Cal’s Season Ends: Bears outclassed by WSU 69-52 in Pac-12 tourney opener

photo by Cal Bears basketball

By Morris Phillips

Three wins and a 16-game losing streak to end the season will be the legacy of the 2023 Cal men’s basketball team.

The Bears fell 69-52 in Las Vegas in their opening round matchup against Washington State on Wednesday afternoon, ending a dreary season that marks the program’s unprecedented, sixth consecutive losing campaign.

The immediate focus falls on head coach Mark Fox, who is responsible for the most recent four seasons, none better than his first when Cal finished 14-18.

“We understand that there’s an expectation to be successful, and we didn’t do that this year, but most people who are sitting where you’re sitting now are never on the inside. They don’t know the things that we have to deal with that adminstrators and coaches and players do,” Fox said.

The expectation is that Fox will not be retained, and athletic director Jim Knowlton will move on to Tim Miles or Joe Pasternack, the two names most prominent in the coaching rumors.

The Bears didn’t receive any break in the matchups with WSU coming in on a six-game win streak. The Cougars didn’t shoot it well early, but Cal afforded them a 13-2 run before halftime, part of a 35-21 edge at the break.

The Bears again played at their plodding pace, a nod to their persistent injury issues in the backcourt. Their point total of 52 actually fell below their season average of 58.5, the lowest offensive output in 363-member Division I.

Monty Bowser led Cal with a career-best 19 points, but the 43-29 edge for WSU on the glass put the 12th-seeded Bears at an impossible disadvantage.

TJ Bamba led Washington State with 17 points, and three other WSU starters finished with 10 points. The Cougars will face Oregon on Thursday in the tournament’s quarterfinal round.

WSU slips past Cardinal men 67-63

Stanford Cardinal forward Harrison Ingram (55) takes a shot at the top of the key against the Washington State Cougars guard Justin Powell (24) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Thu Feb 23, 2023 (Stanford University photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 23, 2023

Stanford dropped its third straight Pac-12 men’s basketball game on Thursday, as the Cardinal fell to visiting Washington State 67-63 at Maples Pavilion.

TJ Bamba led the Cougars (14-15 overall, 9-9 Pac-12) with 22 points, hiting 9 of 14 field goal attempts, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Mouhamed Gueye was next with 15 points, connecting on 6 of 8 shots and a 3 while pulling down 15 rebounds, and Andrej Jakimovski with 11 points, hitting 3 of 5 behind the arc. Justin Powell had five assists.

Stanford (11-17 overall, 5-12 Pac-12) had four players in double figures. Brandon Angel led the Cardinal with 17 points (6 of 8 field goals and 4 of 5 3-pointers), followed by Harrison Ingram with 15 points, and Maxime Raynaud and Michael Jones with 10 points each.

Raynaud had seven rebounds and Angel had six more, but the Cardinal was outrebounded 31-27. Ingram and Michael O’Connell each were credited with five assists.

Stanford led 16-12 at the 11-minute mark of the first half before the Cougars made three 3-pointers in the final minute before halftime, eventually leading 30-28 at the break.

Washington State build an eight-point lead four minutes into the second half, but Michael Jones responded with a four-point play to cut the Cardinal deficit to one possession. Back-to-back scores by Ingram tied the game at 55-55, and a dunk by Angel tied the game at 63-63 with 2:51 remaining.

Bamba’s jump shot in the lane broke the tie with 44 seconds left. DJ Rodman sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining, putting the Cougars up 67-63. Stanford missed four shots in the final five seconds,

Stanford honors its senior class on Sunday at 3 p.m. when the Cardinal host Washington.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal look to get back on winning track against Washington Thursday at Maples

Southern California forward Kijani Wright (33) reaches for a rebound next to Stanford forward Harrison Ingram (55), guard Michael O’Connell (5) and forward Maxime Raynaud (42) during the second half at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

#2 Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

#3 Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

#4 Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. 

#5 The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

Catch the Stanford Cardinal podcasts with Michael Roberson Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 2 Cardinal women rout WSU 71-38

Washington State center Lauren Glazier, bottom, and Stanford center Lauren Betts, top, go after a rebound during the second half in Pullman on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, February 3, 2023

No. 2 Stanford traveled to Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash., Friday and routed Washington State 71-38 in Pac-12 women’s basketball behind Haley Jones and Cameron Brink spearheading a complete team effort.

Jones scored 13 points and had nine rebounds for the Cardinal (22-2 overall, 10-1 Pac-12), while Brink had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes. The Stanford bench scored 37 points as 15 players saw action; Lauren Betts scored 10 points and Elena Bosgana had eight.

Charlisse Leger-Walker led WSU with eight points and six rebounds. Bella Murekatete was next with seven points. The Cardinal defense held the Cougars to 14 of 56 field goal shooting and forced 17 turnovers while holding Washington State to its season low in points.

The Cardinal, who had a 41-32 rebounding advantage, jumped to a 15-3 lead after one quarter, building a 36-18 halftime advantage. Stanford shot 50 percent from the field (29 of 58), hitting 7 of 18 3-pointers.

Stanford is 72-0 in the series against the Cougars (15-7 overall, 5-6 Pac-12).

The Cardinal travel to Seattle on Sunday to face Washington.

Stanford Cardinal women basketball podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal look for fifth straight win in Pullman Friday

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) blocks a shot as Oregon forward Taylor Hosendove (11) goes toward the basket during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Jan 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Stanford women basketball podcast with Daniel:

#1 Stanford Cardinal women (21-2) got their fourth straight win over the Oregon Ducks (14-7) last Sunday. Cameron Brinks picked up her first triple double and with ten blocks.

#2 Brink at the end of the game asked the scorers table if the tenth block counted she got her answer finding out that she had accomplished her first career triple double.

#3 Brink said that the Ducks down the stretch were putting pressure on her  “I think I just started out hot, they started driving in the paint and blocking shots started early.” said Brink.

#4 The triple double for Brink was the first in Stanford’s history and Brink’s defense on blocked shots help contribute to making school history.

#5 The Cardinal face the Washington State Cougars (15-6). The Cardinal have won four straight games and the Cougars have won five of their last seven games and two straight games but yet and still the Cardinal the way they’ve been playing this season could be a handful for the Cougars at Wazoo on Friday night.

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts regularly heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal hope to end 5 game skid against OSU Thursday

The Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud (42) gets his reverse slam on. Raynaud led Stanford in scoring Sat Jan 13, 2023 with 16 points against the Washington State Cougars in Pullman. The Cardinal host the Oregon State Beavers on Thu Jan 19, 2023 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1In the last three seconds in Saturday’s game the Stanford Cardinal (5-12) couldn’t get the last shot to fall with three seconds left to lost the Washington State Cougars at Pullman 60-59.

#2 Maxime Raynaud led Stanford in scoring with 16 points with eight rebounds. Raynaud has been a contributor for the Stanford offense.

#3 Harrison Ingram and Spencer Jones each had 14 points. Ingram had nine rebounds and six assists, Jones had eight rebounds.

#4 Stanford led WSU at the half 34-31 with two 9-0 runs but couldn’t stop the Cougars late in the game in the one point loss.

#5 After three straight road games the Cardinal returned to Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto to host the Oregon State Beavers this Thursday for a 8:00pm tip. Head coach Jerod Haase is hoping to get back in the win column.

Join Michael for the Cardinal MBB podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

WSU hangs on for 60-59 win over Stanford

Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud (42) is seen throwing down against the Utah Utes on Sat Dec 31, 2022 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto. Raynaud led Stanford in scoring against the Washington State Cougars at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman WA on Sat Jan 14, 2023 (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Stanford had a chance to land in the Pac-12 men’s basketball win column Saturday, but a pair of misses in the final three seconds enabled Washington State to hold on for a 60-59 victory at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash.

There were six lead changes in the contest. The Cardinal (5-12 overall, 0-7 Pac-12) cut their deficit to one on a Maxime Raynaud layup with 22 seconds to play. Following a defensive stop, Stanford had a final possession. Raynaud missed a 3-point attempt, and Brandon Angel’s putback rimmed out at the horn.

Stanford held a 34-31 lead at halftime, sparked by a pair of 9-0 runs. The Cardinal held their largest lead at 26-18 with 8:19 remaining in the first half.

Raynaud led the Cardinal with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Harrison Ingram and Spencer Jones scored 14 points apiece. Ingram registered a game-high nine rebounds and six assists, and Jones matched a career-high eight boards.

Andrej Jakimovski led the Cougars (9-10 overall, 4-4 Pac-12) with 17 points, followed by DJ Rodman with 15 points. WSU hit 22 of 48 from the field for 46 percent, including 10 of 27 on 3-pointers. The Cougars scored 12 points off of 10 Stanford turnovers.

Stanford held a 35-23 rebounding edge. The Cardinal shot 43 percent (22 of 51) from the field.

The Cardinal return home to face Oregon State on Thursday night.

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 game wrap: Bears fail to get third straight win in second half melt down to Cougars 66-51 at Wazzu

Cal Bears head coach Mark Fox said that the team just didn’t hold it together in the second half and let the game get away against the Washington Cougars on Wed Jan 11, 2023 at Pullman WA (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

The hot hand of the Washington State Cougars (8-10) DJ Rodman who was responsible for hitting four three pointers Wednesday night in Pullman. Rodman who finished up with 14 points to help defeat the Cal Bears (3-14). Mouhamed Gueye like Rodman scored 14 as both finished tied for the leading scoring category for the Cougars.

The Cougars Justin Powell finished third in scoring with 12 points and rounded out the WSU players who finished in double figures. The Bears made seven of their last field goal attempts in first half action. The Bears Grant Newell and DeJuan Clayton both help cut Washington State lead down to a point at the half 31-30.

The Cougars in the second half broke out with a 15-2 run with Kymany Houinsou making a lay up against the Bears 15 seconds into the second half. Rodman made the Cal defense melt like butter hitting three three pointers in two minutes and 12 seconds and you could see that was taking a toll on the Bears for any chance to get back in this game.

The shots were not falling for Cal going 2-12 to start the second half and the Bears never got within single digits to catching the Cougars for the rest of the way. Marcel Roberson was the only Bear to finish in double figures and wound up with a career high 11 points.

Cal’s shooting was way down finishing with 28.6% 8 for 28 and went 0-11 on three pointers. The Cougars simply took Cal out of their game when the opened the second half with a 12-0 run. After Roberson in scoring all single digit finalists Obinna Anyanwu, Kuany Kuany, and Grant Newell all with seven points, Clayton and Lars Thiemann finishing up with six points each.

The Bears go onto Seattle to face the Washington Huskies who are in a three game losing streak for a 3:00pm tip off on Sat Jan 14th at Alaskan Airlines Arena on the University of Washington campus.

Stanford Cardinal football podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal face Utes in Utah Saturday; Utah have won three straight

Washington State running back Nakia Watson (25) takes off down field for a 41 yard touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal in first half action at Stanford Stadium on Sat Nov 5, 2022

On the Cardinal football podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, last Saturday for the Stanford Cardinal (3-6) wasn’t even a contest as the Cardinal absolutely got landslided by the Washington State Cougars (5-4) on their home field at Stanford Stadium 52-14.

#2 The Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee was running for daylight for most of the game as offensively he just couldn’t get anything going to come back in the second half of the game.

#3 Defensively the Cardinal couldn’t stop the Cougars who scored on all three of their first three possessions.

#4 The loss was Stanford’s sixth in eight games. For Cardinal head coach David Shaw this marks their losing record of 14-25 since 2018 their last winning season.

#5 Daniel, the Cardinal are on the way to face the mighty Utah Utes (7-2) the Utes have won three straight games and won their last game rather handedly 45-20 over the Arizona Wildcats. Stanford face Utah this Sat Nov 12th.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com