Category: Cal Bears

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.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Bears go to capitalize on Broncos win host Dartmouth Sunday at Haas Pavilion

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Cal Bears Andre Kelly seen throwing down against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene in file photo. Kelly led Cal in scoring with 18 points in their last game against the Santa Clara Broncos on Sat Dec 11, 2021 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (Cal Bears Athletics file photo)

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, the somewhat heavily favored Santa Clara Broncos (7-4) got a shock as the Cal Bears (6-5) had offensive control of the first and second halves and came up with a eight point 72-60 win at Haas Pavilion last Sat Dec 11.

#2 Michael, the Bears had three scorers in double figures led by Andre Kelly who finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Kelly has been getting lots of good looks on offense and has been the pivotal player in scoring.

#3 We can’t ignore guard Jordan Shepherd who finished second in scoring on Saturday with 15 points, six assists, three rebounds one the keys to head coach Mark Fox’s line up.

#4 Unlike last season the Bears when they get behind they get an offensive run, case in point the Broncos tied up the game with six minutes remaining at 53-53 then the Bears went on a 10-2 run with Kelly hitting a key basket and Grant Anticevich scored a jump shot and a lay up.

#5 Next up for Cal they host the Dartmouth Big Green (3-5) at Haas Pavilion on Sun Dec 19th at 1:00 PM PST. The Big Green have lost four straight games and will play Stanford (4-3) tonight before getting a shot at the Bears.

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal hosts Dartmouth Sunday; hoping for clean sweep on four game homestand

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The Cal Bears Andre Kelly (22) returns to the bench after having a great offensive night against the Oregon State Beavers on Thu Dec 2, 2021. The Bears host the Dartmouth Big Green on Sun Dec 19, 2021 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, talk about how crucial the offensive scoring of Cal Bears (6-5) Andre Kelly has been on Saturday night against the Santa Clara Broncos (7-4) leading with 18 points for the 72-60 win.

#2 Cal who was expected to win five or less games all season have won four of their last five games are a game over .500 and beat a very respectable team in Santa Clara on Saturday night.

#3 The Bears were perfect from the free throw line going ten for ten head coach Mark Fox is pleased with the improvement from the charity stripe.

#4 What can you say about Grant Anticevich with 12 points, eight rebounds, and one assist he’s not only been consistent but his contributions have been big during Cal’s recent wins.

#5 The Bears host the Dartmouth Big Green (3-5). The Big Green have lost three in a row after winning three in a row. Dartmouth lost in their most recent game to Boston University (9-3) 65-62. They’ve been in some of the games they’ve lost could they give Cal a real run next Sunday at Haas Pavilion?

Cal Bears podcasts with Morris Phillips could be heard each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal shocks Santa Clara 72-60; Kelly with hot hand scores 18 pts; Bears over .500 at 6-5

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The Cal Bears Jordan Shepherd and Makale Foreman celebrate the Bears eight point win over the visiting Santa Clara Broncos at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 11, 2021 (photo by Cal Bears Athletics Dept)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

The Cal Bears (6-5) Andre Kelly scored 18 points to lead the Bears to a 72-60 win over the much favored Santa Clara Broncos (7-4) at Haas Pavilion on Saturday night in Berkeley. The Bears didn’t even miss a free throw in their eight point win over the Broncos going 10-10 on the free throw line.

The Broncos tied up the game with six minutes remaining at 53-53 when they got a lay up from PJ Pipes. The Bears turned that around with a 10-2 come back run when Kelly hit a basket and Grant Anticevich scored a jump shot and a lay up.

Anticevich had 12 points, eight rebounds and an assist and finished in double figures third in scoring, the Bears Jordan Shepherd scored 15 points and had six assists. The big difference in the game was rebounding as Cal out rebounded the Broncos 44-26. The Broncos only pulled down one offensive rebound which if they had came close to the amount of rebounds that Cal had they could have the game in hand.

The Broncos had three players in scoring double figures Keeshawn Justice 13 points nine rebounds, Jalen Williams 12 points and four rebounds, three assists, and Giordan Williams 11 points and five rebounds.

The Bears host the Dartmouth Big Green (3-5) at Haas Pavilion on Sun Dec 19th at 1:00 PM PST. The Big Green have lost four straight games and will play Stanford (4-3) Thu Dec 16 before getting a shot at the Bears.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal has the run of the floor with crushing second half over Idaho State

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The Cal Bears forward Andre Kelly (22) throws down against the Idaho State Bengals on Wed Dec 8, 2021 night at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (photo by the Cal Bears Athletics Dept)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, the Cal Bears (5-5) are coming off a huge 72-46 win over the Idaho State Bengals (1-8) after getting beat at Salt Lake City by the Utah Utes (6-2) 66-58 on Wednesday night.

#2 The Bears had three players in double figures lets start with their leading scorer forward Andre Kelly who finished with 12 points the Bears have been getting lot of offense from his recent games.

#3 John Shepherd finished second in scoring with 11 points he’s getting good ball distribution and has had some great shot selection and had led in scoring in his own right.

#4 The Bears just ran up the score in the second half with a 42-23 thrashing over the Bengals it was a half that head coach Mark Fox would love to see every night.

#5 Michael, the task gets harder as Cal hosts the Santa Clara Broncos (8-3) the Broncos have won five of their last eight games and last the Mount St Mary’s Mountaineers (3-8) by 11, 88-77 on Tuesday night. How do you see Cal preparing for Santa Clara for this Saturday at Haas Pavilion.

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