Category: Cal Bears

Washington State’s effective defense keeps Cal winless against Pac-12 competition, 71-60

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Two developing clubs devoid of blue chip athleticism or the confidence that comes with experience aren’t going to deliver a college basketball masterpiece in a Haas Pavilion populated by empty seats.

Instead of extended bombast punctuated with fastbreaks, think stringing together quality possessions, starting with two or three.

Washington State embraced the mundane far better than Cal in locking down on defense and hitting open shots in a 71-60 win on Thursday night.

The Cougars still don’t have a marquee win but improved to 9-1. The Bears fell to 5-7 and are still looking for their first Pac-12 victory.

The Bears played without leading scorer Matt Bradley but welcomed back Grant Anticevich, who showed some rust after an appendectomy two weeks ago. That combination contributed to Cal’s tepid 34 percent shooting from the floor, but coach Mark Fox expressed greater disappointment in his team’s effort on the glass.

“I was really disappointed in how we rebounded the ball,” Fox said of the 45-28 difference on the backboards.

The Bears weathered WSU’s 15-2 run towards the end of the first half to climb within 31-28 at the break, only to see the Cougars take control again in the opening minutes of the second half. Noah Williams’ layup gave WSU a 51-36 lead with 12:14 remaining. That gap proved insurmountable with the Bears missing shots while battling WSU’s length and aggressiveness.

“It’s harder for us to score without Matt, but we’ve got to find a way to manufacture some points,” Fox said.

The Bears were led by Andre Kelly with 11 points. Ryan Betley and Lars Thiemann each added 10 points, but Makale Foreman, Cal’s most likely offensive source in Bradley’s absence was 1 for 7 from distance and finished with 7 points.

Isaac Boyton led all scorers with 22 points, and versatile freshman Efe Abogidi added 12 points and nine rebounds to aid Washington State.

The Bears host Washington at Haas on Saturday at noon.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal can’t hold Beavers in second half rally at OSU

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears had a good first half but the defense let down in the second half at Oregon State University on Sat Jan 2, 2021 as the Bears lose to the Beavers (calbears.com photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, Cal (5-6) has had some strong first halves but in the second half at Oregon State (5-3) the Beavers rallied back down from 12 points down for a 73-64 win.

#2 The Beavers Ethan Thompson led with 16 points and Maurice Calloo 14 points, Calloo scored all his points in the second half.

#3 How much of a let down did Cal’s defense leave behind in that second half the Beavers were down but it just seemed like the Bears couldn’t stop the Beavers.

#4  What was amazing about a game like this the Beavers had only one coach on the bench Wayne Tinkle while assistants Kerry Rupp, Marlon Stewart, and Stephen Thompson as well as Beavers center Roman Silva due to Covid 19 tests.

#5 Cal scoring leader Matt Bradley suffered an left ankle injury and he left the game with 3:31 remaining in the first half. Bradley came back wearing a boot and on crutches while cheering his team on.

Join Morris for Cal game recaps following each home and away games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips Mon Jan 4, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

 

Cal blows double-digit lead in search of their first Pac-12 win, loses Bradley to injury

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

Oregon State trailed Cal for 32 minutes Saturday afternoon but finished the game on a 10-1 run to beat the visiting Bears, 73-64.

The surprising outcome in which Cal blew a 11-point lead with less than 17 minutes remaining to remain winless in Pac-12 competition at 0-4 came amid the backdrop of COVID absences for Oregon State and the early departure of Cal’s leading scorer Matt Bradley with an ankle injury.

“We really had a difficult time without Matt,” said coach Mark Fox, who watched Bradley limp off three minutes before halftime. “Even though we played without him a week ago, it’s little harder against Pac-12 competition. That being said, if we make our free throws, we win the game. So disappointed in our performance at the free-throw line, and obviously in the second half we didn’t play nearly as well as we need to play to win on the road.”

The Bears shot 63 percent in establishing a 36-26 halftime lead, but saw their shooting cool considerably in the second half. More damaging was Cal’s defense which allowed 43 of OSU’s 73 points in the final 17 minutes, and their awful free throw shooting (14 of 28).

Ethan Thompson led OSU with 16 points. Maurice Calloo added 14 points, all of which came after halftime. Calloo’s third 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining increased the Beavers’ lead to 68-63.

Oregon State played without center Roman Silva and three assistant coaches due to COVID protocols which left the Beavers thin inside and head coach Wayne Tinkle no coaches to interact with. The COVID issues caused OSU’s game against Stanford on Thursday to be postponed until this Monday afternoon.

Makale Foreman, Andre Kelly and Jarred Hyder each tallied 12 points to lead Cal (5-6, 0-4). Foreman’s 3-pointer got Cal even, 63-63 with 3:22 remaining but Cal would manage just one made free throw after that as OSU took control.

The Bears lost for the second time at Gill Coliseum, having lost to the Beavers on November 25 in a hastily-arranged non-conference game. This one was much more competitive, but left greater frustration. The Bears likely will be without their top two scorers, Bradley and Grant Anticevich (appendectomy) for an indefinite period. Along with their issues against conference teams, they could be in for a continued rough stretch.

“It’s a challenge at both ends,” Fox said.

The Bears return to Berkeley with games against the Washington schools in the coming week.

REVISITING CAL’S RECENT PAST: The Bears welcomed Coach Mark Fox less than two years ago. At the same time, former coach Wyking Jones, and scholarship athletes Justice Sueing, Connor Vanover and Darius McNeill departed.

Two seasons prior to that shakeup coach Cuonzo Martin accepted a significant raise to coach the Missouri Tigers and leave Cal.

So what’s everybody up to?

On Saturday Martin’s 12th-ranked Tigers visited Arkansas, Vanover’s landing spot under coach Eric Musselman. Missouri kept things rolling with a 81-68 win to improve to 7-1. Martin’s fourth season in Columbia appears to be his best yet with the Tigers ranked and looking to make a second NCAA tournament appearance after two losing seasons.

And Vanover? Well he suffered his worst game, shooting 0 for 11 with just four points from the foul line. The 7’3″ center is averaging 9.6 ppg in 20 minutes for the Razorbacks.

After starting at Cal, McNeill is coming off the bench at SMU. The Mustangs have played just six games due to COVID issues, and McNeill missed one of those, but he had his best game earlier this week against Temple with 17 points.

Sueing saw action in all 63 games as a freshman and sophomore at Cal, averaging 14 ppg shooting 43 percent from the floor. But he seems better situated at No. 25 Ohio State as a starter on a far better and more balanced team scoring 11 ppg with 50 percent shooting. His minutes are down, but his wins are way up. In two seasons at Cal, Sueing, Vanover and McNeill were 16-47 with 31 Pac-12 losses.

Jones, the coach of those two Cal teams, remains on the sidelines, opting not to take any other coaching jobs after being let go by Cal with one season remaining on his deal.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Bears couldn’t hold their own in second half lose to Ducks 82-69

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oregon Ducks were taking to the hoop in the second half with a 46-34 difference on the Cal Bears at Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon on Thu Dec 31, 2020 (USA Today photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, in the first half action of Cal’s (5-5) game against the Oregon Ducks (7-1) the Bears looked like they might make an interesting game of it trailing the Ducks just by a point at the half 36-35.

#2 The Bears Matt Bradley returned after missing two games and suffering an injury. Bradley led the Bears with 21 points at Matthew Knight Arena on New Year’s eve.

#3 The Bears Makale Forman in spite of the loss had a hot hand with 14 points and four three pointers. You got to like what he brings to the Cal offense.

#4 The Ducks had a second half surge outscoring Cal 46-34 and the Ducks top scorer Eugene Omoruyi led the Ducks with 26 points Omoruyi was a huge contributor towards keeping the Bears from playing catch up.

#5 The Bears head to Oregon State to face the Beavers. The Beavers had their game against Stanford on Thursday night canceled due to Covid-19 testing results and contact tracing issues. The Bears hope for the Beavers to be healthy and ready for Sat Jan 2nd’s game tell us how you see this match up.

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

No. 21 Oregon methodically (and patiently) dismantles Cal, 82-69

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

The Oregon Ducks don’t have a center or frontline size typical of Power 5 teams. They also don’t have a traditional point guard. And they came into Thursday’s contest with Cal lacking continuity as their previous game against UCLA was canceled due to COVID concerns.

What they do have is loads of talent directed by record-setting coach Dana Altman, which makes them a problem, an assessment with which the Bears would certainly agree.

The Ducks afforded Cal some open looks early which translated into one seven-point lead in the first half and a four-point lead early in the second half. But that was it, after Cal’s second lead the No. 21 Ducks responded in a big way while coasting to a 82-69 win.

“I thought the first half we played really confidently and we competed well throughout the night,” Bears coach Mark Fox said. ”In the second half, we just had a drought. We put so much pressure on our defense.”

Matt Bradley returned to the Cal lineup after missing two games and put up an efficient 21 points to pace his team. But as the game progressed Oregon’s defense did too, eventually shutting down Bradley and others while forcing a slew of turnovers, with nine of Cal’s 17 giveaways after halftime.

Eugene Omoruyi was the central figure in discombobulating Cal with five steals to go with a game-best 26 points. Despite being listed at 6’6″, Omoruyi was dominant inside, setting up shop near the baseline and attacking Cal at the basket relentlessly, so much so Cal’s 7-foot center Lars Thiemann fouled out in just 18 minutes of floor time.

“I thought Eugene did a lot of good things and the five steals – his activity there was really good,” said head coach Dana Altman. “He was really unstoppable inside.”

Without size or an offensive catalyst, the Ducks rely on their defense to create a bunch of good things. That took place Thursday, it just took basically a half to materialize which may have been due to the Ducks’ unusually long 11-day layoff.

Over the final 12:45, Oregon stretched their narrow lead to 13 while limiting Cal to 20 points.

The Ducks won for the 27th consecutive time at Matthew Knight Arena, and beat Cal for the eight consecutive time dating back to February 2016. Altman kept his name moving up the all-time wins list for coaches with his 676th in 31 plus seasons at the Division I level. Next up in 22nd place with 677 wins, Altman will equal former Cal coach Mike Montgomery.

The Bears (5-5, 0-3) next play at Oregon State on Saturday, a team they’ve already lost to this season in early December. The Bears have a ceiling to break through with conference losses to Arizona State, UCLA and Oregon along with the loss to OSU that doesn’t count in the Pac-12 standings.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears coming off two home wins face Oregon New Years Eve

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cal Bears Joel Brown (1) who scored 12 finished second in scoring as the Bears defeated the Seattle University Redhawks last Tue Dec 22 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (calbears.com photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris the Bears did pick up two home wins defeating Cal Northridge on Sat 19th and Seattle U on Tue 22nd.

#2 In the latest win against Seattle the Bears Ryan Betley scored 17 points he’s one of the young transfer who proved to be a important factor in helping Cal out in scoring in accomplishing a win.

#3 Joel Brown had 12 points talk about his performance and will Cal head coach Mark Fox get the ball to Brown more often?

#4 Kuany Kuany also finished in double figures with 11 points it seemed like he got plenty of time to shoot against the Seattle defense as the Bears wound up getting a five point win.

#5 The Bears are at Oregon (6-1) on New Year’s eve on Thu Dec 31 and have won seven straight games and the Bears are at Oregon State (4-3) on Jan 2. The Beavers have won two of their last five games.

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

Cal gets past Seattle U. in the game’s final minutes, 70-65

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Handpicked opponents with balky jump shots and limited confidence delivered to your main gym entrance at a moment’s notice?

Well, this isn’t Grubhub or Uber Eats, the Golden Bears can testify to that.

Instead of skating through the promenade entrance of the Conte Forum on the Boston College campus in near freezing temperatures, the Cal Bears heeded the words of their local medical experts, and spent Tuesday afternoon close to home at Haas Pavilion. After canceling with BC, the Redhawks from Seattle agreed to be Cal’s opponent in a hastily arranged matchup.

However, the Redhawks didn’t agree to be pliable or vulnerable–anything but.

Coach Jim Hayford saw his Redhawks lead for the game’s first 33 minutes only to go scoreless for five of the final six minutes allowing Joel Brown and the Bears to seize control in a 70-65 win.

“It came right down to the last four minutes and you have to credit Joel Brown,” Hayford said. “His two threes were clutch and  at the end of the shot clock after we played really good defense. He made the two winning plays that really were the difference in this game.”

The Bears again played without leading scorers Matt Bradley and Grant Anticevich. That meant others had to step up and Brown, Kuany Kuany along with Ryan Betley answered the call.

Betley led the Bears with 17 points, but Kuany’s contribution (11 points tying his career best) was a welcome surprise as was Brown’s star turn down the stretch.

With the shot clock almost expired, Brown hit a 3-pointer to put Cal up 60-59 with 3:31 remaining. Then after both teams fell into neutral offensively for several possessions, Brown struck again with a three that put Cal up 63-59 with 2:01 remaining.

“Those were huge baskets for us, no question about it,” coach Mark Fox said of Brown.

Brown’s baskets were part of a 10-0 run that saw the Bears go from down two to up eight with 31 seconds to go.

In the closing run, reliable Redhawks Riley Grigsby (20 points, son of former Cal standout Alfred Grigsby), Emeka Udenyi (prepped at De La Salle Concord) and Darrion Trammell (St. Ignatius San Francisco) missed big shots, ending what had been an impressive afternoon for the trio.

The Bears (5-4, 0-2) are over .500 for the first time in over a year. They next see action on New Years Eve at Oregon in a matchup with the conference favorite Ducks.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Without Bradley and Anticevich Bears still crush Cal State Northridge; Bears host Redhawks Tuesday afternoon

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears Jerod Hyder (3) takes the ball against the Cal State Northridge defense on Sat Dec 19, 2020 at Haas Pavilion (bearinsider.com photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 How impressive was it for the Cal Bears (4-4) to get a 87-56 win over the visiting Cal State Northridge without the use of Matt Bradley (knee injury) and Grant Anticevich  (appendectomy surgery).

#2 Ryan Betley and Makale Foreman who are graduate transfers their contribution to the offense on Saturday was impressive combining with 42 points.

#3 Morris, talk about Betley and Foreman’s hitting nine three pointers they just about had their way with Cal State Northridge.

#4 The win for Cal was their most impressive shooting 60 percent this being their most convincing win since Feb 2017 when they defeated Oregon State.

#5 Seattle University Redhawks (4-4) is in Tuesday afternoon at 2pm at Haas Pavilion. The Redhawks have lost three of their last four games. The Hawks won their last game against Northwest University 89-40. Morris talk about how you see Tuesday’s match up.

Join Morris for exciting Cal Bears podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal offense sharp despite absence of top two scorers, rout Northridge 87-56

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–A late announcement reveals the Cal Bears to be without their top two offensive threats.

In 2020, that’s par for the course. You must adjust.

With Matt Bradley dealing with a knee injury, and Grant Anticevich out after appendectomy surgery, the offensively-challenged Bears had few places to turn. Fortunately, two of those places were to graduate transfers Ryan Betley and Makale Foreman.

Foreman and Betley–arguably more impressive and consistent than Anticevich and Bradley thus far–answered the call. The duo combined for 42 points, making nine 3-pointers, in what was ironically Cal’s best offensive performance to date, an 87-56 rout of Cal State Northridge.

“I thought we did a lot of things that were really sound, and allowed us to build a lead, play from in front and get some young guys some experience,” coach Mark Fox said.

The Bears shot 60 percent from the field and registered their most convincing win since beating Oregon State in February 2017. Coming in, the Bears were shooting just 43 percent from the floor in averaging 65 points per game.

Joel Brown had his best game of the season with 10 points, shooting a perfect 5 for 5 from the field. Jarret Hyder, the Fresno State transfer, made his Cal debut with six points in 18 minutes off the bench. Lars Thiemann and Andre Kelly were Cal’s replacement starters and both registered exemplary games.

Not surprisingly, the Matadors, who agreed to play Cal earlier this week, weren’t pleased with their play. Besides their far too accomodating defense, they shot 35 percent and committed 17 turnovers.

“We’re a lot better and I believe we can be better,” coach Mark Gottfried said. “We turned the ball over a lot, we took bad shots, our shot selection was poor, I thought defensively we had a hard time containing the dribble and they blew right by us a number of times.”

TJ Starks, the Matadors leading scorer, was held to 13 points, and Atin Wright added 10.

Cal (4-4, 0-2) concludes its fluidly constructed non-conference schedule on Tuesday with a visit from Seattle U. Redhawks at 2pm.

Cal Bears men basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Boston trip scratched out of precaution; Home games planned for the 19th and 22

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal had lots to celebrate on Sun Dec 13th at Haas Pavilion with a three point buzzer beater from Makale Foreman to get a two point 72-70 win over the USF Dons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (calbears.com photo)

Cal Bears mens basketball podcast:

#1 The Cal MBB (3-4) trip to Boston College (1-5) has been canceled as a Cal statement said “out of an abundance of caution” neither school has registered any positive test for Covid 19. The game was scheduled for Dec 22 but now Cal will play a home game against Seattle University.

#2 Michael, Cal’s last game still a subject of discussion that incredible upset win over the USF Dons (5-3) I know you had a chance to see it when Makale Foreman took a three point shoot in the closing minute that won it for Cal.

#3 Taking a look at the game against USF did Cal head coach Mark Fox do somethings to tweak the offense and this is a team that didn’t panic but played up to the opponent and pretty much stayed with one of the best college teams.

#4 Cal has got some help from Grant Anticevich (18) and Matt Bradley (17) the Bears will certainly rely on them this season to provide offense and scoring.

#5 Cal has added two home games Dec 19 vs. CSUN and Dec 22 against Seattle University it has to be a relief for all involved that Cal doesn’t have to make that cross country to trip to Boston.

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