California Golden Bears Basketball 2016-17 Offseason Checklist
By Dan Fappiano
Overall
Overall, the Cal Bears are a much different team than they were last year. Assuming Brown and Rabb both leave the program, then this team is on the down swing. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that this team will be bad.
The starting lineup will most likely be:
PG: Sam Singer
SG: Jordan Matthews
SF: Jabari Bird
PF: Roman Davis
That lineup has talent, but it is very weak compared to last years team. It does have three senior guards, so veteran leadership will not be an issue. Cal will have to figure out a way though, to avoid being forgotten in a Pac-12 that has gotten fairly deep in recent years.
Cal Golden Bears
Joe Lunardi agrees with the sentiment that Cal will still be good even with the losses of Rabb and Brown. Lunardi has the Bears as a 10 seed facing 7 Maryland in his first Bracketology of the year.
Cal has tough out of conference games against Virginia and Davidson, as well as an even tougher Pac-12 schedule. If they can stay above water and not get lost in the pack, then they should be a fairly solid team next season.
They most likely won’t be a four seed again, barring career resurrections for the team’s senior guards, but making the tournament seems entirely feasible going forward.
As for recruiting, Cal has to consider this year a wash. They did have a four star recruit locked up in Jolly — before the Hufnagel scandal broke. Assuming Cal keeps their hands clean, they should be able to get back on track recruiting wise going forward.
It would be nice if the team could pick up one of the transfers already mentioned. It would ease the pain of basically striking out in recruiting. That transfer, whether it would help this year or next year, would improve the team’s depth as well as make the team more of a formidable threat in the future.
Lastly, coach Martin has to stay in place. For recruiting purposes, next year as well as for team morale this season. If Cal were to see two, maybe three coaches leaving, including their head coach, the nature of the program would be in serious question.
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Cal Bears’ fans should expect an entirely different Cal team this year. That may seem ridiculous with three seniors in the starting lineup, but losing Brown and Rabb turn this team from a title contender to more of a dark horse. Regardless, the Cal Bears should be in the hunt assuming everything goes to plan.
The 2016-17 California Golden Bears won’t be the Bears of 2015-16, but they should still be a very good team who could make a deep run assuming everyone stays healthy and the pieces all come together.