This past Saturday my dear friend, (Remember the guy who lost the $500 on Siena on Monday ?), stopped by the house to see what I had on tap in Saturday's College Basketball action and when I told him a 5* Pot of Gold PAC 10 Conference Game of the Year on the California Golden Bears over their arch rival Stanford he bombarded me with the million questions on why he should try and recoup his Siena losses on this game. After explaining the details and what a huge weekend it would be with the celebrations planned to Honor 100 Years of Cal Basketball including the recognition of the 50th year anniversary of the 1959 National Championship Team, recognition of the late great former Head Coach Pete Newall and the retirement of the #40 uniform of former All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist Darrall Imhoff and the fact that the Battle of the Bay part II didn't need any added fuel to add to the mix with Cal Head Coach Mike Montgomery facing his former employer with his 18-6 Bears team looking to avenge a loss at the Farm earlier this season. I also noted that Montgomery has improved the Golden Bears Defensive efforts by nearly 10 ppg with a drop from last season's 75.1 ppg to this season's 66.6 ppg. and Cal was looking for their 16th win at the Haas Pavilion this season as they entered this game with a home record of 15-1. Mike Montgomery's career 565-250 record good for a win percentage of .693% and the fact that he had all the eyes of an historic Cal Basketball Program on him and we couldn't see him succumbing to a Stanford team that has lost their past 4 PAC 10 road games. I even commented to "Let the celebration begin and they sure know how to celebrate at Berkeley !" Well my man bet $1000 on the game and called his wife to inform her of his intention of watching some Hoops with me at my house. Oh No ! Here comes Head Coach Johnny Dawkins' Cardinal putting on a shooting display that was as impressive as you'll ever see racing out to a 20+ point lead and shooting almost 75 % as they led at the half 50-36. Now it starts - "How the hell could you come up with a schmuck team like this as a 5* Pot of Gold- For Christ's Sake I'm laying (-6) points". "Now I'm going to be (-1650) and the old lady is gonna kill me". Admittedly it looked like you could stick a fork in the Golden Bears. I reminded him that this was Cal vs. Stanford and anything could happen in a rivalry game and don't ever forget that they don't pay or collect on halftime scores. Here Come Those Golden Bears with a comeback for the ages as they cut into the Stanford lead and over took the Cardinal in the final couple of minutes. Twelve seconds to play and Stanford (down by six) misses a three - rebound CAl - foul on Stanford. Cal point guard Randle to the line shooting 92 % in the final two minutes of a game or overtime. First shot up - in and out - no good ! My friend jumps off his chair and expresses some serious discontent with Randle. Next shot to go up by seven and get the spread for the first time in the entire game - It's good. Up seven and here comes Stanford - Cal stays up on them defensively and a Stanford player trying to get cute loses the ball, recovered by Cal and they dribble out the clock - We Win !!!! My friend is now up +450 and I'm not such a bad guy and he immediately begins questioning the Sunday schedule. Don't be so quick to turn on your handicappers as not even the best can predict turnovers, in game injuries and poor officiating. This was a game that not only provided a storybook ending for my friend - but - for the Celebration of 100 years of Cal Basketball. Another exciting day in College Sports produced a 5* Pot of Gold on #566 Cal Golden Bears. Thank You Cal ! Thank You James Patrick Sports !
