ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 15 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
12. California Golden Bears (5-18, 0-11 Pac-12)
It’s no secret: California’s 2018-19 season is now beyond repair. But slowly, the Golden Bears are seemingly improving.
This week, both of Cal’s defeats were by fewer than 12 points. In the first of those losses, a 73-62 loss to Oregon, the Golden Bears struggled where they have all year – defense.
Allowing a 54.7 percent clip from the field, Cal had no answer for Oregon’s offense. Of Oregon’s 29 field goals, 18 were assisted, displaying the Ducks’ crisp ball movement. Individually, Payton Pritchard was too much for the Golden Bears, scoring 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Additionally, the Ducks had no resistance on the glass. Oregon outrebounded Cal 33 to 23, and the Golden Bears allowed 6-foot-2 Pritchard to collect 10 boards. That’s not a good look.
Cal’s next contest – against Oregon State – was more of the same.
The Golden Bears allowed the Beavers to shoot 54.3 percent from the field. This efficient night carried Oregon State to a 79-71 win.
But what really killed the Golden Bears was fouls. As a team, Cal was called for 22 fouls, and four of its starters finished with three or more. On the ensuing Oregon State free-throw opportunities, the Beavers shot 82.1 percent from the line.
Following the losses, the Golden Bears are 0-11 in conference play and in danger of going winless in the Pac-12 season. But although this season hasn’t been pretty, the last three games have all been somewhat close, signaling signs of growth.
That said, it could be a while until Cal once again competes for the Pac-12 crown.