Last Updated: October 26, 2023, 03:30 IST
BERKELEY, Calif.: New coach Mark Madsen acknowledges all that went improper for California males’s basketball final season, and he additionally insists that from these struggles has been large development.
He’s relying on that as Cal tries to bounce again with a brand new-look roster and new chief.
Even if the loyal fan base in Berkeley may not have seen the event watching the Golden Bears final season. Madsen additionally realizes he has fairly a job at hand to turn over a proud program that’s reeling from the embarrassment of a lot dropping.
Madsen is guiding the Bears following a forgettable 3-29 season — worst in class historical past — that led to the firing of former coach Mark Fox.
“It was a tough year last year for Cal, but it’s not like there wasn’t a lot of work going on behind the scenes. We’re probably benefiting right now from a lot of the work, just even in terms of infrastructure,” Madsen stated. “I’ve never been more optimistic, and I love our team. I love all the changes that have happened.”
One of these is the addition of sixth-12 months guard Keonte Kennedy, a switch from Memphis with one season of eligibility left after starting his profession at UTEP. After lacking the ultimate eight video games of the season with a hand damage, he shall be counted upon to lead the defensive stress.
“A lot of teams I played for play fast, and we’re athletic, so we have to get on the rim,” he stated. “I think that’s where it came from, just from the heart inside, and stopping the other team’s best players.”
SLEEPING GIANT
When employed, Madsen referred to Cal as a “sleeping giant” of school basketball that shall be in competition for the NCAA Tournament by season’s finish. He absolutely expects Cal to be a group opponents don’t need to face regardless of the way in which final season went. Madsen insists the Bears will play with nice power and execute their schemes on each ends.
“We’re not trying to just win — we have lofty goals coming in,” Madsen stated. “So that’s part of the excitement that I feel.”
JOURNEY (BIG) MAN
Sixth-year senior Fardaws Aimaq is reunited with Madsen after three years at Utah Valley earlier than transferring to Texas Tech, the place he was restricted to 11 video games final season due to accidents.
Now, they’re again collectively for the 6-foot-11 ahead’s last season of eligibility.
If Aimaq generally is a pressure on each ends scoring and rebounding, he’ll make an immediate impression. He was WAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21 whereas main the nation in rebounding (15.0) underneath Madsen and received defensive honors once more the next season as a redshirt junior.
“He’s just so strong and just overpowering,” Kennedy stated.
QUITE THE DROUGHT
Cal completed 38-87 underneath Fox and misplaced its last 16 video games final season. The Bears haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2016 and haven’t received a sport within the match since 2013.
“Of course it motivated me, but for the most part, definitely flush it all out,” sophomore ahead Grant Newell stated. “We’re just focused on what we have coming this season. We’re really excited about all the pieces we have, from staff to players, everyone.”
A fast turnaround is the expectation in Berkeley.
Madsen hung out within the NBA’s developmental league and a 12 months at Stanford earlier than spending 5 seasons on the Lakers workers earlier than transferring to school teaching. Hired in 2019 to take over Utah Valley, Madsen went 70-51 over 4 years with a 28-9 mark final season.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Walk-on large man Gus Larson may present some key expertise and be one among Cal’s large surprises. He comes to the Bears as a switch from Penn and as a redshirt sophomore has three years of eligibility remaining after lacking most of final season with an ankle damage in addition to being restricted by a hard again challenge.
He additionally has been outspoken on the significance of psychological well being.
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AP school basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
