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College basketball

Coach Mike Montgomery's Impact on Cal Men's Basketball

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

California men's basketball team is off to a promising start in their first season with Coach Mike Montgomery, with a ranking of No. 23 in the USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches' Poll. The team has shown impressive growth, leading the Pacific-10 Conference with a 4-0 record, including wins against Arizona and No. 15 Arizona State. Junior point guard Jerome Randle credits Coach Montgomery for the team's renewed confidence and improved performance, citing the coach's emphasis on defense and direction.

Key Takeaways:

  • Coach Mike Montgomery's impact on the team is evident in their improved performance, with a 15-2 record and a nine-game winning streak, the best start since 1959-60.
  • Randle, the team's second-leading scorer, has seen significant improvement in his game, with fewer turnovers and better shot selection, earning praise from Coach Montgomery and his teammates.
  • The team's emphasis on defense has paid off, with players like Randle, Patrick Christopher, and Theo Robertson developing into formidable scorers, with Randle shooting 49.4% on threes, Christopher at 41.7%, and Robertson at 59.3%.
  • Cal is atop the Pacific-10 Conference at 4-0, with wins against Arizona and No. 15 Arizona State, and is ranked No. 23 in the USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches' Poll for the first time since March 2003.
  • Coach Montgomery's background as a coach, including his time at Stanford, has prepared him to lead the team with a laid-back approach, focusing on player development and team cohesion.
  • The team's success has been built on their ability to stay focused and confident, with Randle citing the importance of handling setbacks as a key factor in their continued success.

Statistics:

  • 15-2 record, with a winning streak of nine games
  • 4-0 record in the Pacific-10 Conference
  • Jerome Randle's 19.1-point average is second in the Pac-10
  • Patrick Christopher's 16.1-point average is second on the team
  • Theo Robertson is shooting 59.3% from three-point range
  • Cal's last ranking in the USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches' Poll was in March 2003

Sources:

  • USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches' Poll
  • AP

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