Cal Bears' Rise: 9-1 Start Amidst Academic Hurdles

The Cal men's basketball team has demonstrated remarkable progress, achieving a 9-1 record for the first time since the 2014-15 season. This success comes after a period of eight consecutive losing seasons, marking a significant turnaround for the program. The team's next win will surpass the total wins from four of those past eight seasons.

Despite the team's strong performance, coach Mark Madsen is addressing challenges such as academic "dead week" and looming final exams. He acknowledges that these distractions can affect performance but insists they are not valid excuses for slow starts, taking personal responsibility for a sluggish first half in a recent game.

A key player in the Bears' resurgence is sophomore point guard Justin Pippen, who recorded a career-high 24 points against Dominican. Pippen is averaging 15.3 points per game and contributing significantly in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, demonstrating a growing maturity in his game.