

 

Maples Pavilion has become a tough place for Cal to go a get a win in recent years with Montgomery winning only once there in his five years at Cal. Come Thursday, Cal will look to senior point guard Justin Cobbs first and foremost to provide an offensive spark.  Cal’s leading scorer hasn’t shot the ball well in recent weeks but did have a bounce back game against Furman by scoring 18 points on 9-13 shooting.  Also Richard Solomon will have to stay out of foul trouble and deal with Stanford’s big lineup with help from from forward David Kravish. 

 

Morris Phillips is filling in for Michelle Richardson this week for the NCAA commentary