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Cal Bears Q&A
By Michael Duca January 12, 2008 |
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#1. Really now, is Coach Ben Braun seriously thinking of reducing or even benching DeVon Hardin for a large chunk of minutes after having a bad game against Oregon on Thursday? Hardin did have 2 points in 24 minutes in the Cal loss. No, I don't think "benching" is the right term -- he wants his big men to earn their minutes. Hardin had a fine game against Oregon State in a bounce back -- several blocks, eight boards, and he basically set the tone for the team at the start of both halves. #2. Cal 10-4 (1-2) is lacking the hitters that are needed to convert and going 14 points down in the first half against a rangy Oregon team didn't fare well for Cal. The Bears who were looking for the jump shot to go in all second half. What else did Cal miss on Thursday night's game besides the hoop? It's hard to say for certain. Hardin was lackluster; Anderson's shooting touch was left somewhere on I-5, and they still pulled even late in the game, then faltered badly down the stretch. Funny thing is, that happens to teams a lot at MacArthur Court -- maybe not the pulling even part, but faltering down the stretch. They hadn't played a road game in a long time (and really, truly only had played one all season, at Kansas State -- the Nevada game, while in front of a hostile crowd, wasn't the same as a road trip). It's a long season, and Pac-10 teams are going to beat each other senseless on the road. #3. Cal played Oregon State on Saturday afternoon just how important was this game and what impact did this game have on Cal's thinking going into their next game against Arizona State on Thursday night at Haas? I haven't a clue how it changes their thinking -- except that they are coming off a win rather than a loss. They have three home games in a row coming up, and they need to take advantage of the opportunity now, while it's available to them. They need to try to sweep these games in order to have a reasonable spot in the sweepstakes. |
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