Section925 Podcast Ep 90 - J Chiang & B Wright
/Host Jason Chiang re-dials Brendan Wright to chat about the Warriors' statement win over Cleveland, the NFL Playoffs and the upcoming 2016 music festival season.
ZAGS Invade Moraga for Annual Rivalry Game at McKeon
/Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer presents an inside-outside threat on offense for the Zags. (Photo by William Mancebo)
By Connor Buestad | Connor@Section925.com
On Thursday night at 8pm, the Zags and Gaels will renew their storied rivalry on the hardwood in front of a nationally televised audience (ESPNU). Over the last decade, WCC fans have been spoiled with countless great games between these two clubs. Mark Few and Randy Bennett replenish their talent pool every year it seems, always ready to make an honest run at a WCC crown come March.
After last week's loss at home to BYU, Gonzaga has dropped out of the AP Top-25 for the first time in recent memory. At 6-1 in conference, they share the same WCC record as St. Mary's. Surprisingly, SMC received eight AP Top-25 votes to Gonzaga's five this week.*
To Mark Few's credit, the Zags four total losses this season are nothing to be ashamed of. Notorious for playing a treacherous non-conference schedule, this year's Gonzaga team has lost to (#25) Texas A&M, (#19) Arizona, UCLA, and BYU.
Traditionally a school known for relying on productive and exciting guards, this year's version of the Zags hinges more on their inside presence. With guards Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. gone, the face of their program is now 6'10" senior Kyle Wiltjer (22ppg), who is a dynamic offensive scorer who will be tough to contain for the Gaels. Wiltjer is flanked down low by Domantas Sabonis (Arvydas' son), a hefty big man who has a polished offensive skill set, similar to his father.
Countering the Zags' two-headed monster will be a surprising Gaels team led by, you guessed it, a crop of crafty Australians. Emmett Naar and Dane Pineau lead an offense that is shooting a Warriors-esque 46% from three-point land. Sophomore Aussie Jock Landale has also come on strong as of late, winning WCC Player of the Week honors following his 7-for-7, 24-point performance on Thursday versus UOP.
The Gaels only bad loss this year came on the road at Pepperdine, falling to Waves in Malibu by three. Randy Bennett's only other blemish this year was a hard fought four-point loss at CAL, a game in which the upstart Gaels earned a great deal of respect from Cuonzo Martin.
As we now approach late January, there is not a single Mid-Major in the Top-25. It is rare that Gonzaga makes their trip to Moraga without at number next to their name, so you have to believe the McKeon Pavilion faithful will be smelling blood in the water on Thursday night. Adam Morrison certainly isn't walking through that door...
* Section925 has yet to earn a voting seat at the Associated Press table.
Believe the Hype: Lady Mats Roll Over Mater Dei 65-47 at St. Mary's MLK Showcase
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(Photo courtesy of Miramonte Girls Basketball)
By Josh Hunsucker | @jphunsucker
The center of the girls high school hoops universe may be in Stockton, California but Saturday night that universe revolved around Sabrina Ionescu and the Miramonte Matadors. St. Mary’s High School, the No. 1 girls basketball team in America, has hosted the MLK Showcase since 2008. This showcase pits some of the best teams from Northern California against the best Southern California has to offer. The MLK Showcase features a two-day slate of 17 games and this year included nine McDonald All-American nominees.
The Mats, No. 2 in the state and No. 6 in America by the arbitrary ranking poll I subscribe to, matched up against No. 4 (CA) Mater Dei in the weekend’s highest profile game (and a battle of identical Nike stamp unis). Not surprisingly, the host St. Mary’s players and coaches watched and scouted intently as they are no strangers to either team. The Rams beat Miramonte in the NorCal Open Final last year and beat the Monarchs in the State Open Final.
The contrast of styles was clear from the first pass of Miramonte’s four-corners warm-up. The Mats wanted to pressure and run and the Monarchs wanted to grind. The first half can be best described by one word utter over and over again, pace. For the first 16 minutes of play the Mats ramped up the pace of the game forcing countless turnovers by playing at track meet speed. Miramonte coach Kelly Sopak’s substitution pattern more closely resembled the basketball equivalent of two-minute hockey lines. The constant rotation of guards enabled the Mats to maintain the relentless pressure.
Ionescu did not disappoint either. From the opening tip she started off fast, driving and dropping a no-look dish Uriah Howard on the opening possession. A step back three got the decidedly non-partisan crowd ooooing and awwwwing as Mater Dei was forced to call a time out with the lead ballooning to 12-4.
The pressure continued, which frustrated Mater Dei and didn’t allow them to effectively get the ball to UCLA commit Allyson Rosenblum in the low post. With a 21-8 first quarter lead the Mats continued to hit the nitro button. The Mats seemed to improve upon their push and press style in a way only Nolan Richardson and Corey Beck would truly appreciate. Midway through the second quarter the Monarchs were shell shocked, gazing in disbelief around the gym following back-to-back turnovers, literally asking themselves, “what is happening?”
With a halftime lead of 40-18, the Mats effectively put the game into cruise control. The damage of the pressure was done. Mater Dei looked tired. Their shooting percentage and lack of urgency to climb back into the game confirmed that outward appearance. Every Monarch mini-third quarter run was stymied by timely threes from Clair Steele and Keana Delos Santos. Meanwhile Ionescu continued to facilitate the dismantling of Mater Dei to the delight of the crowd: “that girl can play,” “20 got game,” and my personal favorite “don’t get crossed up…ooooh here it comes…[Ionescu hitting cross over step back three and crowd falling over themselves] I tried to warn you, 20’s coming for you.”
In the waning seconds of the game, up by almost 20, Ionescu put her signature stamp on the game. Taking the ball at the near midcourt, she stalked her opponent, pacing slowly forward and crossing the ball through her legs. Then a hard push left, a hard push right, pause, cross, step-back, splash, and the game was over. Ionescu finished with a game high 26 and the Mats cruised to a 65-47 win.
The win moved the Mats up to 4 in national rankings but more importantly the victory was a statement win. The state championship may end against SoCal but all roads run through Stockton. The Mats and Rams have met in the five times in the last ten years in the NorCal playoffs and appear to be on a collision course again this year. Saturday night’s win was a shot across the bow to St. Mary’s that said we’ll see you in March and, like the Mats shooting shirts read, “Believe the Hype.”
Section925 Small Batch Podcast - Nate Weidner on the Chip Kelly Hire
/49ers season ticket holder Nate Weidner joins Connor to hash out the pros and cons of the recent Chip Kelly hire. Nate also weighs in on Joe Montana vs. Tom Brady and tells us his chances of winning the Super Bowl tickets lottery.
49ers Fumbling On Search For A New Head Coach
/(Photo by Ezra Shaw)
By Devin Wright | @TheRealReno
My head hurts and it's swimming with questions right now. Unfortunately, the Niners abysmal coaching search is to blame for all of this, I'm afraid. One moment they seem to have a coach locked up, the next they are interviewing someone's grandfather for the position. By now, I'm having a hard time keeping up with Ian Rapoport, Tim Kawikami, and Mike Silver. With things still very much up in the air, lets take a minute to unpack how we got to where we are today with the 49ers search for a new team leader.
The Monday after the last game of the season, hermit owner Jed York finally spoke with the local media. Jed announced that he was firing rent-a-coach Jim Tomsula after a nightmare 5-11 season, and that the Niners would spare no cost in conducting a search to hire a new coach. One that would return the Niners back to their glory years...of two years ago.
Jed said that he would step aside and allow Trent Baalke and his staff to conduct this search. Odd thing was, the guy running this search was not even at the presser. Hermit doesn't even begin to describe Trent Baalke, but not having the guy who is running the latest disastrous coaching search is beyond odd. Unfortunately, it's how things get done in Niners Land these days.
Quick side note: Trent was later made available to the media that day. When asked about his contract he said he had no idea when the last time he had signed one, or when the contract expired. Local beat reporter Ann Killion was quick to point out that he signed an extension last year that ran until 2018. Trent said he didn't know that. Needless to say this is a total lie to the face of local writers and the public. I point this out because this is the kind of guy the team has placed trust in to make possibly the biggest hire in team history.
The 49ers first spoke with Chip Kelly, the hot name on the market and I believe the coach the fans want the most. Fans like the idea of Chip, his innovative offense, and what he might be able to do with Colin Kapernick. Of course, this meeting didn't go well and I'll make a few assumptions as to why.
1. Chip is known as an odd duck, and as we know, Baalke is a really odd duck. The two of them together seems flammable.
2. Chip had a lot of say in the roster in Philly. Needless to say his moves were terrible, but I believe he still thinks they were the right moves. When a coach gets roster power, it's tough to give it up in his next job. It is doubtful that Baalke would budge.
3. Chip probably mentioned that he wanted to keep Kap on the roster and thinks he could turn Kap back into a star. That is the last thing York and Baalke want to hear. After blaming Kap for the way this season went (first the benching, then not allowing him on the sidelines after shoulder surgery), the 49ers seem to want nothing to do with Kap or his salary.
Next the team talked with Hue Jackson of the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday after the Bengals gut wrenching loss to the Steelers. After a 5 hour meeting, reports came out that Hue was the Niners' number one choice. This was odd considering that Jed, in his press conference, had mentioned that he did not know any sources of leaks to the national media. Just another example of how things work in Santa Clara. Say one thing, do another. Always lie with a bold face.
After texting with a few Niner faithful, people seemed really excited about Jackson. He led an explosive offense in Cincy (even though they were mediocre just last season), and coached Andy Dalton to his most productive season ever. All signs were pointing to our next coach being signed soon.
Of course like most things with this front office, nothing goes according plan, and scramble mode typically goes into effect. Jackson interviewed with Cleveland, and agreed to another meeting with the New York Giants, which is viewed as the most desirable vacancy right now.
So Jed and Trent went to plan B, C, or even D, which was to interview 69 year-old former Giants coach Tom Coughlin. Now Coughlin is indeed a great coach. He has won two Super Bowls, players love him, and he gets a lot out of them. But age is certainly a factor here. Why hire a coach just to have to go through all of this again in a few years? Again, this is York and Baalke only seeing what is right in front of them and and failing to take the more prudent longview.
...(looks at Twitter)
Well now the 49ers are claiming they are slow playing Hue Jackson and are willing to hire others if he does not make a decision soon.
Again, the 49ers Faithful are left to scratch their heads during all of this. It just seems like ownership cannot make a plan that works or one that they can stick to. It should be noted that so far, only one coaching vacancy has been filled up to this point, and that owner meeting about the Rams/Raiders/Chargers move to LA has slowed things down a bit (congrats Raiders fans for one more year in Oakland).
I do not think anyone has any idea how this process is going to turn out. The only thing we do know is that it isn't going to go smooth and a bumpy ride should be expected. One day I hope to wake up from this nightmare. Hopefully sooner than later.
*Note: As of this (Wednesday) morning Hue Jackson has been hired by Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Niners have said that are done interviewing candidates for the time being. Ugh.
Here’s the audio from @957thegame today when I spoke with @GuyHaberman
and @JohnMiddlekauff about the #49ers. https://t.co/gGq0FpArLV
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 13, 2016Hello, World!
FIFA Crowns The World's Best Footballers of 2015
/Carli Lloyd and Lionel Messi clutch some FIFA hardware (photo by Philipp Schmidli)
By Bryan Maag | @HalfBAM
The international soccer calendar is officially in the books, and tonight at Congress Hall in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA handed out its end of the year awards in a relatively toned down black-tie affair. The three male BALLON D’OR invitees were Lionel Messi (F.C. Barcelona), Christiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), and Neymar De Silva (F.C. Barcelona). The female nominees included Aya Miyama (Japan), Carli Lloyd (United States), and Celia Sasic (Germany).
The FIFA awards are always a bit awkward due to the vast amounts of nationalities and languages that are thrown together in one room. Everyone in the audience is outfitted with an earpiece while the British hosts deliver slow pre-approved jokes to a reception of awkward laughter.
This year was a tough one for the powers that rule over soccer, and the usual pomp and circumstance was missing in this year’s awards. The biggest news has been the indictments handed down to FIFA members for corruption and greed. Due to these criminal proceedings we are seeing a glimpse into the lives of the men behind the scenes of soccer. Unsurprisingly, Sepp Blatter and Michael Platini were two notable figureheads that were not in attendance this year.
The 2015 soccer campaign brought us various record breaking performances. Chile showed some amazing fortitude in defending their home soil to take home their first Copa America crown in the tournament’s 99 year history. Barcelona became the first European team to successfully win two European trebles which included the Copa America, La Liga and Champions League trophies. They topped off their season with a club world cup championship. The United States won a fantastic Women’s World Cup in Canada on artificial turf. Other notable moments were Chelsea securing the Premier League Crown, Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga and Juventus retained their Serie A trophy.
Today’s FIFA winners were well deserved. Carli Lloyd took home her first Women’s trophy and the first U.S. women since Abby Wambach in 2012. Lionel Messi took home his record fifth trophy after his stellar club team wins, yet still had to deal with another Argentina national team disappointment, losing in the Copa America final over the summer.
The 2016 soccer calendar is packed and Section925 is ecstatic to help bring it to light. Some notable competitions to follow this year will be the British Premier League (NBC Sports), La Liga (BeIn TV), Champions League (Fox), European Championships (ESPN), Olympics (NBC), MLS, and the Copa America Centennial, which will be hosted here in the United States.
From Avaya Stadium in San Jose to pitches across the pond and throughout the rest of the world, the coming year surely will not disappoint.
Section925 Podcast Ep 89 - Theo Robertson
/Golden State Warriors' Video Coordinator Theo Robertson stops by the Section925 Podcenter to talk with Tripper. Raised in Pittsburgh, California, Theo's basketball journey led him to De La Salle High School to play for Brian Sullivan and Frank Allocco. The Excel Basketball Camp Hall of Fame inductee then starred at CAL for four years, making multiple NCAA tournament appearances. Today, he is a member of the Warriors' championship coaching staff...
"The Magic Theory" - Is Draymond Green a Forgotten Son of the Showtime Lakers?
/Father and son? Or nah?
(A letter to the editor):
It's obvious that there are similarities in their games. Beyond the high hoops IQ, both Magic Johnson and Draymond Green can/could guard 1-5, play 1-5, run the "showtime" fast break, talk trash in a colorful and funny way, rack up triple-doubles, and generally be the most likable person on and off the court. They're both leaders, talkers, and dynamic tone-setters. It's been noted over and over that their personalities and games have serious parallels that can't be ignored.
But it doesn't stop there. They both have the Michigan State connection, philanthropy ties, and several instances where Magic has called Draymond "mini-Magic". Let's also note that there really isn't a father figure in Draymond's life. His MSU bio references some guy Wallace Davis, but we never see him or hear about him at all. And now it gets weird:
Draymond was conceived between June 1 and June 7, 1989. And where was Magic during that time? In Detroit, Michigan, pre-HIV diagnosis, getting swept by the Pistons in the '89 finals. MAGIC WAS IN TOWN WHEN DRAYMOND WAS CONCEIVED! And we know he was getting down with everyone at that time in his life.
Of course I realize how strange this theory is, but I can't shake the idea that it might be true. Add to the craziness that I "friended" Mary Tootoo Babers on FB, and I've been commenting on her posts in passively suggestive ways about her son's true paternity. It's time to take it off the social media angles and give Section925 this hot take to run with. Let me know how I can help...
- Chris Norton, San Francisco
Research credits to: Devin Wright, Ardian Zagari, Beau Delmore, Jason Friedman.
Section925 Podcast Ep 87 - The Roguecast is Back
/Josh (@jphunsucker) brings back his one-man pod and talks misplaced outrage at the Stanford Band, Jed York's press conference, Draymond Green's back-to-back-to-back triple doubles, the No. 4 women's basketball recruit in America aka Miramonte's Sabrina Ionescu, the re-booted running man celebration in college football, and opens the text line to take on obscure questions like what to do in an armed robbery and who to blame tent farts on.
Section925 Podcast Ep 86 - "The Battery" with Alex Jensen & Brett Thomas
/Saint Mary's basketball radio broadcaster Alex Jensen checks in with Brett Thomas for the second edition of "The Battery." The East Bay tandem discuss the Warriors' magical season, the state of the 49ers and the CAL Bears and Stanford Cardinal resounding bowl victories.
Oakland Great Dave Henderson Passes Away at 57
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By Connor Buestad | Connor@Section925.com
If one was forced to sum up Dave Henderson’s life in one sentence, perhaps his custom autograph signature would be a good place to start: “Hendu, still having fun.”
Henderson enjoyed a 14-year Major League career playing for five teams, but in just six seasons as an Athletic, Hendu was able to win over a fan base forever in Oakland.
Surely, the love for Hendu can be traced back to his performance on the field, as the center fielder helped lead the A’s to three straight World Series appearances and a 1989 sweep of SF in the Bay Bridge Series. But the deeper strains of love for Hendu can be attributed to the way he approached the game of baseball. How he never played without a smile on his face, how he engaged the fans in the outfield bleachers, how he quietly helped shepherd the Bash Brother’s through all the ups and downs.
As most A’s fans would admit, Hendu’s most indelible mark on a baseball field was made in 1986 in a Boston Red Sox uniform. It was the ALCS and Boston was on the road, down 3-1 in the series to the California Angels. With two outs, Hendu strode to the plate against shut-down closer Donnie Moore. With two strikes, Hendu somehow slugged a two-run homer to send the game into extra innings, where Boston would win both the game and eventually the series.
The homer still is alive and well in baseball lore, considered widely as one of the most clutch swings of the bat in the game’s history. There was Hendu, with the weight of the Curse of the Bambino square on his shoulders, swinging for the fences with two-strikes in the ninth. His post homer celebration was not a modern day “pimp-job” popular today. Instead Hendu leapt as high as he could, spinning in the air like a little leaguer. Smiling the whole time. Announcer Al Michaels’ television call was perfect, “You’re looking at one for the ages here,” he proclaimed.
After a short 15-game pit-stop in San Francisco, Henderson arrived across the bay in Oakland, where it didn’t take long for him to become a fan favorite. Number 42 wasn’t your prototypical speedster in center field, but Hendu and his large-frame still managed to cover all the necessary real estate in the expansive Coliseum outfield.
Oakland bleacher creatures quickly took kindly to Hendu and his positive outfield vibes. Multiple fan clubs adorned the Oakland-Alameda County Colisuem including “HENDULAND” and “Hendu’s Bad Boy Club.” After catching the final out of an inning, you could always count on Hendu to feed his fans with a souvenir baseball, accompanied by his signature gap-toothed smile.
“The thing that stood out was his attitude. There wasn’t a stadium we went to where he didn’t have the center field fans going crazy. He really had respect and appreciation for the game. People talk about all the big hits and the World Series, but to me, it was that great attitude he brought every day. He would instantly pick you up, put you in the right frame of mind, get you going.”
During the A’s heyday, Hendu often hit second. Hitting behind the likes of Rickey Henderson and in front of Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, Henderson was left happily “hitting cookies” as he described it. For three straight seasons (1988-1990) Hendu helped take the A’s to the Fall Classic. On the biggest stage, Hendu was clutch. Proving that his famous Boston homer wasn’t a fluke, Henderson hit .298 during his postseason appearances, well above his career average. In the A’s World Series sweep of the Giants, Hendu blasted two homers in one game at Candlestick. Again, all with a smile on his face.
Hendu was not only a terrific player and teammate, he was also a family man who cared for his son Chase who suffers from Angelman Syndrome, a neuro-genetic disorder. “Hendu’s Bad Boy Club for Angleman Syndrome” was one of Henderson’s charity events to help support his son and the larger community affected.
There will never be another Hendu, and there will never be another team like the 1989 Oakland A’s. It is a shame that arguably the most uplifting and positive person from that championship team was one of the first to pass away. Even though Hendu is gone, he leaves behind a legacy in Oakland that won’t soon be forgotten. Thank you for the memories, Hendu.
Ken Rosenthal’s Hall of Fame Ballot Changeup
/Barry Bonds is hoping his alleged steroid use won't keep him out of Cooperstown
By LeAnne Harris
It's the dead of the off-season, and while the stove is cooling, we're still months away from Opening Day. There is no baseball to watch, and if you're anything like me, you've got the iconic Rangers-Jays Seventh Inning playing in the background while you're refreshing your twitter feed every eleven seconds, giving yourself enough time to read an A's beat writer's response to a quirky fan comment and an article on a Barry Bonds vote to the Hall of Fame by Ken Rosenthal.
Wait, Ken Rosenthal did what?
That's right. Kenny Bowties did the unthinkable. For the first time in their three years of eligibility, Rosenthal included Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in his Hall of Fame Ballot.
Rosenthal outlined several excellent points in this article released last night, discussing his recent motion to include the two players. Along the thoughts of cheating and authenticity, Rosenthal states: "I no longer could justify snubbing two of the greatest players of this era." Rosenthal then explains that if a player has faced accusations yet was still inducted to the Hall of Fame, there is still no proof that they did not engage in PED use. So why is it considered a crime for Bonds and Clemens to be elected?
The morality behind inducting possible PED users is more so an argument of authenticity. As Rosenthal wrote, "suspicion alone is not enough to withhold a vote from a player who hasn't admitted to PED use, never tested positive to public knowledge, never been the subject of a government investigation." And though we may be fully aware that both Bonds and Clemens were subjects in government trials, does that give them less of a right to be inducted if the charges were dropped?
Whether you agree that both players should be in the HOF or that they are cheaters and should be recognized as cheaters, having Ken Rosenthal's votes are just as important in the long run as other voters. We see and hear Ken Rosenthal everywhere, and one could only imagine the impact he may have on his voting brethren.
Rosenthal is the main, credible source we have for trades and news, and his ability to report such news allows for us baseball fans to see him as a familiar, comforting face when it comes to baseball. He made such a substantial decision on reversing his previous statements on adding both Bonds and Clemens to his ballot, which can be either judged as noble or cowardly among fans and other players. Both Bonds and Clemens have names that are tarnished for the rest of their lives, regardless of the numbers they put up during their careers; and while Rosenthal still feels conflicted after submitting his ballot, he understands the frustrating and contradictory point.
With such a big, influential reporter admitting his uncertainty on one of the biggest baseball scandals of the decade, it may show other voters in the future, if he is not inducted from the 2016 ballot, that it is okay to place a vote for him. We could possibly have one of the best, biggest, and baddest entertainers in the history of baseball inducted into the Hall of Fame, and for that, I am juiced.
Section925 Podcast Episode 85 – J Torchio and Chris Hawkins
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Christian Mccaffrey finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. (Photo Michael Macor)
Insider J Torchio and repeat pod offender Chris Hawkins break down the Armed Forces and Rose Bowl and toast Josh from the 209 in this final college football pod of the season.
CAL Hoops Heads to Virginia to Face the ACC's Elite
/Redshirt Senior Malcolm Brogdon and head coach Tony Bennett have the Cavaliers ranked 5th in the nation through ten games. (photo by Mitch Stringer)
By Connor Buestad | Connor@Section925.com
For anyone who has been around Cuonzo Martin, heard him talk in a press conference, or even just watched him patrol the sidelines on television, he certainly has never come across as a man who is risk adverse or afraid of a challenge. The East St. Louis native and cancer survivor seems to radiate confidence and a killer instinct whenever he sets foot in the gym. On Tuesday night in Virginia, Coach Martin will have himself one of the biggest challenges he could expect to find in regular season major college basketball. And he couldn’t be happier to accept it.
Surely, when Coach Martin circled December 22nd on his calendar, he expected his Bears would be flying out to Virginia as a ranked team. Unfortunately, CAL’s nationally hyped, high-flying attack has weathered some turbulence through the first third of the season. Largely due to an inability to break down zone defenses with dependable outside shooting options, the Bears find themselves south of the top-25, without a victory against a ranked opponent.
Tuesday night in front of a nationally televised audience (ESPN2, 6pm) will be just the kind of resume building opportunity coach Martin is searching for at this point in the year. It will come against a top-5 team in Virginia. A team many are expecting to win the stacked ACC and have a good shot at reaching the Final Four in Houston. Vegas experts are expecting the home Cavaliers to win by a comfortable 12-point margin.
It should be interesting to see CAL play the role of underdog for the first time this season. At least on paper, the Bears have one of the most talented teams in the country and were granted a top 15 ranking to begin the year. But with losses to San Diego State and Richmond, as well as close calls against Wyoming, St. Mary’s and even the University of the Incarnate Word, CAL has been humbled early. Now with less than 12 weeks until Selection Sunday, it’s about time the Bears put the engine into high gear if they expect to do any sort of damage come March.
As mentioned, CAL’s woes have largely stemmed from a lack of shooting touch. For starters, freshman phenom Jaylen Brown has only managed to knock down nine 3-pointers during the first 11 games. Senior Tyrone Wallace leads the team in scoring with 16ppg, but has only made 60% of his free throws. As a whole, against a soft schedule, CAL has only shot 33% from three point land. By now, teams are consistently sitting back in zone defenses, forcing the Bears to slow down and prove their ability to knock down shots from distance.
On the bright side, Coach Martin’s team has proven they can get stops on defense and their offense has been spread out among many weapons, with all five starters routinely finishing in double figures. On top of that, CAL’s overall speed and athleticism has been spectacular to watch at times. The Bears will need to tap into this raw talent when they take the floor on Tuesday night.
Cuonzo Martin is in his second season in Berkeley after finding success at both Missouri State and the University of Tennessee. (photo by Ezra Shaw)
In a somewhat quiet, methodical way, University of Virginia head coach Tony Bennett has turned the Cavaliers into a basketball power. Traditionally an also-ran in the ACC, Bennett has lead UVA to back-to-back 30-win seasons in Charlottesville. This is an eye-popping accomplishment when you consider Bennett’s league schedule consists of Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Louisville. Somehow, Bennett was able to guide his squad to a 16-2 record in the ACC last year, all without one McDonald’s All-American on his roster (CAL currently sports three).
Before moving east, Tony Bennett took over for his dad Dick Bennett at Washington State. Challenged with the task of recruiting and winning in Pullman, Bennett was still able to find success and was eventually courted by an ACC school. Fast forward seven years and Bennett is one of the hottest young coaches in basketball, making more than $2 million a year and challenging the likes of Krzyzewski, Boeheim, Pitino, and Williams year in and year out.
Bennett’s 2015-16 Cavaliers are extremely skilled and experienced, led primarily by senior guard Malcolm Brogdon and senior forward Anthony Gill. Brogdon, who goes by the nickname “Humble Moses” leads the team in scoring with 17-a-game while shooting above 40% from 3-point land.
Athletic, skilled and well coached, the Cavaliers will pose the toughest challenge for Coach Martin’s Bears so far this season, if not all year. Will this road test expose CAL as an over-hyped team who doesn’t quite know how to utilize its widespread talent? Or, perhaps the Bears will use the opportunity to show the Andy Katz’s and Joe Lundardi’s of the world that Berkeley hoops is deserving of some hype after all. One has to believe Coach Martin will have his team ready for the bright lights and the big challenge that awaits in ACC country.
Jabari Bird and the rest of the CAL Bears must connect from distance if they expect to beat fifth ranked UVA. (photo by Ezra Shaw)
Proposed Warriors' SF Arena Presents Various Obstacles
/This new Mission Bay arena next to UCSF medical center would potentially open for the Warriors' 2018-19 season. (Photo via MANICA Architecture)
By Julian O’Donnell (Sec925 High School Correspondent)
When I first heard about the Golden State Warriors’ plan to build a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown San Francisco, I was ecstatic. They were finally going to be moving back under the bright lights of San Francisco, inside a brand new building that could help attract the best free agents in the NBA.
This arena, which will seat 18,000 fans, will be built a few blocks south of AT&T Park in the Mission Bay district, a rapidly developing area of San Francisco. On paper, it looks like an illustrious plan and seems like the right move for an organization that deserves to put arguably the best team in the NBA into a potentially top-of-the-line arena.
Yet, as the plan gained more traction, critics began to condemn the proposed plan. Although I originally looked at these protests as attempts to prevent my favorite team from moving to San Francisco, I soon came to consider these questions as actual problems that would arise in building this new arena.
The most important issue that stands in the way of this project is the concern of traffic, and the added congestion it will bring to San Francisco. I drive into San Francisco often, and the traffic is suffocating, especially on the freeways you merge into one once you hit downtown. One of the many reasons for this sudden influx of people in the city is because of new businesses, mainly tech companies that are moving their offices into the downtown district of San Francisco.
On one hand, the rush of workers into the city is beneficial as it generates economic and structural development. Yet, when you are bringing a business, such as the Golden State Warriors, into San Francisco, you are adding more people to the second most densely populated city in America behind New York City. It has a capacity limit that it is drawing closer every year.
Another problematic reason for building this arena is the loss of loyal fans from the East Bay who have supported the team through thick and thin. The congestion that a new arena brings to a city repels fans from the East Bay who are trying to get into a city that is gridlocked. Two hours to get into San Francisco? Not many fans would be willing to do that.
Will the Warriors be able to duplicate the energy inside "Roaracle" if and when they move to SF? (photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant)
With a loss of fans who have become synonymous with the Warriors brand, the team might play differently with a new fan base. So why change an arrangement that has worked out so well in recent years? The answer lies in economic growth.
Despite the negatives of building this arena, it will promote even more growth for an economy that changes everyday with the influx of businesses. The monetary benefits will trickle down and benefit many, just as it did with the Giants and AT&T Park up the street.
Before the Giants moved into their present ballpark, that area was lifeless. It was used as a dump, and served no purpose in the city. Building the ballpark in this “dead area” let businesses grow in the surrounding plots of land, which were deemed desolate as well.
Now looking at that area, you would never guess it was once a ignored corner of the city. With restaurants, housing, and places of business, the area surrounding AT&T Park is booming and that is what the owners of the Warriors want to happen, a stadium that will grow the area surrounding it.
So where does that leave us?
The Golden State Warriors have just bought the piece of land that will be used to build the arena. We can all assume construction will begin shortly. Now, a countdown to the end of Oracle Arena will have to begin.
I think it is worthy to note that the initial drawings of the new arena, although very modern and sleek, remind me very much of a toilet. Could this be a sign of things to come for this project? Maybe.
In spite of all my critiques of the new arena, I have to welcome the project with an open mind. The best team in the NBA will be moving into the one of the smallest cities in America. For the sake of everybody, I hope this turns out all right.
Julian O'Donnell is a staff writer for The Acalanes Blueprint in Lafayette, California. Find more of his work here.
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OT Sterling Strother, assistant coach Matt Keeperman, RB/LB Jack Cassidy, head coach Kevin Macy, and DB Devin Regan all appear on the show. Campo vs. La Mirada will take place on Saturday night at 6pm at a southern California stadium to be determined.
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Section925 Podcast Ep 83 - Basketball Insider Jon Wheeler
/Former CAL basketball player and coach Jon Wheeler returns to the show to offer his hoop insight. Wheeler shares stories about his days on the court with Sean Elliott, Reggie Miller and Steve Kerr. JW also previews Saturday's St. Mary's at California game in Berkeley.
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/First time host Jason Chiang dials up Dubs season ticket holder Brendan Wright to discuss Golden State's historic start.
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