After last seasons massive senior graduation the Cal Bears are in much better shape losing only one player to graduation. Look for the Bears to be a very competitive team in not only the conference, but non-conference games as well. With 3 seniors on the roster along with Allen Crabbe returning for his sophomore year, the Bears have both talent and experience on their side. A lot of people are sold on the Bears and expect them to compete for the conference title. I'm not so sure yet. I believe they will finish in the top 4, but the fact UW absolutely demolished Cal in both games last year leaves me with a lot to be desired.
Key Losses:
Markhuri Sanders-Frison 6-7 265lb
Frison was a force last year for the Bears averaging over 10 points and 7 rebounds per game. At 6-7 and 265lb he was a big boy who could fill the paint and put a hurting on the other team if left unguarded. Luckily the Bears have Richard Solomon and Bak-Bak with size to help replace Frison's presence. Cal also has two incoming freshman with size to further alleviate the loss.
Incoming Freshman:
Christian Behrens 6-8 190lb
Behrens is a decent prospect for the Bears. Though he needs to add a good 20lbs to be a strong post presence, he has passing and shooting skills that allow him to contribute in other ways than low in the post. He reminds me of the Huskies own Jernard Jerreau who is 6-10 195lbs. While he is not a big body, he has the skill set to play a solid 4 or even a tall 3.
David Kravish 6-9 205lb
Kravish could also benefit from adding a few pounds on. Darnell Gant has 25lbs on Kravish and Aziz N'Diaye has 60lbs on him. As a 5 option he is not that viable when guys like N'Diaye or Josh Smith are on the field, but when smaller posts are in the game Kravish could see time at the 5. Likely he'll be more of a 4/5 hybrid as he has tremendous rebounding tenacity and a decent enough low post shot. He is also dangerous from the high post and is a skilled free throw shooter, something many big men lack.
Returning Players:
Brandon Smith 5-11 190lbs
Jorge Gutierrez 6-3 195lbs
Emerson Murray 6-3 195lbs
Nigel Carter 6-4 210lbs
Allen Crabbe 6-4 205lbs
Jeff Powers 6-7 190lbs
Harper Kamp 6-8 245lbs
Bak Bak 6-9 225lbs
Richard Solomon 6-10 220lbs
Robert Thurman 6-10 250lbs
Gutierrez, Crabbe, and Kamp are the returning stars of the team. All 3 players averaged more than 13 points a game last season and there is no reason to think they can't and won't do it again this season. Frison is the only double digit scorer not returning for the Golden Bears and overall Cal has 73% of its scoring coming back into the year (Gary Franklin Transferred mid season to Baylor).
Predicted Starting Line-up:
Brandon Smith 5-11 190lbs
Jorge Gutierrez 6-3 195lbs
Allen Crabbe 6-4 205lbs
Harper Kamp 6-8 245lbs
Richard Solomon 6-10 220lbs
I couldn't decide if Solomon or Thurman would be a more viable option as the starting 5 and in the end I figured Solomon saw much more time last season (playing in every game) than Thurman (playing only in 10 games) and would be that much more experienced. I believe Solomon could give up the starting spot to Thurman against the bigger centers (N'Diaye, Smith, etc.). Brandon Smith should be a solid point guard for the Bears allowing Gutierrez and Crabbe to get out on the wings for more shot opportunities.
What to Expect:
The Bears should be a very competitive team in the conference this year. As I stated before, I don't believe Cal will take the conference title. UCLA and UW have better talent in my opinion that will win out. Cal certainly has a better shot at the title than Arizona does due to their returning talent. Cal should be a much more experienced team this season and 20 point blowouts should not be the norm. Expect to see Cal in the top 3 or 4 teams of the conference, make the NCAA tournament, and win at least their first game if not the second as well. Beyond that, I don't think they quite have the parts in place to make a deep tournament run.
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