Cal, a team known for its athleticism and determination, recently joined a new conference that is renowned for its men's basketball prowess. This November night in Los Angeles became a showcase of the team's skills as they demonstrated that the ACC is indeed better than the B1G.

Coach Mark Madsen's Return and Team's Response

After missing Wednesday's game to be with his growing family, head coach Mark Madsen made a triumphant return to the sidelines. The Cal Men's Basketball team, clearly motivated by their poor road performance at Vanderbilt, bounced back on Sunday night with a newfound energy and focus.

California Golden Bears (3 - 1) not only achieved their first road non-conference win since 2017, defeating Seattle, but also secured a victory at USC for the first time since January 2017. This win marked a significant milestone for the team and showcased their growing strength.

With Stephon Marbury II on the bench and Andrej Stojakovic leading the charge, the team showed great potential. Stojakovic had an efficient game, scoring 20 points with 7 for 11 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free throw line. His late block on USC was a crucial moment that sealed the game.

Jovan Blacksher Jr: The Game Changer

Jovan Blacksher Jr emerged as the difference-maker in the game. The brand new Cal starting point guard was on fire, shooting 7 for 11 from the field and 4 for 7 from the three-point line for 19 points. Remarkably, 18 of those points came in the first half, setting the tone for the team.

USC head coach Eric Musselman credited Blacksher's outstanding performance as the main area where his Trojans needed to improve. Blacksher's ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates was a key factor in Cal's victory.

However, it's important to note that Cal only had 10 assists on 27 field goals in this game. This aspect of their game will need to be addressed to maintain their competitiveness in the tough ACC conference.

Defensive Solidity and Late-game Clutchness

Cal played solid defensively, disrupting the USC Trojans' offense with their quick lateral movements. USC played a small lineup for most of the game but struggled to handle Cal's perimeter speed.

Although USC had a slim 43 - 42 lead at halftime, Cal quickly took the lead 1.5 minutes into the second half. The Trojans fought back and took a brief 64 - 63 lead with 6:30 left in the game. But Cal responded immediately with a corner 3-pointer made by big forward BJ Omot, assisted by Stojakovic. After that, Cal held USC to 1 for 10 shooting for the rest of the game, securing the final 71 - 66 margin.

In the postgame conference, with almost all USC press present except for one reporter, Trojans' Saint Thomas attributed Cal's success to their composure and lack of rushing. Cal's players showed great clutchness in the late stages of the game.

Joshua Ola-Joseph's Impact

Joshua Ola-Joseph may not have stood out in the box score, but his impact was significant. Late in the game, he scored Cal's next basket after the Omot three and then grabbed a pivotal offensive board, setting up two made free throws by Andrej Stojakovic.

Ola-Joseph's presence on the court added depth and stability to the team. His ability to make plays in crucial moments demonstrated the team's overall cohesion and determination.

Looking ahead, despite all the roster turnovers and unknowns, Cal Men's Basketball appears to be a team to watch. Coach Madsen and his staff have a clear plan to teach solid fundamental basketball to their squad. For this November night in 2024, Galen Center truly became a Bear Territory once again.