Category: Cal Bears

Bears Bow Quietly: Cal dumped by Arizona 85-62 at Haas Pavilion

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–A quiet evening inside Haas Pavilion resulted in a 13th consecutive loss to Arizona, a clear sign that things aren’t right within the Cal basketball program.

But they did display enough resolve to avoid a fifth, consecutive game with fewer than 50 points. They didn’t, however, come up with enough resistance for Arizona’s Oumar Ballo and Azoulas Tubelis, who ruled the paint and scored at will.

“We started poorly and dug ourselves our hole,” coach Mark Fox said. “We just weren’t big enough, physical enough to get some things done in there.”

The Bears missed their first seven shot attempts and faced an early double-digit deficit before settling in and competing. But that just got the hosts to halftime, trailing 42-30.

At that juncture, the Wildcats took off, leading by as much as 25 points and cruising to their 22nd win of the season.

Tubelis led the visitors with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and Ballo contributed 14 points, nine rebounds giving the Cats a decisive, 46-30 edge on the glass.

Cal again operated with a guard-deficient starting lineup without the injured Devin Askew. That placed 6’9″, Kuany Kuany in Cal’s starting backcourt but his presence did little to disrupt the Arizona pace and nationally heralded, transition attack.

Arizona finished with 50 percent shooting from the floor and 11 made threes as they slightly outpaced their conference-leading 83 points per game.

Cal was led by Sam Alajiki with 12 points and Lars Thiemann with 10. The Bears have dropped eight straight contests and are in the midst of a fifth 20-game losing season in the last six.

The biggest negative within the Cal program may have been the game’s attendance with the announced crowd at 3,289.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal trying to prevent their 22nd loss tonight against Arizona; Team reportedly flying commercial not charter

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Cal Bears guard Joel Brown shoes in hand heads for the tarmac and boards a plane at Salt Lake City after playing the Utah Utes on Sun Feb 5, 2023 (@CalMBBall photo)

On Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Sitting on 19 losses and inevitably headed toward an undesired historical 20th loss, the Cal Bears started Sunday needing to fess up to one fair conclusion. Is a big part of the reason Cal is not focusing is because they’ve been flying commercial rather charter as reported?

#2 Cal Bears currently not talented enough to compete in the Pac 12 with or without injuries, with or without USC and UCLA or any number of other considerations.

#3 It’s not a good look, and a trip to Utah’s Huntsman Center certainly didn’t change that. The Bears fared no better in a dreary 61-46 loss to the Utes that leaves them as the only program to suffer three consecutive 20-loss seasons in Pac-12 history.

#4 Cal trailed at halftime and then went the first six-plus minutes of the second half without a made basket. That allowed the hosts to extend their lead to as many as 20 points and cruise in beating the Bears for a fifth, consecutive time dating back to 2021.

#5 Cal (3-20, 2-10) fell to 0-8 in true road games and are fortunate to have their next two games at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley with Arizona up first on Thursday evening.

Join Michael Duca for the Cal Bears basketball podcasts Thursdays and Morris Phillips does all game recaps at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears Hibernation Continues: Cal runs into a mountain in 61-46 loss at Utah

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By Morris Phillips

Sitting on 19 losses and inevitably headed toward an undesired historical 20th loss, the Cal Bears started Sunday needing to fess up to one fair conclusion.

They’re currently not talented enough to compete in the Pac-12… with or without injuries, with or without USC and UCLA or any number of other considerations.

It’s not a good look, and a trip to Utah’s Huntsman Center certainly didn’t change that. The Bears fared no better in a dreary 61-46 loss to the Utes that leaves them as the only program to suffer three consecutive 20-loss seasons in Pac-12 history.

Cal trailed at halftime and then went the first six-plus minutes of the second half without a made basket. That allowed the hosts to extend their lead to as many as 20 points and cruise in beating the Bears for a fifth, consecutive time dating back to 2021.

“We had a very poor start to the second half for sure,” coach Mark Fox said. “You’ve got to be able to make some plays. Offensively, we just don’t have enough playmaking on the floor.”

Without leading scorer Devin Askew and experienced scorer DeJuan Clayton, who was absent due to an undisclosed illness, the Bears scored fewer than 50 points for the fourth straight game. The Bears played at their familiar, plodding pace but again had issues with turnovers, committing ten. Fox admitted the pace was what he wanted, but the lack of shotmaking sabotaged their effort.

“Until we can get somebody back we’re going to have to try to be elite defensively,” Fox said.

Lars Thiemann led Cal with 12 points, and Kuany Kuany added 11. Starting point guard Joel Brown failed to be a bigger factor, playing just 24 minutes with two shot attempts and one assist.

Utah guard Lazar Stefanovic led the Utes with 15 points, six assists and three of his teammates also finished with double-digit scoring. Utah wasn’t much better shooting the ball than Cal at 37 percent from the floor, but they got nine made threes from four of their starting quintet.

Cal (3-20, 2-10) fell to 0-8 in true road games and are fortunate to have their next two games at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley with Arizona up first on Thursday evening.

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.