Cal vs Missouri

There is a big game today for the Bears, and it takes place in Haas Pavillion. The Bears vs Missouri will be a big indicator of how well we are going to be this year.

Missouri has played 8 games this year, losing twice to Arkansas and Michigan State, two teams who have a strong shot at playing well into march. And they lost both of those by three points. So they are definitely a good team - a type of team that the Bears have to play and win if they want to have any shot of getting through the Pac 10 season semi-intact. In fact, the Bears have a somewhat tougher pre-season than any that I can remember us playing, facing San Diego State, Missouri, and Utah and Kansas State coming up. These are all teams that can win games and will be RPI 100 teams or better at the end of the season. In other words, just about as good or better than Cal last year.

For the Bears to make the Tournament, I think they have to win 18 games. If they do, they have a shot. For a team that for most analysts is the 7th or 8th best in the Pac 10, that is a tough order. The nice thing is, we do have a tougher pre-season than most so we will be able to get in with less than a winning Pac 10 record. I think if we can move through the pre-season undefeated, we will need only 7 or so Pac 10 wins. That would be all victories against the teams slated below us, plus an upset somewhere along the line. The only games that we SHOULD win are against Oregon State and Arizona State. Everything else is going to be a struggle.

So, having the toughest Pac 10 season in years, plus the toughest out of conference schedule in years is a recipe for either the greatest season we will have had in years, or disaster. Tonight will be a big test.

Here is looking at a great Bears season.

GO BEARS!!