On why margin of victory is important, and Cal loses to Washington 109-77

There’s no use recapping this game. Cal just got smoked. The defense was bad, the offense was bad, everything was bad. Recapping it would just make me want to kill myself.


Cal has shown a talent at winning close games. It’s probably something that will never be quantified, the ability to win close games, but it’s something that exists, at least in the sample of a season. Cal has lost 5 games within 10, and won 8. That’s not great, but an 8-5 record is an advantage to have. And that “it” factor, of having the kind of players you trust late in the game, we have that. Kamp, Gutierrez, Crabbe…those are the kind of players I want late in the game. That’s why losing a game like this is a pain.

Making the tournament would be a huge surprise, and a huge success. We shouldn’t expect that; given our history, we shouldn’t hope for it. But I’m irrational, dang it. And I want to see this team win as many games as they can. There’s no draft pick at stake, no draft lottery to hope for.

That’s why saying a “Loss is a loss” doesn’t quite work. A blowout loss is a lot different than a triple overtime loss, even if they count the same. Just like a blowout win is a lot different than a close win. Why is this?

I know it files under “well, duh,” but it bears saying. A close game is one that can be affected by any number of things that can best be described as luck. Bad calls, lucky shots, an untimely turnover- all can be the difference between winning and losing in a close game. But in a blowout, it doesn’t mean anything. Obviously, winning the blowout game is preferable- but it can’t always be done. So putting yourself in a situation where you can get some breaks is far better than having no chance.

I’m still very optimistic. This team has shown it can put itself in the right spots, not getting blown out very often. The 37th youngest team in the country is holding its own in a power conference. That’s the most we can expect. Now, let’s not have another one of these, ok? Keep putting yourselves in the right spots. Go Bears!