Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hoping to get their offense up and running in Colorado tonight

Cal Bears small forward Sam Alajiki (24) gets a leg up against the Oregon Ducks on Wed Jan 18, 2023 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. Alajiki led Cal in scoring with 13 points against the Stanford Cardinal in their last game on Sat Jan 28th at Maples Pavilion at Stanford (KLC fotos)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 The last game was not quite the result that Cal Bears (3-18) head coach Mark Fox was looking for in a loss to the Stanford Cardinal (9-12) in Cal’s last game on Sat Jan 28th at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto 75-46. Fox was sure concerned about the defense that night.

#2 Only two Cardinal had double digits Maxime Raynaud (15 pts) and Ingram Harrison (14 pts) the Bears couldn’t stop Stanford’s offense in either the first or second half.

#3 Michael, talk about Sam Alajiki who was the only Cal player to finish in double figures with 13 but Cal didn’t get much help on offense the whole night.

#4 Devon Askew who had missed who had missed a good number of games for Cal didn’t play against the Cardinal how big was his absence for the Cal offense last Saturday?

#5 The Bears take on the Colorado Buffaloes tonight in Colorado the Buffaloes (12-13) have been having problems of their own they have lost seven of their last nine games they have the home floor and Cal has lost five straight what your take in this game?

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

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal in rematch with Stanford Saturday at Maples Pavilion

While the Cal Bears are relieved to have guard Devin Askew (55) back in the line up on Sun Jan 22, 2023 seen here against the Oregon State Beavers they took a 20 points loss. Askew had been out of the line up since Dec 29, 2022 missing five games (photo by KLC fotos)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Porous defense, non-existent shooting, and inattention to detail the Cal Bears (3-17) were guilty across the board on Sunday afternoon in a 20 point 68-48 loss at Cal to the Oregon State Beavers (8-12). Also how important was it to get guard Devin Askew back in the line up.

#2 Coach Mark Fox admitted his team missed the directive regarding an early shot at the end of the first half. That allowed Oregon State to cap a 13-0 run ending the first half with Jordan Pope’s jumper as time expired. And the defense as a whole?

#3 In the second half, the Bears had more turnovers (11) than made baskets (6). In an unsightly first 20 minutes, the Bears started 3 of 17 and finished 4 of 23 after a scoreless stretch across their final, six possessions.

#4 Add it all up, and Cal may have squandered its best remaining opportunity for a win this season. The visiting Beavers ended a six-game losing streak–and an 18-game road skid.

#5 The Bears will head back to the drawing board again as they tip off against the Stanford Cardinal (7-12) this Saturday. The last time these two clubs met the Bears had won three of their last four games when defeated Stanford 92-70 in Berkeley on Jan 6th.

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

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cougars play catch up on Cal 66-51; Cal just missed getting third straight win

Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) celebrates his basket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against California, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael it looked promising but the Cal Bears (3-14) couldn’t hold on and fell apart on offense and defense to the Washington State Cougars (8-10) 66-51 on Wednesday night in Pullman.

#2 Cal was down at halftime 31-30 but the Cougars opened the second half with a 12-0 run and the Bears couldn’t even catch up.

#3 The Cougars had a 23 point lead just before garbage time kicked in and the Bears just were left with just no chance to catch up and get back in this one.

#4 To say the least the Bears melted down in the second half and they just simply couldn’t stop the Cougars who were just having their way in scoring. The Cougars were just simply blowing past the Cal defense and whole different story then the first half.

#5 The Bears head to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies (9-8) who are on a five game losing streak. Michael get your take on how you see these two teams on Saturday night a 3:00pm tip at Alaskan Airlines Arena.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal tries to get that first win of the season Sunday against Santa Clara

Grant Newell who scored a career 17 points said he would rather have wins than be the top point scorer takes a shot against the Butler Bulldogs guard Simas Lukosius (41) on Sat Dec 10, 2022 (Cal Bears photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Grant Newell and Devon Askew led Cal in scoring with 17 points each against the Butler Bulldogs who wiped out the Bears 82-58.

#2 Three of the top shooters for Cal Lar Tiemann, Newell and Askew despite their efforts it’s just not enough for Cal as they can’t buy a win at (0-11).

#3 Newell’s 17 points was a career high and was 7-13 shooting Saturday it was Newell’s best game of his career.

#4 For Askew he had that outstanding game against USC back on Wed Nov 30th scoring 23 points, scored 25 points against Arizona on Sun Dec 4th, sat out due to health reasons against Eastern Washington on Wed Dec 7th and scored 17 points against Butler last Saturday.

#5 Michael talk about how important it was for Cal to take a full week off as they get ready for the Santa Clara Broncos (9-3) for a 2pm tip this Sunday at Santa Clara which is considered their third true road game.

Join Michael Duca for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Michael is a beat writer for the Golden Bear Insider a publication for everything Cal basketball.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Starving Cal looking for first win against Eastern Washington Wednesday night

Cal Bears Lar Thiemann take a shot from the free throw line against the Arizona Wildcats on Sun Dec 4, 2022 (CalMBBall photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael:

The Cal Bears are preparing to host Eastern Washington this Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion and Cal is hoping to get in the win column which Cal has the home floor advantage. Despite the fact that their 0-9 right up there for the worst starts for a power five team.

The Bears have actually played better the last couple of games decently against USC for 31 minutes and went cold missed 13 straight shots and they went into Arizona and it was probably their best performance of the year on the road. To play on the road in the Pac 12 at the McKale Center it wasn’t a win for Cal but it was a competitive game.

Not too many people would have given Cal a fighting chance to challenge the Wildcats but they were giving them a good battle.

Michael Duca filled in for Morris Phillips who does the Cal Bears podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal winless faces Arizona undefeated this Sunday

Southern California forward Harrison Hornery (30) and California forward ND Okafor (22) compete for a rebound during the first half at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Cal Bears are on of seven NCAA schools who are winless, the Bears are missing five guards and have two active on the roster which is burdening the defense.

#2 Cal has lost game no more 11 points in the previous eight contests they’ve played so far the way you’ve seen things this season can they get that number down a bit?

#3 Michael, before the Cal-USC game Wednesday night it was announced that the Bears would have three inactive players which is cause for concern the scratches guard Jarred Hyder, forward Sam Alajiki, and guard Jalen Celestine.

#4 Michael, in addition to Hyder, Alajiki, and Celestine out of the line up the Bears were missing Josh Ragsdale, DeJuan Clayton, and Marcellus Roberson.

#5 Michael it’s off to Arizona for a Sunday tip off at 2:00pm with the Wildcats. The Wildcats have been unstoppable their undefeated and Cal could have their hands full at McKale Arena in Tucson.

Join Michael Duca for the Cal Bears podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal takes on tough battle with Oregon this Saturday

Cal Bears quarterback Jack Plummer looks for a receiver against the Washington Huskies at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Oct 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 The Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix threw a 14 yard pass to receiver Jalen McMillian for a game winning touchdown last Saturday to help Washington get past the Cal Bears at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley 28-21.

#2 Penix has been rolling he threw his eighth straight 300 yard game against Cal for 374 yards and two touchdowns was this a matter of Penix was just that good or the Cal defense just couldn’t contain Penix.

#3 Meanwhile Cal quarterback Jack Plummer threw well enough to win the game throwing for three second half touchdowns as Cal drops to 3-4.

#4 Cal Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant said that the Bears can beat anybody but last Saturday’s game just got away. Was Sturdivant saying that Cal can beat anybody overstating Cal’s ability to beat any other team or they really are good enough to beat other teams.

#5 Cal’s challenge doesn’t get any easier as they face the rough and ready number eight ranked Oregon Ducks (6-2) who have won six straight games and beat one of the tougher opponents in the Pac 12 last Saturday the UCLA Bruins 45-30 last Saturday. So this gives you an idea how tough Cal’s next game will be at Berkeley.

Join Michael for Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal prepares to face winless Buffaloes in Colorado on Saturday

Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) is caught by Cal Bears defensive end Ethan Saunders (99) at Pullman on Sat Oct 1, 2022. The Bears hope to get back in the win column this Sat Oct 15, 2022 when they face the Colorado Buffaloes (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael coming off the bye from last week how important is it for Cal Bears to have had that rest after getting defeated by Washington State Cougars and having lost two of their last three games?

#2 The WSU’s quarterback Cameron Ward seemed like he had all day on Sat Oct 1st at Pullman throwing for three touchdowns in the 28-9 victory over Cal.

#3 The Bears did have their flashes on the defensive side of the football when Ward intercepted twice.

#4 The Bears just simply were hurting on the offensive side of the ball scoring only nine points and quarterback Jack Plummer could not convert any touchdowns throwing 23-33 for 272 yards.

#5 The Bears should be well rested and are facing an winless Colorado Buffaloes (0-5) team who has made coaching changes and were just landslided in their last game Saturday by the Arizona Wildcats 43-20. Will Cal be able to make work of the Buffs this Saturday?

Join Michael for Cal Bears podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com Thursdays

Cal Bears/Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Morris Phillips: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas; Cal eliminated by WSU in first game of tournament

California’s Lars Thiemann (21) tries to get around the Washington State Cougars defense at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas in the first game of the Pac 12 Tournament on Wed Mar 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears/Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Morris:

#1 It’s been a long season Morris and its come down to this a first game loss of the Pac 12 Tournament to the Washington State Cougars (19-13) for the Cal Bears (12-20) a seven point 66-59 loss for the Bears.

#2 We know you’ve said it all season with this loss did it just come down to a lack of talent or the Cougars just had enough offense to make this work on Wednesday night.

#3 How disappointing does this have to be for Cal head coach Mark Fox having finished the season eight games below .500 and being eliminated in the first game of the Pac 12 Tournament.

#4 Once again the ball was going to Jordan Shepherd who led Cal with 19 points Cal also outscored the Cougars in the second half 39-34 but time just ran out for the Bears.

#5 For coach Fox talk about some of the things that he needs to work on, put together to get this team ready for 2022-23 and who do you see coming back for next season?

Morris Phillips filled in for Michael Duca who did the Cal Bears basketball podcasts Fridays during the 2021-22 season with Morris at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Michael Duca: Cal opens two game road trip at ASU tonight to close out regular season

The Cal Bears Grant Anticevich makes his way up the floor against the Stanford Cardinal on Sat Feb 26, 2022 at Haas Pavilion (photo by Cal Bears twitter)

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Miguel:

#1 Michael, the Cal Bears (12-17) kept the Stanford Cardinal (15-13) in check in their last game last Saturday holding the Cardinal to only 39 points which would you allude it to, the Cardinal shooting was just simply off or the Bears defense was all over Stanford?

#2  Winning after a lengthy streak of rough results didn’t deter the Golden Bears. Instead it strengthened them, according to coach Mark Fox.

#3 The ball was constantly going to Cal’s Jordan Shepherd who scored a team leading 28 points no other Cal player got into double figures.

#4 In the second half the Cardinal tried to make a valiant effort outscoring the Bears 27-18 but that comes off a first half where the Cardinal scored only 12 points.

#5 The action continues at ASU (12-16) tonight. The Sun Devils just got by the Utah Utes last Sat Feb 26th at Utah 63-61. The Sun Devils are on a roll they have won five of their last six games. How do you see Cal and ASU as they match up on tonight.

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com