The California Bears lost their chance to win a share of the Pac 12 regular season championship, losing to Stanford on Sunday; now they have to battle back lest the Stanford Cardinal oust the second seeded California Golden Bears as the halftime score favors Stanford 30-23.
Neither team had a man in double digit scoring, in a first half that was more about defense than it was offense. The two teams combined for 22 turnovers, and only 21 field goals. A similar trend as was scene in the UCLA-Arizona game, as the Pac 12 is combining to play some of the worst basketball one can see during tournament week.
Stanford got 10 points off the bench to Cal's 2, and 14 points off turnovers to Cal's 4. For both teams, limiting turnovers and increasing offensive production will be key in the second half. Harper Kamp led Cal with 8 points, 3 rebounds. Pac 12 player of the year Jorge Gutierrez was held to just three points, but he did manage three rebounds and four assists.
Stanford's only change of making the NCAA tournament is winning this one, but that may be true for all the Pac 12 schools as it is looking more and more like a one bid conference. It's strange to see the mid major treatment for the conference of John Wooden, but thus is the current state of things.
Check out the full tournament schedule here, and for more on California check out California Golden Blogs.