Cal vs. Colorado

Thursday, Jan 24 | 8 PM PT | Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif.
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The Golden Bears are back in action to begin their longest homestand of Pac-12 play this week, starting with Colorado on Thursday in Haas Pavilion. The battle begins on Pete Newell Court at 8 p.m., live on the Pac-12 Networks.

The Bears are coming off a tough road trip at the Washington schools in which they averaged just 55.5 points, and Justice Sueing was the lone player in double figures with 11.5 points per game through two contests. Despite the losses, Cal can count improved rebounding totals in conference play (31.8 rpg, up from 28.0 in the nonconference season), along with 7.5 steals per game, up from 5.8. Andre Kelly, who ranked among Cal's top 4 scorers before league play started, had yet to score in double figures in 2019 until his 14-point outing at Washington.

Sueing remains Cal's most consistent scorer at 15.2 ppg in Pac-12 play, followed by Darius McNeill (11.2), Matt Bradley (11.0) and Paris Austin (10.0). 

California is looking for its first conference win since Feb. 3, 2018 (vs. Oregon State, 74-70), against a Colorado team whose only Pac-12 win came against Washington State.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION:  Ben Braun and Guy Haberman are delivering play-by-play and analysis on Pac-12 Networks. Follow along online at www.Pac-12.com/live, or watch on the Pac-12 Now app. Todd McKim and Rich Cellini will have the action for the  California Golden Bears Sports Network on KGO 810 AM and via TuneIn. Live stats, broadcast info and more can be accessed via the Cal men's basketball schedule page. Fans can follow the Bears on social media via @CalMBball on Twitter and Instagram, and at Facebook.com/CalMBball.
 

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BY THE NUMBERS

14 -- Andre Kelly scored 14 points at Washington for his first game in double figures in Pac-12 play. Kelly was averaging just 4.7 points in his last six outings prior to Saturday's contest against the Huskies.

6/7 -- Since Dec. 29, Cal has tallied 30 or more rebounds in 6 of 7 appearances. Prior to that, the Bears pulled down 30+ boards in only 2 of 11 outings. Cal is now averaging 29.3 rebounds per game for the season.

5 -- Paris Austin tallied 5 steals at Washington to set a career-best total. As a whole, the Bears are averaging 7.5 steals per game in league action.

6.0 -- Roman Davis averaged a team-best 6.0 rebounds per game in Cal's trip to the Washington schools. After pulling down a career-best 7 boards at Wazzu on Thursday, Davis earned his first career start against Washington on Saturday. He also averaged 3.5 points.

3 -- Three Golden Bears are averaging double figure scoring totals at home in Pac-12 play: Justice Sueing (17.0 points per game), Matt Bradley (12.5) and Darius McNeill (12.5).
 

SCOUTING THE BUFFS

• Series Record: The series is tied at 15-15
• Last Meeting: Colorado took the 4-point victory, beating Cal 68-64 in Boulder on Feb. 7, 2018. Darius McNeill was one of three Bears in double figures with 12 points, including 2 3-pointers, and Cal tallied 10 steals.
• Colorado's 2018-19 Record: 10-7, 1-4 Pac-12
• Colorado's Last Game: The Buffs fell to Mountain rival Utah, 78-69, despite Shane Gatling's 21 points and double-figure efforts from three other players.
• McKinley Wright ranks 57th nationally in assists per game with 5.2 per game.
• Wright leads the Buffs overall with 12.9 points per game, but has trailed off to 10.3 ppg in Pac-12 play.
• D'Shawn Schwartz is leading Colorado in conference action with 13.4 ppg, and Gatling is averaging 11.6.
• Tyler Bey, who's averaging 9.1 rebounds for the Buffs, is 32nd nationally for defensive rebounds per game (7.0) and 78th in total rebounds (154).
• Bey is also 86th nationally and 5th in the Pac-12 for double-doubles. He's averaging 11.4 points per game.
• Colorado's lone win in conference play came as a 92-60 victory at home against Washington State.

SERIES NOTES
Record at Cal: 12-1
Last 10 meetings: 5-5
Most points, Cal: 98, 1974-75
Most points, Colorado: 89, 2010-11
Largest margin, Cal: 33, 1959-60
Largest margin, Colorado: 25, 1986-87
Longest Cal win streak: 3, 1945-46 to 1954-55
Longest Colorado win streak: 3, 2003-04 to 2010-11;
2011-12 to 2012-13
Current Streak: 2, Colorado

RECORDS AGAINST COLORADO
Points: 22, Justin Cobbs, Jan. 27, 2013
Rebounds: 16, Richard Solomon, March 13, 2014
FG: 10, Justin Cobbs, Jan. 27, 2013
3P: 5, Charlie Moore, Feb. 5, 2017
5, Jordan Mathews, Jan. 1, 2016
FT: 8, Grant Mullins, Feb. 5, 2017
8, Jaylen Brown, Jan. 31, 2016
8, Justin Cobbs, Feb. 26, 2012/March 8, 2014
 

UTAH GAME TIME CHANGED

Due to a television program schedule change, Cal's game against Utah in Berkeley on Saturday, Jan. 26th has been moved from 7 p.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT. The game will air on ESPNU.
 

LAST TIME OUT

• The Result: The Bears battled tough in Seattle but couldn't overcome Washington's veteran squad, falling 72-51.
• Roman Davis made the first start of his collegiate career and finished the game with a season-high 5 points plus 3 rebounds.
• Andre Kelly scored 14 points for his first game in double figures of Pac-12 play.
• Paris Austin also scored in double figures with 12 points, and added a season-best 7 rebounds, just one shy of his career high.
• The Golden Bears notched 12 steals.
• Cal made only one 3-pointer.
 

RANKING ROUNDUP

As a team, Cal ranks Top 50 nationally in:
• Free-Throw Percentage: 41st, 74.9

Individually, Cal players rank in the Top 100 nationally in:
• Assists Per Game: Paris Austin (92nd, 4.7)
• Free Throws Made: Justice Sueing (68th, 85)
• Free Throw Percentage: Justice Sueing (69th, 85.0)
 

NEXT UP

Saturday is the annual Pete Newell game, where the Golden Bears will honor the legacy of legendary head coach Newell when they play Utah at 5 p.m. in Haas Pavilion. The action airs on ESPNU.