Category: NCAA

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford battles San Diego State Tonight ; Cardinal set sights for third win in a row

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Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) won the Freshman of the week Award. Stojakovic led the Cardinal in scoring with 17 points against the Idaho Vandals Sun Dec 17, 2023 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic led the Cardinal with 17 points Sunday at Stanford and won the Freshman of the week Award quite an achievement for Stojakovic.

#2 Four other Cardinal ended up in double figures. Michael Jones had 14 points with seven rebounds and Maxime Raynaud got his second double double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

#3 Kanaan Carlyle had 11 points in his first game with the Cardinal and off the bench.

#4 The Cardinal shot 56.4 their highest percentage of the season and 43.5 for three pointers. It was the third time the Cardinal past the 40 percent mark this season.

#5 It’s off to San Diego State and the Aztecs Thu Dec 21st. The Aztecs won their last game edging UC Irvine 63-62 at San Diego State. Aztecs are good and ready with a 9-2 record. Stanford is 6-4 and are looking for a road win.

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

Cardinal Prevented any VANDALism by Idaho on the Farm, as they won 82-64

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Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) goes up for a lay up against the Idaho Vandals at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif — The Stanford Cardinal (5-4. 0-0 Pac-12) subdued the Idaho Vandals (6-5, 0-0 Big Sky) 82-64 on a rainy Sunday in the Bay, without Spencer Jones..

Senior forward Spencer Joneswas out with a leg injury, but it didn’t prevent his fellow Cardinal from performing a dominant win inside Maples Pavilion. They not only picked up the slack, but freshman Kanaan Carlyle gave a great contribution in his Stanford debut.

Despite Idaho scoring the first two points of the game, the Cardinal led threat of the way, after taking a 4-2 lead. During that time frame they went on a 9-0 run and led by as much as 19 points.

The team ended the first 20 minutes with the 19-point lead, shot 63% from the field grabbed 22 rebounds and dished 11 assists. The Cardinal defense was steller too, as they forced the Vandals to shoot a putrid 27% from the floor, and 19% from threeland.

Neither team had a player in double-digits at the half, although Stanford’s junior forward Maxime Raynaud offered eight points and five rebounds and freshman guard Andrej Stojakovic also chipped in 8 points. The aforementioned Carlyle dropped seven points himself. Idaho’s redshirt-freshman Tyler topped his team with five points.

At intermission, Stanford 41-22, and was seemingly in total control of the game. The half ended with the vandals only leading for 23 seconds, while the Cardinal had the advantage for more than 18 minutes.

In the second half, despite many comeback attempts (6-0 run) by Idaho, Stanford had extended the lead as much as 23 points and never looked back

To the Vandals’ credit, they did shoot 53% in the second half, in addition to scoring 20 more points (42) than the previous half of play. Stanford on the other hand, scored the exact amount of points (41) in both halves.

When it was all said and done, the major damage was executed in the first half, and turned out to be enough to complete the mission/win. Stanford led a total of 38:22 and shot 56.4% overall for the game. This dominance led to the 18-point victory, 82-64.

The Cardinal had four players reach double-digits, and Jared Bynum was close, with 9 points and 6 assists. Raynaud (12) and 13 rebounds, Stojakovic (17), Michael Jones (14) and Carlyle (11).

Idaho produced three players with more than 10 points: Linhardt (16), senior guard D’Angelo Minnis (12) and junior guard Quinn Denker (13).

Stanford will next be in action in Southern California Thursday, December 21 at 6 PM PDT, as they take on the San Diego State Aztecs. Idaho also heads south in California on the same date, to take on the University of California – Riverside Highlanders at 5 PM PDT.

San Jose State Lose To Montana 86-75 At Home

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San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas (13) takes a shot against the Montana Grizzlies defense at Provident Credit Union Event Center San Jose on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

Sunday, December 17th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San José State Spartans host Montana on Saturday afternoon inside the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans have had tremendous success on their home floor early in the season, playing to an undefeated record of 4-0 in San Jose with wins over UC Irvine, Bethesda, North Dakota State and New Orleans.

A first half that started off with Montana getting up early and hitting 60% from the field, led by Annen Moody with 10 points in eight minutes. The Spartans hulked up and got on a comeback hitting six of seven field goals in that comeback.

SJSU took the lead as the half winded down and held that lead all the way to the buzzer signaling halftime. San Jose State went 7-12 from 3 and 15-31 from the field as a team, but the man in the driver seat for the Spartans in the first half was Tibet Gorener, who had 13 points (5-7 FGs). The score at half was 40-37, Spartans up and in front of their home crowd kept the energy positive and high intensity. 

The second half was the story for SJSU earlier in the season, starting strong and ending low. Montana immediately tied with a three to start the half and never looked back. SJSU kept it close the whole half, even holding a lead, but Montana ended up with a 10 point lead with 2:30 left in the game.

The gap was too big to close for the Spartans as Montana won the game 86-75. Moody was the big dog for Montana scoring 21 points and even though MJ Amey Jr. scored 15 points and four assists, Montana just outplayed SJSU in the second half. 

The Spartans are 1-3 this month and have one more game left in December before they start 2024 with a bang. That last game of the month will be in San Jose against Santa Clara on Wednesday, December 20th and the Spartans are looking to get a W to close the year. 

Cal drops Independence Bowl to end final season in Pac-12

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Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is hit for a fumble by the Texas Tech Red Raiders lineman Amier Washington (96) at Independence Stadium in Shreveport LA, on Sat Dec 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023

Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana

California Golden Bears 14 (6-7)

Texas Tech Red Raiders 34 (7-6)

By Stephen Ruderman

Cal dropped the Independence Bowl to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 34-14, in what was most likely their final game as a member of the Pac-12.

This was Cal’s first bowl game since 2019, as the team went 6-6 and finished in seventh place in the Pac-12 during the regular season to earn a spot in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. Texas Tech went 6-6, and finished in seventh in the Big 12 Conference, and earned their third-straight trip to a bowl game.

Michael Luckhurst made the opening kick for the Bears, but it was fumbled by Drae McCray, and recovered by Luckhurst on the Texas Tech 25-Yard Line to put the Bears in perfect position to start the game. Then, on the very first play after the opening kick, Bears’ quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, threw a complete pass to wide-receiver, Monroe Young, who ran it 25 yards for a touchdown. After the extra point, Cal led 7-0.

Texas Tech scored a touchdown on a pass from Behren Morton to Coy Eakin, and tied it on the extra point with 4:19 remaining in the first quarter. The Bears responded with a drive of their own. With exactly three minutes remaining, Mendoza threw a 51-yard pass to get to the Texas Tech three Yard Line, and then on the next play, Mendoza handed the ball off to Jaydn Ott, who ran it in to put the Bears back ahead.

Cal led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, but the Red Raiders scored 17 points in the second quarter, as Morton threw a pair of touchdown passes, and Gino Garcia kicked a field goal from 25 yards with just seven seconds remaining. That put Texas Tech up 24-14 going into the half, and they did not look back.

The Red Raiders scored a touchdown in the third quarter, and kicked a field goal in the fourth to put the game away.

With the loss, Cal finishes their final season in the Pac-12 at 6-7, and now they will shift to the Atlantic Coast Conference, as the focus will turn to the 2024 Season.

California Bears Fall to the Unbeaten Ole Miss Rebels 88-78

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Cal Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) takes a jump shot against Ole Miss Rebels at the Hall of Fame Series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sat Dec 16, 2023 (photo by the Cal Bears)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday evening the Cal Bears (3-7) took on the unbeaten Ole Miss Rebels (10-0). At the half, the Bears trailed 46-35 but played a competitive second half losing by a single point 43-42. At half time it was the Rebels bench that had given them the lead. The Rebels got some great minutes from their starters in the second half winning the game

Saturday evening the Bears took on Ole Miss in the Hall of Fame Series in San Antonio. Cal is coming off a real disappointing loss against Butler losing in double overtime 97-90. Ole Miss had a close one in their game against UCF on the road winning 70-68. 

Cal is having a tough start to the season. They have lost two games despite being double-digit favorites. This Bears team has a strong offense but getting stops has been a problem this season. Jaylon Tyson has led the Bears with close to 20 points per game. He also leads the team in assists. 

Cal has a big man inside with 6’11” Fardaws Aimaq who scores over 17 points per game and has a team high ten rebounds. Jalen Cone is another good one for the Bears already having knocked down 33 triples this season and averaging 17 points per game. 

Facing the unbeaten Rebels will be a tough challenge for the Golden Bears. The Rebels are led by Allen Flanigan who averages 18 points and close to seven rebounds per game.

As the first half came to an end, Ole Miss held a 46-35 lead getting some nice minutes from not only their starters but also their bench. The Bears bench got limited minutes in the first half with Jalen Celestine and Gus Larson who both did not fare very well coming away with a miss and a turnover. Cal needed more offensive production in the second half as well as more stops.

The second half was much more productive for the Bears. The Rebels edged the Bears in the second half of play 43-42 winning the game by the score of 88-78. Ole Miss had taken a 24 point lead in the second half but Cal was able to cut that lead to ten points just running out of clock. The Bears had a terrific second half of basketball but they just came up short.

Every starter for the Bears finished with double digits, the high going to Jalon Tyson with 22 points. Fardaws Aimaq had 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Rebels came on like gangbusters in the first half; the high score was Jaemyn Brakefield with 27 points a career high for him. 

He hit 5 three-pointers making a huge impact in this game. The Rebels are off to their best start since the 2007-08 season. They never trailed once in this game. 

Cal now returns home to Haas Pavilion taking on UC San Diego on Wednesday afternoon. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal to host Idaho Sunday at Maples; Stanford looking for their second win in a row

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Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) gets the throw down on the San Diego Toreros at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Dec 3, 2023 (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Going back to Dec 3rd when the Cardinal played their last game, the Cardinal (4-4, 0-0 Pac-12) attacked their guest the San Diego Toreros (6-3, 0-0 WCC), and chased them all around the Farm in a health 88-64 win to hit the .500 mark.

#2 Senior forward Brandon Angel led the way for Stanford, with 25 points and 8 rebounds. He also got the party started with a three-pointer, demarking the first points of the game. The 3-0 lead was a precursor for the rest of the battle, as the Cardinal were in front from that point on to the final whistle.

#3 Michael, the Cardinal dominated the Toreros in both halves in the first 43-27 and 45-37. Talk about how Stanford really opened up on the offense.

#4 For the Toreros they just couldn’t get anything going on offense with leading scorers Deuce Turner 12 points followed by Drago Lungu and Deven Dahlke both with 11 points. But it just wasn’t enough for San Diego just to stay in the game.

#5 Stanford will next be in action at Maples Sunday, December 17, 2 PM PDT, hosting the Idaho Vandals. Michael the Vandals have won three straight and are 7-4. The Cardinal have lost three of their last four games and are 4-4. The Cardinal have the home floor. How do you see this match considering neither team has seen each other this season.

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

San Jose State Undefeated At Home After 87-82 Victory Over New Orleans

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The San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas takes the ball up the floor as the Spartans defeated the New Orleans Privateers at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Sat Dec 9, 2023 (photo by San Jose State Spartans Athletic Dept)

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose State Spartans (4-5) host the New Orleans Privateers (6-5) this Saturday afternoon in the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans have had tremendous success on their home floor early this season, playing to an undefeated record 3-0 in San Jose.

SJSU came off a difficult road trip in which they went 0-3 losses to Cal Poly, Montana, and North Dakota State. Two of the three games on that road trip went to overtime. 

A very competitive back and forth in the first half between both squads. Balanced on defense and scoring, both teams were playing like it was two heavyweight boxers. Jordan Johnson led New Orleans all the way through the half, but SJSU had a more even distribution of the ball.

New Orleans gained some distance on the scoreboard, until MJ Amey Jr. took over and closed the gap with three straight 3-pointers and ended up with 18 points in the first half. New Orleans was up four, 44-40 at halftime. Neither team had a good game from the free throw line, but from the field it was a battle. 

The second half was a way more physical half, but no lack of scoring. Johnson and Jah Short were leading New Orleans while Amey Jr. was the guy for the Spartans (29 points for the game).

DJ Seixas was the difference maker for the Spartans leading the team to gain their first lead since early in the first half. Alvaro Cardenas had a double double that took the Spartans to a late game lead and at the end Spartans won 87-82. 

Next game for the Spartans will be back at home against Montana, December 17th. Spartans continue their undefeated home record, 4-0.

Cal Battles Through Two Overtimes Losing to the Butler Bulldogs 97-90

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Cal Bears guard Jalen Cone (15) takes a jump shot over the Butler Bulldogs guard Jahmyl Telfort (11) at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sat Dec 9, 2023 (photo by Cal Bears MBB)

By Barbara Mason

The California Bears battled through two overtimes eventually losing to the Butler Bulldogs 97-90. The Bears fought through the first overtime but came up short only managing another tie. Going into the second overtime Cal couldn’t keep up with Butler. The Bulldogs won the second overtime 14-7 and the game 97-90.

The California Bears (3-6) took on the Butler Bulldogs (8-2) Saturday afternoon. The Bears are coming off a nice win over the Santa Clara Broncos last Saturday 84-69.

The first half of this game was a close one. California won the opening half 37-34 taking the lead into the locker room at halftime. Butler would respond in the second half winning it by the score of 39-36. As regulation expired this game was tied at 73. The game had been a battle from tipoff and would continue into the first overtime.

The first overtime of this game was a thriller with neither team able to capture much of a lead and this resulted in a second tie between the two teams. At 4:14 in the second overtime the two teams remained tied at 85. At 3:23 the Bulldogs began to make a move and they did not let down.

Butler took the lead and built on it for the remainder of the overtime eventually winning 97-90. This was a horrible disappointment for the Bears who had played so well throughout the entire game and the first overtime. The Bulldogs just wore them down in the second overtime.

Fardaws Aimaq had 24 points for California along with 16 rebounds followed by Jalen Cone who had a great game hitting 7 of his 17 3-point attempts. He finished with 23 points. Keonte Kennedy made a nice contribution with 20 points and Jaylon Tyson added 16 points. Cal had led by as much as 12 points in the first half but could not maintain the lead.

Posh Alexander had the high for the Bulldogs with 21 points followed closely by Jahmyl Tekfort with 20. The starting lineup for the Bulldogs had a great game but their bench pushed them over the top with 21 points to the Bears 5 points off the bench.

This was Butler’s fifth win in a row. They had shot at 52% to Cal’s 46%. The two teams were a percentage point apart on three’s; Butler with 42% and Cal with 41% in a game well-played by both teams.

Next Saturday the Cal Bears will play Mississippi in San Antonio. This will be a challenge for California taking on the 8-0 Ole Miss. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

San Jose State Lose Three Straight After 83-78 OT Loss At North Dakota State

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San Jose State Spartans took a tough loss against the North Dakota State Bison in Fargo North Dakota on Mon Dec 4, 2023 (San Jose State University photo)

Monday, December 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

The San José State Spartans (5-5) are looking to end a two-game skid as they take on the North Dakota State Bison (5-4). The Spartans are coming off losses to Cal Poly and Montana. For the Spartans’ head coach Tim Miles, Monday’s game will be a return to Fargo where he served as the Bison head coach for six seasons, from 2001-2002 until 2006-2007.  It wasn’t quite the visit that coach Miles was expected as the Spartans dropped their third straight game 83-78.

In the first half it looked like San Jose State couldn’t hit a stride all half, Spartans starting the half shooting 29% from the field, but ended up hitting 41% by the end of the half. North Dakota State hit 57% from the three point line and that’s what kept them ahead.

NDSU’s Jacari White led the Bison with eight points at half and SJSU’s Rickey Mitchell Jr. also led his team with eight points. When the buzzer hit for halftime North Dakota State was up 36-28 and thanks to a 7-0 run in the last minute of the half is what closed the gap to within eight points. 

The second half was a back and forth between both squads and it was also the first time the Spartans held a lead. The back and forth climaxed with the Bison having a two point lead with ten seconds left and the Spartans tying it up at 72 and we went to overtime. 

Overtime started out with a back and forth ball game, but North Dakota ultimately took over at the wheel and separated themselves in the last minute win 83-78. The Spartans have now lost three straight games and head back to San Jose in a slump.

San Jose State’s next game is December 9th against New Orleans and it’s back in the Provident Credit Union Event Center where the Spartans look to shake off this losing streak and get back into their winning ways before the new year. 

Cardinal Charged the Toreros,  88-64 inside the Maples Pavilion Ring

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Stanford Cardinal offense dominated the San Diego Toreros at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Dec 3, 2023 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (4-4, 0-0 Pac-12) attacked the guest San Diego Toreros (6-3, 0-0 WCC), and chased them all around the Farm, 88-64..

Senior forward Brandon Angel led the way for Stanford, with 25 points and 8 rebounds. He also got the party started with a three-pointer, demarking the first points of the game.The 3-0 lead was a precursor for the rest of the battle, as the Cardinal were in front from that point on to the final whistle.

Not only did Angel drill a three, but senior Michael Jones dropped one too. Stanford was on a 6-0 run with only two made shots; however, the Southern California bullfighters had their own response (4-0). That would be the closest margin (2) of the allotted 40-minute contest.

Stanford led by as much as 17 points during the remainder of the first half. By the time the recess bell rang, the Cardinal had a 16-point advantage over the Toreros, 43-27.

Angel had 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Michael Jones chipped in 11 more to help expand the lead. No players from San Diego scratched double-digits at intermission..

In the second half, the visitors tried to fight their way back with their swords and capes, but their efforts were proved to be futile, despite a 7-0 run late in the game. Stanford on the other hand hit a lead as significant as 26 points in the closing seconds. They settled for a 24-point victory, 88-64 instead.

Senior forward Spencer Jones got himself into the double-figure club in the second half (16) and snagged a few more rebounds (6). Angel added 10 more to his tally (25), while Michael Jones contributed an additional 8 to his total (19).

San Diego presented four players with at least 10 points to their boxscore. Junior guard Deuce Turner (12), senior Devin Dahlke and freshman Dragos Lungu both had 11, while junior Wayne McKinney III offered 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Stanford will next be in action at Maples Sunday, December 17, 2 PM PDT, hosting the Idaho Vandals. San Diego will be heading to Logan, UT to take on the Utah State Aggies, Wednesday, December 6 at 6 PM MST.