Game preview: Cal Golden Bears

[Matt Cotcher]

No. 10 Texas versus California

Tip Time: 6:30pm, CST (30 minutes after the conclusion of the consolation game)

TV: ESPN2


The Basics

• Cal hired Cuonzo Martin as Head Coach in April this year. Martin and the Bears are off to a 3-0 start.
• Cal is 3-3 against Top 25 teams over the last 12 months.
• The Bears returned 3 starters off last years team, and a total of 8 players that had game experience. Those 3 starters (F – Kravish; G – Wallace; G – Bird) account for roughly half of Cal’s scoring.
• Cal has a 2-1 lead over Texas in their all-time series, but both of those wins came in the 1960’s. Texas beat Cal in the 2000 Preseason NIT.

Schedule/Results

Cal 91 – Alcorn State 57

Cal 93 – Kennesaw State 59

Cal 73 – Syracuse 59


Scouting Report

• Jordan Mathews is the name to know on Cal’s squad. Matthews smoked ‘Cuse for 22 points, 20 of them in the second half, and was 6-12 from the floor. He leads Cal in scoring at just under 19 ppg.

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• David Kravish already has 9 blocks this season and provides excellent help defense.

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• Cal has used a 3-guard starting lineup in all three of their games. The Bears have some size on the bench with multiple players averaging 14-16 minutes/game. Whether Martin adjusts the lineup to add height is something to watch.

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• The Bears, particularly Jabari Bird, shoot the 3 very well. Bird was 4-5 from three point range against Syracuse and the Bears hit 4 consecutive 3-pointers in the closing minutes of the first half to pull away from the Orange.

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• Cal’s freshman center, Kingsley Okoroh, is 7’1”(254 pounds), and Kravish is 6’10” – the Bears have the height to frustrate Texas, but not the depth. Okoroh & Kravish must stay out of foul trouble for Cal to be successful.

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• At the small forward spot, Tyrone Wallace (6’5”, 200) is a prolific rebounder. Wallace leads the team in offensive (5) and total rebounds (22).

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• Cal has a solid assist:turnover ratio of almost 2.0 and their rebounding margin/game is over 8.

 

[Juan]

f'n Iowa

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[utisdabomb12]

I'm not sure if Cal can roll with their normal starting 5. Texas will rebound and just out man them with Ridley, Holmes and Lammert. We shall see though. 

The key to this game is hedging on the 3s. Force drives and don't let them sit behind the 3 point line. 

 

[utisdabomb12]

Other thoughts. 

1-Texas does not need to rush back Taylor. All that matters is March.

2-Expect to see a lot of Yancy at the point, he's actually been very good this year. A much higher assist per minutes ratio even in comparison with Taylor. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Looking at last night's stat's - Texas held Iowa to 16-54 (29.6%) from the floor and after the first 5 minutes of the game, the Horns put a clamp on their 3-point shots (Hawkeyes finished 4-14).

Those numbers compare favorably with the 1st two games. Horns have kept all 3 opponents under 30% shooting (average is 28.9%).

I think the team will put up an inspired effort without Taylor tonight and Barnes will make sure that effort starts on defense.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Looking at last night's stat's - Texas held Iowa to 16-54 (29.6%) from the floor and after the first 5 minutes of the game, the Horns put a clamp on their 3-point shots (Hawkeyes finished 4-14).

Those numbers compare favorably with the 1st two games. Horns have kept all 3 opponents under 30% shooting (average is 28.9%).

I think the team will put up an inspired effort without Taylor tonight and Barnes will make sure that effort starts on defense.

It Texas controls the 3 point line they will win the game. Texas needs to hedge hard tonight on shooters.