California Golden Bears Basketball 2016-17 Offseason Checklist

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Mar 5, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The California Golden Bears had a lackluster end to 2015. With their top two players leaving what should Bears’ fans look for in the 2016-17 offseason?

The California Golden Bears had a very solid season in terms of basketball in 2015-16.

The team finished fifth in the Pac-12 with a 12-6 record in conference play and a 23-11 record overall. The Bears were able to notch quality wins over at the time #21 Utah, #12 Arizona, and #11 and eventual top seed Oregon.

Although they were coming off a loss to Utah in the Pac-12 tournament, the Bears were able to grab a #4 seed in the NCAA tournament — the highest in school history.

In the opening round, they were matched up against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, winners of the Big West with a 28-6 overall record. Cal was the clear favorite with Vegas putting them as an almost seven point favorite.

But prior to the game, senior guard Tyrone Wallace broke his wrist — ending his California Bears and college basketball career.

Hawaii was able to take advantage of Cal’s injury woes and youth as they pulled off the 77-66 upset, knocking Cal out of the tournament.

Cal’s tournament wasn’t made any easier before their first round game given that the Bears fired assistant Yann Hufnagel after he was found guilty of sexual assault. Head coach Cuomo Martin is now under investigation to see if he handled the sexual harassment allegations properly.

Following the investigation — and now the uncertainty surrounding the program — the Bears’ top recruit: Tyson Jolly, has de-committed from the program. Jolly was a three star recruit out of Oklahoma who would have greatly improved the program. Now coach Martin will have to deal with his loss.

A much needed boost for this Cal team would be if Jaylen Brown, Ivan Rabb — or both — decided to return for their sophomore seasons. But with both ticketed for the lottery they are unlikely they do so.

So with all the issues the Cal basketball program has had, what can fans of the Bears look for going into the 2016-17 season?

Next: The Returning Players

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