Cal Golden Bears Clash with Idaho State in Haas Rock Game

A Triumphant Return to Haas Pavilion

After a five-game road trip that spanned nearly three weeks, the Cal Golden Bears (5-3) are finally set to return to the friendly confines of Haas Pavilion on Saturday, December 10th, for a non-conference matchup against the Idaho State Bengals (7-1).

Scouting the Idaho State Bengals

Perimeter Prowess

The Bengals enter the contest boasting a high-octane offense, averaging an impressive 85.6 points per game. Junior guard Brock Mackenzie leads the charge, ranking among the top scorers in the Big Sky Conference with an average of 20.4 points per game. Mackenzie is a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, having connected on 44.4% of his three-point attempts this season. He is complemented by sophomore guard Daxton Carr, who averages 11.4 points per game and is shooting 39.5% from three-point range.

Interior Presence

While the Bengals are known for their perimeter prowess, they also have a solid presence in the paint. Sophomore forward Brayden Parker is a force on the boards, averaging a team-leading 8.0 rebounds per game. He is also a capable scorer, averaging 10.1 points per game.

Defensive Intensity

Defensively, Idaho State has been solid, holding opponents to an average of 67.9 points per game. They force turnovers at a high rate, averaging 8.4 steals per game, which ranks among the top 100 in the nation.

Keys to Victory for Cal

Limit Perimeter Shooting

Idaho State's success hinges heavily on their ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. The Golden Bears must do a good job of closing out on shooters and contesting every shot to make it difficult for the Bengals to get into a rhythm from beyond the arc.

Control the Tempo

The Golden Bears should look to slow the pace of the game down and play at their own tempo. Cal has a size advantage over Idaho State and should be able to wear them down in the paint over the course of the game.

Take Care of the Ball

Idaho State's defense is known for forcing turnovers, so the Golden Bears must be careful with the ball and avoid making unforced errors. Cal is averaging 12.9 turnovers per game, which is tied for the sixth-most in the Pac-12.

Conclusion

The Cal Golden Bears will be heavily favored in this matchup against the Idaho State Bengals. However, the Bengals are a well-coached team that is capable of pulling off an upset if the Golden Bears are not fully prepared. Cal must be sharp on the defensive end and limit Idaho State's perimeter shooting in order to secure the victory.