Bentpawn
@bentpawn.writeforcal.com
You can call me Don. Hopeless Cal fan. East Bay resident. Basketball writer at https://www.writeforcalifornia.com
My recap of Cal's season opening win over CSU-Bakersfield. Pippen, Camden and Dort form an intriguing core for the Bears, with depth to mix and match around them. This may be a fun year.
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Cal Dominates Cal State Bakersfield in Decisive 87-60 Victory
Cal's balanced scoring attack overwhelms the Roadrunners
writeforcalifornia.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:33 AM
My recap of Cal's season opening win over CSU-Bakersfield. Pippen, Camden and Dort form an intriguing core for the Bears, with depth to mix and match around them. This may be a fun year.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-cal-st...
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-cal-st...
In which Coach Charmin Smith and I talk about Cal Women's Basketball, challenges both on and off the court for the coming season, her and the team's interaction with the WNBA Valkyries, and her favorite food spots near campus. @wgoldenstate.bsky.social
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1:1 Conversation with Cal Women's Basketball Coach Charmin Smith
"This is a special team that deserves to be watched."
writeforcalifornia.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
In which Coach Charmin Smith and I talk about Cal Women's Basketball, challenges both on and off the court for the coming season, her and the team's interaction with the WNBA Valkyries, and her favorite food spots near campus. @wgoldenstate.bsky.social
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-womens...
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Recapping a recent phone convo I had with Coach Madsen, where he calls his shot for the number of wins this year(plus other coach-speak and factoids).
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Cal Men's Basketball: A 1:1 Conversation with Coach Mark Madsen
Recapping a late August conversation with Coach Madsen, plus an overview of the 25-26 schedule
writeforcalifornia.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Recapping a recent phone convo I had with Coach Madsen, where he calls his shot for the number of wins this year(plus other coach-speak and factoids).
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-mens-b...
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-mens-b...
It's mid August, so let's take a look at the Cal Men's Basketball roster. I am weirdly optimistic about this season.
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Men's Basketball Roster Catch-Up
Familiarizing ourselves with the new roster and having a sense of optimism
writeforcalifornia.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:19 AM
It's mid August, so let's take a look at the Cal Men's Basketball roster. I am weirdly optimistic about this season.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...
writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...
Oh god the urge to go look at twitter is so strong right now...must resist.
June 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Oh god the urge to go look at twitter is so strong right now...must resist.
Looking at the box score with no context, and see the 'B Hurley' 2 minutes for ASU. I'm imagining a very frustrated Coach Hurley in the last minutes just saying f*** it, grabbing a bench warmers jersey and subbing himself in.
April 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Looking at the box score with no context, and see the 'B Hurley' 2 minutes for ASU. I'm imagining a very frustrated Coach Hurley in the last minutes just saying f*** it, grabbing a bench warmers jersey and subbing himself in.
Cal's worst game of the year comes at the worst time. Credit to MSU for making Cal uncomfortable all game. It will be a somber post game press session.
March 23, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Cal's worst game of the year comes at the worst time. Credit to MSU for making Cal uncomfortable all game. It will be a somber post game press session.
Credit to MSU's defense, making everything uncomfortable for Cal. MSU is leading 41-29 entering the 4Q. I've seen nothing so far that makes me think a comeback is possible. I hope they prove me wrong.
March 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Credit to MSU's defense, making everything uncomfortable for Cal. MSU is leading 41-29 entering the 4Q. I've seen nothing so far that makes me think a comeback is possible. I hope they prove me wrong.
Marta Suarez maintained a meditative position for nearly 3 minutes at the halftime break.
March 22, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Marta Suarez maintained a meditative position for nearly 3 minutes at the halftime break.
The optimist in me sees Ioanna with a late 3-pointer and Michelle with a nice basket down low to end the half as signs of good things to come.
The pessimist in me sees everything else.
The pessimist in me sees everything else.
March 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The optimist in me sees Ioanna with a late 3-pointer and Michelle with a nice basket down low to end the half as signs of good things to come.
The pessimist in me sees everything else.
The pessimist in me sees everything else.
26-19 Miss State lead at the half over Cal. Cal has not been able to make a shot (except for Lulu) and have already committed 12 TOs. Cal's defense is keeping them in the game, limiting MSU to 25% shooting.
If Cal even shoots average in the second half and maintains the defense, they should win.
If Cal even shoots average in the second half and maintains the defense, they should win.
March 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
26-19 Miss State lead at the half over Cal. Cal has not been able to make a shot (except for Lulu) and have already committed 12 TOs. Cal's defense is keeping them in the game, limiting MSU to 25% shooting.
If Cal even shoots average in the second half and maintains the defense, they should win.
If Cal even shoots average in the second half and maintains the defense, they should win.
12-5 Miss St over Cal at the end of the first quarter. Cal's defense has been fine, winning the rebounding battle. Cal is taking good shots, but nothing is going in. Lulu is 2/2, rest of team is 0/11.
If Cal just regresses to the mean on shooting, they'll be fine.
If Cal just regresses to the mean on shooting, they'll be fine.
March 22, 2025 at 9:58 PM
12-5 Miss St over Cal at the end of the first quarter. Cal's defense has been fine, winning the rebounding battle. Cal is taking good shots, but nothing is going in. Lulu is 2/2, rest of team is 0/11.
If Cal just regresses to the mean on shooting, they'll be fine.
If Cal just regresses to the mean on shooting, they'll be fine.
SEC turned out well to root for MSU, but Bears fans are slightly louder, at least in the pregame.
March 22, 2025 at 9:33 PM
SEC turned out well to root for MSU, but Bears fans are slightly louder, at least in the pregame.
Kayla Williams picture in the hallway between the Cal locker room and the playing floor. Awkward.
March 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Kayla Williams picture in the hallway between the Cal locker room and the playing floor. Awkward.
The many faces of Coach Charmin Smith while watching the selection show. First two are early region 8/9 matchups, last one is when Cal finally appeared.
March 17, 2025 at 2:12 AM
The many faces of Coach Charmin Smith while watching the selection show. First two are early region 8/9 matchups, last one is when Cal finally appeared.
Cal has a lineup of Sissoko, Rytis, Tucker, Pavlovic, Campbell.
Just like we thought back in November.
Just like we thought back in November.
March 13, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Cal has a lineup of Sissoko, Rytis, Tucker, Pavlovic, Campbell.
Just like we thought back in November.
Just like we thought back in November.
This game has everything. Tucker pick and rolls.Andrej going nuclear. Vladimir driving the lane.
Proud of Cal for the fight they're showing despite the odds.
Proud of Cal for the fight they're showing despite the odds.
a man is sitting at a desk with his hands folded
ALT: a man is sitting at a desk with his hands folded
media.tenor.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:56 PM
This game has everything. Tucker pick and rolls.Andrej going nuclear. Vladimir driving the lane.
Proud of Cal for the fight they're showing despite the odds.
Proud of Cal for the fight they're showing despite the odds.
Cal survives to take on Stanford tomorrow. My recap, plus going in depth on the final play of regulation and Cal baiting VA Tech to make the bad decision.
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ACC Tourney: Cal Beats Virginia Tech 82-73 in 2OT Thriller
Six overtimes in two games as Cal advances to face Stanford tomorrow
writeforcalifornia.com
March 12, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Cal survives to take on Stanford tomorrow. My recap, plus going in depth on the final play of regulation and Cal baiting VA Tech to make the bad decision.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/acc-tourne...
writeforcalifornia.com/p/acc-tourne...
My recap of Cal's win over Virginia in the second round of the ACC Tournament.
One of these days, ACC coverage will not treat Cal like an OOC opponent. They mangle names, give unequal pregame "hype" time, and sometimes just get facts wrong.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-crushe...
One of these days, ACC coverage will not treat Cal like an OOC opponent. They mangle names, give unequal pregame "hype" time, and sometimes just get facts wrong.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-crushe...
Cal Crushes the Cavaliers 75-58 in the ACC Tourney
Onyiah, Suarez record double-doubles as Cal leads from start to finish
writeforcalifornia.com
March 7, 2025 at 2:33 AM
My recap of Cal's win over Virginia in the second round of the ACC Tournament.
One of these days, ACC coverage will not treat Cal like an OOC opponent. They mangle names, give unequal pregame "hype" time, and sometimes just get facts wrong.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-crushe...
One of these days, ACC coverage will not treat Cal like an OOC opponent. They mangle names, give unequal pregame "hype" time, and sometimes just get facts wrong.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-crushe...
Cal still haw a long way to become part of the ACC family. Watching the Cal/UVA game, play-by-play announcer Pam Ward says "Ioanna Krimili who started her career at SOUTH FLORIDA before continuing her career on the west coast"
(Krimili started at Univ of San Francisco)
Sigh.
(Krimili started at Univ of San Francisco)
Sigh.
March 6, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Cal still haw a long way to become part of the ACC family. Watching the Cal/UVA game, play-by-play announcer Pam Ward says "Ioanna Krimili who started her career at SOUTH FLORIDA before continuing her career on the west coast"
(Krimili started at Univ of San Francisco)
Sigh.
(Krimili started at Univ of San Francisco)
Sigh.
TLDR; Coach Charmin Smith's team struggles more than average against high pressure defenses, and why to watch for the number 15 as Cal marches on in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
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Women's Basketball: A Deeper Look at Turnovers and Assists Statistics
Plus a few fun clips from Sunday's win over Miami
writeforcalifornia.com
March 5, 2025 at 6:44 PM
TLDR; Coach Charmin Smith's team struggles more than average against high pressure defenses, and why to watch for the number 15 as Cal marches on in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...
I will raise a toast this evening to Coach Norman Dale. May he rest in peace.
February 27, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I will raise a toast this evening to Coach Norman Dale. May he rest in peace.
In which I spent way too much time breaking down the ACC Tnmt seeding options for Cal Women's Basketball as they enter the last week of the regular season.
They want 7. They could get to 6.
They don't want to slip to 8/9.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-hoo...
They want 7. They could get to 6.
They don't want to slip to 8/9.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-hoo...
Women's Hoops; Bears Edge Virginia, Come Up Short in Loss to the Hokies
Recapping the Virginia split, and looking ahead to the last week of the season
writeforcalifornia.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
In which I spent way too much time breaking down the ACC Tnmt seeding options for Cal Women's Basketball as they enter the last week of the regular season.
They want 7. They could get to 6.
They don't want to slip to 8/9.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-hoo...
They want 7. They could get to 6.
They don't want to slip to 8/9.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-hoo...