Cal Postgame

[capeorange]

If we beat SMU this weekend, is it safe to say we're probably in the ACCT?

(Yes I completely understand that is the most depressing question known to man)

What's depressing about your question?
I'm really looking forward to the ACCT. We all know that's when Red is planning on the BIG RUN to the NCAAs.

 

[Eric15]

What's depressing about your question?

Because for most of my life, the conference tourney was the delicious appetizer before the entree. Now it's the entree itself.

 

[capeorange]

Because for most of my life, the conference tourney was the delicious appetizer before the entree. Now it's the entree itself.

So true.

 

[MGraves5]

Kingz free throw shooting drives me insane. There's absolutely no reason this dude should be 62% from the line. He should be mid to high 70s.

It's really weird. He was 82% last year

 

[23Zone]

Well it was a beautiful night down here last night in Charlotte, balmy 62° so I opted for pickleball instead of watching the game.

Checked the score when I got home, tight game with 4 minutes left, took a shower, checked the score again, saw it was going to overtime.... then went to bed lol ... A perfect microcosm of the apathy that has sadly permeated our program.

Woke up this morning and saw we won. Quickly looked at the stats. Bell got his one rebound which was the second thing I looked at lol ... Then was scratching my head how Sadiq gets 10 points but only plays 9 minutes and only had two fouls lol ...

 

[newmexicuse]

After watching Starling for 2 3/4ths seasons at Syracuse, I've learned that the best we can hope for is that his positive plays outnumber his negative plays by at least a couple in any given game.

Tonight he accomplished that. Yes, he was a sieve defensively, and OMFG that travel... but he locked down Ames on a critical possession. Yes, he threw up some wild shots... but he hit some daggers down the stretch.

A meaningful issue with this team is that JJ is our #1 or #2 shot taker most nights. That's entirely on Red. But Starling is who he has always been. Tonight that helped us win. Others, not so much.

Like it or not, JJ is probably our best player in terms of creating his own shot.

 

[Cuse99&01]

Well it was a beautiful night down here last night in Charlotte, balmy 62° so I opted for pickleball instead of watching the game.

Checked the score when I got home, tight game with 4 minutes left, took a shower, checked the score again, saw it was going to overtime... then went to bed lol ... A perfect microcosm of the apathy that has sadly permeated our program.

Woke up this morning and saw we won. Quickly looked at the stats. Bell got his one rebound which was the second thing I looked at lol ... Then was scratching my head how Sadiq gets 10 points but only plays 9 minutes and only had two fouls lol ...

And that one rebound was from a missed dunk by Kyle that caromed off the backboard all the way out past the 3 point line where Bell was standing.

 

[tbonezone]

Like it or not, JJ is probably our best player in terms of creating his own shot.

but he don't make his teammates better. he's a score first ISOmaniac with no interest in defense. judah mintz part deux. (except JM made his fts)

 

[CardiacCuse]

Horrible mismanagement of his talents. He is the best scorer on the team. Him and Donnie should have been the bell cows on offense all year (I get Donnie was hurt). They should be touching the ball every single possession. Specific plays to set up drive/shoot quick decisions with secondary options for the rest of the guys. Kingz should lead in FGA every game with Donnie behind him. I want George shooting 4 times a game, extremely inefficient.

Super happy the boys won, just frustrating how it’s the 25th game of the year and the stuff mentioned above is just getting worked out.

agreed

kingz will have the best pro career of any player on this roster, imo

shoulda been the #1 option all year...not a decoy in the corner

 

[phil77]

Re Donnie - The entire game, he was sleepwalking and looked like he didn't care, the first overtime, more of the same. It looked like he couldn't be bothered and played a horrible game overall.

Then...The first play of the second overtime, we ran actual action for him to get the ball down low and open where they couldn't double him instantly. He dunked the ball, and then he was engaged the entire 2nd OT. Got rebounds, made challenges at the rim, drove to the basket, and made free throws (I think he was like 1-6 going into the second OT).

A player like Donnie, you can't let him float around the outside and not be a part of the game plan it is clear that he checks out. Now you don't need to go to him every time down the floor, but the first action and a couple of each half should be focused on getting him and an easy bucket. Some players of Donnie's caliber need that to get going when they feel they aren't part of the game plan or focus; they lose interest.

Not that it matters now, but a good coach and program would see that and plan around that.

 

[Eric15]

Obviously water under the bridge but the game should have ended right here.

 

[newmexicuse]

Re Donnie - The entire game, he was sleepwalking and looked like he didn't care, the first overtime, more of the same. It looked like he couldn't be bothered and played a horrible game overall.

Then...The first play of the second overtime, we ran actual action for him to get the ball down low and open where they couldn't double him instantly. He dunked the ball, and then he was engaged the entire 2nd OT. Got rebounds, made challenges at the rim, drove to the basket, and made free throws (I think he was like 1-6 going into the second OT).

A player like Donnie, you can't let him float around the outside and not be a part of the game plan it is clear that he checks out. Now you don't need to go to him every time down the floor, but the first action and a couple of each half should be focused on getting him and an easy bucket. Some players of Donnie's caliber need that to get going when they feel they aren't part of the game plan or focus; they lose interest.

Not that it matters now, but a good coach and program would see that and plan around that.

I dont understand why Donnie and Sadiq cant play together.

 

[Eric15]

Rewatching the highlights, Starling actually came very close to fouling Cal's big guy on that put-back at the very end of the first OT. He was making terrible fouls all day and that would have been a devastating icing on the cake.

 

[CardiacCuse]

I dont understand why Donnie and Sadiq cant play together.

because red

 

[Newhouser]

Re Donnie - The entire game, he was sleepwalking and looked like he didn't care, the first overtime, more of the same. It looked like he couldn't be bothered and played a horrible game overall.

Then...The first play of the second overtime, we ran actual action for him to get the ball down low and open where they couldn't double him instantly. He dunked the ball, and then he was engaged the entire 2nd OT. Got rebounds, made challenges at the rim, drove to the basket, and made free throws (I think he was like 1-6 going into the second OT).

A player like Donnie, you can't let him float around the outside and not be a part of the game plan it is clear that he checks out. Now you don't need to go to him every time down the floor, but the first action and a couple of each half should be focused on getting him and an easy bucket. Some players of Donnie's caliber need that to get going when they feel they aren't part of the game plan or focus; they lose interest.

Not that it matters now, but a good coach and program would see that and plan around that.

I agree - he could also get himself involved by hitting the offensive glass and by moving better without the ball and playing with strength when he does get a touch.

 

[Hoopsfan830]

I dont understand why Donnie and Sadiq cant play together.

There should be moments when both are out there, but both need to get stronger on the defensive side of the ball if it means sitting Kyle some.

I like Betsey, but maybe have White play that role, not for shooting, but overall better athleticism, defense, rebounding, etc.

 

[phil77]

I agree - he could also get himself involved by hitting the offensive glass and by moving better without the ball and playing with strength when he does get a touch.

I do agree with that but I also don't think he is that type of player. He isn't like White he doesn't move a lot off the ball. So that is when the coaching staff needs to jump-start him.

 

[kuethstheman]

I dont understand why Donnie and Sadiq cant play together.

You know how Red do.

 

[kuethstheman]

Those saying we should have run the offense through Kingz all year must have forgotten that he couldn't hit the broad side of the Dome, early in the season.