by Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

BERKELEY–The Cal Bears Richard Solomon was out with a concussion that he suffered in practice earlier this week and the line up was changed to a smaller quicker line up and they shared the ball with 20 assists in the game against Utah Valley last Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion. The Bears hit 32 baskets and they played well, which they haven’t done in weeks.

Even when Cal beat Colorado in their home finale in the regular season they won a game missing the last ten shots that it took and the win which was an opportunity for a rebirth for the team and so far so good as the Bears take on Arkansas on Monday at Haas.

The Bears look good at home now winning their last two games at Haas Pavilion and Arkansas is not a team you want to play in Arkansas with the homecooking in that arena they got down there. Cal has already beaten Arkansas this year at the Maui Invitational in November that was one of their marquee wins at that point of the season prior to beating Oregon and beating Arizona in the conference.

Both of these teams were on the NCAA bubble and they just didn’t win enough down the stretch to get into the NCAA Tournament there dangerous teams in the NIT. Whoever wins this game has got a strong chance to get to New York and win the whole thing.

The Bears coming into Monday’s game have to protect the ball that’s going to be the key thing when you play Arkansas your playing a team that’s quick that provides pressure that will attempt to create turnovers, if you can handle the pressure you can get to the basket. It will be a real challenge just to handle a team that is far more athletic and quick and jumps a whole lot better than what Utah Valley was able to do.

If Cal is on their game then they should be okay if they fall into their old patterns of being competitive with their shooting in previous games guys haven’t been making their shots and their not moving the ball and they could be in trouble.

The Bears host the Arkansas Razorbacks on Monday night for a 8 PM tip at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca cover Cal Bears basketball for Sportstalk radio