Category: Cal Bears

A Missed Shot Here, A Failed Pass There: Cal comes up short in 68-64 loss to Washington State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY–The narrowest of Cal’s ten consecutive losses was going to be agonizing under any circumstances, but losing streaks unearth patterns, and the Bears showed their stripes in Saturday’s 68-64 loss to Washington State.

Missed shots, failed passes, empty offensive possessions continue to plague the Bears, whether they commit those errors repeatedly or sparingly, as was the case in a four-point loss to the Cougars that the hosts could have pushed to overtime with a timely bucket in the game’s final minute.

Instead–without the benefit of a timeout to gain composure–Joel Brown got to an advantageous spot on the floor, but missed a nine-footer that was awkwardly released.

Coach Mark Fox referenced the final three minutes, but his team’s 14 turnovers, 14 missed 3’s and 15 fouls–six more than WSU committed–took place over the entirety of the 40 minutes. The biggest of the those mistakes may have been a turnover at mid-court to start the second half, which prompted Fox to call a timeout just 13 seconds in.

“We got a little bit to casual, and that led to a turnover,” said Fox. “All of the little things matter.”

On Cal’s second possession of the half, Kuany Kuany backed down his defender with a lack of urgency, and without an advantage, and the 6’9″ forward was whistled for an offensive foul. In essence, Cal’s afternoon was short circuited in the first two offensive trips after halftime, not in the final minutes, as Fox claimed.

While the root cause of Cal’s defeat may be cause for debate, the reason the Cougars snatched the win was obvious. Washington State has undeniable, offensive acumen typified on Saturday by diminutive guard Michael Flowers.

Flowers, one of the most sought after players to emerge from the transfer portal in the off-season, put up 21 points, making his first, four 3-point attempts, along with four, consecutive made free throws in the game’s final 30 seconds. Early in the second half, Flowers attacked the basket with two Cal defenders waiting, and emerged with a nifty layup on an up-and-under move.

Coach Kyle Smith has turned diminutive guards with offensive talent into stars at Washington State and before that, at USF. He summed up Flower’s contributions while unconsciously hinting at what Cal currently lacks.

“That’s what good players do, they secure rebounds, and make free throws, put those games away, close them out,” Smith said.

The Cougs (14-7, 7-3) captured their first road sweep of Stanford and Cal since 1993. Efe Abogidi contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds and Tyrell Roberts added 12 points.

Cal got a career-best 20 points from Jalen Celestine, along with 16 points, four rebounds from Grant Anticevich in 36 minutes off the bench. Jordan Shepherd was the only Cal starter to score in double figures, but he was 5 for 18 from the floor for 10 points.

Kuany and Sam Alajiki went scoreless after their minutes were curtailed despite both being in the starting lineup.

The Bears (9-15, 2-11) get time to reset before traveling to Oregon for contests with the OSU Beavers on Thursday and Oregon on Saturday.

Dialed In From Distance: Hot-shooting propels Washington past Cal, 84-63

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Remember the awful shooting Huskies that barely survived their non-conference schedule, and suffered embarrassing loses to Northern Illinois and Utah Valley?

That’s not how they roll these days. The Cal Bears can attest to that.

Jamal Bey scored 20 points, and Washington hit 12 of 23 from three in an 84-63 rout of host Cal on Thursday night. The visibly fatigued Bears dropped their ninth straight and their second, consecutive loss at Haas Pavilion by more than 20 points.

“We played like a tired basketball team,” coach Mark Fox said. “We were just a step behind everything. We got to get some rest and regroup.”

Cal (9-14, 2-10) fell behind immediately, trailing 10-2 less than four minutes in. A Washington scoreless stretch of more than four minutes provided the Bears and opening, but they failed to take advantage. With 12:22 remaining in the half, Cal trailed 10-8, but from that juncture the Huskies went from scoreless to bonkers.

Washington (12-8, 7-3) hit 11 of their next 19 shots to lead 38-29 at the break.

The individual scoring for the Huskies progressed like a relay race. Emmitt Mathews Jr. scored UW’s first seven on 3 for 3 shooting, then went quiet. The Pac-12’s leading scorer Terrell Brown Jr. was next with 13 of his 19 before halftime.

Bey, the lone non-transfer among the Huskies’ starters heated up after the break. Daejon Davis, the transfer from Stanford, took his turn after Bey.

The toll? The quartet combined for 27 made baskets, and ten of the Huskies’ 12 3-pointers. Only Brown did his work inside the arc, registering all eight of his buckets from two. And make no mistake, Cal was victimized everywhere, allowing 10 layups, three dunks and 17 fastbreak points.

“We have some tired guys,” Fox said. “They didn’t have the juice tonight.”

Among the teams in Cal’s five game-in-10 days stretch, UW was supposed to offer the respite. Cal’s other four opponents–USC, UCLA, Stanford and Washington State–all have NCAA aspirations, and figured to be merciless. In the lead up, Washington’s conference schedule was labeled as a run through the league’s bottom tier with Arizona the only ranked opponent.

Well, on Thursday, the UW’s run continued; the Huskies have won 7 of 9.

“We’re just coming in with a different mindset,” Davis said when asked about UW’s in-season turnaround. “Everyday there’s a message that goes in our group chat, and it’s ‘Believe.’ And that’s something we’re sticking by and we just want to put together as many wins in a row that we can. And it’s always good to get a road win.”

Obinna Anyanwu led Cal with 10 points, Jalen Celestine added nine in the absence of Andre Kelly, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. Jordan Shepherd and Grant Anticevich combined to miss eight attempts from hree.

The Bears will be even more focused on Saturday for Washington State’s visit in hopes of avoiding their streak hitting 10 games. But focus might not mean fresher legs. The 1:00 pm tip comes just 36 hours after Thursday’s meaning the Bears will do more mental gymnastics than on-court conditioning.

“This is a one day prep,” Fox revealed.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Fox says team just wore down in second half in loss to Stanford Tuesday

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The Cal Bears guard Jordan Shepherd led Cal with 15 points on Tue Feb 1, 2022 against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (photo by the Cal Bears)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 The compressed schedule that has the Cal Bears (9-13) playing five times in 10 days, along with Tuesday’s physical play clearly impacted them in a second half that was controlled by the hosts.

#2 For the Stanford Cardinal (13-7) Jaden Delaire and freshman Harrison Ingram led Stanford with 12 points a piece. Spencer Jones and Michael O’Connell each had nine points, and fifth starter James Keefe with 8 points and 11 rebounds.

#3 The Bears Andre Kelly was out of the line up with a leg injury he got when he played against USC on Saturday and Lars Thiemann was put to good use with the most minutes 32 of his career and had with 11 points, six rebounds in 32 minutes.

#4 “I do think that we wore down a little bit in the second half,” coach Mark Fox said. “Certainly we missed Andre on the offensive end, but defensively we gave ourselves a chance.”

#5 Michael, the (12-8) Washington Huskies are coming to Cal on Thursday night the last time the two teams met at UW in Seattle on Jan 12 the Huskies took a nine point win over the Bears 64-55. In that game Jordan Shepherd was the only player who managed double figures with 12 in the loss.

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

High-Minded Hoopfest on the Hardwood: Stanford outslugs Cal, 57-50

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By Morris Phillips

STANFORD, CA–Determined to avoid a bad loss, Stanford got an ugly win.

The Golden Bears got what was left–and not what they were looking for–a seventh, consecutive loss.

That’s what you get on a rare Tuesday in the Pac-12: succinct conclusions, ragged hoops and gutty performances. Throw in Cal’s signature deliberate pace, and this one was hardly memorable, but it was hard fought. The compressed schedule that has Cal (2-9, 9-13) playing five times in 10 days, along with Tuesday’s physical play clearly impacted them in a second half that was controlled by the hosts.

“I do think that we wore down a little bit in the second half,” coach Mark Fox said. “Certainly we missed Andre on the offensive end, but defensively we gave ourselves a chance.”

Powered by a 9-0 run early, Cal led for much of the first half. But the Cardinal’s defense and rebounding eventually became the story. Cal trailed by just one point at the break despite shooting 32 percent from the floor. Better shooting in the second half (38 percent) didn’t propel the Bears, instead they fell victim to Stanford’s insistence on getting the ball to the rim. Cal’s attempts to rally failed as they missed eight of nine 3-point attempts after halftime.

“We talked a lot about pace during halftime and just getting the ball moving, getting downhill off screens,” Stanford’s James Keefe said when asked what changed after the break. “But, I think coach gave us a good plan and we got it going from there. So, I guess you could say stagnant.”

Jaden Delaire and freshman Harrison Ingram led Stanford with 12 points a piece. Spencer Jones and Michael O’Connell each had nine points, and fifth starter Keefe best “embraced the grind” as described by coach Jerod Haase. Keefe finished with eight points and 11 rebounds, and a bunch of hustle plays in an uneven first half that could have saw the Cardinal fall into a hole.

Andre Kelly was absent for the Bears, as a result of his leg injury suffered on Saturday at USC. Lars Thiemann responded with the lengthiest and most impressive outing of his career with 11 points, six rebounds in 32 minutes.

“Lars really did an admirable job,” Fox said. “I was surprised he could go 30 minutes. He’s been our leading scorer and rebounder in practice all year. He just needs confidence to let the game slow down, and that’ll help him get better.”

Jordan Shepherd led Cal with 15 points, but missed 12 of his 17 shots from the floor. Grant Anticevich was reinstated to the starting lineup, but his seven points, seven rebounds weren’t impactful enough, especially in Kelly’s absence.

Washington visits Cal on Thursday, the Bears next opportunity to end a losing streak that has them currently 10th in the conference race ahead of one-win clubs, Oregon State and Utah.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phllips: Cal tries to break seven game losing streak against Stanford Tuesday night

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The USC Trojans Isaiah Mobley shows whose the big man on campus scoring a leading 24 points against the Cal Bears on Sat Jan 29, 2022 at Galen Center in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the whistles might have been unkind to the USC Trojans (19-3) Isaiah Mobley who led with 24 points but Mobley was unkind to the Cal Bears (9-13) in turn on Saturday night in the Southland as Cal on this seven game losing streak.

#2 The Bears suffered a frustrating 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC as Mobley and Ethan Anderson carried the Trojans in a physical contest that was still up for grabs with two minutes remaining.

#3 The 6’10” Mobley (24 points) and Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis (21 points, five assists) came up with career-best scoring performances.

#4 The Bears in the first half were just behind the Trojans by six points but were close 38-37 in the second half and ending up with a seven point loss 79-72.

#5 Morris the Bears will try to end their seven game losing streak when they head to Stanford on Tuesday night to face the Cardinal (12-8) the Cardinal have been going well winning seven of their last ten games.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Foul Finish: Bears start fast, but get worn down in 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC

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By Morris Phillips

The whistles were unkind, but Isaiah Mobley was just plain rude to the Cal Bears on Saturday.

The Bears hot shooting from game’s opening tip carried them only so far in a frustrating 79-72 loss to No. 15 USC as Mobley and Ethan Anderson rallied the Trojans in a physical contest that was still up for grabs with two minutes remaining.

The 6’10” Mobley (24 points) and Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis (21 points, five assists) came up with career-best scoring performances to help navigate the Trojans through a slow start that saw them trail by 11 early, and lead by just two points with 2:21 left.

“Cal played outstanding offensive basketball,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “They made shot after shot and competed at a high level. They played well. It took everything we had.”

The Bears (9-12, 2-8) dropped their seventh straight contest, and still haven’t won on the road in six tries. Their 50 percent shooting, including eight made 3’s kept them in it, but the size disparity between the teams showed at the free throw line where the Trojans made 21 of 28. The free throws made and attempted were both season-bests for the hosts.

“We did a lot of good things, but we just didn’t close it and again we just got murdered at the free-throw line, and that’s the difference in the game,” coach Mark Fox said.

The Bears made eight of their first ten shots and led 20-9. They were still leading 27-18 and shooting 69 percent from the floor when USC responded. Ellis and Mobley contributed 11 points in USC’s 21-4 run that gave them a 39-31 lead with 1:40 to go before halftime.

The Trojans led 41-35 at the half despite Cal’s 54 percent shooting.

“I wish we could have held the lead there at the half. We just couldn’t quite do it under the circumstances,” said Fox, who sensed USC could grow tight if Cal maintained the lead, and threatened to deal USC consecutive losses after Stanford stunned them on Thursday.

Makale Foreman led Cal with 13 points in just 12 minutes on the floor. Jalen Celestine, Andre Kelly and Jordan Shepherd each scored 12.

Kelly embodied Cal’s biggest adjustment from Thursday’s drubbing at UCLA to their resurgence offensively at USC by taking quick-hitting entry passes to the basket before the taller Trojans could react. Kelly converted a jumper in the lane just 13 seconds into the second half to draw the Bears closer, down 41-37.

But Kelly wasn’t around for the finish. He suffered a leg or ankle injury with 11 minutes remaining and departed. Joel Brown also was absent for the game’s conclusion after he fouled out despite playing just 13 minutes.

Cal’s quest for a first win on the road, and a first against a ranked opponent continued despite the absences. Ellis’ consecutive baskets gave USC their biggest lead of eight, but Cal responded with five straight points to cut the deficit 63-60 with 7:08 remaining.

And again the Bears sliced the Trojans 67-60 advantage to two with consecutive baskets from Celestine and Foreman that brought the Bears within two points with 3:26 remaining.

In the end, the Bears couldn’t draw any closer. Grant Anticevich missed a pair of shots in the game’s final two minutes, finishing 3 of 13 from the floor as the team’s normal late game go-to guy couldn’t escape his shooting slump.

On Tuesday, Cal visits Stanford in a rescheduled contest that has the Bears playing five times in a 10-day stretch.

Westwood Wizardry: UCLA still a mystery to Cal, Bruins win 10th straight in series, 81-57

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By Morris Phillips

Really good teams don’t have just one method to land themselves in the win column. Whether it’s stifling defense, uncanny shot making or tabbing unlikely contributors, No. 7 UCLA has a full bag. Cal got a second look inside that bag on Thursday at Pauley Pavilion, and apparently they still haven’t digested what all’s in there.

Without leading scorer Johnny Juzang, who was placed in COVID protocols earlier in the day, UCLA was still downright offensive, routing Cal, 81-57, their 10th consecutive win in the series dating back to 2017.

UCLA managed just 60 points in their win on January 8 at Berkeley, but in front of their home crowd and with their kind Pauley rims, they zoomed to 81 points, shooting 53 percent from the floor.

“We have to find some answers,” coach Mark Fox said. “Our defense is absent right now, and we have to find it.”

Jamie Jaquez Jr. led the Bruins (15-2, 7-1) with 15 points, one of five players to score in double figures. Jake Kyman, a 6’7″ reserve took advantage of his increased playing time in Juzang’s absence, scoring in double figures (10 points) for the first time this season.

“We have a really deep team. When guys have opportunities, they step up,” Jaquez said. “Guys like Jake and David (Singleton) really stepped up and helped us get this W.”

The Bears (9-11, 2-7) dropped their sixth straight with a visit to equally formidable USC up next on Saturday. Cal made shots early, and finished the first half shooting 50 percent, but they couldn’t sustain it. Along with 14 turnovers–many on careless passes–the Bears failed to establish any interior scoring with Andre Kelly. That led to tough perimeter shots and just seven free throw attempts.

“We have to be able to make 3-point shots to open up the interior,” Fox conceded.

“We didn’t have eight blocks like the other night, but the 14 steals,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “Embracing trying to disrupt Cal’s offense. Play harder, run harder, talk more, be more physical, rebound harder. Those are the things that separate programs. Winners know why they win. Other teams blame their coaches, their teammates.”

Kelly was limited to four shot attempts and six points. Jordan Shepherd scored nine points, but missed eight shots. Grant Anticevich came off the bench due to his scoring slump. The change of scenery wasn’t much help, the super senior went scoreless in 19 minutes.

On the bright side, Fox liked that his freshman trio of Sam Alajiki, Marsalis Roberson and Obinna Anyanwu got valuable minutes and showed flashes. Don’t expect any of the three to land in the starting lineup anytime soon, although Alajiki started in place of Anticevich. Fox simply won’t tolerate the mental mistakes young players are likely to commit.

“They have length, and a level of athleticism that will really help us, but right now they can’t grow fast enough,” Fox said.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hopes to put an end to five game losing streak at UCLA tonight

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Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) shoots a 3-pointer over California forward Grant Anticevich (15) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Cal Bears basketball podcast:

#1 Cal Bears (9-10) are on a five game skid and fell behind the eight ball in their last game against the Arizona Wildcats (16-2) last Sunday at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley in a 96-71 loss.

#2 Cal couldn’t get past Arizona all game long and they pulled it off without one of their top scorers Azuolas Tubelis who was out with a upper body injury. The Wildcats got top scoring from Christian Koloko with 19 points.

#3 The Bears Jordan Shepherd led Cal with 21 points the only Cal player to score in double figures.

#4 Michael, talk about Cal head coach Mark Fox he tries to set the offense as all but Shepherd were in single figures what can coach Fox do to spruce things up on the offense?

#5 Cal opens up a two game Southland series starting on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion against UCLA (14-2). The Bruins are going well as they beat the Wildcats on Tuesday 75-59 in a game that wasn’t even close. The Bruins beat the Bears the last time the two teams met on Jan 8th in an eight point win 60-52.

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

Arizona Uber Alles: No. 3 Wildcats rude guests in runaway, 96-71 win

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Cal fans showed up, and Coach Mark Fox left early. Talk about both being out of character.

No. 3 Arizona has a way of leaving opponents, and others, twisted. The Wildcats are that good, that devastating, reference their wire-to-wire, 96-71 win on Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.

“If you look at the completeness of their team with multiple bigs, terrific shooting, an outstanding wing, depth, they are playing like the best team,” Fox admitted. “Their margins of victory.. like today was obviously big, but that’s what it’s been. They’ve been dominant.”

Arizona (16-1,6-0) hit the gas so quickly, skid marks could be seen near the Haas entry ways. They led 17-3, 34-16 and 46-26 a minute after Fox lost his composure, drawing a second technical and an ejection. Cal’s Jordan Shepherd missed his first seven shots, and the Bears misfired on five attempts from distance, part of 7 for 30 shooting to start that left them in a big hole.

“It’s what you hope for on the road, that you come out and from start to finish your team is solid and they execute the plan,” first-year Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “We did a really good job of dictating what they were doing on the offensive end, and then on our end of the floor getting into our movement.”

Talent? The Wildcats have it abundance. Their top eight scorers–with Bennedict Mathurin (17.3 ppg) leading, and Pelle Larsson (6.4) trailing–are all capable of big scoring nights, when needed, on demand. Against Cal, Mathurin struggled (3 of 9 from the floor) as Christian Koloko took over the paint (19 points, 13 rebounds) in the absence of 6′ 11″ Azoulas Tubelis, Arizona’s second leading scorer. Larsson got a turn in the starting lineup and was impressive on both ends. He finished with nine points and two assists in 21 minutes.

Cal’s shrewd plan to get Shepherd going from the perimeter first to then provide space for Andre Kelly and opportunities for Grant Anticevich was immediately foiled. Arizona’s length at the guard spots and quick feet defensively bothered Cal like 16 Wildcats opponents were bothered before.

With assistant Chris Harriman directing the club, the Bears benefitted from Arizona’s careless ball handling to open the second half, but the visitors’ transition game kicked in and Cal trailed 66-40 with 12:56 remaining.

Shepherd led Cal (9-10, 2-6) with 21 points, rebounding from his scoreless start. Kelly and Makale Foreman added eight points each.

The Bears have dropped five straight, three straight at home, with three, tough road games to follow. The Bears have yet to win a road game this season, losing all four to date.

UCLA looms as Cal’s next opponent on Thursday, the Bears’ opportunity to display all the wisdom gleaned from a 60-52 loss on January 8 in Berkeley. The problem is the No. 9 Bruins aren’t coming off a three-week break due to COVID this time, and are unlikely to start sluggishly playing at home.

WE STAYED. COACH YOU HAVE TO STAY TOO: All season, coach Mark Fox has wanted to combine his team’s hustle and flow with an intimidating, loud Haas Pavilion atmosphere. COVID has disrupted his plans, from the canceled and rescheduled games to the stringent vaccination requirements for fans in the building.

Sunday’s gathering of 7,582 represented a breakthrough for attendance this season, despite the hastily arranged gametime layered on top of some pretty, compelling nationally-televised NFL games. But when the game turned lopsided soon after it began, the fans never got a chance to make their presence felt.

Fox had his hand on the proceedings, but he let the referees get involved contrary to the coach’s better judgment.

“My frustration wasn’t just about tonight. My frustration was (about) some things that built up to it,” he said. “The official decided, like in third grade, to instigate a staring contest and, like in third grade, I took the bait and got my second technical and put our team in a tough spot.”

Fox picked up his initial technical two minutes before the second. Afterwards, he framed his actions as positive, saying “if I have to lead the fight, sign me up.”

Others might say his actions weren’t a sign of leadership. Regardless of how his actions were perceived, he’s got two bigger issues, only one that enhances his future in Berkeley: he’s maintained team unity and focus under the most trying of circumstances, but Fox has not reached the baseline for recruiting in a conference driven by talent as much as exemplary coaching.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears in the Southland on Thursday to face tough nemesis UCLA; Cal looking to end 5 game skid

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Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) Arizona’s leading scorer with guard Kerr Kriisa (25) share a handshake at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley defeating the Cal Bears on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (photo from the Arizona Wildcats)

On the Cal basketball podcast:

#1 Morris from wire to wire the Arizona Wildcats (16-1) were just having their way with the basketball and the Cal Bears (9-10) for a 96-71 win. On offense Benedict Mathurin led the Wildcats in scoring. Mathurin like most of his teammate was getting some nice chances today.

#2 On the Cal defense frustrating getting them to stop the Wildcats inside game hence the kind of success led by Mathurin getting his way on many of his shots.

#3 Morris during the game you mentioned Jordan Shepherd had a tough time getting out of the gate he eventually led Cal in scoring but for most of the game was the only player in double figures.

#4 Morris, talk a little bit about the Cal offense try as hard as they may guys like Andre Kelly and Joel Brown were in single digits for most of the game and Arizona knew about guys like these to shut their game down.

#5 Cal head coach Mark Fox got a pair of technicals and ejected from the game talk about the ejection and how much that impacted Cal’s game.

#6 It’s back to the drawing board for Cal as it’s onto the Southland and the UCLA Bruins (13-2) on Thu Jan 27th at Pauley Pavilion. The last time Cal faced the Bruins in Berkeley on Jan 8th the Bruins were the clear winners 60-52. After getting a dose of the Wildcats on Sunday can Cal come back and make a game of it on Thursday night?

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears basketball podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com