You can’t always win; Triple Overtime declares Arizona the winner, 107-105

Cal had the game won. Doesn’t take away from what Arizona did, doesn’t take away from what our Bears did. They played one heck of a game. In a game like this, someone has to lose. We’ll go with some quick takes:


I can’t say enough about the job the Bears did defensively. There were lapses that happen at inopportune times, but holding the best player in the Pac to 12 points is simply terrific. Shutting down Williams was the difference between overtime and a loss by 5 or more in regulation.

I strongly dislike Momo Jones. The smug attitude, the cockiness, and the way he carries himself rubs me the wrong way. Doesn’t take away from what he did. He kept Arizona alive: The And 1, and the 3 at the end of the second OT are a pair of the biggest shots I’ve seen all year from any player. When Arizona needed the bucket in the third overtime and a minute left, Jones got it. I have to give the kid a lot of credit.

Brandon Smith has to be the sickest kid in the world after the missed lay-up, but he didn’t lose the game. Last year, I thought he wasn’t a Pac-10 player. He’s developed into a fine passing point guard. The scoring still isn’t quite there, but I have confidence when the ball is in his hands. That’s a good way to judge a point guard, and Brandon passes my test.

Pac-10 refs. What else can you say?

Jorge needs to rein it in a little bit. 6 turnovers are too much. Still loved everything else. Night in and night out, he provides the leadership this team needs and plays stellar defense. The offense is just an added bonus. Could have used him in the overtimes.

Harper Kamp is a joy to watch. The more basketball I watch, the more I realize how tough it is to find a big guy who rebounds, has a post game, and won’t kill you at the free throw line. He does all of that, and to boot he’s a fine leader and a representative of the university.

Four years from now, we’re going to say, “Remember when Allen Crabbe was the scared little freshman who took 6 shots a game?” Ever since Pac-10 play, we’ve seen a new Crabbe. The kid’s a scorer, and he’s got the killer instinct you look for. Look for signs that say, “I’ve never been happier to have Crabs!”

The bench is not ready. Bak Bak, Solomon (who did have his moments), and Murray just aren’t there. This is probably where we miss Franklin the most (even though we haven’t missed him all that much; still wish him the best) in that we don’t have 6 Pac-10 ready players on the squad. I’m sure all 3 of them will end up fine, but they’re not ready as freshman/sophomores.

For a rebuilding year, this team is pretty darn good. Having the Pac-10’s best the whole way and losing it at the end is no shame. The work does not end tonight however. The roughest road trip in the conference awaits up north against the Washingtons, and to get a single win will take the Golden Bears A game. Go Bears!