Deadspin: New Cal Look Opens Season With Optimism Against Adams State

Cal seeks another step forward

The Golden Bears open their season at home against Adams State, a Division II program from Colorado and a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Cal competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Since Mark Madsen took over, Cal’s win total has risen from 13 to 14 to 22. Transfers have played a major role in that progress, and the team will again rely on newcomers after losing its four leading scorers from last season.

Madsen said the team must keep working through the necessary steps if it hopes to exceed last season’s results. “Our group is going to be strong,” he said at ACC media day in early October.

Newcomers join key returner

Center Lee Dort is Cal’s top returning player. In his third season with the Golden Bears, after starting his college career at Vanderbilt, he averaged 7.8 rebounds and 8.1 points per game last season.

Transfers Nojus Indrusaitis, Sammie Yeanay and Jordan Ross have also made early contributions. Indrusaitis hit the winning 3-pointer in Cal’s Oct. 18 exhibition victory over Loyola Marymount; the three newcomers combined for 52 points in an Oct. 24 exhibition loss to Oregon State.

Adams State brings experience

The Grizzlies finished 18-11 last season, but graduated their top four scorers, including Wyatt Helming, an RMAC first-team honoree. Emilek Jallow, who averaged 9.0 points per game, is their leading returning scorer.

Adams State also faced a Division I opponent last season, losing 83-72 at New Mexico State in a game that was an exhibition for the Grizzlies. Monday’s matchup with Cal will likewise count as an exhibition for Adams State.