ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 8 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
12. California Golden Bears (5-6) Last Week: 12
For each step California took in resilient victories over San Diego State and Cal Poly, last week’s results balked further progress.
On the heels of the Bears’ first two-game winning streak was a 22-point road loss to Fresno State. In that game, Cal let an eight-point lead eviscerate to a 12-point deficit by halftime, later surrendering a 12-4 run in the opening minutes of the second before a 95-73 loss.
The absence of 7-foot-3 inch Connor Vanover was significant. Sidelined with a concussion, the Bears lost an interior presence that allowed the Bulldogs to key in on perimeter threats Justice Sueing and Paris Austin.
The pair still combined for 40 points, but the fashion was not efficient. As a team, Cal shot 3-of-15 (20 percent) from the 3-point line, was outrebounded by nine (36-27) and surrendered 38 free throw attempts on the defensive end.
Vanover remained sidelined two nights later against San Jose State, but the Bears triumphed at home against the 3-8 Spartans. Despite getting outrebounded again, Cal found a winning effort thanks to 39 percent shooting from 3-point range and 16 points off the bench from Matt Bradley.
Going forward, Vanover’s health will be necessary for rebounding and depth. His averages may not speak it (4.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG) but his size opens a new dimension for this Cal team.
The Bears have one game this week – a home contest against Seattle University on Dec. 29. Then, they open Pac-12 play against USC on Jan. 3.