Category: NCAA

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Sagapoulutele shakes off nerves in first game against Oregon State

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Cal Bears quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapoulutele (3) under center took the Bears to victory in their first week of the NCAA season against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on Sat Aug 31, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris talk about Cal Bears quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapoulutele threw 20-30 passes for 234 yards for three touchdowns against the Oregon State Beavers in a 34-15 win.

#2 Cal held the lead throughout the entire game which also is a testimony of the good works of their defense.

#3 Sagapoulutele said that he had some nerves going into the game and wasn’t really nervous about making any mistakes.

#4 Sagapoulutele said that he was really anxious about getting out there and having his brothers watching and being able to play against a good team like the Beavers.

#5 Upcoming game this Sat Sep 6 week 2 as the Bears host Texas Southern I know you’ll be on hand for that one clue us in on what to expect.

Morris Phillips is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: GM Rivera says hopes to win with limited resources

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Cal Bears general manager Ron Rivera is starting his first year and says the team has limited resources but hopes to win (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris, just wanted to talk to you about Cal Bears general manager Ron Rivera who joins the Bears after playing and coaching in the NFL for decades.

#2 Rivera said that the Bears are at a point where things could go either way. Rivera wants to move the team forward and that Cal has limited resources. Rivera said that the biggest thing is the investment in the soul of the team and that it’s about the time not the dollars.

#3 Rivera in the NFL had won a Super Bowl as a player and two NFL Coach of the Year awards. This GM job at Cal might be even tougher than his work in the NFL at his former alma mater at Cal.

#4 Cal head coach Justin Wilcox that the guys have put in a lot of work in the off season and through fall camp and now and that it’s time to play. The Bears aren’t perfect yet and expects to be better and better but it’s time to go compete against somebody.

#5 Cal opens up against their old Pac 12 team opponents the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is Cal’s starting quarterback he’ll face the Beavers defense and is hoping to find some open receivers.

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Gulbranson kept Cardinal in game but Hawaii’s kicker Matsuzawa’s 3 FGs were the difference

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Aug 23, 2025; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson (15) makes a pass against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the second half at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images / Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Frank Reich is the interim coach for the Stanford Cardinal will a few wins take the interim name off and would Stanford consider Reich as head coach if things work out this season?

#2 Stanford Cardinal general manager Andrew Luck is in charge of getting the Cardinal in gear and he’ll be working closely with Reich.

#3 Taking a look at Stanford’s first game in Honolulu against the University of Hawaii the Cardinal came within an eyelash of winning that game last Saturday but the Rainbow Warriors got a field goal from kicker a 38-yard field goal by Kansei Matsuzawa, his third of the game with three seconds left to win it 23-20.

#4 In spite of the loss the Cardinal got good offensive production from quarterback Ben Gulbranson who threw 15-30, 109 yards, and one interception no touchdown passes but kept the Cardinal in the game.

#5 It’s off to BYU and the Cougars as it will the second game of the season for BYU they host Portland State this Sat Aug 30th in Provo. The Cardinal came close and really want to get that first win can they do it against this BYU team Saturday?

Join Michael Roberson for Stanford Cardinal podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hawaii’s last-second field goal sinks Cardinal 23-20

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Stanford Cardinal running back Micah Ford (25) takes the ball downfield against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu on Sat Aug 23, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, August. 23, 2025

A 38-yard field goal by Kansei Matsuzawa, his third of the game with three seconds left in the fourth quarter, gave Hawaii a 23-20 non-conference football victory over Stanford Saturday night in Honolulu.

Two minutes earlier, Matsuzawa kicked a 37-yard field goal to tie the game at 20-20. He also made a 40-yard field goal with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter that put Hawaii up 17-13.

Stanford (0-1) opened the scoring with Emmet Kenney’s 23-yard field goal with 7:14 left in the first quarter. The Cardinal extended its lead to 1`0-0 six seconds later when Wilfredo Aybar returned a fumbled kickoff return eight yards for a touchdown.

The Rainbow Warriors (1-0) found the end zone with 2:19 left in the first quarter on a 3-yard scoring pass from Micah Alejado to Pofele Ashlock.

Kenney’s 46-yard field goal at 3:39 of the second quarter put the Cardinal up 13-7. But Hawaii took its first lead at 14-13 on Alejandro’s 19-yard TD pass to former Cardinal Jackson Harris with 42 seconds remaining in the first half.

Stanford took its last lead at 20-17 with 9:41 to play in the fourth quarter on Micah Ford’s 2-yard touchdown run. The Rainbow Warriors’ final scoring drive covered 52 yards on nine plays in one minute, 33 seconds.

Alejado completed 27 of 39 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Cam Barfield was Hawaii’s top rusher with 45 yards on six carries.

Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson was 15 of 30 for 109 yards with one interception. His top targets were CJ Williams and Sam Roush with three catches each. Ford led all ballcarriers with 113 yards on 26 attempts.

Hawaii outgained the Cardinal 306 total yards to 286, though Stanford had a 21-20 edge win first downs.

The Cardinal play again in two weeks, when Stanford travels to Provo, Utah, to face Brigham Young on Sept. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Pacific.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal reach the end of their rope with Taylor; Coach is fired after investigations and accusations

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Stanford Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor (white hat) was fired Tue Mar 25, 2025 after numerous accusations of bullying and belittling female staff members ( AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal general manager Andrew Luck said in a statement on Tuesday that there had been significant attention to football coach Troy Taylor and investigations regarding the coaches behavior with female athletic staffers and said that the Stanford program needs a reset.

#2 Stanford arrived at this decision based on multiple investigations and complaints from various Stanford employees and those who identify as women.

#3 The Stanford statement went onto say Taylor reportedly bullied and belittled female athletic staffers and sought to have an NCAA compliance officer removed after she warned him of rules violations and repeatedly made “inappropriate” comments to another about her appearance, according to documents from a pair of investigations obtained by ESPN.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Blinded by the Golden Flashes 77-75; Raynaud’s Final Double-Double

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) takes aim at the basket against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Mar 23, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (21-14) were unable to control the Kent State Golden Flashes (24-11) 77-75, and ended their run in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament.

Stanford took the lead early in the contest on a three by Oziyah Sellers. That three point advantage turned out to be their largest of the entire game. Kent State also posted their largest lead (13) of the game in the first half.

The Golden Flashes used a 12-0 run to get their double-digit lead, the Cardinal had an 11-0 run to try to stay close by halftime.. Kent State shot 46% from the field in the initial 20-minute stanza, while Stanford was held to 40%. Both squads shot approximately 39% from beyond the arc.

The Cardinal managed to trim their deficit to single figures (9) by halftime, 43-34 and actively made another run at the lead in the second half. There were three lead changes and one tie before recess.

Jaylen Blakes led the Cardinal in scoring (10) at the midway point of the tourney battle. Jalen Sullinger topped the Golden Flashes with 20 points.

Oziyah Sellers started the second half as he did in the first, with an immediate basket. His layup cut the margin to seven, and the Maples’ faithful were getting excited. Less than five minutes into the final half, Stanford had regained the lead on a left-handed hook by Raynaud The second half produced four more lead changes and an additional tie.

The home team unknowingly was in a prime position to have an upper hand in advancing in the NIT. During the scuffle on the Farm, the #1 seeded San Francisco Dons were losing on the top of the peninsula. That loss put the second ranked Cardinal as the top seed, and guaranteed another home game at Maples. That was contingent on taking care of the task at hand, beating their opponent from Ohio.

Try as they would, with multiple comeback attempts, the Golden Flashes were able to sustain their advantage and knock down the mighty Maples tree and end the home court heroics of the Cardinal. When the final buzzer sounded, after 40 minutes of intense basketball action, Stanford’s season came to an abrupt halt, while Kent State would advance to the third round.

The Golden Flashes won by two, 77-75, and ended two great careers who proudly wore the Cardinal uniform. Although Jaylen Blakes only played one year on the Farm, he cherished his brief time at the university. He finished his last game with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Maxime Raynaud ended his career high on multiple historic lists, including double-doubles, in which he appropriately did on his final game in the pavilion (22 points and 10 rebounds) and blocked 4 shots for good measure

Chisom Okpara offered 13 points and 5 rebounds, while the heir-apparent, Oziyah Sellers delivered 11 points and 6 rebounds. Two players who should have larger roles in 2025-26.

Returning walk-on, Jalen Sullinger led all players with 34 points, but he also added to his impressive stat line, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Teammate Delrecco Gilespe also produced his own double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds), and VonCameron Davis chipped in 12 points.

The Cardinal will begin their offseason, gearing up for 25-26, while Kent State will be heading to Chicago to take on Loyola – Chicago in Third Round NIT action next week. Gametime will be announce at a later date

Mississippi State’s Suffocating Defense Disrupts Cal Women In 59-46 Season-Ending Loss

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By Morris Phillips

After a first quarter teeming with missed shots, the Cal women unfortunately found additional competition for the attention of their ESPN television audience.

Needless to say, that wasn’t part of the gameplan.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s gameplan was on point with Bulldogs locked onto Cal’s shooters for the entirety of the game.

“We probably went through 15 games. That’s how detailed we were,” MSU’s coach Sam Purcell said. “The only thing I think we were missing is their social security numbers. We knew tendencies, which way they wanted to go. It was just really cool how my young women were dialed in and willing to accept the information, but then most importantly apply it.”

Attention to detail allowed Mississippi State to limit Cal to 25 percent shooting for the game including no made shots in the game’s first six minutes. With that success, MSU rolled to a 59-46 win, unceremoniously ending Cal’s season in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64.

Cal’s 25 percent shooting was a season-worst by a significant margin. Combined with 24 turnovers, the higher-seeded Bears offensive end of the floor was transformed into a pit of quicksand in which their postseason aspirations disappeared. After three quarters the Bears trailed 41-29 and weren’t able to get closer than a 12-point deficit at any point in the fourth.

“Their athleticism and their pressure forced us outside of our comfort zone, and we didn’t respond fast enough,” coach Charmin Smith said.

“In the second half, we were able to get Michelle in the mix a little bit, and that loosens things up for us. It was just too little, too late and definitely credit to Mississippi State.”

The Bears were one of eight NCAA qualifiers from the ACC, and along with Georgia Tech, the only ones to lose their initial NCAA Tournament game. The Bulldogs were the lowest-seeded of the 10 SEC qualifiers, but they showed greater poise early on and carried it for 40 minutes.

Michelle Onyiah led Cal with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Lulu Twidale added 13. Madina Okot and Eniya Russell each scored 14 points for the Bulldogs.

The Bears finished the season at 25-9, the best season they’ve enjoyed in six seasons with Smith at the helm. Cal loses four of its starters and will look to create a better balanced offensive attack with additional ball handlers for next year.

“Having Lulu, having the transfers come in, having the team — really special, obviously, 16-1 at home, beating Stanford twice, going to ACC, new conference,” Onyiah said. “Playing really well in the ACC. Going to new schools. Going to East Coast. Like all the adversity we have at Cal, like, we did really well. Being the No. 1 school in the nation. We did really well for what we do, honestly.”

With Cal faltering and MSU’s shooting just a tick better than Cal’s, the ESPN broadcast leaned heavily on Juju Watch. Juju Watkins, USC’s singular All-American didn’t sign many autographs after the Trojans zipped past UNC Greensboro in the day’s first game. Instead, she spoke in confidence with her mom then relocated conveniently behind the broadcasters at midcourt for a friendly conversation with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Feel good television and poor Cal basketball found a mix.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal get after it in round 2 of NIT vs. Kent State at Maples Sunday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) converses with forward Aidan Cammann (52) during their game against the Northridge Cal State Matadors on Tue Mar 18, 2025 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 What a way for the Stanford Cardinal to start the post season with a 87-70 win over the Cal State Northridge Matadors. It was a fitting a great win for the Cardinal to get this NIT Tournament started.

#2 With the win the Cardinal improve their record to 21-13 which advances them to the second round for Cardinal head coach Kyle Smith it’s got to be pretty exciting to advance to that next round.

#3 The Cardinal are now 12-2 at Maple Pavilion and have won ten straight games at home which advanced them to the second round for the sixth consecutive time.

#4 Michael in that last win for Stanford on Tue Mar 18 against the Matadors the Cardinal Maxime Raynaud once again led with 22 points and Oziyah Sellers with 20 points.

#5 Stanford takes on the Kent State Golden Flashes here in second game of the NIT at Maples Pavilion. Kent State having a good season 23-11 and are 9-5 on the road. The Flashers are in third place. The Cardinal come in seventh in the ACC at 21-13. Tip off on Sunday 6:00pm PDT at Maples. Michael how do you see this one?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears/NCAA Tournament podcast Morris Phillips: Cal-MS State meet in the 4-Spokane Saturday in LA

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Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron (top right), forward Liatu King (left), battle for the ball with the Cal Bears forward Ugonne Oniyah bottom right in the ACC quarterfinals in Greensboro NC Fri Mar 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

On Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal is in their first March Madness since 2019 and will be in the 4-Spokane. The Bears are No.8 as they face No.9 Mississippi State on Saturday for a 2:30pm PDT tip in Los Angeles.

#2 The Bears will be playing in a familiar place at USC Galen Center. Would it help playing in a building they used to go to every year?

#3 Cal head coach Charmin Smith said, “I’m thrilled” said Smith “I’m just really excited. We did a lot of work to get to the NCAA Tournament. I think we can bring a lot of fans to Southern California and it’ll be a great matchup.”

#4 Cal who had a 25-8 season celebrated at a watch party last Saturday. This is Cal’s best record since 2012-13 Cal had finished 32-4 that season.

#5 Cal took a tough loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second round 73-64. Cal was the seventh seed in that tournament. The looking to rebound against Mississippi State Saturday. The Bulldogs are 21-11 and 6-6 on the road.

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#2 Cardinal Charged the Matadors 87-70, in NIT Opener, Tuesday Night on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud led in scoring against the Northridge Matadors at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Mar 18, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Second ranked (NIT SF Regional) Stanford Cardinal (21-13) utilized their Maples Magic to handle instate opponent California State University – Northridge Matadors (22-11) 87-70, inside their Maples Pavilion.

Stanford led from wire to wire and had an advantage in the first 20 minutes The Cardinal was in control from the first shot made by redshirt-sophomore guard Ryan Agarwal from beyond the arc. They never looked back after that bucket.

The home team also produced a 9-0 run, while playing stellar defense against the Matadors. Stanford forced CSUN to shoot 37% from the field and 22% from three in the first half.

Senior forward Maxime Raynaud led all players in scoring at recess. He compiled 15 points, 5 rebounds and an intimidating 4 blocks in the initial half of the contest. Raynaud was not only the leading scorer for both squads, he was the only Cardinal player in double figures.

Although Benny Gealer was in single digits at the midway point of the game, his second three-pointer was at the halftime buzzer, which gave them their then largest lead (17). Also during the beginning frame, Raynaud placed himself in Stanford’s Top 10 scoring list.

Senior forward Keonte Jones was the Matadors’ lone double-digit scorer (11) and was the key player attempting to keep Stanford in reasonable reach.

After the Stanford mid-game buzzer beater, Stanford led by 17 points, 46-29. All the momentum seemed to be in Stanford’s favor and the sting of that heart-wrenching loss in the ACC Tournament appeared to be a distant memory

The second half had a similar start as the first half did 20 minutes prior. This time it was freshman forward Donavin Young launching a trey, putting his Cardinal up by 20 immediately. They would add another point to that impressive scoring margin during the final half.

CSUN tried to make it competitive, as more players contributed from the scoring aspect. However, Stanford was able to hold on to their large lead and win by 17 points, 87-70. Out of the Cardinal’s 21 wins, 17 have been in the friendly confines of Maples Pavilion.

Raynaud posted another double-double, 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. Oziya Sellers also scored 20 points, while Benny Gealer dropped 13 points and Jaylin Blakes chipped in 11 points and offered four assists.

The Matadors had four players scoring at least 10 points. Keonte Jones led CSUN with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Scotty Washington tied Jones in rebounds while producing and tallied 17 points. Grady Lewis led his team in rebounds (7), while while producing 12 points, and Tyler Beard mustered up 10 points and team high four assists.

The Cardinal will play Round 2 of the NIT at Maples hosting Kent State, Saturday March 22 or Sunday March 23, time and date TBA at a later date,.