Tag: Big 10

Cal Bears game wrap: LA beats the Bay as USC Trojans defeat the California Golden Bears, 77-65

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California Golden Bears forward (#21) Sammie Yeanay shoots a three-pointer against the USC Trojans in a NCAA nonconference basketball game at the Haas Pavilion on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026, in Berkeley, CA. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY -Happy Veterans Day to everyone who has worn our nation’s uniform, and thank you for your sacrifice and service to our country. The California Golden Bears (2-2) returned from Lake Tahoe and hosted the No.21 USC Trojans (3-0) on Wednesday night. In a rivalry dating back to 1916, California and USC faced off after both schools returned from Lake Tahoe on Sunday. However, the Trojans defeat the Bears 77-65, having USC feeling golden leaving the Bay Area. Trojans have now won the first three games of their season.

Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice, KJ Lewis, Jacob Cofie, and Darius Ratliff were the starting five for the USC Trojans. The last time USC was in action was on Sunday night’s Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic, when the Trojans defeated Wichita State 93-86 with 32 points and nine assists from Rodney Rice and 30 points from Alijah Arenas. Rice and Arenas became the first USC teammates to both drop 30 points in a game since 2015.

Jordan Ross, Mantas Kocanas, Jake Wilkins, Sammie Yeanay, and Nojus Indrusaitis started for California. California also attended the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic, but lost their first game of the season. The Bears were led by Mady Cooper, who scored 19 points and made five 3-pointers. The Golden Bears made nine of their 26 shots from beyond the arc, and Jordan Ross scored 15 points and five assists.

California’s Jake Wilkins was fouled while taking a shot and hit his free throws to get the first bucket of the night. In the first three minutes of play, Cal’s defense and the crowd at Haas Pavilion caused early turnovers for the Trojans. USC would have three early turnovers, and Cal took advantage of those errors. The Bears would lead 9-2.

Cal’s early efforts and their explosive plays would get them the early edge over USC. However, Trojans guard Rodney Rice would get USC back on track with a three-pointer and send the team on a 7-0 scoring run. Trojans’ defense would step up as the Bears were seeing scoring droughts throughout a majority of the game. Also, USC was staying aggressive on the defensive boards with Cal struggling to make a shot. The Trojans would end the half with 28 rebounds, while Cal only had 17 rebounds.

By halftime, USC was leading Cal by 9 points, 39-30. Leading the Bears in scoring at the end of the first half was Sammie Yeanay with 9 points. The Trojans were led by Rodney Rice with 12 points, 2-of-5 from three-pointers. Both teams were also shooting below 50% from beyond the arc. The Bears and Trojans both take pride in their defense, as every bucket that was made was well-earned.

Going into the final half, the Trojans were starting to get their offensive momentum going. USC guard KJ Lewis opened the first half with a 4-point play after getting fouled shooting from deep. USC’s lead would jump to 11 points, 53-42. That lead had a lot to do with Cal’s defense getting called for fouls. Trojans Rodney Rice would score 4 points strictly from free throws, after Cal couldn’t stop him from driving into the paint to score.

The Bears weren’t just gonna let the Trojans walk into their “Haas” and take over. In the last ten minutes of the game, Cal did their best they could to bounce back. After the shots were falling for the Trojans, USC couldn’t get one to go in for almost two minutes. The Bears would go on a crucial 7-0 scoring run during that time, and cut the lead to 4 points, 53-49.

The Bears’ late scoring runs brought life back into the fans and the players. The Trojans were ready to put the final dagger in the Bears. USC would retaliate with a 7-0 scoring run of their own in the final three minutes, and ultimately end the Bears’ optimism to win. As the game clock ran out, the USC Trojans would get the win 77-65. In Cal’s loss, the Bears were led by Sammie Yeanay with 14 points and 3 rebounds.

California will take a few days off before they return in action on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bears will host the Utah Tech Trailblazers (1-2) at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the ACCNX. The Trailblazers are coming off a road loss to Utah State, 118-86.

Arizona Heads to the Final Four in 25 Years, Beating Purdue, 79-64

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Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) dunks during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (Photo Credits to AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN JOSE – The Madness of March is over, as SAP Center welcomed 4 programs to the South Bay, but only saw only one of them would come out victorious. Between the No.1 Arizona Wildcats and the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers, which both are champions to their conference. It would be the Arizona Wildcats moving on to Indianapolis with a 15 point win, and these dangerous Wildcats have now won 13 games in a row.

Arizona Wildcats went with guards Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, forwards Koa Peat, Ivan Kharchenkov, and center Motiejus Krivas for their Elite Eight game. The Wildcats will be hoping to make it to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and the fifth time in program history. This is their 12th Elite Eight appearance overall and their first since 2015.

Purdue Boilermakers sent out guards Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, forwards Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff, and center C.J. Cox on the teams Elite Eight run. Purdue has a 0-9 record against No. 1 seeds overall and is seeking its first victory over one. Purdue will be trying for its fourth Final Four overall and its second in the last three seasons.

After the first 7 minutes of play, Arizona was in the lead with 5 points, 17-12. Arizona went on a 8-2 scoring run for 3 minutes. The Wildcats saw a lot of their points in the paint which was giving them early control of the game. Arizona scored 12 points in the paint to their now, 19-12 lead. It should come as no surprise that Purdue is already having issues with Arizona’s size and agility. Oscar Cluff is holding his own so far, but if the Boilermakers don’t find extra help from the players down in the block, the Wildcats will dominate inside.

4 lead changes and 6 ties already happened 15 minutes into this game. Both teams are trying to send their school to the Final Four with the finishing line being just a couple of games away. With 3 minutes left of the 1st half the score was, 30-27, Purdue leads now. After a bad shooting performance in their Sweet 16 game, Purdue has shotten the ball better. Last game int he 1st half, Boilermakers only had 3 three-pointers in the 1st half, but tonight they had 6 three-pointers already. While Arizona is seeing some struggles as they only made 1 three-pointer so far out of 6 attempts.

Halftime, Purdue is leading Arizona by 7 points, 38-31. The Big-10 champions, Purdue, hit 7 three-pointers in the 1st half that got them feeling great heading into the lockers. While the Big-12 champions, Arizona, was struggling on the field. Only making 1 three-pointer would go a long way and a reason on why they’re down at halftime. While the Wildcats are struggling from deep as they only got 1 deep ball to go in.

The Boilermakers have gone on to lose after leading at the half just twice this season: Jan. 24 against Illinois and Feb. 26 against Michigan State. So with the start of the second half, the pressure for Purdue to win the game is on. Vice versa with Arizona as they started the final half playing catch up. Which Arizona really turned up the heat on Purdue and took it to them.

Wildcats were able to knock down 3 three-pointers in the second half, which was a lot better than the just the 1 three-pointer they made in the first half. The more this game goes on, the more the talent gap between Arizona and Purdue becomes clear. Arizona is more prepared to play in transition when the game breaks down, which has happened more often in the second half. The Wildcats are on the verge of making it to their first Final Four in 25 years.

In the second half, Arizona played with an entirely different feeling of urgency. At both ends of the floor, there are differences in physicality and intensity. However, the two crucial figures: Arizona had six turnovers in the first half but zero in the second. After a 7-14 first half, Purdue is now 0-4 3PT. By the 3 minute mark, Arizona had a 15 point lead on Purdue.

Ultimately, Arizona wrote their story to the Final Four in San Jose as they would win the game against the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers, 79-64. Arizona Wildcats will head to Indianapolis, and wait on the winner of the No.1 Michigan vs No.6 Tennessee. That game will be played on Saturday, April 4th, 2026.

PURDUE WINS ON PUTBACK, 79-77, Advances to Elite Eight over No.11 Texas Longhorns

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Purdue Boilermakersguard (#2) Fletcher Loyer shoots a 24-foot three-pointer jumper to start the 2nd half between the Texas Longhorns in the West Regional ‘Sweet 16’ matchup on March 26th, 2026, in SAP Center at San Jose, CA

By Michael Villanueva

SAN JOSE – The Longhorns and Boilermakers have had a long history between them since before tonight’s “Sweet 16” matchup in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. However, this game and performance from both schools will go down as another historical game in the all-time series. Purdue and Texas would go back and forth on Thursday afternoon, with 16 lead changes, tied 10 times, and with only one team having a large lead of just 7 points. However, Purdue Trey Kaufman-Renn’s tip-in with less than a second left lifts the No.2 Purdue to a 79-77 win over No.11 Texas.

No.2 Purdue started with guards Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, C.J. Cox, forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, and center Oscar Cluff. The Boilmakers hope this squad can send them to their third Elite Eight in the last seven years. Purdue and Texas are set to face each other for the seventh time in their series history, with the Longhorns currently holding a 4-2 lead. Their upcoming matchup will be their first meeting since Purdue’s 81-71 victory over Texas in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

No.11 Texas Longhorns started with guards Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, forwards Dailyn Swain, Camden Heide, and center Matas Vokietaitis. Longhorns came into this game feeling really good with the turnaround theyb had this season. Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller is making his ninth Sweet 16 appearance in 21 seasons as a head coach. With a 25-13 record across 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, Miller ranks ninth among active Division I coaches for the most career NCAA Tournament wins.

Purdue came out at Texas right at tip-off, feeling the hype from the crowds in San Jose. Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer started the game off with back-to-back three pointers to get the Boilermakers on their feet and an early 6-0 lead. However, there’s a reason this Texas team has made it this far in the tournament. As Texas guard Tramon Mark gets going.

Texas guard Tramon Mark would get the Longhorns after Purdue’s hot shooting start. In fact, Tramon Mark locked in for Texas and took over as their main scorer in the rest of the 1st half. He is shooting efficiently, going 4-for-5 from the field, including two three-pointers, and leads all scorers with 10 points. The Longhorns hold a 21-18 lead with 10:48 remaining in the first half. Then, a minute later, Mark would eventually have half of Texas’ points.

The Boilermakers have been creating good scoring opportunities, especially in the paint with 18 points, largely thanks to Braden Smith, the NCAA’s newly crowned assist leader. Purdue is 2-of-7 from three-point range but has missed several open looks. Their two three-pointers came right at tip-off, and they struggled from deep afterward, missing nine straight attempts. After Fletcher Loyer made two early threes, the drought ended when he knocked down another late in the half. At the 1:03 mark, Loyer leads all scorers with 13 points, and Purdue holds a narrow 37-35 lead.

By halftime, Purdue would see themselves with a 4 point lead, 39-35. Purdue is able to withhold Texas hustle and athleticism by outrebounding them 18 to 13, and the Boilers shot 53.1 percent from the field were a big factor on how they’re holding the lead. However, Texas was able to knock down more three-pointers than Purdue since the Boilermakers three-pointers only came from guard Fletcher Loyer. The Longhorns ended the 1st half with 6-of-16 three-point shooting.

Texas guard Tramon Mark made his name and presence felt here in the first game of the Sweet 16 matchups. He picked up right where he left off from his 1st half performance, and knocked down some big shots. Mark reached the 2,000 career points milestone through his 19th point, spanning six seasons with Houston, Arkansas, and Texas. He finished the first half with 12 points, marking his highest-scoring first half in any NCAA tournament game. This tournament appearance is his 13th across his career at Texas and Houston. Texas leads 49-45 at the 15:37 mark.

Purdue was still able to see some success even though they still weren’t able to make any three-pointer in the 2nd half with 10 minutes left. Purdue’s defense locked in as Texas made 3 costly turnovers in the final minutes. Also, the Longhorns would also pick up some crucial fouls that gave Purdue trips to the line. By then, the Boilermakers were up by 1 point in the final minute of the game. There have been over 15 lead changes in this close game.

With just 11.9 seconds left in the game, Texas ties it up, 77-77, after Longhorn forward Dailyn Smith drives to the basket hard and makes his layup, with the foul, converting it to a three-point play. He would get sent to the line and tie it up from there. Then Purdue guard Braden Smith would drive it to the basket, miss his layup, but Purdue’s big man, Trey Kaufman-Renn, would tip it in and win the game for Purdue, 79-77.

Purdue Boilermakers now advance to the Elite Eight. They will take on the winner between of No.1 Arizona Wildcats and No.4 Arkansas Razorbacks. The Elite Eight game will be played right back in here at SAP Center in San Jose, CA, on March 28th, 2026.

Pac 12 podcast with Michael Wagaman: Cal and Stanford to leave Pac 12 looking at ACC

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California head coach Justin Wilcox encourages his players during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game on Oct. 15, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. Wilcox said Mon Aug 7, 2023 that the breakup of the Pac 12 is sad and disappointing and is contemplating the future of Cal football. (AP file photo)

On the Pac 12 podcast with Michael:

At some point it became very clear to everyone it wasn’t every man for himself but it was it was every school for itself. Once every other schools starting leaving the Pac 12 you can’t blame Cal and Stanford for leaving.

The plan isn’t to rebuild the Pac 12 there wasn’t another school to say “hey were here to replace the school that just left” that wasn’t going to happen and the media money that was going to be part of where they were going to go the Pac 12 had to get something done quickly.

So it’s not surprising that they’ve taken this move as I said as a longtime west coast guy of the Pac 10 that was my heart and soul growing up. It kills me because this is part of tradition not just for the schools but for the communities, Berkeley, Palo Alto, this is a long history of their players in and out of town.

Michael Wagaman does the Pac 12 podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com