Oregon St. (15-11, 5-9) at California (21-6, 11-3) at Haas Pavilion at 7 PM PST / Comcast Sports California / KEJO 1240 AM / KPAM 860 AM (Streamed)
Oregon St. concludes the road portion of their regular season schedule with a stop in Berkeley for a rematch with the Golden Bears. The Beavers won the first meeting of the season 92-85 at Gill Coliseum back on Jan. 5.
It's also the last home game of the season for California, which means its Senior night for Jorge Gutierrez and Harper Kamp. The deserved ovation for these Bears is going to be overwhelming, and when (not if, there is a reason these Bears are among the most beloved ever to wear the Blue and Gold) they make a play significant to Cal's hopes of winning, there will be another, and then another. It's a significant emotional factor the Beavers are going to have to deal with.
If that's not enough emotion for Oregon St. fans, consider its also a homecoming for Jared Cunningham, who hails from Berkeley. Previous homecomings haven't gone well for Cunningham, who has lost all 5 of his career games in the Bay Area. Only 2 have even been close.
Game changing players + emotion = "must pay attention to" action.
The Beavers were out-shot by Stanford, dropping an 87-82 decision to the Cardinal Thursday night in Palo Alto despite a 22 point effort by Cunningham. Mostly because Stanford's Chasson Randle made 6 of 7 3 pointers, on his way to a game and season high 24 points.
The Bears edged Oregon 86-83, despite a game and career high 33 points by the Ducks' Devoe Joseph, including a pair of 3 pointers in the final 30 seconds. Mostly because California's Justin Cobbs poured in a season high 28 points, and Kamp came up with 20 more, including 7 points, and 5 free throws, in the final 1:09 of the game.
Oregon St. comes in having lost 3 in a row, and 4 of their last 5, while California is riding a 4 game winning streak.
The Bears swept the Beavers last season, winning both games by double digit margins.
Here's the place to talk about how its going in the Bay area, and size up the season. and the post-season prospects, for both teams. Cal appears to be closing in on at least an at large NCAA bid, while Oregon St. is possibly sliding out of even NIT consideration.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com