Cal is 24-9 on the year (finished 13-5 in the Pac-12) are just 5-6 away from California and are 2-2 on neutral sites. Cal averages 71.1 points per game and allows just 61.8 points per game as well. They typically run with a 4-guard set and like to run up and down the court with an up-tempo. The Bulls will have to slow the pace of the game, win the battle in the paint, and make the shots when they get them. Let's see what the Golden Bears bring to the court.
Cal is led by sophomore guard Allen Crabbe (6-6 205-pounds) who is averaging 15.3 points per game (shooting 40% from 3-point range), 5.7 rebounds per game, has 18 steals, and 19 blocks as well, using his size well while running at a guard position. Senior guard Jorge Gutierrez (6-3 195-pounds) who is averaging 13.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and has 39 steals on the year, showing his aggressive nature on defense.
Sophomore guard Justin Cobbs (6-2 195-pounds) is averaging 12.9 points per game (shooting 41% from 3-point range), 5 assists per game, and has 35 steals on the year as well, giving the Bears a strong backcourt (with Gutierrez) that will pressure USF and will force them to deal with their tempo and offensive attack approach. Senior forward Harper Kamp (6-8 245-pounds) is averaging 11.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game, giving the Bears their primary presence in the paint and will challenge the USF frontline for rebounds. Freshman forward David Kravish (6-9 210-pounds) is averaging 7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Junior forward Robert Thurman (6-10 255-pounds) is averaging 3.8 points per game and 1.9 rebounds per game and senior guard Brandon Smith (5-11 185-pounds) is averaging 2.9 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game off the bench.
So what can we expect in this game? Cal is a very balanced team, running with multiple guards in their starting 5, letting their big man control the paint. They run a quick tempo, but run half court sets, playing smart basketball, making the correct passes and working for open shots. They are a smart team, take high percentage shots and will move the ball around. The Bulls will need to pressure them on defense, forcing them into taking bad shots, challenging them on the rim, and getting after the guards for steals.
Cal is led by sophomore guard Allen Crabbe (6-6 205-pounds) who is averaging 15.3 points per game (shooting 40% from 3-point range), 5.7 rebounds per game, has 18 steals, and 19 blocks as well, using his size well while running at a guard position. Senior guard Jorge Gutierrez (6-3 195-pounds) who is averaging 13.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and has 39 steals on the year, showing his aggressive nature on defense.
Sophomore guard Justin Cobbs (6-2 195-pounds) is averaging 12.9 points per game (shooting 41% from 3-point range), 5 assists per game, and has 35 steals on the year as well, giving the Bears a strong backcourt (with Gutierrez) that will pressure USF and will force them to deal with their tempo and offensive attack approach. Senior forward Harper Kamp (6-8 245-pounds) is averaging 11.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game, giving the Bears their primary presence in the paint and will challenge the USF frontline for rebounds. Freshman forward David Kravish (6-9 210-pounds) is averaging 7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Junior forward Robert Thurman (6-10 255-pounds) is averaging 3.8 points per game and 1.9 rebounds per game and senior guard Brandon Smith (5-11 185-pounds) is averaging 2.9 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game off the bench.
So what can we expect in this game? Cal is a very balanced team, running with multiple guards in their starting 5, letting their big man control the paint. They run a quick tempo, but run half court sets, playing smart basketball, making the correct passes and working for open shots. They are a smart team, take high percentage shots and will move the ball around. The Bulls will need to pressure them on defense, forcing them into taking bad shots, challenging them on the rim, and getting after the guards for steals.
For the Bulls on offense, it has been a struggle at times to find consistency. Anthony Collins has stepped up his shooting, but he will need the go-to players such as Gilchrist (under double digits for 9 straight games now), Rudd, and Anderson to get the offense going. Fitzpatrick and Poland will add the spark from the bench, but the team has to make their shots early and often because Cal can make their shots with great consistency and the Bulls just can't fall behind early.
This game is going to be close. The Bulls are full of energy and with their suffocating style of defense, it will be a lower scoring game and with execution, intensity, and a little luck, the Bulls might be able to pull the win out.
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