Tag: Cal Bears

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears welcomed to ACC play with brutal awakening in 90-70 loss to Louisville

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Louisville Cardinal guard Adrian Wooley (14) takes a shot against Cal Bears forward Chris Bell (22) in second half action at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Louisville Cardinals 90 (11-2 Overall; 1-0 ACC)

California Golden Bears 70 (10-2 Overall; 0-1 ACC)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The Bears were welcomed to ACC play with a brutal awakening, as they fought the good fight, but were ultimately pummeled by the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals 90-70.

The Bears got off to a 12-1 start, one of their best starts in a long time, as they dominated non-conference play. While many of the Bears’ 12 wins came against lesser known schools, they still had some wins against elite teams like UCLA. There has also been an excitement brewing around the Bears, who have not had a winning season in nine years.

As the Bears start playing the big teams on a regular basis, they would be met with the best of the best from the very getgo. Tonight, the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals came to Haas Pavilion for the beginning of ACC play.

Haas Pavilion wasn’t filled to capacity, but a fairly-large crowd showed up nevertheless. Many excited Bears’ fans showed up, but many Cardinals’ fans showed as well. Perhaps a lot of them made the long journey from Kentucky to the Bay Area, which is a worthy trip.

As for the game, the Bears won the opening tip, but knocked the ball out of bounds. That seemed to set the tone for how tonight’s game would go. The Cardinals made Cal pay for the fumbled tip, as Sanandra Fru made an alleyoop dunk.

That was just the start for Louisville, who jumped out to an early 10-lead. The Cardinals dominated the first half, and eventually got out to a 36-15 lead with 5:53 left.

The Bears then went on a 10-0 run to suddenly cut Louisville’s lead to 36-25. Adrian Woolet and J’Vonne Hadley responded with threes to make it 42-25, but the Bears kept going. Justin Pippen hit a three with 57 seconds remaining to make it 44-31 and get the crowd back into the game.

Chris Bell would also hit a three for Cal, but Fru and Wooley scored for Louisville, who went into halftime up 14 points at 48-34.

The Cardinals opened their lead up to 25 points at 73-48 with 8:26 remaining in the second half. However, Cal made one last push, as they scored 14 unanswered points in just under two minutes. Bell hit a three to cut it to 73-62 with 6:44 remaining.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals seized control right back, and won it 90-70.

Ryan Conwell led the way for the Cardinals with 26 points, and Adrian Wooley was not too far behind with 21. For Cal, Chris Bell and Justin Pippen were able to cut through Louisville’s defense, and scored 20 and 17 points respectively.

All you can say is that the Bears ran into a juggernaut tonight, as they dropped just their second game of the season. Unfortunately, they are 0-1 in ACC play, which is what ultimately counts the most.

The Bears will need to put this one behind them. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will come to Haas Pavilion Friday night.

Tipoff will be at 8 p.m.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Louisville crushes it 90-70; Cal can’t get past Cardinals in either half

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Taking a look at the Cal Bears Top 40 players guard Dai Dai Ames (7), forward Chris Bell (22), forward John Camden (2). Cal currently is on a nine game win streak. (photo by Cal Bears X)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman Tue Dec 30, 2025:

#1 How will Cal’s star guard Dai Dai Ames manage Louisville’s defensive pressure?
Ames leads Cal in scoring and three-point efficiency — can he replicate his offensive rhythm against a top-20 Cardinal defense?

#2 Can Justin Pippen’s playmaking and pace-setting control the tempo early?
As one of Cal’s primary ball-handlers, how effective will Pippen be in initiating offense and limiting turnovers against Louisville’s perimeter defenders?

#3 What kind of impact will John Camden have on both ends of the floor?
Camden has been a consistent threat inside and beyond the arc — how will his scoring and rebounding influence Cal’s ability to stay close?

#4 How might Lee Dort’s rebounding and interior defense affect Louisville’s second-chance points?
Dort is one of Cal’s key rebounders — will he be able to contain Louisville in the paint and limit extra possessions?

#5 Which supporting Cal players Chris Bell, Jovani Ruff, or Milos Ilic will step up to provide complementary scoring?
Beyond the primary stars, can Bell and others deliver timely baskets to keep Cal competitive throughout the game?

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

Cal Bears game wrap: Ames and Camden carry Bears to dominant 74-56 win over Columbia to end non-conference play

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Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) dribble drives against the Columbia Lions at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Dec 21, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Columbia Lions (9-3)

California Golden Bears 74 (12-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–Dai Dai Ames and John Camden dominated each half respectively, and the Bears crushed the Columbia Lions 74-56 to close non-conference play.

The Bears carried their 11-1 start into today’s game against Columbia Lions of the Ivy League. The Lions haven’t been shabby either, as they came in with a record of 9-2.

The opening minutes of this one were relatively quiet. John Camden hit a three with less than a minute in to open the scoring, but the game was tied 4-4 five minutes in.

Dai Dai Ames came through with a dunk and a jumper to give the Bears an 8-4 lead. When the halfway point of the first half approached, that’s when the Bears’ offense finally came to life.

In just under a minute and a half, Nolan Dorsey hit a three; Ames made a layup; and Chris Bell hit a layup and jumper in the paint. Suddenly, the Bears had opened up a 17-4 lead.

The remainder of the first half was mainly uneventful, though Mark Madsen stayed fired up the entire time nevertheless. The Bears went into halftime with a 28-16 lead. Ames dominated the first half with 12 points, and Bell was not too far behind with eight.

The Lions showed up with a little more fire in the opening minutes of the second half. The Bears’ lead remained between nine and 12 points until Camden hit a jumper with 13:15 remaining.

The Bears truly opened it up near the halfway mark of the second half. Dorsey made a layup, and Justin Pippen and Camden both hit threes to put the Bears lead at 56-35.

The Lions never gave up. They went on a 9-2 run to cut the Bears lead to 65-52 with 2:52 left. The Lions also played aggressive defense in the latter part of the second half.

However, the Bears still won easily by a final of 74-56.

The man who really came alive in the second half was John Camden. His three to open the scoring in the first minute of the game was his only scoring in the first half. Camden scored 14 points in the second, and 17 overall.

Camden’s 17 points were second to Dai Dai Ames, who scored 19. Ames scored seven points in the second half.

Now, the Bears will face a real test, as ACC play will get underway next week. The Bears dominated non-conference play, which featured many matchups against lesser-known schools.

The Bears’ first match in ACC play will be against the 11th-ranked Louisville Cardinals next Tuesday at Haas Pavilion. The Bears beat 18th-ranked UCLA in November, so they are certainly capable of going up against the elite teams. We will see next Tuesday.

Tipoff will be at 6 p.m.

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva: Cal’s 97-50 win gives them their best start since 1959

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Cal Bears forward Chris Bell (22) takes a shot against the Morgan State Bears Manok Lual (22) at Haas Pavilion on Fri Dec 19, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael talk about the job the Cal Bears did tonight absolutely dominated on offense with a win over the Morgan State Bears (2-9) of Baltimore in a contest that wasn’t even close.

#2 Cal’s leading scorer Chris Bell led with 28 points. Bell was just simply difficult to defend and had his way with Morgan State’s defense.

#3 Cal’s John Camden followed up with 20 points, Camden was getting his shot working and mismatched Morgan State in the Cal 97-50.

#4 Cal with the win is now 11-1 and this is their best start since 1959. Cal is undfeated at home.

#5 Cal hosts the Columbia Lions who after winning seven straight snapped their win streak against the Stony Brook Seawolves 77-73. This game will be played at Cal on Sunday at 2:00 pm PT Michael what are your thoughts going into this one?

Michael Nueueva covers the Cal Bears for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears game wrap: Camden and Ames help Bears pull off surprisingly-close 79-70 win over Northwestern State

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Northwestern State Demons Justin Redmond (13) and Chris Mubiru (11) defend against the Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) at Haas Pavilion on Sat Dec 13, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Northwestern State Demons 70 (2-8)

California Golden Bears 79 (10-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–It was a close one—and perhaps closer than some people thought it should have been—but John Camden and Dai Dai Ames carried the Bears to a 79-70 win over the Northwestern State Demons to keep their hot start alive, and get their 10th win.

After a 93-71 rout of Dominican on Tuesday, the Bears were 9-1, and off to their best start in 11 years. Today, they looked to get their 10th win against the Northwestern State Demons of the lesser-known Southland Conference. The Demons came into today’s game with a record of 2-7, but once this game got underway, that would prove to mean absolutely nothing.

The Bears got off to a strong start. John Camden hit a three, a little over a minute in, to open the scoring. Izzy Miles was fouled, and hit one of two from the line to put the Demons on the board. Chris Bell then scored two more for Cal with a layup; and Camden was fouled, and hit both shots from the line.

Cal had an early 7-1 lead, and the early vibes of this game seemed to indicate that it would be all Bears today. The Demons cut it to 7-5, but the Bears got back to a six-point lead when Semetri Carr hit a three to make it 14-8.

However, the Bears’ offense suddenly went quiet in the middle of the first half. The Demons showed that they were going to be a tough match for the Bears today, and they went on an 18-6 run to take a 26-20 lead with 6:29 to go.

Cal sprung back to life in the final minutes of the first half. Carr hit a three, and Miles Iloc delivered a layup to make it 26-25. 

The middle of the first half may have been quiet, but the end was going to be quite dramatic, and even a bit chaotic. With the Demons up 32-31 and 1:15 to go, Nolan Dorsey stole the ball, and passed it to Camden, who hit a three to put the Bears up 34-32.

Miles was fouled, and hit two from the line to tie it. Demons Head Coach Rick Cabrera was hit with a technical foul with 27 seconds remaining, and Camden hit one of two from the line to put the Bears back ahead. 

Justin Redmond hit a three with six seconds left. to give the Demons the lead again. Dai Dai Ames then beat out the clock with a driving layup to tie the game going into the half. The play was confirmed after review, and it was the shot in the arm the Bears needed going into the second half.

Ames only scored seven points in the first half, but his thrilling layup was just the beginning of what would turn out to be a big night for him. 

It was 37-37 going into the second half, and the second half was jam packed with action. The lead changed hands several more times, and the Demons had a five-point lead at 58-53 with 12:19 to go.

However, the Bears never relented, and Camden and Ames led the charge in the second half. Camden and Ames both hit threes, and the Bears were right back ahead at 59-58.

The Demons were ahead again. They led it 65-62 with 7:25 left on the clock after a three by Jumawan. Lee Dort then came through with a dunk to make it 65-64, and Ames made a layup to put the Bears back ahead at 66-65. 

Ames’ layup would prove to be the final lead change of the game. There would not be any more scoring for nearly two minutes, but Camden slammed one down after a steal by Dort to make it 68-65.

Carr and Dort were both fouled, and both hit each of their two shots from the line. The Bears had finally taken control of the game, as they had a seven point lead at 72-65. It was the first time either team held a seven-point lead in this one.

The Bears ended up winning by a final of 79-70.

John Camden led the way with 16 points in the second half, and 25 overall. He was also 6-for-9 from beyond the arc for the game. Dai Dai Ames scored 13 points in the second half to cap off a 20-point performance. Believe it or not, Ames was only 5-for-11 in field goals for the second half, but he was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in that same period.

The Bears are now off to a 10-1 start, their best start in 11 years.

The Bears have two games left in non-conference play. They will take on the Morgan State Bears of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference next Friday night at Haas Pavilion. That will be followed up two days later by a Sunday matinee against the Columbia Lions of the Ivy League.

Tipoff against the Morgan State Bears next Friday will be at 7 p.m.

Cal Golden Bears remain perfect at home as they defeat the Dominican Penguins, 93-71

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Dominican Penguin guard Nanik Tagore shoots a contested three pointer over California Golden Bear Justin Pippen. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Services.)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – The California Golden Bears welcomed the Dominican Penguins on Tuesday night at Haas Pavilion, with the game starting at 7:00 p.m. in front of another loud home crowd. The game featured two clubs that were on a roll early in the season. Dominican entered the match at 5-1, riding a two-game winning run but still looking for its first road victory since losing to Stanislaus State on November 22. Cal who is piling up wins tallied another one with a win over the Penguins 93-71.

Cal started the game with a familiar lineup: John Camden, Chris Bell, Justin Pippen, Lee Dort, and Dai Dai Ames. Ames began the night as the Bears’ leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game while shooting 55% from the floor, while Pippen led the team in playmaking with 4.3 assists per game.

The Bears came in on a five-game winning streak and stayed perfect at home, improving to 8-0 at Haas Pavilion. With both teams playing confident basketball and looking to build on their momentum, the stage was set for an interesting nonconference matchup.

Golden Bear Justin Pippen got the game rolling on a three pointer, but things turned south real fast. The Dominican Penguins overall dominated the first half, while the Golden Bears struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Cal shot only 18% from the field, going 6-of-33, while Dominican took advantage of the Bears’ slow start with consistent execution on the opposite end. The Penguins converted 10 of their 24 shots, shooting 42% and controlling the pace for much of the game.

Cal’s shooting struggles stretched beyond the arc, with the Bears starting 1-of-14 from deep and making only 7% of their three-point efforts. Despite their poor start, the Bears came alive in the final minutes of the half. A late 6-0 offensive surge gave them a boost and cut Dominican’s lead, sending Cal into the locker room trailing 31-28.

The Golden Bears returned from the locker room with fresh energy, playing with significantly more urgency on both ends of the court. Their offense began to settle down as Cal upped its shooting to 36% for the half, including a surge from the perimeter, where they shot 26% from three. The defensive pressure also increased substantially, pushing the Penguins to make numerous blunders. Dominican had already committed 14 turnovers with six minutes remaining, allowing Cal to take control of the game.

Justin Pippen fueled the Bears’ comeback, dominating the game down the stretch. He finished with a team-high 24 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including three of seven from beyond the arc. John Camden provided an important spark as well, scoring 18 points and matching Pippen’s 6-of-14 shooting effort.

Dominican’s attack crumbled as Cal kept up the pace. The Penguins went scoreless from the field in the final five minutes, relying on free throws to keep within reach, but it wasn’t enough to slow the Bears’ momentum. Cal finished the night with a dominating 93-71 comeback win.

Nick Medeiros led the Penguins with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, but Dominican couldn’t match Cal’s second-half surge.

The California Golden Bears will return to action on December 13th, 2025 at 2pm back in the Haas Pavilion to host the Northwestern State Devils (2-7). The Bears also remain perfect at home as they are (9-1) on the season and (8-0) at home.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Cal hosts Pacific Saturday; Cal on four game win streak

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Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) is excited at the conclusion of the win over the Utah Utes on Tue Dec 2, 2025 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 With Cal Bears guards like Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen in Cal’s backcourt, how might their perimeter defense and shooting had put pressure on the Utah Utes defense?

#2 Can forwards such as Chris Bell or Lee Dort use their size advantage to dominate the paint, to limit Utah’s interior scoring, and control the boards if they face a smaller pilot front line?

#3 Given that Cal’s roster also includes centers like Milos Ilic and Mantas Kocanas, how might their presence affect Utah’s ability to drive to the rim or get second-chance points?

#4 Considering Utah’s fast-paced style, how would Cal — with a mix of experienced players like DeJuan Campbell and newcomers — aim to control tempo and avoid getting caught in a run-and-gun exchange?

#5 If Cal’s rotation extends to freshmen guards such as Luke Butler or Jorell Clark, how much trust should the team put in young players’ composure under pressure when defending a team like the Utes?

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman is heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Utah Utes can’t handle the ‘Haas of Pain’ as Golden Bears win, 79-72

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California Golden Bear #34 Lee Dort slams down an alley-oop from his teammate #2 John Camden. (Photo by Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – Happy December from Berkeley, where the Golden Bears enter the final month of 2025 on the heels of a strong 6-1 start and a perfect 5-0 record at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears have transformed their home court into a legitimate advantage as they enter a pivotal eight-game home stretch, averaging 84.4 points per game and posting a +14.8 scoring margin.

That run started tonight against Utah (6-2), a Big 12 opponent who adds importance to the matchup. Cal is 0-1 this season against Big 12 teams, with its only encounter coming on November 13 at Bramlage Coliseum, a hard-fought 99-96 loss to Kansas State. Tuesday night, the Golden Bears get a second chance to make a statement against the Big 12 conference.

Utah comes into Berkeley on a high level, having won a close 75-74 game over Ole Miss behind Don McHenry’s 27 points. The Utes have a balanced, tough squad that ranks ninth in the Big 12 for offensive rebounds (9.6 per game), topped by James Okonkwo’s 4.0. They also have one of the conference’s leading scoring duos, Terrence Brown (21.8 PPG, 3.4 APG) and McHenry (17.9 PPG).

Cal entered the game with confidence after defeating No. 18 UCLA 80-72 on November 25 at Chase Center, the program’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2020. Offensively, the Golden Bears continue to rely on the efficient performance of Dai Dai Ames (18.1 PPG, 2.7 threes per game at 52.8%) and Chris Bell (16.6 PPG, 50.0% shooting).

The Golden Bears’ starting lineup tonight included Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, John Camden, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort, who combine scoring, experience, and defensive versatility. Utah responded with Josh Hayes, Keanu Dawes, Terrence Brown, Don McHenry, and Seydou Traore, a group meant for athleticism, rebounding, and perimeter shooting.

The game got off to a quick start, with both sides swapping early baskets. Utah scored first on the first possession, with Terrance Brown instantly establishing himself by scoring seven points on 3-of-5 shooting. Cal’s Dai Dai Ames matched the pace right away, making all three of his first field-goal attempts and scoring seven points in the first few minutes.

Despite Utah’s early efficiency, Cal kept pace thanks to Ames, who remained perfect from the field and aggressive in his drives. By the midpoint of the first half, he had already tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting.

Cal’s balanced attack and sharp shooting in the final minutes of the half propelled them ahead to a 42–34 lead at halftime. The Bears finished the first 20 minutes with 6-of-12 shooting from three and 14-of-32 overall, displaying strong teamwork with 21 rebounds and nine assists. Ames continued his dominant performance, ending the half with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in just 15 minutes, keeping Cal in control against a talented Utah squad. With help from John Camden, who is shooting perfect beyond the arc at 3 of 3 with 9 points and 1 assist.

The second half followed the same fast-paced, physical pattern, with both teams hitting the paint and battling for every possession. Within the first ten minutes of the half, the Golden Bears had stretched their lead to 62-55, thanks to a combination of aggressive drives and excellent free-throw shooting. Both teams were repeatedly sent to the free-throw line, but Cal took advantage of their chances, going 15-of-16 for a stunning 93% conversion rate.

Cal’s scoring was led by the dynamic combo of Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames, who each had 17 points by this time. Pippen shot 5-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three, while Ames went 8-of-13 overall despite missing his only three-point effort. Keanu Dawes and Seydou Traore, who combined scoring and playmaking, kept Utah in play. Dawes was on the verge of a double-double, with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Traore had 12 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists.

Also, Cal maintained its domination on the glass, grabbing 30 rebounds to Utah’s 23, securing second-chance opportunities, and controlling the tempo inside the paint.

Cal’s shooting continued to click in the final minutes of the game, as the team approached 50% from the floor and maintained control of the game. Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames repeatedly attacked Utah’s defence, keeping the Utes’ lead barely out of reach. Utah, however, refused to go quietly. With three minutes remaining, Seydou Traore and Keanu Dawes scored rapid backdoor baskets to reduce the Bears’ lead to two points.

Cal answered at the line, with Chris Bell making 1-of-2 free throws to extend the advantage to 73-70 with a minute and a half left. At the 50-second mark, Ames was fouled on a drive and casually went 2-for-2 from the line, bringing the score to 75-70. From there, the Golden Bears’ defence took control. Utah failed to get a shot, resulting in a shot clock violation, and they missed their final four field-goal attempts. Cal’s defensive efforts, along with their efficient shooting, secured the victory.

Dai Dai Ames led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, keeping up his strong season performance. Justin Pippen scored 23 points, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, to help secure the victory. Inside, Lee Dort anchored the paint, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring eight points. While five of Utah’s players scored in double digits, and their bench added 19 points, Cal’s mix of shooting, defensive pressure, and rebounding proved crucial.

The Golden Bears finished the game shooting 45.5% from the field, including 7-of-18 from three, proving that their balanced scoring and lockdown defence can carry them through difficult games. The 79-72 victory over Utah not only represented a great home opener for the December stretch, but it also showed Cal’s ability to produce under pressure, laying the groundwork for the future challenges in their eight-game homestand.

Looking ahead, the Golden Bears will face the Pacific Tigers (6-2) on Saturday, December 6, at 2 p.m., as part of their eight-game homestand. The game will be broadcast on ACC Extra, offering fans another opportunity to see Cal continue their December home stand and build on tonight’s hard-fought 79-72 victory against Uta

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva: Scotty would be proud Justin Pippin leads Cal in scoring with 23

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Cal Bears guard Justin Pippin (10) goes for two points against the Utah Utes at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 2, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 For the Cal Bears (7-1) Justin Pippin he led with 23 points in a nip and tuck game between the Utah Utes (6-3) and Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley.

#2 Cal held a five point lead with just 20 seconds left towards the end of the game getting some defense one a Utah ball that was deflected that avoided cutting Cal’s lead.

#3 Cal guard Dai Dai Ames finished second in scoring with 25 points his contribution was critical in keeping the Utes an arms distance as Utah tried to close the gap numerous times during the contest.

#4 The Bears avoided foul trouble in this one and didn’t have to suffer the consequences of the Utes getting to foul line to cut the lead even closer. The Bears win it by seven points 79-72.

#5 Next up the Pacific Tigers of Stockton head to Haas Pavilion in Berkeley this Sat Dec 13th to tip off against Cal. The Tigers bring a 6-2 winning record to Cal and are on a three game win streak. How do you see this match up?

Michael Villanueva is a Cal Bears beat reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: After big loss in Big Game some tough questions for Cal; Bears face off with SMU Saturday

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Cal Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) is helped up after getting sacked by the Stanford Cardinal defense after getting sacked in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium on Sat Nov 23, 2025 (photo by Data Skrive)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Does a nine season record of 48–55 and a failure to ever post a winning conference record under former head coach Justin Wilcox justify a coaching change?

#2 Did the lopsided 31–10 loss to rival Stanford Cardinal — marked by 13 penalties for 123 yards and two fumble-return touchdowns — act as a final straw that exposed deeper issues under Wilcox’s leadership?

#3 Given that the program under Wilcox never broke through to more than eight wins in a season (last in 2019), was there a sense that Cal had plateaued and needed new leadership to compete at a higher level?

#4 With the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), did the program’s leadership believe Wilcox lacked the recruiting, scheme or development capabilities needed to succeed in a more competitive environment?

#5 After sustained competitiveness but not contention — and with recent seasons showing lingering offensive struggles — was the decision to fire Wilcox motivated by a desire to reset the program’s identity and expectations under fresh leadership?

Morris Phillips covered Cal Bears football each Thursday during the 2025 season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com