Category: Cal Bears

Woes Continue: Cal wears down in 59-46 loss to Colorado at Boulder

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By Morris Phillips

The lead up to Thursday’s game wasn’t positive: the Cal community lost heralded coach Lou Campanelli, the architect of their mid-80’s resurgence, who directed the Bears to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years.

Then, leading scorer Devin Askew, who ironically has yet to participate in a win at Cal, was declared out for the remainder of the season with a nagging, sports hernia injury.

On Thursday evening, the Colorado Buffaloes’ defense proved burdensome as well.

The Bears suffered three lengthy, second-half scoring droughts and bowed meekly to CU, 59-46. The loss was Cal’s sixth in a row following an encouraging, early January win over Stanford.

Colorado’s win is their sixth consecutive over Cal at the CU Events Center, and it interrupted a rough stretch for the hosts in which they dropped five of their previous six games.

The Bears reached halftime both leading (27-24) and struggling, as they went the final 2:38 before the break scoreless. That trend would continue as the Bears scored just 19 points the rest of the way.

“It’s a testament to their grit and their toughness and not letting that frustration on offense bleed over into defense,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. “I’ve gotten on our guys about that at times this year when that’s happened, and tonight, it didn’t happen.”

The Bears shot just 37 percent from the floor and compiled a telling, nine assists. Leading scorer Kuany Kuany tallied 10 points but missed eight of his 10 shot attempts.

“We have to play with a tougher mentality on the road,” coach Mark Fox said. “We played about 25 good minutes, and then they made a run, and we collapsed for five or six minutes.”

Tristan da Silva led the hosts with 20 points and KJ Simpson added 10. Colorado gained revenge for their 80-76 loss at Berkeley on New Year’s Eve.

Cal’s road swing continues Saturday in Salt Lake City, where they will face Utah on Saturday.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hoping to get their offense up and running in Colorado tonight

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Cal Bears small forward Sam Alajiki (24) gets a leg up against the Oregon Ducks on Wed Jan 18, 2023 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. Alajiki led Cal in scoring with 13 points against the Stanford Cardinal in their last game on Sat Jan 28th at Maples Pavilion at Stanford (KLC fotos)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 The last game was not quite the result that Cal Bears (3-18) head coach Mark Fox was looking for in a loss to the Stanford Cardinal (9-12) in Cal’s last game on Sat Jan 28th at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto 75-46. Fox was sure concerned about the defense that night.

#2 Only two Cardinal had double digits Maxime Raynaud (15 pts) and Ingram Harrison (14 pts) the Bears couldn’t stop Stanford’s offense in either the first or second half.

#3 Michael, talk about Sam Alajiki who was the only Cal player to finish in double figures with 13 but Cal didn’t get much help on offense the whole night.

#4 Devon Askew who had missed who had missed a good number of games for Cal didn’t play against the Cardinal how big was his absence for the Cal offense last Saturday?

#5 The Bears take on the Colorado Buffaloes tonight in Colorado the Buffaloes (12-13) have been having problems of their own they have lost seven of their last nine games they have the home floor and Cal has lost five straight what your take in this game?

Michael Duca does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford more than prepared for Cal in 75-46 win at Maples Pavilion

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By Morris Phillips

STANFORD, CA–The hot-shooting Bears that throttled Stanford on January 6 didn’t necessarily impress their coach, Mark Fox. That same group arrived at Stanford on Saturday night without the shooting acumen, and they didn’t impress Fox either.

“I thought our defensive frustrations carried over to the offensive end and give them credit,” Fox said. “They made a bunch of baskets, we couldn’t string together any stops, and you can’t win that way on the road.”

Host Stanford raced to an 11-point halftime lead and led by as many as 37 in an easy 75-46 win over visiting Cal. Offensively, the Bears miserly 30 percent shooting didn’t put them in position to compete.

The Cardinal dominated the glass with a 47-30 edge in rebounds and used their physicality to deny the Bears. The win was Stanford’s fourth straight in what otherwise has been a frustrating season for them.

Maxime Raynaud led the Cardinal with 15 points, and Harrison Ingram added 14. Four other Stanford players scored at least eight points in a balanced effort offensively.

The Bears fell into last place in the Pac-12 with the loss and have lost all five contests since beating Stanford at the beginning of this month.

Cal travels to Colorado on Thursday tomeet the Buffs in hopes of ending their most recent losing streak.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: It’s Big Game II as Cardinal seek revenge on Cal this Saturday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) throws down in a previous game. Raynaud was second in scoring with 17 points against the Chicago State Cougars on Wed Jan 25, 2023 at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto in non conference action (photo from Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel quite a second half for the Stanford Cardinal (8-12) after trailing at the half 41-34 and to come back in the second half with some strong defense and scoring 38 points to come away with a 72-65 win at Maples Pavilion against the Chicago State Cougars (5-17).

#2 The Cardinal’s Spencer Jones led with 21 points and seven rebounds and it was his three pointers he had six of them that help Stanford get a break through in the second half.

#3 The Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud finished second in scoring with 17 points and had a second career double double his offensive contribution proved huge in the Cardinal comeback over Chicago State.

#4 Harrison Ingram had a resurgence in the second half scoring 13 of 15 points as huge improvement from the first half where he scored only two points. Ingram is a big part of that offense for Stanford.

#5 Daniel, it’s off to the Big Game II as the Cal Bears (3-16) come calling this Saturday at Maple Pavilion against the Cardinal. The last time the two teams met was in Berkeley and Cal got the better of Stanford with a 92-70 on Jan 6th. It was the last time the Bears won a game as they come into Stanford with a four game losing streak. The Cardinal have a three game win streak going and the home court advantage how do you see this one on Saturday?

Join Daniel Dullum Fridays for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal in rematch with Stanford Saturday at Maples Pavilion

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While the Cal Bears are relieved to have guard Devin Askew (55) back in the line up on Sun Jan 22, 2023 seen here against the Oregon State Beavers they took a 20 points loss. Askew had been out of the line up since Dec 29, 2022 missing five games (photo by KLC fotos)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Porous defense, non-existent shooting, and inattention to detail the Cal Bears (3-17) were guilty across the board on Sunday afternoon in a 20 point 68-48 loss at Cal to the Oregon State Beavers (8-12). Also how important was it to get guard Devin Askew back in the line up.

#2 Coach Mark Fox admitted his team missed the directive regarding an early shot at the end of the first half. That allowed Oregon State to cap a 13-0 run ending the first half with Jordan Pope’s jumper as time expired. And the defense as a whole?

#3 In the second half, the Bears had more turnovers (11) than made baskets (6). In an unsightly first 20 minutes, the Bears started 3 of 17 and finished 4 of 23 after a scoreless stretch across their final, six possessions.

#4 Add it all up, and Cal may have squandered its best remaining opportunity for a win this season. The visiting Beavers ended a six-game losing streak–and an 18-game road skid.

#5 The Bears will head back to the drawing board again as they tip off against the Stanford Cardinal (7-12) this Saturday. The last time these two clubs met the Bears had won three of their last four games when defeated Stanford 92-70 in Berkeley on Jan 6th.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal embarrassed at Haas by Oregon State in 68-48 loss

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Porous defense, non-existent shooting, and inattention to detail… the Cal Bears were guilty across the board on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Mark Fox admitted his team missed the directive regarding an early shot at the end of the first half. That allowed Oregon State to cap a 13-0 run ending the first half with Jordan Pope’s jumper as time expired. And the defense as a whole?

“We have just failed to build a defense,” Fox admitted. “We are really struggling with our ability to keep the ball out of the lane.”

And the offense? Well, at one juncture of the second half, the Bears had more turnovers (11) than made baskets (6). In an unsightly first 20 minutes, the Bears started 3 of 17 and finished 4 of 23 after a scoreless stretch across their final, six possessions.

Add it all up, and Cal may have squandered its best remaining opportunity for a win this season. The visiting Beavers ended a six-game losing streak–and an 18-game road skid–with the easy, 68-48 win in Berkeley.

Early on, the gracious visitors did all they could to keep the Bears attached. With shooting as errant as the hosts, OSU trailed 15-14 with 4:30 remaining in the half. But that all changed in their closing run that picked up steam after the break. After Pope’s layup, Oregon State led 58-30 with 6:25 remaining.

Pope led three OSU starters in double-figures with 19 points. The Beavers’ shooting picked up dramatically with them finishing at 54 percent shooting from the floor, including 13 made threes.

The Bears wilted with 37 percent shooting and just three makes from distance.

Devin Askew returned to the Cal lineup after missing six games with a foot injury. But the team’s leading scorer might have been too aggressive with his shooting given his rust. He finished 2 of 12 from the floor for eight points. Kuany Kuany led Cal with 15.

The Bears next appear at Stanford on Saturday in a matchup of last place teams.

Not At Home Tonight: Cal’s offense disappears in 87-58 loss to visiting Oregon

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Haas Pavilion is the home of the Golden Bears. It just didn’t seem so on Wednesday.

Not even close.

Instead, the visiting Ducks appeared right at home, shooting 60 percent in a lopsided 87-58 win over Cal that was initiated by the visitors’ attentive defense and punctuated by their mistake-free offensive attack. Amazingly, the Ducks piled up impressive shooting stats in all three areas while committing just five turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Bears couldn’t get untracked. They made just seven baskets in the first half, and trailed 34-21 at the break. Ten minutes in the second half, the Bears fell behind 60-34 allowing Oregon to cruise.

“I thought the guys really took the wind out of their sails just not giving up easy baskets,” coach Dana Altman said. “21 points at half, I love that. I thought defensively we had a lot better energy and a lot better movement than what we’ve had.”

Cal (3-16, 2-5) had won three of four at home, but they couldn’t recapture the magic. DeJuan Clayton, credited for inspiring the Bears’ improved play, didn’t score in this one until 25 minutes elapsed. Clayton finished with three points, and the team’s leading scorer, ND Okafor scored 10 points.

The Bears resume play on Sunday at noon against Oregon State in a battle of teams looking to avoid the Pac-12 basement.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hopes to rebound from last week’s double loss on the road

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Cal Bears forward Grant Newell (14) led Cal with 21 points in their last game against the Washington Huskies at the Alaskan Airlines Arena in Seattle on Sat Jan 14, 2023 (Sports Illustrated file photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 18 games into a trying season, the Cal Bears have changed the discourse from losing to winning. But this one–with Cal in control for the majority of last Saturday afternoon–will sting. The Cal Bears led Washington the entire second half, only to lose in overtime 81-78.

#2 “We had every opportunity to win the game in regulation and just didn’t finish the plays, didn’t make free throws,” coach Mark Fox said. “When you have those opportunities, you have to seize them.”

#3 In overtime, the Huskies seized control, missing just one shot and leading the entire five minutes. Cal had an opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, but Kuany Kuany’s 3-pointer was blocked.

#4 Cal led by as many as 11 points–with 10 minutes remaining, a showing spearheaded by Grant Newell’s breakout with 21 points, ten rebounds. Lars Thiemann added 13, and Joel Brown had 12 points, five assists.

#5 Cal returns to Haas Pavilion to face Oregon Ducks (10-8) on Wednesday at 7:00pm The Ducks have won five of their last eight games and coming into tonight’s game at Haas Pavilion Cal 3-15 and lost the last two game road trip to Washington State and Washington last week.

Michael Duca does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears Can’t Reach The Finish Line in aggravating 81-78 overtime loss to Washington

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By Morris Phillips

The Cal Bears led Washington the entire second half, only to lose in overtime 81-78.

How’s that? Missed free throws and a tepid finish.

Eighteen games into a trying season, the Bears have changed the discourse from losing to winning. But this one–with Cal in control for the majority of the afternoon–will sting.

“We had every opportunity to win the game in regulation and just didn’t finish the plays, didn’t make free throws,” coach Mark Fox said. “When you have those opportunities, you have to seize them.”

The Bears missed three free throws in the final minutes, which allowed the hosts to calmly, and almost too patiently, work themselves into a tie ballgame when Keion Brooks scored in the lane with 12 seconds remaining.

Prior to Brooks’ equalizer, Kuany Kuany missed the front end of a one-and-one, surprising given his 84 percent shooting from the foul stripe.

In overtime, the Huskies seized control, missing just one shot and leading the entire five minutes. Cal had an opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, but Kuany’s 3-pointer was blocked.

Cal led by as many as 11 points–with 10 minutes remaining, a showing spearheaded by Grant Newell’s breakout with 21 points, ten rebounds. Lars Thiemann added 13, and Joel Brown had 12 points, five assists.

Brooks led UW with 26 points, and Noah Williams added 22. The hosts held advantages in shooting percentage and blocked shots (7) to secure what was a statistically-even ballgame.

Cal returns to Haas Pavilion to face Oregon on Wednesday at 7:00pm.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cougars play catch up on Cal 66-51; Cal just missed getting third straight win

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Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) celebrates his basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against California, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael it looked promising but the Cal Bears (3-14) couldn’t hold on and fell apart on offense and defense to the Washington State Cougars (8-10) 66-51 on Wednesday night in Pullman.

#2 Cal was down at halftime 31-30 but the Cougars opened the second half with a 12-0 run and the Bears couldn’t even catch up.

#3 The Cougars had a 23 point lead just before garbage time kicked in and the Bears just were left with just no chance to catch up and get back in this one.

#4 To say the least the Bears melted down in the second half and they just simply couldn’t stop the Cougars who were just having their way in scoring. The Cougars were just simply blowing past the Cal defense and whole different story then the first half.

#5 The Bears head to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies (9-8) who are on a five game losing streak. Michael get your take on how you see these two teams on Saturday night a 3:00pm tip at Alaskan Airlines Arena.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com