Maui Invitational: Cal vs. Wofford
Days before they jet to the Aloha State for the prestigious Maui Jim Mau Invitational, the Golden Bears are bringing Maui to the Mainland as they play host to Wofford as part of the tournament's opening games. The Bears tip off against the Bulldogs in Haas Pavilion on Thursday at 6 p.m., live on the Pac-12 Network and on KGO 810 AM.
The contest marks the third and final game of Cal's season-opening homestand. The Bears are 1-1, earning the first win of the
Wyking Jones era against Cal Poly on Sunday. Through two games, Cal ranks among the nation's Top 25 in four categories: free throw attempts (6th, 72), total blocks (11th, 14), free throws made (14th, 49) and blocked shots per game (24th, 2.0).
Don Coleman is coming off back-to-back 30-point outings, the first Golden Bear to do so since current Houston Rockets player Ryan Anderson did so in 2008, while
Kingsley Okoroh and
Marcus Lee each set career-best scoring marks against Cal Poly with 15 and 21 points, respectively. Freshman
Justice Sueing leads the newcomers with a pair of double-figure outings with 14 against UC Riverside and 12 against Cal Poly. Sueing earned his first career start over the Mustangs.
TICKETS & PROMOTIONS: Tickets for the game can be purchased in advance via CalBears.com or by calling (800) 462-3277. Thursday's game is part of the "Maui on the Mainland" games ahead of next week's Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION: Thursday's game will air live on the Pac-12 Network, with Spero Dedes and Dan Belloumini on the call. The California Golden Bears Sports Network will offer play by play and analysis, as well as post-game interviews, from Todd McKim and
Jay John live on KGO 810 AM. Live stats, full broadcast details and more can be accessed via the Cal men's basketball schedule page on CalBears.com, and fans can follow the Bears on social media via @CalMBball on Twitter and Instagram, and at Facebook.com/CalMBball.
SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
Last Meeting: 0-0
Series Record: Have Not Met
Wofford's 2017-18 Record: 1-1
Wofford's Last Game: The Terriers defeated Washington and Lee University, 103-66, for their first win of the season.
• Wofford returns three starters, including two who averaged double-figures last season -- Fletcher Magee (18.6 points per game) and Cameron Jackson (12.6 ppg).
• Magee currently leads the Terriers with 17.0 ppg.
• Jackson (14.0 ppg) and Matthew Pegram (10.0) are also scoring in the double figures.
• Storm Murphy has a team-best 8 assists.
• Wofford's loss this season came against 2017 Final Four participant South Carolina, 73-52.
LAST TIME OUT
Cal earned the first win of the
Wyking Jones era with an 85-82 victory over Cal Poly.
• Four Bears scored in double figures, led by
Don Coleman's 30 points.
Marcus Lee had 21,
Kingsley Okoroh had 15 and
Justice Sueing had 12.
• Lee tallied a double-double for the first time this season, adding 11 rebounds to his career-high 21 points.
• Okoroh's 15 points were a new career-high title.
• Sueing made his first career start,
• Cal shot 70.8% from the floor in the first half (17-24) and 56.0% for the game (28-50).
• The Bears scored 42 of their points in the paint, and 20 points off turnovers.
• Cal led by as many as 19 points in the second half.
BEARS SIGN TOP 25 CLASS
Head coach
Wyking Jones first recruiting class is off to a strong start, signing a consensus Top 30 class, with three outlets listing Cal's 2018 signees as a Top 25 group. Top 100 recruits Jacobi Gordon (Houston, Texas) and Matt Bradley (San Bernardino, Calif.) and three-star California standout Andre Kelly have signed with the program. 247Sports and Scout gave the Bears the 18th-best class in the country. ESPN ranks the class 22nd. More notes on the class:
• Matt Bradley -- 97th in the ESPN 100, four-star shooting guard
• Jacobi Gordon -- 89th in the ESPN 100, No. 22 small forward in the country
• Andre Kelly -- Stockton Record's reigning All-Area Player of the Year who averaged 24.1 points, 15.2 rpg, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks as a junior.
CAL TO OPEN NEXT SEASON IN CHINA
California men's basketball will open the 2017-18 season against Yale in China in the fourth edition of the Pac-12 China Game presented by Alibaba Group. The flagship event of Pac-12 Global is designed to grow the global popularity of Pac-12 athletic programs and universities, fostering cultural exchange through sport, and creating unique educational experiences for Pac-12 student-athletes. In addition to the game, the trip will include educational and cultural experiences for student-athletes and university delegations. Specific date and location information will be announced at a later date.
NEXT UP
The Golden Bears leave Berkeley for the first time all season, heading to the Aloha State for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Cal is set for three days of hoops at the Lahaina Civic Center, where the Bears will open tournament action against Wichita State at 2 p.m. PT on Monday, Nov. 20.
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