Cal had a good first game in Australia, crushing Victoria Select 100-63. Here are some key notes from the game.
Jaylen Brown had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jordan Mathews & Jabari Bird combined for 28 points. Ivan Rabb had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kameron Rooks had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Cal's starting lineup was Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Mathews, Jaylen Brown, Ivan Rabb, and Kingsley Okoroh. This is slightly different than the lineups I envisioned, but nothing radical. It'll be interesting to see if this is the starting lineup that Cuonzo Martin goes with in the future. I'm mildly surprised to see Jordan Mathews get the start over Jabari Bird, but not really given that Mathews was at times the #2 player on the floor last season behind Tyrone Wallace.
One thing that needs to improve is foul shooting. Cal shot 15-30 from the foul line. That is embarrassing.
I think Kameron Rooks' performance is undoubtedly the most encouraging and noteworthy aspect of this entire game. The rest of those guys you would expect to have a solid game, but for Kameron Rooks to play so well in his first game back from his ACL injury is nothing short of huge. In practice, the coaching staff has really been working Kinglsey Okoroh and Kameron Rooks hard because they know they need quality production at the center position so that Ivan Rabb can play his more naturally position, which is power forward. If Kameron and Kingsley can play like this every night, we're likely to see Rabb get the bulk of his minutes at the power forward position.
Overall, Cal's first game in Australia was a success. They won handily and got production from a position that most people would say is their weakest position. Go Bears!
Jaylen Brown had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jordan Mathews & Jabari Bird combined for 28 points. Ivan Rabb had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kameron Rooks had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Cal's starting lineup was Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Mathews, Jaylen Brown, Ivan Rabb, and Kingsley Okoroh. This is slightly different than the lineups I envisioned, but nothing radical. It'll be interesting to see if this is the starting lineup that Cuonzo Martin goes with in the future. I'm mildly surprised to see Jordan Mathews get the start over Jabari Bird, but not really given that Mathews was at times the #2 player on the floor last season behind Tyrone Wallace.
One thing that needs to improve is foul shooting. Cal shot 15-30 from the foul line. That is embarrassing.
I think Kameron Rooks' performance is undoubtedly the most encouraging and noteworthy aspect of this entire game. The rest of those guys you would expect to have a solid game, but for Kameron Rooks to play so well in his first game back from his ACL injury is nothing short of huge. In practice, the coaching staff has really been working Kinglsey Okoroh and Kameron Rooks hard because they know they need quality production at the center position so that Ivan Rabb can play his more naturally position, which is power forward. If Kameron and Kingsley can play like this every night, we're likely to see Rabb get the bulk of his minutes at the power forward position.
Overall, Cal's first game in Australia was a success. They won handily and got production from a position that most people would say is their weakest position. Go Bears!
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