California 2010/2011 Basketball Preview

[BRENDANhAYWOODFAN]

While California seems to be peaking this year, what is in store for Golden Bear basketball next year? California starts four seniors this year and expect to lose a large majority of its scoring and rebounding next year. Gone will be Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher, Jamal Boykin, Theo Robertson, and Nikola Knevevic. What what can we expect next year?

Front Court:
California's returning leading scorer and rebounder next year will most likely be Omondi Amoke who has thrived in an energy role this year playing as an undersized post player. At 6'7" he will need to be more assertive and will most likely get the nod at small forward or power forward if Cal chooses to go small. Haper Kamp returns from injury and should start at power forward or center. He will be needed to score and rebound while playing major minutes. Behind Kamp and Omoki, California has Max Zhang and Makhuri Sanders Frison back. Both will need to avoid fouling too much and Zhang must continue to improve, an option to start at center if he can stay on the floor. An intriguing x-factor could be Richard Solomon, who at 6'9", is the second tallest scholarship player. He will need to gain much strength but has the length and ever improving skill set to play. Bak Bak will see garbage time.

Back Court:
California loses almost everyone of note here. Jorge Gutierrez will need to remain healthy and should emerge as a leader for this team. His hustle and defense are top quality but it remains to be seen if he can be a first or second scoring option. Scoring will likely come from freshman Gary Franklin and Allen Crabbe. Both are top notch shooters, Franklin a combo guard and Crabbe a growing 6'6" shooting guard. Crabbe may remind some of former Texas A&M guard Josh Carter. D.J. Seely, an inconsistent former touted recruit, must step up now that California has open minutes. Brandon Scott must play better and show he is a Pac 10 level player. Alex Rossi could also see minutes, the freshman from Illinois is the top shooter entering the Pac 10 but must be able to not be overwhelmed when on the court.

Outlook:
California has no real scoring option next year and a leader must emerge out of the pack. Whether that leader is Gutierrez, Crabbe, or Franklin- one must step up. The frontcourt has no legitimate option either, a fact that could come to haunt Cal during Pac 10 play. They will most likely finish in the bottom half of the Pac 10 but a great freshman class and some verteran juniors could make for a very interesting team.

[xATMx]

They just need to recruit more heavier in the off season