I’ll be flipping between the other 3 games at commercials, and typing out random comments on our game. I have a friend in the JAG Corps in the Bay Area, and he’s seen Cal play several times. He assures me that Powe is the real deal, and that the rest of the squad is “solid.” We’ve had trouble controlling legitimate star players, especially in the low post (see Hansbrough, Tyler), so we’ll need to see better defense – preferably a junk D or two, even – if we want to win.
I honestly don’t know what to expect tonight, although my gut says to expect an extreme – either the best game in 2 months, or a very ugly performance.
Back to the topic everyone has talked about all week. How about the solid fit between Sendek and the newly vacant Iowa State job? The Cyclones are finishing off another pseudo-scandal, and a guy who can make the NCAAT and maintain a clean image would seemingly appeal to them. Perhaps as interesting – ESPN is reporting that Loius Orr might be on the way out at Seton Hall. The geographic fit there would be good, with Sendek’s NY recruiting contacts.
7:09 – We’ll get to see a few minutes of George Mason vs. Michigan State. You’ll know Roy Boy has a deal with the devil if Mason pulls this one out and paves the way for a Tarheel Sweet Sixteen (UNC’s nightmare matchup, at least after BC, is Michigan State).
7:14 – Great, the dumb ass Masters commercials are back. Look, everybody who likes to watch golf already knows when it will be on. The rest of us don’t care, and never will. At least no “Spring Break Shark Attack” promos this year.
7:19 – At least we won’t have Dan Boner or Bill Raftery tonight. Gavin Grant has been playing so well of late that he’s no longer starting. Figures.
7:22 – Wow, is that ever one empty arena.
7:23 – Powe is going to get Big Ced in foul trouble. Mark it down.
7:25 – Good patience on offense so far. Really liked Cam taking the open mid-range jumper. That should be available all day. 9-7 Cal at the first stoppage.
7:29 – Big Ced is involved early on. That’s a very good sign.
7:30 – The defense has been better, too. Where is Gavin?
7:34 – Ced with authority!
7:39 – Somebody must have hit a three. CBS has cut away.
7:40 – 16-13 now. Fascinating coverage of MSU timeout.
7:41 – It was Fells with the three. Wow. He adds a free throw for 4 total.
7:42 – Ced is a man possessed tonight.
7:45 – This is a much better played game than the 2003 meeting. Unfortunately, Cal has figured out that Ced is our only legitimate low-post defender. That is an exploitable weakness.
7:50 – Fells and McCauley have combined for 6 of our 21 points.
7:51 – At least it seems like we’ll make Cal beat us, rather than just laying down and crapping ourselves.
7:56 – Silly foul by Ced. We didn’t need that. His THIRD, too.
7:58 – We need to keep the margin under 5 at the half. If we do that, I like our chances. It’s kind of sad that my expectations have been dulled so much that I’m excited about us not playing dead in an NCAAT game.
8:02 – The lead is 4, each team will get 1 more possession. This is a key stretch. It would be great to only be down 1 or 2. 6 or 7 would be a danger sign.
8:03 – The announcer thinks we’ll go 2 for 1. Ha!
8:05 – We dodge a bullet as Powe finally misses. This game is a 50/50 proposition now. Cal 29, State 25 at the break.
8:10 – I know many will disagree, but Packer and Nantz are as good as it gets in college hoops broadcasting. It would be sweet to hear them call Albany upsetting UConn. The Danes only trail by 1 at the half.
8:35 – I have a good feeling right now. Still 4 points, but we look better.
8:39 – Big Ced, doing all the work on O.
8:43 – Cal is playing much better defense in the 2nd half. That’s the difference right now. Still, one good spurt, and we can take control.
8:46 – We can’t give Powe 3 chances.
8:50 – Tie game. Told you I had a good feeling. We need to keep up the pressure, Cal seems confused.
8:54 – First Pack lead in forever.
8:56 – Wow. Missing out on extending to 5 could be big. We still have all the momentum. Powe is the only Bear who is looking to score.
9:00 – Miracle shot of the year. Bethel returns the favor.
9:01 – Pack brimming with confidence. I’m close to calling this one.
9:02 – Just look at this defense!
9:04 – This is Cal’s run. Withstand it, and it’s in the books.
9:08 – First FT no good. Second cuts it to two.
9:10 – Game tied. Bite those nails.
9:11 – Evtimov’s 3 would have iced it. Still think we’ll win. Playing our hardest, at least.
9:13 – Was that a three? Looks on the line to me.
9:14 – Shot IS a two. Please, Sendek, don’t run the clock and let Cal have the last shot if we miss.
9:16 – Great D by Powe. Need to score, or Cal WILL have last shot.
9:17 – Cam is MONEY. I’m calling it – GAME OVER.
9:18 – I would have hated for Cam’s career to end on a miss there.
9:19 – Now, it’s really, really over. Good game, guys.
9:21 – Perhaps the best defense we’ve played all year. And yes, Sendek still needs to go. 🙂
9:22 – Final score – NC State 58, Cal 52. The Sendek vs. Barnes circus is 99% likely to happen in 2 days. Strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride.
