Cal hopes to build momentum from its 115-point barrage in its opening game when the Golden Bears meet Radford in nonconference action Wednesday night in Berkeley, Calif.
Michael Cooper had 24 points, Sammie Yeanay 21 and Nojus Indrusaitis 20 in Monday’s 115-86 victory over Division II Adams State in a game in which Cal set a school record for points in a first half with 66. The previous mark was 63 against U.S. International in 1990.
Cal coach Mark Madsen noted afterward that the fast pace at which Adams State played should benefit his Golden Bears moving forward.
“We need to be able to win (playing any style),” Madsen told reporters. “We need to win the games that are slug-it-out, 10-yards-in-a-cloud-of-dust. We have to be able to win those games with execution, with precise sets, which we have.
“We also have to be able to play fast. We have to be able to play against shifting defenses. We have to play if a team tries to speed us up.”
Radford couldn’t get its running game in gear in its opener Monday across the bay against San Francisco. The Highlanders had more turnovers (19) than assists (14) and took just 50 shots from the field in a 76-62 loss to the Dons.
Frederik Erichsen (12 points), Mathieu Grujicic (11) and Ja’Corey Robinson (10) led a balanced attack for Radford.
Making his Radford debut after transferring from Austin Peay, Robinson lived up to his “unicorn” label by adding five rebounds and five assists. The sophomore also had six turnovers.
“We call him a unicorn because he can do everything on the court. He can create, score, play defense (and be a) three-level scorer,” his high school coach, Mike Williams, told reporters last season when asked what Austin Peay could expect from the freshman.
Robinson averaged 6.6 points per game for Austin Peay and has made an immediate impact on his new team, Radford coach Zach Chu told the media heading into the season.
“Ja’Corey is one of the most unique players in the country,” Chu said, “possessing a rare combination of playmaking, rebounding and defensive impact.”