Tag: Cal

San Jose State mounts comeback, but falls short against Cal 88-80

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans men’s basketball team was looking to pick up at least one win against a Pac-12 opponent this season. Unfortunately didn’t happen as the Spartans comeback bid wasn’t enough and they ultimately fell to the Cal Golden Bears 88-80 at Haas Pavilion on Friday evening.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau went with a starting lineup featuring Brae Ivey, Noah Baumann, Seneca Knight, Michael Steadman and Oumar Barry. Yes, another excellent lineup, but once again, SJSU fell short.

The Spartans won the tip and the game went underway at Haas Pavilion. The score was bad, but fixable early in the first period. SJSU trailed 5-2 at the first media timeout of the night.

The Golden Bears picked up the pace as they hit four of their last five field goals by the 11:19 mark of the period. That allowed Cal to take a 17-9 lead into the second media timeout of the night.

The Spartans, however, were resilient. Oumar Barry buried a 3-pointer at the top of the key, which helped SJSU make it a 1-point game at Cal 17-16. Barry continued pouring in the points along with Ivey, who had 7 points with 7:27 remaining in the period. SJSU trailed by just 2, 19-17.

Baumann changed the game with less than five minutes left in the period. Baumann hit back-to-back 3s to lift the Spartans to a 25-24 lead. SJSU made it a 32-30 lead and carried it with pride to the locker room at halftime.

The Golden Bears were on top 38-32 at the 17:10 mark of the second period. That wasn’t good news for the Spartans, who called a timeout after seeing their first period lead slip away in front of their very eyes.

If that wasn’t already bad enough, Cal went on a massive scoring run to take a 62-53 lead at the 10:24 mark of the period. If anything good came out of this, SJSU continued to dominate on the hardwood as Baumann hit four 3s for his eighth consecutive game hitting at least two 3s, Barry had a career-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and Steadman collected his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Yet, SJSU was still down by 10 with 6:28 left in the period, despite shooting 52 percent from the field.

Despite the ups and downs, Baumann impressed Spartan Nation as he drained his sixth 3 of the game for a new career-high. As a result, SJSU pulled within 9 for a 74-65 deficit with 5:14 left in the period. Also, Barry recorded a career-high 18 points before he fouled out.

But things slowed down offensively for the Spartans. Well, at least for a little bit. The Golden Bears continued their onslaught from the 3-point line and hit 7-of-12 for a 82-67 advantage with 3:41 left in the period. This led the Spartans to play their hearts out, especially Knight. Knight drained a 3 to pull the Spartans within 6 for a 84-78 deficit with 1:20 left. Then, Knight poured in the points to make it a 4-point game with 35 seconds left.

The Golden Bears added 4 more points to secure a 88-80 victory over the Spartans. Cal improved to 5-6, while SJSU fell to 3-8.

SJSU returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 29 against Saint Mary’s at 5:00 pm PST.

San Jose State looks to rebound at Cal on Friday night

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State men’s basketball is set to take on its second straight Pac-12 opponent this Friday night as they take on the Cal Golden Bears inside Haas Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7 pm PT. Justin Allegri will have the radio call for KLIV 1590 AM, while Kate Scott and Mike Montgomery will broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

Game #11
San Jose State (3-7) at Cal (4-6)
Friday, Dec. 21, 7:00 pm PT
Haas Pavilion (11,877)
Berkeley, Calif.

Live stats
Fans can view live stats of all SJSU men’s basketball games, home and away, by accessing the “Live Stats” feature at www.sjsuspartans.com. Click on the link on the men’s basketball schedule page to follow the action.

What would a win mean?
SJSU is looking for their first win over Cal since 1977. They are also looking for their first win over a Pac-12 opponent since defeating Washingtong State 88-76 on Nov. 27, 2016. A win would also be the fourth of the season, tying the team’s 2017-18 total for the whole year.

Heads held high
Despite falling to Stanford 78-73 in their last outing, the Spartans have a lot of momentum on their side after playing one of their best games of the Jean Prioleau era. SJSU shot 45.6 percent for the game and outshot the Cardinal 48.3-45.2 in the second half. The Spartans held the lead for all, but :02 seconds in the first half and regained the lead in the second half until the 12:15 mark. Late turnovers and several missed free throws proved costly down the stretch as the Spartans fell by five.

Michael Steadman and Oumar Barry became the first Spartan duo since Ryan Welage and Brandon Clarke to record a double-double in the same game. Welage and Clark achieved the feat against Washington State on Nov. 27, 2016 in Pullman.

Five players (Steadman, Barry, LeCense, Ivey and Baumann) scored in double-figures. It was the second time SJSU had five players do so this season, and first agaist a D1 opponent.

Steady Steadman
JUCO transfer Michael Steadman has made a big impact this season as a leader on and off the court. The 6’10″ forward is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per game and ranks fourth in the Mountain West with 9.4 rebounds per game. He also ranks 35th nationally in both total and defensive rebounds per game. Steadman has four double-doubles on the season, ranking third in the conference and has scored in double figures in 9-of-10 games, including seven straight.

Staff shakeup
Prioleau made some changes to his staff in the offseason as he brought in former NC State All-American Julius Hodge as an assistant coach and promoted director of operations Ryan Cooper to assistant coach.

Another SJSU-Cal meeting
SJSU and Cal have met 22 times with the Golden Bears holding a a 19-3 advantage, including a 19-1 mark in Berkely. The teams last met on Dec. 11, 2011 in an 81-36 blowout loss. The Spartans are looking for their fourth win in the series and first since Dec. 27, 1977 (76-74).

The Golden Bears, led by second year head coach Wyking Jones, will be facing their second straight MW opponent after falling to Fresno State 95-73 on Dec. 19. Cal is 4-6 overall with wins over Hampton (80-66), Santa Clara (78-66), San Diego State (89-83) and Cal Poly (67-66).

Big game Baumann
Sophomore Noah Baumann is once again displaying his impressive 3-point shooting ability this season after finishing in the top 40 in the MW in 3-point percentage as a freshman. He is currently 22-for-40 from 3-point range (.550) and ranks second in the MW in 3-point percentage. He also ranks 10th in the conference with 2.2 3’s per game. Baumann is averaging 15.3 PPG in the last three outings (Bethune-Cookman, NAU, Stanford).

Baumann was a key cog for the Spartans in their two wins over B-CU and NAU. Against B-CU, after the team went 0-10 from 3-point range in the opening half, Baumann drained 3-of-5 attempts in the second half and finished with a then-season-high 12 points to help lead the Spartans to a victory.

Baumann followed up with his best performance as a Spartan in the win over NAU. He scored a career-high 23 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 18 in the second half to lead the Spartans to victory. He finished 5-of-6 from 3-point range and made four free throws in the final :37 seconds to close out the game.

Oumar coming on strong
Senior center Oumar Barry is playing his best basketball as a Spartan as of late. Against Bethune-Cookman, he finished with a then-career-high 13 points and seven rebounds. He followed that up with his most dominating performance at SJSU as he recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his first-career game with double digit rebounds. Barry also blocked two shots and was 7-of-10 at the free throw line to help the Spartans to a victory.

Barry followed up with another double-double against Stanford (15 points, 10 rebounds). After playing 38 career games without recording a double-double, he now has two in the last two games.

What’s next on the Bay Area road trip?
After playing at Cal, the Spartans will bookend their nonconference slate on Dec. 29 against Saint Mary’s in Moraga, Calif., completing their road trip against Bay Area opponents.

San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu: Thoughts on Early National Signing Day; Men’s basketball loses to Stanford on Tuesday night

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB and sjsuspartans.com

On the San Jose State podcast with Ana:

1. Early National Signing Day began this morning. Have any football players caught your undivided attention?

2. Location appears to important as SJSU has been dubbed the No. 1 underrated school in America in more ways than one on Forbes’ most recent list of underrated colleges and universities.

3. SJSU men’s basketball wrapped up its homestand vs. Northern Arizona last Saturday night.

4. SJSU played Stanford last night and will take on Cal on Friday.

Ana does the San Jose State podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: It’s unsettling as Cal can make you crazy in close game wins

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Photo credit: @CalMBBall

On the Cal basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Talk about that unsettled feeling after 48 hours even after getting a buzzer beater win past Cal Poly on Saturday night at Haas Pavilion 67-66.

#2 Cal head coach Wyking Jones said that the shots weren’t falling, but said that he’s happy with the team and that’s most important.

#3 Cal was able to wipe out a ten-point run against Cal Poly. The Mustangs were able to play catch up, and at one point, the game was tied 65-65.

#4 Donavon Fields had 26 points for Cal Poly and was one of the players that kept the Mustangs in the game.

#5 It’s off to Fresno for some Mountain West basketball on Wednesday night. Can the Bears win their third game in a row?

Morris Phillips is a beat writer for Cal Bears basketball at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca and Morris Phillips: Cal goes for second straight win at home Saturday vs. Cal Poly

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247sports.com file photo: San Diego State Aztecs forward Jalen McDaniels (5) is boxed out by California Golden Bears forward Grant Anticevich (34) and forward Justice Sueing (10) during the second half at Viejas Arena

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael and Morris:

The Cal Bears (3-5) Justice Sueing started off this season on fire but cooled off in recent week and then recovered on Saturday night against the San Diego State Aztecs (3-5) in a 89-83 win. Sueing led the Bears with 23 points Morris and Michael talk about Sueing’s turn around.

Sueing was a key factor in the Bears win over the Aztecs, Morris and Michael talk about once Sueing is lit up he stays fired up during a game. Speaking of fired up after the Bears were handed a drubbing by the USF Dons (8-1) in a 19 point loss last Wednesday on their own home floor the Bears came in fired up to get back in the win column.

Morris talks about Cal’s Grant Anticevich, Conor Vanover, and point guard Paris Austin and how these young players will be a huge contribution to the Bears offensive line up.

Catch Michael and Morris on the Cal Bears podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Once lit up, Sueing can drain the threes; leads Cal with 23 in big win over San Diego State

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vcstar.com photo: San Diego’s Jalen McDaniels, right, drives the ball against California’s Grant Anticevich (34) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Berkeley, Calif.

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 Justice Sueing started out the season on fire, but cooled off in recent weeks; but on Saturday night against San Diego State (3-5), Sueing led Cal (3-5) with 23 points. What’s been the big turnaround for Sueing?

#2 Sueing was instrumental in leading the Bears to a 89-83 win over San Diego State. Is he one of those players who once gets on fire stays lit up for a whole game?

#3 After getting stomped by the USF Dons (8-1) last Wednesday by 19 points. it looked like the Bears rallied around each other and really made things happen on Saturday.

#4 Cal’s Grant Anticevich, Conor Vanover, and point guard Paris Austin are playing more efficiently. How important were they in this win on Saturday night?

#5 Cal Poly (3-5) is next up to play at Haas Pavilion and the Bears hope to keep it going this Sunday the 16th with a 3 PM tipoff. Morris Phillips will have complete Cal basketball action.

Morris does the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips and Michael Duca: Cal looks to rebound from St. Mary’s loss, host USF Wednesday night

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photo from calbears.com: The Cal Bears Justice Sueing (10) drives to the net against the St Mary’s Gales on Saturday night. The Gales snapped their four game losing streak beating Cal.

Join Michael Duca and Morris Phillips on this edition of Sportstalk as they host the Cal Bears basketball podcast. They discuss Cal’s loss to St Mary’s last Saturday night in Moraga ending St Mary’s four game losing streak. Malik Fitts scored 19 points–one of four St. Mary’s double-digit scorers–in the Gaels’ comfortable 83-71 win over Cal. St. Mary’s shot 55 percent before halftime, and led by 15 at the break.

Justice Sueing paced the Bears with 16 points. Matt Bradley had 15, and Paris Austin had 12. The Bears again struggled with ball movement and offensive cohesion with their absurdly low assist total of six jumping off the stat sheet. As the Golden Bears drop a tough one 83-71.

The Bears host the USF Dons Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion for an 8:00PM tip

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Surprise for Cal to be bowl eligible as they head to the Cheez-It Bowl

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photo from azbigmedia.com: The Cal Bears will take on the Horned Frogs from TCU Wednesday December 26th for the Cheez It Bowl at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Morris:

#1 Cal Bears head coach Justin Wilcox call Cal’s invitation to the Cheez-It Bowl a reward for the players.

#2 After losing nine straight Big Games and taking the loss last Saturday to Stanford, the Bears certainly welcome the chance to be in this bowl game.

#3 The Cheez-It Bowl will be on Wednesday, December 26th, which will be played on artificial turf at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

#4 Speaking for the school, Wilcox said it was important for the students, faculty, a reward for players what does this do for the university.

#5 Cal (7-5) and the TCU Horned Frogs (6-6) almost have identical records and season. Morris tells us how he sees this matchup.

Morris does the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears football podcast with Morris Phillips: Only 211 yards needed to beat Colorado, Cal Bears need more to top Stanford this Saturday

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Photo credit: @GAlexander21

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Morris:

#1 Cal has won four of their last five games and got a huge victory over the Colorado Buffaloes last Saturday.

#2 The Bears got 211 yards, not too impressive; but got 33 points and a 12 point lead good enough in the 32-21 win.

#3 With 211 yards against the Buffaloes and now with Stanford coming in this Saturday for the Big Game at Memorial Stadium. The Cardinal are coming off a win at UCLA the Bears are going to have to shore up better yardage against a team like Stanford.

#4 Head coach Justin Wilcox did say that Cal did take care of the ball.

#5 Big Game is Saturday a reschedule game from the original Nov. 17th date, which was canceled due to the camp fires in Butte County smoke. How do these two teams matchup?

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal comes home Monday night after double defeat in Brooklyn

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Photo credit: @CalMBBall

Cal Bears Basketball podcast with Miguel:

#1 The Cal Men’s basketball team isn’t exactly the biggest teams in size with no players over 6’8

#2 The Bears (1-3) with the smaller size had struggled on defense

#3 In the game against Temple last Tuesday in Brooklyn for the Legends Classic Cal lost 75-59

#4 Temple scored 19 of the game’s first 24 points in a double digit lead setting the tone

#5 Cal is back at Haas Monday night November 26th against Santa Clara Broncos (0-4) should be a game that the Bears should be able to handle as the Broncos are still looking for their first win

Michael Duca does the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com