Category: Cal Bears

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal offense shreds ASU in 24 point win Sunday night; Undefeated USC comes calling on Thursday night at Haas

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The Arizona Sun Devils Enoch Boakye (14) goes for a finger roll shot over the Cal Bears Grant Anticevich (15) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Jan 2, 2022 (photo by Arizona State University Athletic Dept)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris it wasn’t even a contest last night at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley as the Cal Bears (9-5) leveled the ASU Sun Devils (5-8) 74-50 Sunday night. Nothing but offense for the Bears as the Sun Devils couldn’t do anything to get into this contest in the 24 point landslide.

#2 Morris talk a little about the handy work of forward Lars Thiemann 12 minutes, four rebounds and seven points.

#3 The Bears Jordan Shepherd led in scoring with 16 points followed by Andre Kelly 13 points, and Grant Anticevich with ten points. The Bears distributed the ball well and had a great inside game where head coach Mark Fox was happy with the work done inside the paint.

#4 Taking a look at that first half it just simply wasn’t even a contest as Cal just dominated the Sun Devils 41-23. The Bears had their way on both sides of the ball stopping ASU on any chance to come close and defending the shot. On offense the ball was distributed well and Cal had no problem getting their shots to fall.

#5 Up next for the Bears the USC Trojans (13-0) on Thu Jan 6th. The Trojans who have not lost a game all season just had their way in their last game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-6) in both halves of their game in a 67-53 win. The Bears got a big offensive win Sunday night against ASU but USC could be a whole different matter at Haas on Thursday night.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors tip off against Heat tonight; Miami coming off tough loss in Sacramento Sun night

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Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) looks to take a shot against the Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Sat Jan 1, 2022. The Warriors host the Miami Heat tonight Mon Jan 3, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Golden State Warriors (28-7) had to pour it on in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s game against the Utah Jazz (26-10) down by the fourth quarter the Warriors scored 37 points and came away with a 123-116 win.

#2 The Warriors contest in Denver was called off due to the Nuggets having a lack of players below eight eligible players and the Warriors needless to say were none too happy to come all the way out get on the floor taking some practice shots and get notice that the game was canceled last Thursday.

#3 Barbara, with that postponed game in mind the Warriors take off from Denver Thursday night and get into Utah for Saturday night’s battle and come back from behind and inspite of it all Warrior head coach Steve Kerr has been proud how they’ve been able to hold it together.

#4 Klay Thompson practiced for the first time with Stephen Curry before Saturday night’s game in Utah, Kerr said that the two were smiling and just glad to see each other out on the floor together it’s been 2 1/2 years.

#5 The Miami Heat (23-14) come to Chase Center in San Francisco on tonight, the Heat lost a tough contest to the Sacramento Kings (16-22) on Sunday night 115-113.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts heard each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bedeviled in Berkeley: Arizona State sees their mastery of Cal end in a 74-50 defeat at Haas Pavilion

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Arizona State figured to be stuck in traffic dealing with the nationally-ranked Bruins and Trojans in Los Angeles this weekend. Instead, the Sun Devils surfaced in serene, socially distanced Haas Pavilion and got their forks handed to them in an very unceremonious manner by the Cal Bears.

Oh, the irony? Yes, the irony.

The suddenly ascendant Bears put together their best 40 minutes of basketball this season, and throttled ASU, 74-50, bringing an end to the Sun Devils’ seven-game win streak in the series between the schools.

“We did defend well, we did play very well on offense, and we did rebound it pretty well,” coach Mark Fox said. “So we did a lot a really good things and it’s a complete performance for us, but not as complete as it could have been. But you know what, our team competed well and I was really proud of them for that.”

Competitive? Complete performance? Suddenly the Bears–undefeated at home, and miraculously avoiding the pitfalls of COVID protocols–aren’t the club picked to finish last in the Pac-12. Instead they’re credible defensively, and meticulously prepared. Arizona State found out right away as Cal zoomed to a 41-23 halftime lead fueled by a 7-0 advantage in made 3-pointers. Fox hated that his Bears squandered some free throw opportunities early, missing five of their first seven, but the disparity beyond the arc was undeniable.

“It was the difference in the ballgame,” Fox said.

Cal suffered some hiccups in the first five minutes of the second half, but took off again after that, maintaining their big lead and unleashing some new weapons in the process.

Lars Thiemann, literally Cal’s biggest project, showed out by hanging near the rim and making himself available for easy shot attempts. The seven-footer routinely fumbled as many passes as he caught previously. But hard work has paid off. Fox spoke of the hours Thiemann has put in, not to mention the reminders the Cal coaching staff provided during breaks in Sunday’s game. Thiemann came up with all seven of his points in the second half, allowing Cal to ultimately pad their lead, while giving them a clear, size advantage on the smallish Sun Devils.

Sam Alajiki, who previously wowed the Bears coaching staff with his defensive presence, also contributed to the Bears’ hot stretch. Alajiki entered the game, and immediately canned a three, stretching Cal’s lead to 52-33 with 11:45 remaining.

The Bears were led by Jordan Shepherd with 16 points, Andre Kelly added 13, and Grant Anticevich had 10 points, 10 rebounds. Arizona State got 17 points from sophomore D.J. Horn, but no other ASU player tallied more than nine as their horrible 32 percent shooting from the floor doomed the visitors from the start.

“We know it’s not one guy who’s going to do it all for us,” Kelly said. “If one guy is not necessarily having his best night then we have a good deep team so a lot of people can step up and make good plays,” Kelly said. 

Cal shot 51 percent from the floor and outrebounded ASU 38-32. The Bears stayed undefeated at home, and improved to 9-5, 2-1 in the Pac-12 with the win. And now the Bears get their shot at the top ten Southern California schools both of whom have been impacted by COVID and will visit Berkeley during a compacted schedule of three games in five days.

“We need four times the number of people to show up,” Fox said while acknowledging the 2,974 fans that showed up Sunday, including the coach’s wife and daughter who were pressed into duty as staffers to aid the hastily arranged home game.

Cal hosts USC on Thursday at 8pm, and UCLA on Saturday at 5pm at Haas Pavilion.

Las Vegas Raiders post game report: Carlson boots winner gets Raiders closer to playoff spot; Vegas defeats Indianapolis 23-20

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#2 Daniel Carlson of the Las Vegas Raiders is jubilant after booting a 33 yard field goal to get the Raiders a three point win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis Sun Jan 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

In a game that went right down to the wire the Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) when Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson exhibited closing seconds heroics once again when he booted a 33 yard field goal with the score tied at 20-20 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis to defeat the Colts (9-7) on Sunday afternoon.

The Raider had a touchdown that was called back on a TV replay reversal and lost a touchdown on an unfortunate play which were the only two turnovers of the game. For quarterback Derek Carr went 24-31 for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Raiders who won the game by three also took a three point half time lead at the half 13-10. It was Carr towards the end of the game that got Carlson good field position to boot the game winning field goal a win that takes the Raiders one step closer to getting into the post season.

With the win over the Colts on Sunday the Raiders picked up their third straight win, the Raiders have won games by three or less points during the three game streak with a win over the Cleveland Browns 16-14 on Mon Dec 20, a 17-13 win against the Denver Broncos on Sun Dec 26, and Sunday’s thriller in Indianapolis 23-20.

Carr was saying the Raiders are finding ways to rally and make late comebacks. Although the Raiders when facing the Browns, Broncos and Colts made those close comebacks it’s the coming back from behind the making of a good football team, “We’re finding a way to do it because we have the right kind of guys and there’s never been a doubt, there’s never a finger pointed, you know, at this or that, and this coach is not there, and all this kind nobody cares.” Carr told the AP.

The Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) next Sun Jan 9th a 1:25 pm PST kick off for the last regular season game. The Chargers who have won five of their last nine games blew out the Broncos Sunday 34-13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Friday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hosts ASU Sun Devils in replacement game Sunday

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The Cal Bears Grant Anticevich takes a shot against the UCLA Bruins in this file photo. Anticevich has been leading Cal in scoring which has been instrumental in their wins this season. The Bears game to face the Stanford Cardinal Sun Jan 2, 2022 has been postponed and has been replaced with Arizona State at Cal this Sun Jan 2, 2022 at 4 pm PST (file photo from Cal Bears Athletics)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, Sunday’s game between the Stanford Cardinal (8-4) and the Cal Bears (9-5) has been postponed due to Covid 19 protocols. This will be the second straight game that Covid 19 protocols has postponed a game for Stanford the other was in Honolulu for the Diamond Head Classic vs. Vanderbilt on Thu Dec 23.

#2 Cal has been off for ten days since their last game against the Pacific Tigers (5-10) is that an advantage lots of rest before their next game or a disadvantage because they could come back rusty.

#3 In Cal’s last game against the Tigers, the Bears Grant Anticevich led with 25 points and has been a key scorer in some of these recent wins for Cal.

#4 Also in the game against Pacific Andre Kelly and Jordan Shepherd for Cal both finished second in scoring with 11 point they’ve been successful for the Cal offense.

#5 The Pac 12 has scheduled a replacement game for Sun Jan 2nd and the Arizona State Sun Devils will come calling at Haas Pavilion. The Sun Devils (5-7) in their last game Sun Dec 19 took a loss 66-65 to the USF Dons (11-1) in the City in a nailbiter. ASU has won three out of their last four and Cal has won three straight how do you see this match up Sunday.

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal heads to the farm to face rival Stanford Sunday; Bears on four game winning streak

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The Cal Bears featuring Grant Anticevich (15) who was the top scorer on Wed Dec 22, 2021 at Cal against the Pacific Tigers will face the Stanford Cardinal Sun Jan 2, 2022 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Cal Bears Athletics photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 For Cal Bears (9-5) head coach Mark Fox the first half of their game against the Pacific Tigers (5-10) on Wednesday is more a learning lesson than one of frustration. Fox said after the first half, “It was going to be an ugly Christmas at halftime.” The Bears were trailing the Tigers at the half 30-25.

#2 Fox got them turned around in the second half with the Bears improved defense and the Bears screening out the Tigers top scorers from the first half Jayden Byers (10 points), Jeremiah Bailey (8 points) and Sam Freeman (8 points).

#3 The Bears on offense poured it on with 48 points in the second half and outscored the Tigers 48-23. The Bears wound up getting the 20 point 73-53 win.

#4 Once again Cal’s Grant Anticevich led Cal with 25 points with three additional Cal scorers in double figures, Jalen Celestine (12 pts), Jordan Shepherd (11 pts), and Andre Kelly (11 pts).

#5 Cal is off to Stanford to face the Cardinal (8-4). The Cardinal who had their last game cancelled against the Vanderbilt Commodores (8-4) due Coronavirus protocols at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The Cardinal have won seven of their last 11 games while the Bears have won six of their last seven games. This one on Sunday could be one for the ages the way they’ve been playing.

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal now on a four game win streak; It’s the Big Game at Stanford next on Sunday

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The Cal Bears Grant Anticevich (15) led with 25 points against the Pacific Tigers on Wednesday at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (photo by Cal Athletics Dept)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael when this season began no one would have predicted that the Cal Bears (8-5) would be three games over .500. The oddsmakers had the Bears nearly 12th from last place in the nation at the start of the season.

#2 Cal picked up their eighth win on Wednesday afternoon and it was not even close as they clobbered the Pacific Tigers (5-9) 73-53 a 20 point win and a huge contribution from Cal leading scorer Grant Anticevich with 25 points.

#3 Head coach Mark Fox has to be excited with Cal’s offense last night the Bears had four players in double figures and he’s got players like Anticevich, Justine Celestine, Andre Kelly, and Jordan Shepherd going on all cylinders right now.

#4 Michael, if you had to point to one or maybe two things that have accelerated offense that improved this team as they are on a current four game win streak.

#5 The Bears head to Palo Alto and on the hill at Maples Pavilion to face their cross bay rivals the Stanford Cardinal Sun Dec 26 at 4:00pm. The Cardinal have been doing well in their own right winning six of their last nine games. Their latest win came on Wednesday night against Wyoming 66-63 and they take on Liberty at noon today. Tell us how you see Cal and Stanford matching up on Sunday?

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

Fast Finish: Cal races past Pacific in the second half, wins 73-53 in non-conference finale

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Three seasons into Coach Mark Fox’s Cal tenure, his holiday humor has taken hold. After visiting Pacific closed the first half Wednesday with a 14-2 burst, being humorous wasn’t easy and probably cathartic.

“It was going to be an ugly Christmas at halftime,” Fox conceded.

Fox was left ashen with the Tigers awakening. After suffering under Cal’s attention to defensive detail, Pacific turned a pair of eight-point deficits into a five-point halftime lead. The process was sudden, unexpected and wholly threatening to the big brother school holding a 26-2 advantage in the series between the schools. The process took 6 1/2 minutes and had the Bears reeling.

But then the second half commenced, and the sunshine returned on an ugly, rainy afternoon. The Bears responded decisively with a 48-point second half in a 73-53 win.

Grant Anticevich led the Bears with 25 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best seven 3-pointers. Essentially before Anticevich closed the deal, Jared Celestine (career-best 12 points), Jordan Shepherd and Andre Kelly (11 points each) kept the Bears afloat.

In a game of subtle twists, almost all predicated on defense in the absence of eye-popping offense, Fox pointed to an unlikely turning point with 10:33 remaining and Cal clinging to a two-point lead. If anything was comical, Fox’s declaration displayed it.

“Lars made a couple of big free throws,” Fox said.

Cal increased the pressure a few minutes later with a 21-2 closing run that yielded a 20-point victory.

And what specifically turned the contest into a rout? Probably, Pacific’s lack of resolve, nothing new for a young ballclub who has yet to score more than 67 points in any of its nine losses. That frustration kicks in when you shoot 36 percent in the second half and suffer 13 turnovers.

Jaden Byers led Pacific with 10 points, Jeremiah Bailey and Sam Freeman added eight points a piece. For new coach Leonard Perry, an encouraging six-minute stretch didn’t come with much else to extoll. And yes, the humor was eliminated.

“They’re learning, they’re trying, and it’s been a hard adjustment,” coach Leonard Perry said of UOP’s trajectory. “They stick in there and they compete during practice.”

The Bears established an eight-game home win streak along with momentum leading to their next test, January 2 at Stanford. Can the Bears win on the road, and can they win in the Pac-12?

We’re making progress and now we’ve got to see if we can beat the people in the league,” Fox said.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal now 2 games over .500 take on Pacific Wednesday night at Haas

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Cal Bears Jordan Shepherd drives against the Dartmouth Big Green Sun Dec 19, 2021 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (photo by Cal Bears Athletics)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris talk about the injury to the Cal Bears’ (7-5) Makale Foreman who had a reoccurrence of a previous injury when he fell in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Dartmouth Big Green (3-7). I knew you said the injury was indefinite any update to how long he will be out?

#2 Cal got an edge with their first lead with 4:23 remaining before the half and lead at the break by four points.

#3 In the second half Cal grew a 12 point lead over Dartmouth but didn’t fare much better than the Big Green in shooting at 42 percent and 26 percent from the three point line.

#4 Morris, when Foreman was felled that really put the pressure on Jalen Celestine, Sam Alajiki and Jared Hyder, and Jordan Shepherd’s minutes spiked which caused concern.

#5 The Bears host the Pacific Tigers (5-9) on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion, Pacific has struggled losing five of their last six games and an 11 point affair to the UC Davis Aggies 77-67 on Sunday. How do you see Pacific and Cal matching up on Wednesday?

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

Bear Down: Defense carries Cal past Dartmouth 61-55, but Foreman suffers significant injury

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Coach Mark Fox wasn’t joking around. In his mind, Dartmouth’s Brendan Berry, the Ivy League’s 3-point savant, was comparable to Steph Curry.

And Fox’s concern didn’t end with Barry. Secondary threats Taurus Samuels and Ryan Cornish were also capable of big shooting nights, so Fox made a choice, and a commitment.

“Dartmouth is a great three-point shooting team,” said Fox. “Our objective was to take away the three-point shot even at the expense of giving up some two-point shots, and ultimately we did a pretty good job of that.”

Never mind that the Big Green had suffered five, consecutive losses including an embarrassing late game collapse at Stanford on Thursday, resulting in an overtime loss. And Fox didn’t overplay Cal’s success at Haas Pavilion, where they were looking for a sixth, consecutive win. Instead the Cal coach was seeking some certainty that wasn’t rooted in modest winning or losing streaks. To him, a defensive strategy that emphasized his club’s fast improving defense was the path to take, with entertainment value barely a concern.

“Our defense was consistent enough to win,” Fox reiterated. “It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it.”

Cal stopped Barry cold in his tracks, limiting Dartmouth’s leading scorer to 10 points, and misses on five of his six 3-point attempts. Cornish and Samuels didn’t fare any better, failing to make even one three between them. And Cal kicked in a decisive effort on the glass as well, spearheading their 61-55 win on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan Shepherd led Cal with 11 of his 18 points after the halftime break. Andre Kelly added 14, and Grant Anticevich came up big with seven points and a career-best 15 rebounds.

Cal took its first lead, 22-21, with 4:23 remaining before halftime. The Bears led by four at the break, and saw their advantage grow to as much as 12 midway through the second half. But this was a struggle with Cal’s offensive numbers–42 percent shooting, and 26 percent from three–not much sexier than the visitors.

But in the end Fox was pleased, with a couple of caveats. Those misgivings began with Makale Foreman’s foot injury that likely will leave him sidelined indefinitely. When Foreman was felled in the second half–a reoccurrence of a previous injury–that put tremendous pressure on the rest of the Cal rotation. While Cal got meaningful contributions from Jalen Celestine, Sam Alajiki and Jared Hyder, Shepherd’s minutes spiked, causing concern.

“Jordan Shepherd played a massive number of minutes, and we’ll have to get some relief there.”

The Bears conclude their non-conference schedule on Wednesday when Pacific of Stockton visits Haas Pavilion. The Tigers suffered a lopsided 77-67 home loss to UC Davis on Sunday, a game in which the Tigers trailed 41-21 at the break.