A Fitting End

Cal’s blow out loss to Ohio State could not have more perfectly captured the current state of the program and its relative standing in the basketball world. For an OSU team that last year was in the Final Four to be able to sell out an almost irrelevant 2nd round NIT game while Cal’s post season starved fans could muster only 1900 fans for last week’s game against New Mexico speaks volumes about the two progams. The only contrast stronger was the difference between the two teams play on the court. Thad Matta’s Buckeyes played smart, tough basketball and overcame an early shooting slump to discombobulate the Bears who played with all the passion and energy of Joe Barry Carroll on one of his off nights. From my vantage point, you could swap coaches for this game and the two teams score would follow.

If, even after tonight’s debacle, Sandy Barbour has any doubts about the right thing to do with Braun all she need do is sit down with the players. She will find a team that has lost confidence and respect for their coach, many of whom are evaluating their options whether it’s early to the NBA or transferring to another school. Should Braun return next season, it’s likely that at least four and perhaps all five of last night’s starters would no longer be on the team.

The quicker Barbour can move to remove Braun and name a successor, the more likely our new coach can convince the remaining talent to stay in Berkeley. For all of Braun’s faults, it’s not like the cupboard is bare. If Anderson returns, he is a likely preseason AA. Christopher is easily a preseason AP10 selection and it’s not hard to imagine Jerome Randle taking a big step forward as many point guards do between their sophomore and junior seasons. Add in Jamal Boykin, Theo Robertson, Omondi Amoke, the 7’2” Max Zhang and two absolute stud incoming freshman guards and this team has real potential. But only if they don’t all leave as quickly as rats fleeing a sinking ship.

An announcement could come as soon as the next few days, but Barbour may wait until she can simultaneously announce Braun’s departure and successor. My next post will outline the likely candidates she is considering.