A few weeks ago, one of my old fraternity brothers Mike sent a text to a group of us after the Bruins beat Oregon State that he "had his doubts” about the team winning another game this season. While the team has struggled, I never doubted that they would win at least one more game this season. Tonight is why I never doubted it. Tonight, the Bruins will host the UC Berkeley Golden Bears.
Frankly, the Athletic Department should have run a promo calling tonight “Guaranteed Win” night where anyone who bought a ticket to tonight’s game would get a free ticket to a future game if the Bruins didn’t beat the Golden Bears. That’s how bad UC Berkeley still is.
The Bears are 0-3 in conference play so far, having lost to both Arizona schools at home last weekend and to Southern Cal on Wednesday night.
Even if, by some miracle, the Bears actually come out ahead tonight, there’s always UCLA’s trip to the Bay Area where they should beat the Bears again. So, winning at least one, and probably at least two more games this season shouldn’t be in doubt. While the Bruins haven’t gelled quite yet, they still aren’t Berkeley bad.
The Bears are in their first season under new head coach Mark Madsen. Madsen comes to UC Berkeley from Utah Valley where he was 70-51 in four seasons. In his time at Utah Valley, the Wolverines got better each season. They were 11-19 his first season and they improved to 11-11 his second season. In his third season, the team improved to 20-12 and they finished 28-9 last year.
So, by the time Madsen has Berkeley on a similar trajectory, the Bears will be facing the likes of Duke and North Carolina in the ACC. But this year’s team may have a tough time getting to double-digits in wins.
Expect Coach Madsen to start a lineup consisting of four guards and a forward. Let’s look at his starting five.
Starting Five
The first player Madsen landed from the transfer was forward Fardaws Aimaq, a a 6-foot-11 sixth-year senior from Vancouver who played for Madsen at Utah Valley before transferring to Texas Tech. Aimaq is second on the Bears in scoring with an average of 15.7 ppg and he leads the team in rebounds with an average of 10.4 per game. He also lead Berkeley in blocks with 14. Of the three Bears who have taken more than 100 shots from the field, his 50.9% shooting percentage is the best. Don’t expect him to take very many threes, though. He’s made eight of his 24 tries from behind the arc, but 24 attempts is the fewest among the starters.
Shifting to the guards, junior Jaylon Tyson played with Aimaq at Texas Tech last season. Tyson currently leads the Bears in scoring with an average of 19.9 ppg. He will take a fair share of shots from downtown, having taken the second-most on the team. His three-point percentage is a decent 33.8%. He’s also second on the team in rebounds with an average of 7.4 per game and he leads the team in both assists with 43 and steals with 21.
Fifth-year senior Jalen Cone joins the Bears this year as a transfer from Northern Arizona. Cone is third on the team in scoring with an average of 14.4 ppg. About three quarters of his shots come from long distance, which explains why he can have such a high scoring average while having a 34.5% shooting percentage from the field. He’s also an 81% free throw shooter. So, UCLA will want to keep him off the line if they can. Cone is also second on the team in assists with 29 and tied for third in steals with 10.
The fourth Bear averaging in double figures is Keonte Kennedy, who is playing for his fourth school in six years. He began his career at Xavier and transferred to UTEP for three seasons. Last season, he played for Memphis and he left there with one more year of eligibility. He’s averaging 11.4 ppg and he’s third in rebounds with 5.9 per game. He’s tied with Cone for third in steals with 10. Don’t expect to see him shooting from beyond the arc much. He’s just 8-for-30 from long distance, which gives him a bad 26.7% three-point percentage.
The final starter tonight should be Jalen Celestine, who is the only starter who is didn’t transfer to UC Berkeley this season. While he’s only made five starts this season, three of them have come since Pac-12 play began. He’s averaging 8.3 ppg against Pac-12 opponents, which is a touch higher than his overall 8.0 ppg. He’s one of three guys shooting 50% or better against conference opponents and his 40.0% three-point percentage is the best on the team against Pac-12 teams.
The two guys likely to see the most playing time off the bench are Grant Newell and Rodney Brown, Jr. Newell is averaging 7.7 ppg against conference opponents and playing an average of 17.6 minutes per game while Brown is averaging 5.0 ppg against the Pac-12 and playing an average of 14.5 minutes per game.
Analysis
The Bears look to be an improved team compared to last year’s team under Mark Fox. And, there’s no doubt that beating the Bruins, even in a down year, would be a big deal for a team which hasn’t won very games so far this season.
But the reality is that there is just no way that UCLA should lose to these guys tonight. I fully expect the Bruin defense to shut down several of the Bears and hold them below 10 points each tonight. That should make this a relatively easy win for the Bruins.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on Pac-12 with J.B. Long and Don MacLean calling the game. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray. Just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to tonight’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. UC Berkeley Golden Bears game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
UCLA Men’s Basketball (6-8, 1-2)
Opponent: UC Berkeley Golden Bears (6-6, 1-1)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 146-103.
When: 7:00 pm PT, Saturday, January 6, 2024
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles, and Bay Area with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
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Dammit, Bona.. we cannot have those stupid reach-in fouls, esp out near the arc... we seriously need Bona's defense if we're gonna have a chance at wining this game
I think the most disturbing fact about this team: they seem to be getting worse as the season progresses. I never thought this would happen to a Cronin team.
His recruiting may be to blame. I'm not yet ready to say he is bad coach who is wholely responsible for a bunch of guys who can't shoot, can't even make a layup.
I think Cronin has not handled this team successfully. He has been ultra critical publicly and his style may not be suites for this team. Wooden had all kinds of personalities and different abilities in his players and he taught and developed them all.
OK, how about this. Shooting is best when the player is confident and just shoots, almost pure muscle memory. I think this team is gun-shy, deer in the headlights, timid, and possibly traumatized by being shouted at.
It's evident they're thinking waayyyy too much, instead of just pulling the ball, secure in the knowledge that they will make it. We need to get the kids outta their own heads and just shooting, exactly as harry says above... it does make you wonder who they're listening to inside their. heads....
Andrews should just keep shooting. He's the only one who looks like he is a natural shooter. The whole team is shooting 30%. I bet DA could beat that %.
Cronin won't change. He truly believes his way is THE way. Certainly Mick hears the noise of discontent. Wonder what is happening with the Louisville opening...
U!
Clap clap clap
C!
Clap Clap Clap
LLLLLLLLL!
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A!
Clap Clao Clap!
U C L A Fight Fight Fight! Good evening Tamara!
Good evening Jim! 💙💛
Great to see you Clio, DB, bb and Jim!!! 💙🤣
Hello everyone. Let’s go out and get one.
Hi Army! Go Bruins! 💙💛
Berke needs to shoot the damn ball.
💯
0 for 3 with 3 turnovers. Not a great start.
Why is catch and shoot such a difficult concept for this team?
Berke!
Ugh, looking ugly so far. Snowing here, now.
Dylan!
No boxing out!
Mick seems to have lost this team.
We are struggling with confidence.
It shows, for sure, Tamara!
Doesn’t help when Cronin is always breathing down their neck
Yep. So much truth to that.
Bona finally!
Bona!
We need to start defending the 3.
And making a few!
Mack!!!
Bona D +Mack attack!
Dammit, Bona.. we cannot have those stupid reach-in fouls, esp out near the arc... we seriously need Bona's defense if we're gonna have a chance at wining this game
Sho nuff, bb, good evening!
Evening, Jim! hard to focus on the game tonight.
Short shot is another sign of no confidence
Airball, Berke :(
This is just ugly. Again. In all phases of the game.
Same number of FGs as TOs.
This team is playing tight. Would like to see more Vide. Euros need to be more aggressive. Mack needs to get under control.
I think the most disturbing fact about this team: they seem to be getting worse as the season progresses. I never thought this would happen to a Cronin team.
Cronin is to blame.
His recruiting may be to blame. I'm not yet ready to say he is bad coach who is wholely responsible for a bunch of guys who can't shoot, can't even make a layup.
I think Cronin has not handled this team successfully. He has been ultra critical publicly and his style may not be suites for this team. Wooden had all kinds of personalities and different abilities in his players and he taught and developed them all.
Andrews!
Dylan gets away with an elbow for 2!
The Bruins will win this game.
Sure hope so.
Lazar is not a good passer.
There is no way our players could not shoot before college. Something is terribly wrong behind the scenes, imho.
OK, how about this. Shooting is best when the player is confident and just shoots, almost pure muscle memory. I think this team is gun-shy, deer in the headlights, timid, and possibly traumatized by being shouted at.
I agree with you, Harry
It's evident they're thinking waayyyy too much, instead of just pulling the ball, secure in the knowledge that they will make it. We need to get the kids outta their own heads and just shooting, exactly as harry says above... it does make you wonder who they're listening to inside their. heads....
Dang, Brandon!
Nothing screams offense like Nwuba with the ball 22 feet away from the hoop.
We're so bad on offense I can watch these crap games and not have my heart break. Almost.
My heart is definitely 💔
They don’t attack the basket. Even layups go up soft.
That was a nice 3 from Stef!
Yeah, we need a lot more like that
Wow, Brown! :(
Stef for 3!
We also need to work on free throws.
Cronin trying to get thrown out to motivate the team?
Looked to me like Mcclendon tried to pull the chair
He did pull the chair, and got called for a foul.
Cronin getting thrown out of the game might actually make us shoot better.............
Horseshit call
We are in trouble in so many ways. I really feel bad for our team.
Thank you, Dylan!
Fugly first half -_-
Oh my! Andrews!
Thank you, Dylan, again!
Andrews should just keep shooting. He's the only one who looks like he is a natural shooter. The whole team is shooting 30%. I bet DA could beat that %.
32-23 Cal at the half. Usual Bruin play, no magic dust tonight.
Bruins will win by 6.
You tease!
So sad 😞
I like the full court defense. Might loosen our kids up.
Good evening, Army! Yes, perhaps...
It just boggles my mind that we are this bad.
Joe, the Network has the scores reversed for this guaranteed laugher of a game. What's up with that? Oh, wait...
Pac12 Network is awful...
No chemistry, no shooters. Predictable from this coach given his game philosophy. Can they break the 40 point ceiling?
Cronin won't change. He truly believes his way is THE way. Certainly Mick hears the noise of discontent. Wonder what is happening with the Louisville opening...