As most of you should know by now, Cal lost 88-66 to UCLA. The game wasn’t even really as close as the final score. In the first 10 minutes the Bears just struggled to get the ball up the court, committing 10 turnovers in their first 19 possessions. Darren Collison’s hounding defense, coupled with some big minutes from Lorenzo Mata-Real in the first half on the defensive end (he had four blocks for the game) allowed the Bruins to rack up easy transition buckets and give themselves a big cushion going into halftime.

That might’ve been the last time we see Ryan Anderson in a Cal uniform, unless the Bears are invited to the NIT or the CBI (whatever that is) on Sunday. Anderson scored 15 points and grabbed seven boards in what might have been his collegiate finale, but he never really got going.After the game, he talked a lot about how Cal’s poor shot selection doomed it against the defensive-minded Bruins. (Click here to read more…)

It would be a shame if the Sun Devils’ Tourney hopes are dashed because of what appeared to be a terrible call late in the game. With under 30 seconds left, forward Jeff Pendergraph jumped over Davon Jeferson for an emphatic putback dunk to tie the game at 55, but the official under the basket called a loose-ball foul on Pendergraph.

Jefferson hit two free throws and USC took a 59-55 win after ASU missed two three-point attempts at the other end.

The officials should not be the ones deciding games, especially when there was so little contact. It was eerily reminiscent of UCLA’s win over Stanford, when Darren Collison was sent to the line with under 10 seconds left in regulation even though it seemed like he was swatted cleanly. (Click here to read more…)

Staples Center is visibly buzzing now, with the UCLA and USC cohorts finally filling this place up. The first game on tap for the day is a dandy. Arizona State likely needs a win to reach the NCAA Tournament, and must do it against a streaking Trojans team.

The James Harden-O.J. Mayo matchup pits two of the top freshman guards in the country against each other. Even though they are not guarding each other much–the Sun Devils are in a zone to try and contain Mayo and Daniel Hackett’s dribble-penetration, both stars are shining.

As I’m writing this, Mayo just brushed his defender off of him with a crossover from the left corner and stepped back to swish a deep two. He is playing a much more controlled game than earlier in the season. He drove into the lane, drew two defenders, and smartly dished it out to Hackett for an easy three to make it 32-28 USC. (Click here to read more…)

Point guard Jerome Randle just went down with an injury with 14:30 to go in the second half and Cal up seven. He twisted his ankle while driving to the hoop and look to be in immense pain.

Patrick Christopher responded by draining a three, possibly a sign that the Bears will not wilt without their only legitimate ball-hander.

But Cal will have no chance in the Pac-10 tournament without Randle handling the ball. Nikola Knezevic will have to show some aggressiveness instead of just trying to avoid making mistakes.

Cal looks more than capable of playing and succeeding without DeVon Hardin, just like in wins at Washington and Washington State.

There is no better sign for next season, assuming forward Ryan Anderson comes back, because the rest of the Bears nucleus will return for another go-around. (Click here to read more…)

Ryan Anderson thought he was held when he turned the ball over 7:46 left in the game Thursday against Arizona. His frustration boiled out.

“Ref, open your eyes man,” he yelled, pleading for any calls.

The officials did not bail him out at the McKale Center. Facing the same issues he has faced through the last few weeks, Anderson had trouble finishing near the basket with the Wildcats doubling-down and forcing other Cal players to beat them.

“It’s different playing when it’s the second half of the Pac-10,” Anderson said. “I just have to fight harder.”

(Click here to read more…)