Raise your hand if you want a win, the Cal Bears defeated the Temple Owls at Temple University on Sun Dec 22, 2024 for Cal’s seventh straight win in a row. The Bears face the Clemson Tigers on Thu Jan 2, 2025 at Clemson. (Cal Bears photo)
On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:
#1 Morris, the Cal Bears have moved up in the AP to number 25 and in the USA Today coaches’ poll at number 20. The way their playing it’s not too surprising?
#2 The Bears (13-1, ACC 1-0) are on a seven game winning streak. This is the best start for Cal since the 2016-17 season.
#3 Cal resumes their ACC docket when they battle the Clemson Tigers on Thu Jan 2 a 4:00pm PST. The Tigers have won three of their last five games. If Cal were to win this game it would give them their best start in school history.
#4 This will be the first time Cal and Clemson have hooked up since the 1990-91 season. Both teams have played twice previously with Cal winning both games.
#5 In Cal’s last game against the Temple Owls on Sun Dec 22 had 50 rebounds which was the most for the Golden Bears since Dec 16, 2022 against UC San Diego when they pulled down 52.
Cal Bears guard Ioanna Krimili (21) and guard Lulu Twidale (10) has been making it happen in leading Cal in score such as they did against the Temple Owls on Sun Dec 22, 2024 (Cal Bears X photo)
On the Cal Bears WBB podcast with Morris Phillips:
#1 The Cal Bears (13-1) continue to roll with a decisive 89-63 win over the Temple (6-6) Owls last Sunday at Cal Berkeley.
#2 Cal now 13-1 is steamrolling and Sunday was no exception outscoring Temple is ever quarter of the game.
#3 Cal’s top scorer’s from Sunday’s contest guard Ioanna Kimilli and guard Lulu Twidale both finishing with 20 points they’ve both been having great seasons.
#4 “Just really proud of where we are as we wrap up non conference, being 13-1,” Cal head coach Charmin Smith said. “This is a good spot for us to be in as we get to go home and get some rest.”
#5 Cal gets set for another contest Thursday night Jan 2 at 4:00pm PST against the Clemson Tigers (8-4). The Tigers have won two of their last three games and have a 5-2 home record and Cal has won seven straight games and are second in the ACC. How do you see this match up between the Bears and Tigers?
BERKELEY, CA–How many black women coaches do you know? How many black women coaches did you play for?
Surprisingly, black women coaches are asking themselves these questions.
Like 83 streaking meteors, black women basketball coaches at the Division I level travel a lonely path, seeking success at the highest levels of their profession while often having to forgo family, relationships and time to themselves. The payoffs for success are enormous, and the sacrifices are just as big.
And unfortunately, the second chances are few.
“A lot of Black coaches got opportunities during that time,” said Dawn Staley of a period around 2007 when Jolette Law was hired to coach Illinois. “And then probably three, four years later, 75% of them weren’t head coaches anymore, and they don’t get recycled like other coaches. So I think now Black coaches are more prepared because they have had to be prepared.”
After Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks captured the 2017 National Championship, the coach who is the absolute vanguard for the sport and her people, sent pieces of the celebratory basketball net that was cut down after the final victory over Mississippi State to all 70 black women head coaches that were then in place at the Division I level. The gesture received a great deal of attention, as did Staley’s measured words in explaining her reasoning for distributing the net.
“I pick ALL of you to receive this piece of our 2017 National Championship net in the hope that making our goal tangible will inspire you, as it did me, to keep pushing forward and us all to keep supporting each other in our journeys,” Staley wrote to each of the recipients.
The gesture was actually started by Carolyn Peck, the first black women to win a national title in basketball at Purdue in 1999. She sent a piece of her net to Staley in 2015 with the stipulation that Staley continue the gesture when she won. 70 coaches received a piece of the net in 2017. Now seven years later, there are 83 black women’s coaches as their numbers continue to grow.
Staley’s story is best known, but 82 other stories deserve to be told. Would all that have been possible without the South Carolina’s coach special touch? Maybe not.
“She’s so great and gracious,” Syracuse coach Felecia Legette-Jack said. “You call her, and you think you’re the most special person in the world. She does it with everybody.”
California’s Charmin Smith had a story to tell, and she created a platform from which to tell it. The Raising the B.A.R. Invitational is an annual tournament that features four teams coached by black women, and was started by Smith. Basketball, Activism and Representation are the words of the tournament title’s acronym, and this time, in the fourth year of the tournament, a fund-raising component has been added with each participating team raising money for a local charity.
Smith’s mission is simple, but important: be heard, say what’s important, and create change.
“In my career there have been times where I felt like they don’t want me to speak my mind,” Smith said. “They don’t want to hear what I say. But I am not one of those black women, I guess. I can’t be silent on the issues that affect me and affect my student athletes.”
Smith didn’t know if she wanted to coach. At a standstill following her WNBA career, her college coach, the legendary Tara VanDerveer suggested she try it. Smith resisted but accepted a job interview with the Boston College women’s basketball program that led to her first coaching job.
Xavier coach Billi Chambers wasn’t a transcendent player at Hofstra, but she knew she could be special as a coach. Following her college career, she jumped into the coaching profession immediately, and then into her first head coaching job at Iona, one that lasted 10 years. She wasn’t looking for a new challenge or wanting to uproot her family from Long Island New York, but she knew she wanted one when Xavier came calling after their program fell to 7-23 in the 2022-23 season.
“During the interview, I told myself, I can sell this place,” she said after walking into the Cintas Center, the Xavier on-campus arena.
Chambers decided to forgo 10 years of success for a bigger school, a bigger conference, and a bunch of uncertainty regarding a program that had fallen on rough times. Coaching against Geno Auriemma and UConn didn’t deter her either.
“Who doesn’t want to compete against the best?” she thought.
Diane Richardson knew that coaching and the coaches that mentored her changed her life from humble beginnings in Washington D.C. to a wildly successful career in the financial services field. But at the peak of her success, the coaching bug hit, and she assumed a head coaching job of an AAU program in Maryland. That led to Richardson leaving the financial field, coaching full-time, and eventually accepting an opportunity to be the head coach at Towson University.
Like Chambers, Richardson jumped when a bigger opportunity came from Temple University in Philadelphia, where their proud program had fallen on rough times, ironically after Dawn Staley departed to coach South Carolina. Having to hit the floor initially with seven players new to the Temple program, and little to hang their collective hats on other than gritty defense, didn’t slow Richardson. She simply accepted the challenge, and subsequently hit the recruiting trail to increase the talent level of her team.
Now in year two, Richardson is starting to see results. Her Owls have won 5 of their last 8, and should be a factor in the American Athletic Conference title chase.
“We are leading with our defense,” Richardson declared.
BERKELEY, CA–Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale combined for 12 made 3-pointers, and Cal blew past Temple 89-63 in the championship game of the Raising The B.A.R. Invitational on Sunday night.
The Bears finished non-conference play 13-1, their best showing since 2017, ahead of their first ever ACC road trip that starts at Clemson on January 2.
“I thought this Temple team was really good and shot the ball well in the first half,” coach Charmin Smith said. “We just had to keep pushing and pushing, and we were finally able to bust through. This is a good game for us being a little shorthanded and having people step up to do a really good job to get a great win.”
The Bears play without starter 6’3″ Marta Suarez for a second, consecutive game, but there was little slippage offensively or defensively, as Cal broke open a close game with a hot-shooting third quarter that ended with Cal up 69-48.
The Bears combined 16 made threes with a 50-25 advantage in rebounds that created a blowout from what was a close game at halftime. Temple of the American Athletic Conference was picked to finish eighth in the 13-team league’s preseason poll. The Owls fell to 6-5 with the loss after they beat Xavier 66-51 in Saturday’s opening round.
“Towards the second half, we just weren’t crashing the boards enough. They definitely outrebounded us. It was a big margin,” Owls coach Diane Richardson said.
Tristen Taylor led Temple with 17 points on 7 of 10 from the floor. Three other players, Jaleesa Molina, Tiarra East and Anissa Rivera, contributed eight points each.
Cal got 20 each from Krimili and Twidale. Kayla Williams added 17. The Bears also beat Fordham 69-53 on Saturday in the tournament’s opening round.
SAN JOSE, CA–Fifteen ACC basketball teams hit the hardwood on Saturday, and one–Cal–had a particularly difficult time gaining a feel for holiday hoops.
The Bears made 14 baskets in 40 minutes of play and were drubbed by No. 23 San Diego State, 71-50 at the San Jose Tip-Off in the SAP Center.
During a lengthy run by the Aztecs late in the first half, and immediately after another missed shot by Cal, coach Mark Madsen lost it for nearly 45 seconds, yelling at the officials, drawing a technical, and needing three, different staff members to provide physical restraint.
“Mad Dog at Midnight* (in the East)” probably drew big numbers for ESPN. But this game in a quiet, cavernous Shark Tank did not.
“San Diego State took us completely out of our offense,” Madsen said. “Our defense in the first half was OK. Our defense in the second half was poor.”
Only one made 3-pointer highlighted the first half, and when the Aztecs’ Nick Boyd hit two threes in the first minute of the second half, the game was essentially over with Cal trailing 31-16. The Bears slumped even further, trailing by as many as 27 before falling by 19.
“We stuck in the game with our defense,” SDSU coach Brian Dutcher said. “We started making some threes, and that opened up the game for us.”
“We couldn’t find a rhythm,” Madsen said. “They played with so much physicality, got us off our spots.”
Boyd led SDSU with 17 points, Miles Byrd and BJ Davis each scored 12.
Cal shot 25 percent for the game, and leading scorer Andrej Stojakovic missed his first nine shots from the floor, and was limited to 10 points. Jeremiah Wilkinson led Cal with 13 points.
The SAP Center provided Cal the floor earlier in the day, but that session was canceled when the rims appeared six inches too low, and the 3-point line was set at an improper distance.
The Aztecs couldn’t get to San Jose after a couple of canceled flights on Friday, and they ended up driving to Ontario to fly from there. That change completely severed the traveling party, all of whom outside the players and coaches ended up on busses that arrived less than an hour before game time.
All the upheaval was brushed off by both coaches, but Cal’s play obviously suffered. Dutcher, who has more than two decades coaching at San Diego State alone, was more effusive about what his Aztecs have accomplished despite challenging logistics.
“We had as good a non-conference we could have with the schedule we played. A loss to Gonzaga and a loss to Oregon is nothing to hang your head over. Wins obviously over Creighton, Houston and Cal, UC San Diego was 9-2. We put together a good non-conference resume,” Dutcher said.
Cal’s 50 points on Saturday were easily the fewest scored by a team on the ACC scoreboard. Stanford, with 61 points, and Georgia Tech with 65 were also challenged to score, and both lost as well. The Bears resume ACC play in Pittsburgh on New Years Day.
Oh, not to muddle Cal’s holiday cheer, but the Pitt Panthers scored 110 points on Saturday in dusting Sam Houston State to improve to 10-2.
UNLV Rebels linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) and defensive back Cameron Oliver (5) celebrate after a play in the first half against the California Golden Bears at SoFi Stadium on Wed Dec 18, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris :
#1 UNLV Running Rebels quarterback Hajj Malik Williams connected with wide receiver Kylin James that helped the Rebels come up with a win over the Cal Bears in the LA Bowl 24-13 at So Fi Stadium. Williams had good protection from his line to operate the football against the Bears.
#2 Morris this was a pretty special game for UNLV winning it’s first bowl game since 2000 that wasn’t the Las Vegas Bowl.
#3 This is the first time the Rebels have won 11 games since they joined the FBS Bowl.
#4 For Cal they finish 2024 at 6-7 and haven’t had a winning season since 2019. What weakened the Bears offense was quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter had entered the transfer portal.
#5 The wrap up the 2024 season. What are some of the things that head coach Justin Wilcox will be looking for in the 2024 season?
The Art of Sport was overtaken by the Prevalence of Uncertainty at SoFi Stadium, and that was just another layer of bad news for the disheveled Cal Bears on Wednesday night.
The 24-13 loss to UNLV was empty of intrigue after the first quarter, which saw the Bears lead 3-0 and 10-7. The game fell out of reach at that point as Cal kicked just one field goal over the final three quarters while Coach Justin Wilcox was forced to devote all his energy to determining who he had left to compete.
“There were a lot of guys playing who will be working to earn a spot going into spring,” Wilcox said. “Some of these guys really helped themselves. We have a lot of great evaluation. We wish we would have won the game.”
CJ Harris, Cal’s starter at quarterback, completed 13 of 20 passes but departed in the third quarter when he suffered arm and hand injuries. True freshman EJ Caminong stepped in, but with no playing experience at the collegiate level, he suffered, completing just 6 of 19 passing attempts along with a critical fumble on a botched lateral play.
Fernando Mendoza announced his intention to leave the program 10 days ago, entering the transfer portal and leaving Cal with precioulittle experience at the quarterback position.
The Rebels won their first bowl game since beating Arkansas after the 2000 season. They did so without coach Barry Odom, who accepted the Purdue coaching job in the last week. Hajj-Malik Williams threw two touchdown passes as UNLV started slowly but played steadily throughout with one score in each of the four quarters.
“I’ve done this so many times that it is a big deal for the players to experience,” interim coach Del Alexander said. “For them to feel it and get the reward and establish the legacy, it’s important for them.”
Cal finishes the season at 6-7, failing to post a winning season for the first time since 2019. The Bears won 3 of 4 and beat Stanford to gain bowl eligibility but lost their final two games.
BERKELEY, CA–The impromptu signature session between Kayla Williams and a trio of nine-year old buddies came with a teaching moment. Williams, the Bears’ graduate strategist, provided the lesson just minutes after Sunday’s game.
“That’s the wrong answer. I’m your favorite player,” Williams corrected when the name Jayda Noble came up, not hers.
The signatures strengthened the bond between the girls and the unassuming star player. Not that Noble isn’t noteworthy, but Williams, the hooper, is transformative for the Golden Bears.
After shooting 7 for 8 floor against Austin Peay, Williams cemented her position as the focal point in Cal’s 11-1 start to the season that has them on the precipice of the national Top 25. Shooting 51 percent overall and 46 percent from the three, while operating as the savvy, offensive decision maker puts Williams on the mantle without question.
Williams has attempted just 99 shots in 12 games, so she’s hardly the first option. But she’s clearly the most efficient and perfectly content to heat her teammates up first.
“We know we have shooters, and our job is to look for each other,” she said. “And our connection, our bond, our relationship off the court is great. So that carries on to the court.”
Williams is the reason opposing coaches point to Cal’s experience and shot selection when explaining the Golden Bears’ success. She’s 123 games into her five-season college career, which includes stops at UC Irvine and USC. Williams’ current shooting streaks point to her improvement. Juju Watkins’ arrival at USC last season chopped Williams’ playing time significantly and probably motivated the Los Angeles to reclaim the spotlight at Cal.
“My goal is always to improve and get better, and I know that there’s a lot of areas where I can do that. For this team, I want to be at my best as much as possible,” she said. “Better shooter, better scorer, better passer, everything… all-around.”
Cal Bears guard Jovan Blacksher Jr drives on a Northwestern State Demons defender at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 14, 2024 (Cal Bears MBB X photo)
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California
Northwestern State Demons 66 (4-6)
California Golden Bears 84 (7-4)
By Stephen Ruderman
BERKELEY–Andrej Stojakovic dominated with 31 points, as the Bears snapped their three-game losing streak with an 84-66 win over the Northwestern State Demons.
The Bears came into today’s game after losing their last three. They were not blowouts, and the Bears were competitive in all three games, but three-straight losses following a 6-1 start had to wear on them.
Fortunately for the Bears, they would draw the Northwestern State Demons, and yes, there is a Northwestern, and a Northwestern State The Demons are from the lesser-known Southland Conference, and they are based out of Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Despite an easier matchup, the Bears could not get complacent, but it seemed like they did in the early going. A three by Landyn Jumawan and a layup by Willie Williams staked the Demons out to an early 5-0 lead. The Demons wouldn’t pull away with it, but they remained ahead for much of the first half.
The Demons led 22-16 with 9:05 left in the first half, but that was when the Bears—and really, Andrej Stojakovic—finally came charging. Cal came back to tie it at 26-26 with 5:39 to go. Joshua Ola-Joseph then put the Bears ahead with a three with exactly five minutes remaining.
The Bears would stay ahead for the remainder of the first half, but not by much, as they went into the half up 36-33. Stojakovic carried the way for the Bears, as he scored 16 points in the first half.
Cal then finally pulled away in the second half, as they opened up their lead to 19 points at 61-42 with 10:37 to go. Stojakovic continued to help lead the way, but he also got some help from Jeremiah Wilkinson, who came in off the bench.
The Demons did not give up, as they chipped away at Cal’s lead with a 15-6 run to close it to a 10-point game at 67-57 with 7:57 left. However, the Bears kept their lead at double digits the rest of the way, and won fairly comfortably by a final of 84-66.
Despite his high point totals, Stojakovic has often struggled with field goals in the early going this season, but that was not the case today. Stojakovic was 10-for-14 in field goals, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and 7-for-8 from the line.
Wilkinson has another strong performance with 18 points, 16 of them in the second half. Ola-Joseph scored 13 points, and Jovan Blacksher Jr. scored 12.
The Bears improve to 8-4, and following a week off, they will travel down to San Diego to take on the San Diego State Aztecs for a game next Saturday night. Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m.
FYI, it will be almost four weeks until the Bears are home again. Cal’s next home game will be on Jan. 8 against the Virginia Cavaliers. Tipoff for that game will be at 8 p.m.
Cal Bears forward Spencer Mahoney (7) shows some encouragement for his teammates from the Cal bench during their last home game against the Cornell Big Red at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 10, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)
On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman:
#1 The Cal Bears (6-4) take on the Northwestern State Demons (4-8) for a 12 noon tip here at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. Cal is hoping to snap their three game losing streak after playing but losing some competitive games.
#2 They last played Cornell and although they took the lead on Cornell twice in Tuesday’s game they battled them pretty hard but lost by eight points 88-80.
#3 The Bears got scoring help against Cornell with five players who finished in double figures.
#4 Stephen you got to like the performance the Bears are getting from forward Joshua Ola Joseph he lead Cal in scoring on Tuesday with 21 points and eight rebounds.
#5 The Bears take on Northwestern State have won three of their last five games. In their last game they defeated Houston Christian 64-57 in Houston last Saturday. Stephen what’s your feel on these two teams today?
