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

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

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

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

Pacific comes back to down Cal in seesaw battle 87-79 at Haas Pavilion

Cal Bears confer on the floor as they faced the Pacific Tigers at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Fri Nov 10, 2023 (photo from calbears.com)

Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Pacific Tigers 87 (1-1)

California Golden Bears 79 (1-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Pacific Tigers came back late to defeat the Bears, 87-79, denying Cal a 2-0 start.

The Bears opened the season Monday by barely beating the St. Thomas Tommies, and they looked to build on their momentum with much stronger competition coming in. Cal jumped out to a 15-11 lead with 14:40 remaining in the first period, the Tigers scored eight unanswered points to take a 19-15 lead.

The teams traded leads the remainder of the first period, as the Tigers led 40-38 at the half. The Tigers struck first in the second period with a jumper, but Cal then went on a 16-2 run to open up a 54-44 lead.

Pacific chipped into Cal’s lead, as the game entered the latter half of the second period. Villam Garcia Adsten was fouled and hit a jumper with 7:16 left to tie the game at 62-62, and then he hit a free throw to give the Tigers the lead, and they would not look back.

The Tigers then put the game away, as a 15-0 run gave them a 73-62 lead, and they maintained a healthy lead to close it out.

Cal falls to 1-1, as CSU Bakersfield will come into Haas Pavilion for a 7:00 tipoff Monday Night.

Pacific chipped into Cal’s lead, as the game entered the latter half of the second period. Villam Garcia Adsten was fouled and hit a jumper with 7:16 left to tie the game at 62-62, and then he hit a free throw to give the Tigers the lead, and they would not look back.

The Tigers then put the game away, as a 15-0 run gave them a 73-62 lead, and they maintained a healthy lead to close it out.

Cal falls to 1-1, as CSU Bakersfield will come into Haas Pavilion for a 7:00 tipoff Monday Night.