Category: NCAA

San Jose State Smashes Bethesda 117-72 To Go 2-0

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San Jose State Spartans and the Bethesda Flames battled it out in San Jose on Thu Nov 9, 2023 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

Thursday, November 9th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

It’s the second game of the season for the Spartans and it’s San Jose State facing off against the Bethesda Flames. This is a home game before they go to Texas Tech and then a tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bethesda drove up from Anaheim in vans and showed up 3 hours before the game. 

The first half started with a dominant outing on offense with Tibet Gorener having nine of the Spartans first 11 points and holding a lead halfway through the first. The Spartans were scoring mostly in the paint and had second chance points that made the difference for them as the first half went on.

Bethesda tried to stay in the fold keeping the score as close as they could, but there weren’t enough runs for the Flames. With five minutes left in the half, Bethesda had cut the lead to eight and were looking to go on their first run.

The nine total turnovers SJSU had brought Bethesda within two points, but a 6-0 run from the Spartans in the last 1:22 of the half put them up going into the locker room 56-47. The biggest problem for Bethesda were fouls. The Flames had 13 team fouls and SJSU took full advantage of these opportunities making 13-15 free throws in the first half. 

The Spartans started the second half the way they were supposed to getting a 20 point lead 5 minutes into the half. The Flames hit a drought where for 4:39 they didn’t score a point and that was the halfway point of the half in the game.

SJSU went on a terror run leading by 32 with eight minutes left and Gorener leading the team in points with 26. It was a complete runaway for San Jose State, beating their season high score from last season that was also against Bethesda. This is the third most points in San Jose State basketball history and the game was well in the books, SJSU winning 117-72. 

The game after halftime was a complete blowout, but it was something that is going to give the Spartans a lot of confidence going to Lubbock, TX where SJSU will face Texas Tech on Saturday. The three standout players for SJSU were Gorrener with 26 points, Alvaro Cardenas with 14 points and 8 assists, and Trey Anderson with 13 points. The Spartans are 2-0 and look to keep this party going into this ongoing season.

Stanford Cardinal basketball with Michael Roberson: Raynaud and Jones getting some good production

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Stanford’s Spencer Jones (14) shoots against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 tournament Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud led with 23 points, 23 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the Cardinal win over Cal State Northridge on Monday night 88-79 in the season opener on the Hill.

#2 The Cardinal Michael Jones followed up Raynaud in scoring with 20 points, what was also convincing was Stanford scored the last 13 points of the game to put the kibosh on CSUN’s evening.

#3 Michael talk about Brandon Angel who scored 17 points, eight rebounds, and got three blocks for the Cardinal.

#4 Keonte Jones hit a three point shot at 2:59 left in the game that put Northridge up by four but after that the Northridge was 0-4 and the Cardinal scored the rest of the way for the win.

#5 Next up for the Cardinal, Sacramento State Hornets, the Hornets opened up their season against the Nevada Wolfpack on Tuesday and this is their second game. The Cardinal did show a good exhibition of offense in their game against Northridge last Monday.

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

Cardinal were Bullish Against Visiting Matadors, Pushing through their Cloak and Sword, 88-79

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The Stanford Cardinal guard Jared Bynum (1) and forward Maxime Raynaud (42) both finished in double digits against Cal State Northridge at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Mon Nov 6, 2023 (@StanfordMBB photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-0, 0-0 Pac-12) Red Attack could not be avoided by the California State University – Northridge Matadors (0-1, 0-0 Big West), as they won a back and forth contest, 88-79.

Stanford got out to an early lead the first couple minutes of the game, but that was short-lived.  CSUN was in front through the bulk of the first half. 

Both teams had eight point leads, while the Matadors managed a 9-0 run and the Cardinal topped that with a 10-0 one of their own.  Although CSUN had the lead three times as long as Stanford, they managed to regain the lead before the end of the first 30 minutes of play.

Stanford senior Brandon Angel and junior Maxime Raynaud both were perfect from the field (4-4) in the first half, scoring 11 and 8 points respectively.  Newcomer and senior guard Jared Bynum also chipped in for his squad, tallying 7 points and 3 assists.

At recess, the home team had a five-point advantage, 43-38.  Stanford had to fight back and overcome the 3:1 ratio of not being the frontrunner, but they managed to take a slightly comfortable lead into the locker room.

Nearly three minutes into the second half, Stanford increased their lead to nine, and was looking to blow the game open.  However, the Matadors still had something under their muleta or cape.

CSUN fought back valiantly twice.  The first occasion they took a 63-62 lead near the midway point (9:43) of the second half.  Approximately four and a half minutes later they climbed the tree again to take a 2-point lead (73-71).

Now with about five minutes left in regulation, the Cardinal had to duplicate their late comeback in the first half leading at the whistle.  Stanford also performed a 13-0 run during the second stanza.

Senior Michael Jones was able to make that process come to fruition a little sooner (2:20) as his deep jumper put them up for good (80-79) and eventually added eight more to win by nine.  After 40 minutes of play, Stanford was the victor on the Farm. 88-79.

The Cardinal had ample contribution from the team.  Raynaud led the way with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.  The aforementioned Jones had 20 points and Angel blessed the team with 18 points and 7 rebounds.  The new guy Jared Bynum gave 13 points and dropped 7 assists, with 0 turnovers in his Cardinal debut.

Graduate senior De’Sean Allen-Eikens led the Matadors with 22 points and 8 rebounds.

The Cardinal are next in action back at Maples Friday, November 10 (6 pm PDT) hosting Sacramento State.  The Matadors travel to Moscow, Idaho Thursday November 9 (6 pm MST) to take on the Idaho Vandals.

Bears barely edge out Tommies in Season Opener 71-66 at Haas Pavilion

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Haas Pavilion home of the Cal Bears who hosted the St Thomas Tommies on Mon Nov 6, 2023 (photo by Stephen Ruderman)

Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

St. Thomas Tommies 66 (0-1)

California Golden Bears 71 (1–0)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The California Golden Bears beat the St. Thomas Tommies, in a 71-66 in a nail-biting season opener at Haas Pavilion.

Following a brutal 3-29 2022-2024 Campaign, Cal Basketball got their 2023-2024 Season started with new head coach, Mark Madsen at the helm, as they welcomed in the Tommies for the opener.

This was also the debut game for Freshman Vladimir Pavlovic, who has come with a lot of excitement. Pavlovic, a native of Serbia, played for the 18U Serbian National Team, before playing for Hoosac School in Hoosick New York last year.

“Vladimir’s talent, character and basketball IQ make him a great addition to our roster,” Madsen said over the summer, when Pavlovic committed to play for Cal.

The Bears started the game by committing a backcourt violation, and it was just the first of many turnovers Cal gave away. Meanwhile, the Tommies opened with a pair of three-balls. It seemed they shot a third one at the buzzer to open a 9-3 lead, but the call was overturned upon review, as the ball was fired after the buzzer.

St. Thomas’ lead was back down to 6-3, and a pair of threes gave Cal their first lead of the night at 10-8 with over 14 minutes to go in the first period.

Both teams traded threes early on, as Cal led 17-13 with 10:34 remaining in the first period. The two teams were pretty back and forward throughout the first period, as neither team got off to greater than a five-point lead.

Eventually it was a 29-29 game with 2:30 left, as the Bears had a hard time shaking the Tommies off, and Cal led 35-34 at the half.

The second period opened with the teams trading threes, and the Bears giving more turnovers to the Tommies, as well as some fouls mixed in. Cal missed several opportunities, and the Tommies.

Cal led 51-50 half way through the second, as both teams missed several opportunities to pull away.

Pavlovic missed a crucial three with Cal trailing 58-56 with less than seven minutes left in the second, and the Tommies were immediately gifted two points after Cal center, Fardaws Aimag, was called for goaltending.

The Tommies led 62-61 with 3:40 remaining, as the game came down to the wire. It was 64-64 with 1:30 left when Devin Askew was on the receiving end of an offensive foul by the Tommies, which gave Cal the ball.

Another foul sent Jalen Calestine to the line for Cal, but he missed his only free-throw, giving the Tommies the ball with 1:15 left.

Askew laid one in to give Cal a 66-64 lead with less than a minute remaining, and the Tommies were unable to respond, as a foul sent Jalen Cone to the line, and he nailed both shots to expand Cal’s lead to 68-64.

After a lengthy final minute in which the Tommies tried every trick they had, the Bears held on to win 71-66.

Cal has won their season opener for the first time in four years, as they are 1-0, and they will welcome the University of Pacific Tigers for an 8:00 tipoff Friday night.

Kings Continue Slump Demolished By Rockets 122-97; Houston sweeps two game series

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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (center) struggles with the basketball with the Sacramento Kings forwards Harrison Barnes (40) Keegan Murray (right) at the Toyota Center on Mon Nov 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

There are no words in Webster’s dictionary to describe how terrible this game went for the Sacramento Kings (2-4). It would seem that they are completely helpless without superstar De’Aaron Fox who remains out with the ankle injury.

It would also appear that there are no players that can step up in his absence. That does not bode well for this team. As this game reached the seven minute mark in the fourth quarter it could not have ended quickly enough for these guys. The final score was 122-97 Houston Rockets (3-3) at the Toyota Center in Houston in game 2 of the series.

Monday night the Kings continued to play without superstar De’Aaron Fox taking on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. He was ruled out hours before tipoff missing his third game in a row. The Kings are missing everything that he brings to the court and are struggling.

The Kings lost to the Rockets on Saturday night, an 18 point loss 107-89, a very embarrassing loss. A big part of the Kings future was thought to be Keegan Murray but he has not shown up so far.

Murray finished the Saturday night game with the Rockets shooting for seven points and going 3-12. His shot is not falling and he is not delivering at all and needs to have more of an impact. Another player not carrying his load is the newly signed Sasha Vezenkov.

The excitement surrounding Vezenkov’s signing has now fallen flat when he scored nada in their last game. While Domantas Sabonis was not awful he was not at his usual best which is roughly 18 points per game.

With Fox still remaining out of action this team has to step up and Sabonis is a huge part of this. Their defense has been stale and they need to add another star to their core. As we have seen early in this season injury can play havoc with a team.

The Kings need Fox who is the heart of their offense. It is early in the season and not the worst time for a team to suffer injury, but that being said, Sacramento does not want to lose a third game in a row.

The opening quarter of Monday night’s game went very poorly for the Kings. They lost the first quarter 32-22. It really went sideways in the second quarter with the Rockets topping the Kings 35-20 taking a 67-42 lead into the locker room at the half. The first half of this game was a disaster for Sacramento but unfortunately the worst was still to come.

After three quarters the writing was pretty much on the wall. It was a horrific showing by the Kings. It could not have been any worse with some lackluster shooting and terrible defense allowing the Rockets to walk all over them.

The starters were MIA for the first three quarters. Harrison Barnes had three points after three quarters, Davion Mitchell had five, Domantas Sabonis with eight points. It was a nightmare. Even the energetic Malik Monk off the bench only managed five points. After three quarters Houston had a 95-60 lead in a monster embarrassment. It was like taking candy from a baby for Houston in this lopsided game.

The fourth quarter was more of the same and early in the final quarter the Rockets had taken a forty point lead 107-67. If you think that Saturday night’s loss was an embarrassment think again. The Kings did win the fourth quarter but this game was a done deal at half time. The Kings came around in the fourth quarter winning the quarter 37-25. The final was 122-97.

Wednesday night the Kings will take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center. Hopefully the crowd can get this team energized and an even more importantly get Fox back on the court.

The Kings, of course, does not want to put Fox back on the court until he is completely ready. They cannot afford to risk further injury to Fox’s ankle. This team is going through some discouraging times and they need to pull it all together and come out the other side. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Fresh new start with head coach Mark Madsen

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Cal Bears head coach Mark Madsen, guard Keonte Kennedy, and forward Grant Newell address the press at media day on Oct 11, 2023 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, It’s the first game back for the Cal Bears with a new head coach Mark Madsen. Madsen led Utah Valley last season to the Semi Finals for the 2023 NIT.

#2 Madsen was named the 2023 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and led the Wolverines to a pair of conference titles during his four seasons at the helm.

#3 Madsen has been well-recognized for his efforts during the 2022-23 campaign as he was named District Coach of the Year by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).

#4  Mark is a person of high character, high energy, high intensity, and he’s done it the right way. He’s intense. He’s passionate. He loves his student-athletes, and he loves competing. 

#5 Coach Madsen wanted to see what his players will do in this first game against St. Thomas tonight at Haas Pavilion. Madsen said when he was first brought on by Cal “I am extremely grateful to Chancellor Carol Christ and Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton for their belief in me, and for the tremendous opportunity to lead Cal’s men’s basketball team back to its winning tradition.”

Join Stephen Ruderman for Cal Basketball commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Karty field goal lifts Cardinal past Washington State 10-7

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Stanford Cardinal cornerback Tshawn Frausto-Ramos (bottom) Tobin Phillips defensive lineman (right) put the tackle on Washington State Cougars wide receiver Kyle Williams (2) at Martin Stadium in Pullman on Sat Nov 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Joshua Karty kicked a 31-yard field goal with 5:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, providing Stanford with a 10-7 Pac-12 football victory Saturday at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash,

The Cardinal (3-6 overall, 2-5 Pac 12) have a 41-31-1 edge in the series, which may or may not continue after this season due to the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference. One year ago, the Cougars (4-5 overall, 1-5 Pac-12) defeated Stanford 52-14

Washington State opened the scoring with 6:18 left in the second quarter with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Ward to Josh Kelly.

Stanford tied the game at 7-7 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Justin Lamson with 2:55 remaining in the third quarter. Lamson led Cardinal ballcarriers with 54 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Ashton Daniels completed 15 of 31 passes for 115 yards, no touchdowns and one interceptions. He also carried nine times for 18 yards and was sacked once.

Sam Roush caught seven passes for 61 yards to lead the Cardinal, followed by Elic Ayomanor with four catches for 53 yards.

Tristan Sinclair paced the Cardinal defense with nine total tackles, four solo. Scotty Edwards added an interception and the defense also had three sacks.

Ward completed 24 of 40 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. Djouvensky Schlenbaker was the top Cougars rusher with 34 yards on 13 attempts.

Lincoln Victor caught a game-high 12 passes for Washington State, gaining 66 yards. Kelly finished with four receptions for 82 yards.

Washington State outgained the Cardinal in total offense 245 yards to 217. Stanford had a slight edge in first downs 18-16.

Next week, the Cardinal travel to Corvallis, Ore., to face No. 16 Oregon State. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Daniels looking to get some yardage against Washington State tonight

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Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Eric Ayomanor makes a reception for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 How tough is it that the Stanford Cardinal (2-6) have their last two road games against the Washington State Cougars (4-4) tonight and Oregon State next week both on the road.

#2 These will be the last two Pac 12 road games that Stanford will have as the break of up of the Pac 12 starts next season. Stanford head coach Troy Taylor said it’s painful and disappointing that it’s ending this way.

#3 The Cougars were 4-0 in September but have cooled off immensely having lost four straight games all in the month of October.

#4 The Cougars have won the last six games against the Stanford. Last season the Cougars clobbered the Cardinal 52-14 at Stanford Stadium. The weather forecast for tonight in Pullman calls for rain.

#5 Michael, with the field being wet and the ball being wet as well how do you see the Cardinal quarterback Anthony Daniels getting a good grip on the ball for quick passes.

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

Oregon Ducks Sting Cal Bears 63-19; Nix, Oregon score an avalanche of touchdowns in Cal loss

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Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) gets a pass away under pressure from the Cal Bears linebacker Xavier Carlton (right) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Sat Nov 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was a tough afternoon for the California Bears up in Oregon as they got trounced by the Ducks to the tune of 63-19 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. They hung in the game for the opening quarter but going into the second quarter the Ducks turned it on and never looked back.

Saturday afternoon the California Bears (3-5) traveled up north to take on the Oregon Ducks (7-1). The two teams took the field amid threat of precipitation as the Bears faced not only inclement weather but dealing with an offensive giant in the Ducks.

The Ducks got a quick start in the opening quarter scoring two touchdowns taking a 14-0 lead. Oregon’s first strike was a 48 yard pass from quarterback Bo Nix to Tez Johnson. Minutes later the Ducks struck again when Nix took the ball into the end zone for one yard and the second score of the day for Oregon.

The Bears answered with a field goal with 1:39 left in the first quarter. Mateen Bhaghani sent a 48 yard kick through the uprights. On the very next Oregon possession the Ducks fumbled and the ball was recovered by Cal’s Nohl Williams for a sixteen yard romp into the end zone for six. Cal had made a nice comeback trailing by the score of 14-10 and were within striking distance.

Cal would draw even closer when they kicked a second field goal in the early minutes of the second quarter. Bhaghani kicked a 27 yard field goal and California trailed by a single point 14-13. The rest of the second quarter was all Oregon.

The sleeping giant woke up with a vengeance scoring three touchdowns in the quarter. Bo Nix rushed for his second touchdown of the game at 5:21. Nix went on to hit Tez Johnson for his second touchdown of the game, this one for 14 yards at 1:39 left before the half.

With six seconds left in the quarter Nix went to work again thanks to a Bears fumble hitting Troy Franklin for 7 yards extending their lead to 35-13 at halftime.

Cal made up some ground to start the third quarter scoring a 20 yard Jayden Ott rushing touchdown. The Bears went for the two point conversion which failed and California trialed 35-19. The Ducks would add to their lead mid-way through the quarter. Bucky Irving rushed for 6 yards extending the Oregon lead to 42-19.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Ducks as they continued to pile on the points scoring three touchdowns in the quarter. Bo Nix threw his fourth touchdown pass in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, a four yard strike to Terrance Ferguson.

Jordan James would rush for 16 yards and another Oregon touchdown. With the score 56-19 Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was finished for the day. He threw for 386 yards and was 29 of 38 passes with four touchdowns.

Ty Thompson took over under center and finished off the game with yet another Oregon touchdown, a six yard pass to Traeshon Holden for the final score of 63-19.

California quarterback finished with 177 yards and was 18 of 34 with no touchdowns and one interception. Cal had 109 rushing yards with Jayden Ott finishing the game with 93 yards.

Next Saturday the Bears will take on the Washington State Cougars at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

San Jose State Spartans Beat CSU East Bay 77-61 in an Exhibition Game

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The floor of Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose. The San Jose State Spartans hosted Cal State East Bay in an exhibition game on Sat Nov 4, 2023 (file photo from Sports Illustrated)

Saturday, November 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – In the Event Center at San Jose State University it’s the SJSU Spartans against Cal State East Bay in an exhibition game and these two teams are ready to showcase their skills before this long basketball season. The Spartans won it 77-61 defeating visiting CSU East Bay at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose.

The first half started off with CSU East Bay taking over the momentum of the half. Forward Grady Lewis led East Bay in points with eight and his eight points were a major part of what kept the momentum up. For San Jose State they played a good game on the perimeter, but the post offense was being clamped on by this East Bay defense.

When William Humer got in the game the post offense picked up and he led the Spartans in points with seven in the first half. San Jose State’s offense really turned on when free throws gave them a rally and the Spartans went on a 9-0 run for the last 2:13 of the half and when the first half ended 31-27 SJSU Spartans with a lot of energy radiating from the offense. 

The Spartans continued running off their momentum from the first half by taking it straight to CSU East Bay as the second half started. East Bay began using a tap defense that seemed like it was going to slow the Spartans down, but it didn’t.

Even with the pressure SJSU was running with the lead, holding down a 20 point lead halfway through the second half. The offense here was led by MJ Amey Jr. who whether it was at the free throw line or the three point line, he found ways to score (15 points).

The second half pressure kicked up for East Bay with a 9-0 run at one point that lasted a minute, but the Spartans were still fighting them off. The final three minutes of the game was a tad sloppy for the Spartans, but wasn’t sloppy enough to detour the lead they had. Latrell Davis, who only had three points in the first half, went crazy in the second half, getting to the line to keep SJSU up (13 points).

The final buzzer sounded and the final score was 77-61 San Jose State and this exhibition game was great practice for what the Spartans have ahead. The three standout stars for SJSU were MJ Amey Jr., William Humer, and Latrell Davis

Next game for SJSU is their season opener against UC Irvine on November 7th and it will be a home game for the Spartans.