Tag: Cal Bears

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears’ season ends in tragedy with blown lead to hated rivals 87-76 in overtime

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The Cal Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) gets snuffed by the Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) in overtime in round one of the Pac 12 Tournament at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Stanford Cardinal 87

California Golden Bears 76

By Stephen Ruderman

Tragedy struck on the opening day of the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament, as the Bears’ bounce back season came to a sudden end after they blew an 18-point lead to their hated rivals, the Stanford Cardinal losing at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas 87-76.

After losing both games to Stanford in the Regular Season, which included getting trounced by the Cardinal in the regular season finale last Thursday, the two bitter rivals were set to face off in the opening round of the final Pac-12 Tournament.

Every team in the Pac-12 got a spot in the tournament, regardless of how their season went. The Bears went 13-18, which was not the greatest season on paper, but miles better than their 3-29 season a year ago.

It was a season that has seen so many epic comebacks and memorable moments for the Bears. Tonight was one more chance to continue their improbable longshot fight towards March Madness.

Stanford won the opening tip, but it was Cal who struck first when Jalen Celestine hit a three. The Bears assumed control of the game early, as they jumped out to a 15-4 lead just over five minutes into the game. In that opening run, Jalen Cone hit a pair of threes; Fardaws Aimaq hit a layup and a jumper; and Jaylon Tyson contributed with a layup.

Stanford went on a 12-5 run to cut Cal’s lead to 20-16, but the Bears quickly regained control, and went on a 7-1 run to jump back out to a 10-point lead at 27-17 with 6:55 to go in the first half. The Cardinal then scored five unanswered points to make it 27-22, but the Bears regained control again, and went into the half up 45-34.

The Bears carried their momentum into the second half, and a three by Celestine opened their lead to 18 points at 63-45 with 14:36 to go.

Throughout the season, when the Bears were down by double digits in the second half, that often meant that they were going to come back. However, forgotten through all of the Bears’ comebacks was the fact that the Bears being up double digits in the second half often meant they were going to blow a big lead, as has happened too many times this season.

Right on queue, Stanford immediately scored eight unanswered points to cut Cal’s lead to 63-53. The Bears got a quick reprieve when Jaylon Tyson hit a jumper to make it 65-53, but Stanford kept coming. Spencer Jones led the way for the Cardinal, and suddenly it was 65-63 with 3:45 to go.

There would be no scoring for nearly two minutes until there was a sudden change in fortunes. Stanford was just about to tie it, as a jumper went in, but after review, it was determined that the shot went in after the shot clock had expired. The Bears got the ball back, and Jalen Cone hit a three-ball to make it 68-63.

The Bears were up five with less than two minutes to go, and after catching a massive break, they seemed to have the momentum back on their side. Brandon Angel laid one in for Stanford to make it 68-65 with 1:01 to go. Cone was fouled, and made one of two from the line, and the Bears were up 69-65, and 32 seconds away from another late epic win.

Spencer Jones was fouled and made of two from the line to make it 69-66. Keonte Kennedy then had the ball stolen from by Benny Gealer, and Gealer passed it to Michael Jones who tied the game with a three with 18 seconds to go. Both teams missed shots on their next drives, and the game was going to overtime at 69-69.

The Bears won the tip in overtime, but neither retake the lead for nearly a minute. Brandon Angel and Spencer Jones made threes to put Stanford up 75-69.

After Spencer Jones made one of two from the line to make it 79-71 with 1:46 to go, the Bears were all but dead. However, Jalen Cone was fouled going for three, and made all three at the lint to make it 79-74.

Perhaps, the Bears had one last fight in them, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Cardinal proved to be too much for the Bears, and went on to win it by a final of 87-76 to crush the Bears’ faint March Madness hopes and brutally end their painful bounceback season.

Despite how grueling the end to the Bears’ season was, they did have an incredible year. Going from 3-29 to 13-18 with a slim chance to get into March Madness just a year later was no small feat.

It was an all-around team effort. Jaylon Tyson and Jalen Cone led the way for the most part, but Fardaws Aimaq, Jalen Celestine and Keonte Kennedy also had their moments, as did Rodney Brown Jr. and Grant Newell.

The Bears’ season was also thanks in large part to Head Coach Mark Madsen, who was extended another two years through the 2029-30 season prior to tonight’s game.

However, a lot of the players from this year’s team may not be back next year. Cone, Aimaq and Kennedy are all graduates, and if they do indeed leave, the Bears will have lost three solid players. Tyson, who was arguably the Bears’ most valuable player this season, will return next season as a senior, as will Celestine. Brown and Newell will also be returning.

The Bears will also begin a new era, as they and Stanford will move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Despite some big names leaving, the Bears appear to be headed in the right direction under Madsen going forward, and it is safe to say that the excitement at Haas Pavilion is back.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal ends Cal’s season with 87-76 overtime win in Pac-12 tourney

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Stanford Cardinal forward Brandon Angel (23) celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Cal Bears in overtime at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Stanford enjoyed a big overtime period to upend California 87-76 in the opening round of the final Pac-12 men’s basketball postgame tournament at Las Vegas, Nev.

The game was tied 69-69 before the Cardinal (14-17) outscored Cal 18-7 in the extra period. The Bears were held scoreless for nearly 10 minutes in the second half, blowing an 18-point lead in the process.

Spencer Jones led Stanford with 21 points and seven rebounds, Maxime Raynaud was next with 20 points and a team-high 13 boards. Brandon Angel had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Kanaan Carlyle added 10 points.

Cal (13-19) was led by Jalen Cone with 18 points and five assists. Jaylon Tyler had 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, John Celestine was next for the Bears with 14 points and five rebounds, and Keonte Kennedy had 11 points and five boards.

Stanford outshot Cal from the field 42.6 percent (29 of 68) to 39.4 percent (28 of 71). The Bears hit 14 3-pointers, while the Cardinal made five shots behind the arc.

The Cardinal enjoyed an advantage at the free throw line, hitting 24 of 36; Cal made 6 of 9. Stanford outrebounded the Bears 58-39.

Cal was leading by four points with 33 seconds left in regulation. Spencer Jones made it a three-point game by making a free throw with 26.4 remaining. A Cal turnover led to a Michael Jones 3-pointer that tied the game at 69-69 with 19.6 seconds remaining.

After Stanford made a pair of 3s to open the overtime, the Bears never got their offense going in the extra period.

Stanford will meet Washington State in the quarterfinals on Thursday, while Cal ended its season with four straight losses.

Stanford Cardinal/Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford and Cal meet Wednesday for first tournament game

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Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud (42) led with 20 points on the last day of the regular season against the Cal Bears at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Thu Mar 7, 2024. Raynaud and the Cardinal face the Golden Bears in a Pac12 rematch on Wed Mar 15th at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas (Stanford Cardinal file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (13-17)sent the California Golden Bears (13-18) into Hibernation on the Farm, 80-58, in their last Bay Battle as members of the Pacific 12 Conference last Thu Mar 7th.

#2 Michael talk about Maxime Raynaud he’s had a great season he led with 20 points against the Cal Bears.

#3 The Cardinal Kanaan Carlyle followed up with 12 points, the Cardinal stayed ahead of Cal for most of the game and Carlyle’s contribution helped keep the gap wide for Stanford.

#4 Cal’s top scorer was Fardaws Aimaq with 18 points followed by Jayson Tyson with 15 points, try as hard as they may the Bears couldn’t catch the Cardinal.

#5 Stanford and Cal match up once again this Wed night for a 6:00pm PDT tip off at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Do you see Cal making a closer game since they had just seen Stanford or will Stanford get another blow because they just saw Cal?

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

Cal Bears report: Bears destroyed by hated rivals in final Pac-12 Regular Season game 80-58

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Cal Bears head coach Mark Malone gives instructions to his players against the Stanford Cardinal at Maple Pavilion in the final Pac 12 regular season game on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Maples Pavilion, Stanford, California

California Golden Bears 58 (13-18 Overall; 8-12 Pac-12)

Stanford Cardinal 80 (13-17 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears were slaughtered by their hated rivals, the Stanford Cardinal, 80-58 to close out the regular season in what has been an improbable season for the Bears.

The Bears came in having lost their first two games on this season-closing roadtrip. First, to the Colorado Buffaloes on Feb. 29 in Boulder, and then to the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City Saturday. The Bears were unable to have a winning season just a year after going 3-29, but they still had a chance to finish not too far under .500.

The Bears would close out their season against their hated rivals, who beat them at Haas Pavilion on Jan. 26. Now, the Bears were in enemy territory at Stanford.

Cal won the opening tip, and even though Jalen Cone missed a three, Fardaws Aimaq laid one in to put the Bears on the board first. The teams traded leads in the early minutes, as Aimaq hit a jumper, and Jaylon Tyson hit a three to put the Bears up 7-5.

Brandon Angel hit a three to give Stanford the lead, and then he hit a jumper, as well as one from the line after he was fouled on the play. Spencer Jones then hit a three to extend the Cardinal’s lead to 14-7.

Aimaq was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and Cone hit a jumper to make it 14-12. However, after the teams traded jumpers to make it 16-14, Stanford took complete control.

The Cardinal had a 30-16 lead with 7:33 to go in the first half, but the Bears kept pace, and they cut the deficit to 38-32. Kanaan Carlyle hit a three for Stanford, and they went into the half up 41-32.

Throughout this painful season, a large deficit going into the second half a lot of times meant that the Bears were going to come back. That wasn’t the case on Saturday in Utah, and it wouldn’t be the case tonight either. Stanford took complete control, and won it by a final of 80-58.

Perhaps, after a spirited comeback season of so many epic come-from-behind wins, the Bears just ran out of energy. Fardaws Aimaq scored 18 points, and Jaylon Tyson scored 15, but the rest of the team struggled. Jalen Cone particularly struggled, as he was 2-for-13 in field goals, and scored just five points.

The Bears, who end up going 13-18 in this bounceback season, and 9-11 in their final season of Pac-12 play.

It would have been a remarkable story if the Bears had a winning season, and had a chance to get into March Madness just a year removed from going 3-29, but the fact that they were just three wins shy of having a winning season was something that truly made this a special season for the team.

The season is not over yet. The final Pac-12 Tournament will get underway on March 13, and last four days through March 16. Since their record was not enough to get into March Madness, the Bears would have to win four games in a row and win the tournament to be able to get in. The odds are stacked against them, but in a season of so many unbelievable comebacks, stories and surprises, perhaps the Bears could have one more in them.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Win Final PAC-12 Battle of the Bay versus the Golden Bears, 80-58, inside Maples Pavilion, on Senior Night

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The Stanford Cardinal bench stood up thrilled to end the season with a win over the Cal Bears at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto in the last Pac 12 regular season game in league history (Stanford Cardinal

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (13-17, 8-12 Pac-12)sent the California Golden Bears (13-18, 9-11 Pac-12) into Hibernation on the Farm, 80-58, in their last Bay Battle as members of the Pacific 12 Conference.

California got the party started, with an opening layup. The two point advantage would be their largest lead of the first 20 minutes of play, despite having a 5-0 run during this timeframe. There were also 5 lead changes.

Stanford, on the other hand, led by as much as 14 points. This included a 9-0 run and making 7 threes in the first half. The Cardinal shot 48% from the field, and a whopping 47% from beyond the arc.

The Golden Bears did claw their way back into the game, by cutting the deficit to six points, with 14 seconds before recess. However, freshman Kanaan Carlyle put a dagger into the visitors’ momentum, with a three-pointer 10 seconds later. This put the Cardinal up by nine, and was the margin at intermission, 41-32.

Stanford only had one double-digit scorer at the half, and he was junior Maxime Raynaud, with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Cal’s junior guard Jaylon Tyson contributed 15 points for his east Bay squad.

Senior forward Spencer Jones’ 8 first half points put him into the Cardinal hoopers’ Top 10. He added two rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The second half began with the Cardinal getting on the scoreboard first. They also led by as much as 24 points and had a 10-0 run. Stanford was in total control of the second 20-minute block.

The Cardinal added three other players to the double-digit plateau. Maxime Raynaud tallied 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Kanaan Carlyle added 12 points on four 3s. Freshman Andrej Stojakovic scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Senior Spencer Jones also garnered 10 points, with 4 rebounds in his last game at Maples. Senior James Keefe was able to get into the scoring column, despite his troubling 0-4 from the free throw line.

California added one other player to the tens column. Tyson only improved total by two (17) and graduate senior Fardaws Aimaq offered 18 points and 9 rebounds.

After 40 minutes of basketball action, the home team won by 22 points. Stanford 80, California 58, on a late Thursday night game.

Both teams will next be in action March 13-17 in Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena) for the Last PAC-12 Conference tournament. This rivalry will continue in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) starting next season.

Bears crushed by Utes in penultimate game 88-59

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Cal Bears as hard as they tried didn’t have enough offense against the Utah Utes at the Jon M Huntsman Arena in Salt Lake City on Sat Mar 2, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Jon M. Huntsman Center, Boulder, Colorado

California Golden Bears 59 (13-17 Overall; 9-10 Pac-12)

Utah Utes 88 (18-11 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears suffered a rare lopsided loss, as they were crushed, 88-59, by the Utah Utes in the penultimate game of the Regular Season.

Cal lost the opener of their season-ending road trip to the Colorado Buffaloes on Wednesday night to guarantee their seventh-straight losing season. However, their hopes for a winning record in Pac-12 play remained alive, as they came into Salt Lake City to take on the Utes.

The Utes struck first, but the Bears kept closely behind in the game’s early minutes. However, Utah seized control of the game early.

Jalen Cone, who led the Bears in scoring tonight with 19 points, hit a three-ball to close Utah’s lead to 23-18 with 9:48 to go in the first half. Just as they had done all season, the Bears fought and kept in the game, but the Utes’ offense proved to be too much, as Utah went into the half up 42-32.

The Bears were once again double double digits going into the second half, which so many times this season meant that they were going to come back.

Jaylon Tyson laid one in to start the second half, followed by a jumper from Branden Carlson of the Utes. Fardaws Aimaq then made a three to make it 44-37, and the Bears were indeed thinking that they were primed for another comeback.

Deivon Smith responded with a layup and a three to extend Utah’s lead to 49-37. The teams traded baskets, and the Utes led, 53-41 with less than 14 minutes to go. Carlson then hit a three to make it 56-41 with 13:06 to go, and from there, the Utes put the game away.

The Bears simply ran out of energy, and the Utes went on to win by a final of 88-59. What also didn’t help, was that Jaylon Tyson, who has carried the Bears for much of the season, was 2-for-11 in field goals, while scoring just seven points.

The Bears fall to 13-17, and 9-10 in conference play, guaranteeing that they won’t have a winning season in Pac-12 play either, which has further dashed Cal’s already-faint March Madness hopes.

Perhaps after a drama-filled bounceback season in which the Bears have had so many big come-from-behind wins, the energy and magic have simply run out.

The Bears will close out the Regular Season Thursday night, when they will head to Palo Alto to take on their archrivals, the Stanford Cardinal.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears put up fight but fall in Colorado to guarantee losing season 88-78

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Cal Bears in huddle against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center in Boulder CO on Wed Feb 28, 2024 (photo by Cal Bears Athletic Dept)

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado

California Golden Bears 78 (13-16 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

Colorado Buffaloes 88 (19-9 Overall; 10-7 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears put up a fight, but ultimately fell to the Colorado Buffaloes, 88-78, to start off the final road trip of the season.

The Bears kicked off the three-game road trip after another comeback win in their final home game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. There was a lot at stake for the Bears, as a perfect road trip would clinch them a winning season just a year after going 3-29.

Eddie Lampkin slammed one down for Colorado to start the scoring, and Jalen Celestine put the Bears on the board with a three-ball. Celestine sank another three to make it 6-2.

The Bears were off to a fast start, but Tristan da Silva laid one in after getting fouled, and hit his free throw to make 6-5. KJ Simpson hit a three to put the Buffaloes back ahead, 8-6, and Eddie Lampkin laid one in to make it 10-6.

Celestine hit another three to make it 10-9, but the Buffaloes scored six unanswered runs to open up a 16-9 lead.

Rodney Brown Jr. hit a three to make it 16-12, and that started a 7-2 run that saw the Bears close the deficit to 18-16. During that run, Grant Newell was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and Brown hit another three.

From there, the Buffaloes took complete control, and went on a 15-3 run to open a 33-19 lead. That lead held for the rest of the first half, as Colorado went into the half up 45-31.

The Bears started the second half down double digits, which to them meant it was time for another comeback. Cal indeed began to slowly chip away, and Newell hit a three with 14:13 remaining to close the deficit to seven at 56-49.

Jaylon Tyson hit a three with 12:56 remaining to make it 58-53, and the Bears were indeed set to make another comeback. The teams traded points over the several minutes, as Tylon laid one in to make it 65-59 with 9:18 to go.

Simpson was fouled and hit two from the line, and Javon Ruffin hit a three, as Colorado was back up by 11 at 70-59. The Bears kept pace, but were not able to get within less than nine points.

However, Simpson was once again fouled and hit both shots from the line, and he laid one in as well to put Colorado up 83-68 with 4:41 to go. By then, it was too late for Cal to pull off another comeback, and the Buffaloes won it, 88-78.

With this loss, the Bears are guaranteed their seventh-straight losing season, as they fall to 13-16 on the season. This is also a major blow to Cal’s March Madness hopes. However, they still can end Pac-12 play with a winning record, as they are now 9-9 in conference play.

On the positive side for the Bears, Jaylon Tyson scored 25 points in another big game.

Now with two games remaining, the Bears will head to Salt Lake City, where they will take on the Utah Utes at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Cal stays ahead of Ducks to pick up 13th win of season 69-64

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Cal Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) is exalted as the Cal Bears get a win over the Oregon Ducks at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 24, 2024 (photo by Cal Bears)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen over the course of this season this has no doubt been an improved Cal Bears team they stayed ahead of the Oregon Ducks today in Cal’s last home game of the regular season with that 69-64 win at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley.

#2 Cal’s guard Jaylon Tyson led Cal in scoring with 27 points and was one of the key reasons why the Golden Bears were able to stay ahead of the Oregon Ducks in this razor edge close game.

#3 Jalen Cone was second in scoring with 15 points for the Bears and it was his efforts as well that kept the Ducks just behind the Bears all game long.

#4 Oregon’s guard Jermaine Cousinard with 19 points was the leading scorer for the Ducks. Coming in second for Oregon N’Faly Dante 15 points. It was an effort but the the Ducks just couldn’t over come the Bears.

#5 Today’s contest was the last home regular season game for Cal. The rest of the season will be played on the road. Cal faces the Colorado Buffaloes next for a Wed Feb 26th 5pm PT tip off. Cal looking to finish with that respectable record and a good three game road trip.

Stephen Ruderman is a Cal Bears basketball beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Final Pac-12 game in Berkeley ends with another epic Bears win 69-64

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Cal Bears Jaylon Tyson (20) goes for a layup against the Oregon Ducks at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 24, 2024 (Cal Bears photo)

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Oregon Ducks 64 (18-9 Overall; 10-6 Pac-12)

California Golden Bears 69 (13-15 Overall; 9-8 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The Bears ended their home season with a bang, and came back to beat the Oregon Ducks, 69-64.

Following another comeback win by Cal against the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday, The Bears welcomed in the Oregon Ducks for the final home game of the season, and most likely the final Pac-12 game at Haas Pavilion.

The Ducks won the opening tip, and burst out of the gate early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead. Jaylon Tyson hit a layup to put Cal on the board. Tyson hit a jumper, and Keonte Kenendy hit a three to put the Bears within one at 8-7.

This started a recurring theme throughout the first half. The Ducks would start to pad their lead, but the Bears came right back to tighten up.

The Ducks led 12-7, and the Bears closed it to 14-12. Jackson Shelstad hit all three from the line after being fouled trying to hit a three-ball to make it 17-12, and Tyson hit a three to make it 17-15.

The Ducks then got out to a 24-17 lead after a layup by Brennan Rigsby. Jalen Cone was then fouled, and hit both from the line to start an 8-1 drive for the Bears that saw them tie the game for the first time. Tyson was also fouled, and hit both from the line, and Fardaws Aimaq laid one in and jammed one down to tie it.

Oregon responded with six unanswered points. N’Faly Dante hit a layup, and Shelstad made a layup and a jumper to put the Ducks back ahead by six, 31-25. Jalen Celestine then of course hit a three and a layup to make it 31-30.

Jardian Tracey hit a three for the Ducks with 2:45 remaining to make it 34-30, but there would be no scoring the rest of the first half.

However, the first half ended pon a sour note for the Bears. Jaylon Tyson had to leave the game due to an injury that kept him rolling on the ground for several seconds. It took until the end of the next play on the other side of the court for the referees to call timeout, which angered the crowd, who repeatedly chanted “Refs, you suck!!!”

The theme of the Ducks pulling away but the Bears closing it up continued into the early minutes of the second half. A layup by Dante made it 39-34 Oregon, but Aimaq was fouled and hit two from the line, and Tyson, who had returned into the game, laid one in to make it 39-38.

Jermaine Couisnard and Rigsby hit threes to make it 44-38, but that was no problem for the Bears, especially Tyson and Jalen Cone. Tyson made a layup, and Cone hit a pair of threes to give Cal their first lead of the day. Tyson hit a jumper, and the Bears led it 48-44.

After two more layups by Tyson, the Bears led 56-48. However, the Ducks weren’t going to make it easy for the Bears. Cal maintained a steady lead, but a three from Tracey made it 60-57, and Couisnard made two from the line after getting fouled to make it a one-point game at 60-59 with 2:38 to go.

Cone hit a three; Couisnard hit one of two from the line after drawing a foul; and Aimaq laid it in, as the Bears led 65-60 with 52 seconds remaining. Tracey was fouled and hit two from the line, as was Tyson, who also hiit two from the line.

After a missed jumper by Couisnard and a missed three by Rigsby, Rigsby was fouled and made two from the line, but it would be far too late, and the Bears won it by a final of 69-64.

For the Bears, this is their third win in a row, and they are now over .500 in conference play, as they improve to 9-8. They also improve to 13-15 overall.

Jaylon Tyson had an incredible game. He suffered a scary-looking injury towards the end of the first half, but he returned early in the second half, and scored 27 points.

Most importantly, this was another big win for the Bears who have had quite a bounceback season following their 3-29 campaign. The Bears have also noticeably matured throughout the course of the season. This is a much more mature team than the team that barely eked out a win over the St. Thomas Tommies to open the season on Nov. 6.

The Bears suffered numerous painful losses early in the season, but they never gave up or gave in. They kept going, and matured into an exciting comeback team that gave the fans in Berkeley many epic comeback wins, as well as what we can actually say has been a special season.

Now, the Bears have three games remaining, all on the road. They will now head to Boulder, Colorado, where they will take on the Colorado Buffaloes Wednesday night. Tipoff will be at 5 p.m.

Fans Fest at Jack London Square: Strong support from fans hoping for an A’s to stay in Oakland miracle

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Grant Balfour is thumbs up on the Fans Fest celebrating Oakland Sports and hosted by the Oakland 68’s and the Last Dive Bar at Jack London Square in downtown Oakland on Sat Feb 24, 2024 (photo by Bay Area News Group)

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Saturday’s midday Fansfest next to the Jack London Amtrak station billed itself as an affirmation of civic pride Oakland’s sports heritage. It specifically stated that it was not a protest of the current ownership of the currently Oakland Athletics.

It certainly was an outpouring of Oaktown pride and love for its local sports teams. The Fansfest also clearly was an implicit rebuke to the Fisher-Manfred-Las Vegas axis. Even the weather cooperated.

The experience in downtown Oakland was diametrically opposed to that of a typical day at the once imposing pleasure dome on the banks of the River Nimitz, a venue that Peter Gammons once called the best in baseball and which was highly praised by Allan Temko, the architecture critic of the once mighty San Francisco Chronicle. The sky was clear; the temperature, sweltering. And the place was jam packed with A’s fans, many of whom took advantage of the free indoor parking.

Both outdoors and in the enclosed Block 15, also teeming with the faces you used to see at the Coliseum, the mood was festive and co-operative. Ex-A’s Grant Balfour, Coco Crisp, Khris Davis, Ben Grieve, Mike Norris, Bill North, and Trevor May, as well as retired Giant and current Oakland Ballers coach, JT Snow were scheduled to be available for autographs.

I was only able to exchange a few words with the first two. My colleague, Stephen Ruderman, had better luck and managed to conduct a podcast interview, which he reported in his own dispatch.

Block 15’s attractions included a wall of vendors offering bobble heads, statues, drawings, enough to make your head spin. While I was there, Vida Blue’s children were describing what it was like to grow up in the Coliseum, but I could hardly hear their presentation.

The list of sponsors, corporate and individual, was impressive, in spite of the last minute withdrawal of Drake’s Brewery, a withdrawal that the Athletics’ front office vigorously denies having influenced. Whatever the reasons behind that decision, the brewery’s absence wasn’t particularly notable; plenty of suds were on sale to thirsty attendees.

Stands offered an incredible variety of baseball merchandise, from socks to caps, and a wide assortment of baseball arts, crafts, and memorabilia. Cal Athletics, the Oakland Roots, the Oakland Ballers also had booths.

Let Las Vegas match that.

Lewis Rubman is a MLB beat writer for sportsradioservice.com