ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 4 Power Rankings

12. California Golden Bears

We’re just under a month into the season and California still does not appear to have a solidified identity.

Will the Golden Bears be a pest for experienced teams? Can coachWyking Jonesrecord wins over programs his team shouldn’t beat? Cal had opportunities to answer both questions in the past week and provided mixed answers, to a point where one can only scratch his or her head as a result.

Opening the week in Brooklyn against St. John’s for a ‘neutral-site’ showdown (Queens is 15 miles from the Barclays Center), the trio of sophomoresDarius McNeillandJustice Sueingalong with junior transferParis Austincombined for 57 points in a three-point loss to the Red Storm. Junior guardShamorie Pondscontinued a white-hot start to the year with a game-high 32 points.

Up next were the Temple Owls. Led by coachFran Dunphy, Temple is 5-1 and looking to get back into the NCAA Tournament after missing out in four of the past five seasons. Against the Owls, the Bears defense looked porous, giving up 54 percent shooting from the floor (including almost 68 percent in the second half) en route to a 76-59 loss.

But the Golden Bears shored up their efforts defensively against Santa Clara for a 78-66 win. Before heading to Moraga to face Saint Mary’s, Jones needs to find a way to managed the rebound margins better and mold Austin into the team’s full-time go-to option offensively.

–Zach Pekale

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