<p>mega, that's like a company copying the iPod and claiming that they should be considered Gods for making it in a different color, even though they didn't come up with the design, idea, playlist, name, etc. UCLA: original tweakers</p>
<p>Let's turn our attention to college basketball. The AP preseason ranking just came out, and Cal unfortunately (but not surprisingly) got no votes. </p>
<p>Although this might be controversial, I think Ben Braun should probably be fired. He's a nice guy, but the truth of the matter is that the Cal basketball team has been mediocre under Braun's leadership. I don't expect Cal to be as good at basketball as strong as Pac-10 powerhouses UCLA or Arizona, but I still think Cal should be doing better than it has. Cal has qualified for the NCAA tournament only about half of the seasons that Braun has coached the team , in other years only making it to the NIT or, even worse, like last season, not even making the NIT. {Which is pretty embarrassing as even teams like Fresno State got at-large bids to the NIT last season.} </p>
<p>Furthermore, it's not as if the Cal men's basketball team has been performing poorly on the court because Braun has emphasized academics. The published NCAA graduation rate of Cal men's basketball team is downright terrible. It's even worse than the football graduation rate. In regards to the published football rate, I don't really blame Tedford because the published data has to do with players who came in before Tedford's time (i.e.had been brought in under former coach Tom Holmoe). Tedford has been around since only 2002, so I mostly blame Holmoe for the football numbers But Braun has been there since 1996, so he has no excuse. These are all his players. </p>
<p>Note, for those of you who are thinking that maybe that graduation rate was affected by Cal players leaving early for the NBA, please note the following NCAA definition of graduation success rate (GSR). It specifically includes those students who left but who would have remained academically eligible to play, hence specifically counting those players who were still in good standing when they left early for the NBA. Nevertheless, even under that GSR definition, the Cal men's basketball team has had only a 33% graduation success rate. </p>
<p>I think this year's team is capable of making some noise. DeVon Hardin will be back. I think he's a preseason top 5 center according to Rivals.com, but mostly I'm looking forward to seeing Ryan Anderson play. Anderson is a beast, you know how good he is if you've watched his last year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think this year's team is capable of making some noise. DeVon Hardin will be back. I think he's a preseason top 5 center according to Rivals.com, but mostly I'm looking forward to seeing Ryan Anderson play. Anderson is a beast, you know how good he is if you've watched his last year.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>BlueElmo, I hope you're right. But, given the history of the coaching, I am not exactly optimistic. Cal basketball has had a painful history of taking prime talent and squandering it. </p>
<p>
[quote]
PAc-10 is definitely not a weak conference when it comes to B-ball...we have 6 teams (more than any other conference) in the top 25....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree that the Pac-10 is probably the strongest basketball conference in the country. </p>
<p>But that doesn't exactly do Cal any favors. Cal is projected to finish no higher than 8th in the conference. And the truth is, finishing 8th isn't going to help Cal get into March Madness.</p>
<p>haha, that's fine, but b-ball gives us something to talk about during the middle of the week, while taking a break from the "Cal's short-lived dynasty is over" stuff. i like our little group on this thread, anyway...</p>
<p>meanwhile, oregon is doing fabulous (yess!!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
If we play like that next wk vs SC, we're gonna be in for a whoopin. Tedford should really give Reilly a chance if Longshore is limping again.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Totally agree. Tedford's play calling is uninspiring though. How many times do we try to run it for a TD when we're inside the 5?!...only to be stuffed!</p>
<p>Riley engineered two quick, impressive drives during the OSU game (all forgotten 'cause of the mental lapse) and has much more mobility than Longshore...I think he'd wake up the offense.</p>