Cal Bears are getting preseason hype

October 30, 8:35 PMCal Bears ExaminerRob Calonge

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(AP Photo's/Ben Margot)

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California Golden Bears' men's hoops team (#13 AP, #12 USA Today) is racking up plenty of preseason preference so far this year--a far cry from this time last season when they were fortunate to be picked to finish eighth in the Pac-10.

For only the second time in the history of the program, the Golden Bears were selected first in the Pac-10 preseason media poll with 25 of a possible 37 total first place votes. The last time the Bears were selected first in the poll was the '93-'94 season when they still had future pro's Jason Kidd and Lamond Murray on the team.

The biggest reason that Cal is getting the love they couldn't pay for last year is due to not losing six of their top seven players from a year ago. Among the players that return is the second biggest reason that the Cal program is receiving so much praise.

Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle return as a fierce backcourt tandem and now they are getting noticed nationally. Both guards were named to the Naismith Preseason Watch List. They are two of only 19 seniors selected out of the 50 total picked.

Bear Backers will get their first opportunity to see how good their Golden Bears are on November 5 at Haas Pavilion. The game will start at 7:30pm PST. They'll be playing Chico State in an exhibition game.

For more information on the Naismith Preseason Watch List, go to calbears.com by clicking here.

For more on the Pac-10 media poll, click here.

Examiner's first preseason poll for both men and women will be November 3rd.