Stanford at California

Local, in-state and intra-city rivalries tend to be more unpredictable than other games, in conference or out of conference. But in this case, chalk won.

Once again the zebras managed to disrupt the flow of the game and playing time for key players, with Brook Lopez missing a large chunk of the first half, and a number of players getting fouls that, well, perhaps were not necessary. So why are the zebras having so much power in deciding the game? Isn't the game about the players? It's high time to modernizae the fouling situation, and go to six or more fouls or even get rid of the fouling out, and adjust the penalties for extra fouls.

The main reason I've been having doubts about Stanford and left them out of the top 25 are their guards. For a team that is loaded with solid big men, the guards are just not a good match. Other than Goods, the rest of their guards are Big West or WCC starters. Not that they are not good players, but neither Mitch Johnson, Landry Fields or Drew Shiller are Pac-10 starters. By the way, Landry Fields has grown to 6'11" since I started writing this post ;-)

Not sure why Trent Johnson didn't recruit more guards. Guards are easier to get, and if he was able to get so many quality big men at Stanford, I'm sure he could find a point guard of that caliber.

Now when I say that, I don't expect a Mayo, Bayless, Rose, or Jason Kidd, but someone like Hernandez would have been just what the doctor ordered for Stanford's perimeter game.

Despite all that, they were able to beat Cal, who has exactly the same problem with the point guard position. The Omar Wilkes excuse doesn't fly. Wilkes was a classic wing. Clearly tiny Randle and the euro-guard are not Pac-10 starters. Ben Braun also has a lot of big men, but he wasn't able to get them a point guard to do them justice.

What's the frequency Trent Johnson and Ben Braun? Perhaps you should trade one of your big men for Nic Wise. Oops, no trades in college :)

Ryan Anderson was frustrated, Brook Lopez is turning into a second half menace for the opponent, Drew Shiller got his chance for PT, and Jamal Boykin was effective around the basket before the last TV timeout. Then he was just not able to make layups from half a foot away.