Golden Bears' defense is a good offense

May 21, 12:14 AMCal Bears ExaminerRob Calonge

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(AP Photo/ Ronda Churchill)

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While the Golden Bears improved in their first season under head coach MIke Montgomery, getting to the next level will require even more improvement.

Cal's ability to shoot from the three was well documented throughout the 2008-'09 season.  With an accuracy of 42.7% from beyond the arc, the Bears were ranked first in the country out of 330 schools.

It wasn't just long range shots either.  The Bears ranked 10th with a 48.3% rating on all field goals and 13th in free throw percentage with an accuracy rating of 75.5%.

You would think that this efficiency would enable the Bears to be one of the highest scoring teams in the nation, wouldn't you?  Well, they were pretty good, but they weren't great.  Cal ranked 57th in scoring offense by averaging 74.9 points-per-game.

That's still quite a few points, but they could be much better.

How?  Get better on defense.  Think about it.  The easiest score a team can have is the one that's undefended on a fast break, and fast breaks are created by playing good defense.

Playing good defense will also give a team more opportunities to score, and more opportunites for an accurate team like Cal turns into more points.  The Bears don't need to be the top team in three-point shooting, they need to be the top team in field-goal opportunities.

They didn't play good defense last season.  Here are their rankings on the year as per NCAA stats:

Scoring Defense (330 teams ranked) - 194th (68.8 ppg)

Field-Goal Percentage Defense (330 teams ranked) - 221st (44.2%)

Three Point Field-Goal Defense (330 teams ranked) - 219th (34.9%)

Rebound Margin (330 teams ranked) - 104th (2.2 rpg)

Blocked Shots Per Game (330 teams ranked) - 293rd (2.0 bpg)

Steals Per Game (330 teams ranked) - 313th (4.8 spg)

Those statistics are horrible for a team that is considered one of the top-40 teams in the nation.  On the bright side - imagine what kind of team this could be if they were able to improve all of these defensive statistics with just a modicum of success.

Last season, the Bears' defense was an ability to score points without requiring many opportunities.  If they can turn that around to where their offense is based off of a good defense, we could very well be talking about them all the way into the Final Four of next year's March Madness.

Now, that would be some kind of improvement.

Harrison officially calls it quits - A good story by Jeff Faraudo

I'm still in pain every day. I want to be able to play with my kids, I want to be able to have a normal life. It's really tough to be forced to turn my back on the sport I love.
- Taylor Harrison on retiring from Div I basketball

Recruiting Update

From what is out there right now, Cal is down to only one recruit with an offer.  Colin Borchert (Glendale, AZ) is a 6'7" 215 lbs. power forward that is expected to make a decision in June.  USC, Arizona State, Arizona, and Washington are reported to be in the running for his services.  According to Scout.com, Borchert's top pick is Maryland, who hasn't extended an offer.

The talented point guard Brandon Smith is a verbal and not a 'signed' player.  The Bears are in good shape because Cal is his dream school and so he'll be walking on this season.  The 5'9" 160 lbs. player will remind many of a certain point guard currently starting.  Here's some of his evaluation from the Nike Extravaganza in February:

He was clearly the most polished point guard and understands how the game should be played at both ends. He is one of the few of a dying breed of "true" point guards. He knows how to run a team both from a leadership stand point as well as skill. He has very good speed and quickness and he's a high-level passer.

If he's as good as advertised, the Bears may have a player that can limit the dropoff from the point when Jerome Randle takes a breather.