BearTalk

Theo Robertson’s anticipated return to action tonight when Cal (5-3) faces Pacific (6-1) at the Stockton Arena means more to the Bears than getting back one of the Pac-10′s best perimeter shooters and a smart, strong defender.

It means improved depth and versatility on a team that seemed painfully short on both for a while.

Coach Mike Montgomery said Monday that Robertson probably won’t start tonight. But that will happen soon, likely in the Bears’ next game — Dec. 22 at Kansas.

“Jorge gives us such a dimension off the bench,” Montgomery said of sophomore Jorge Gutierrez, who has started the past six games while Robertson let his injured right foot heal. “I like Jorge because you can plug him in at the 3, you can plug him in at the 2, you can even use him at the 1. It gives you more flexibility.”

That flexibility comes into play when the Bears decide to shift to a smaller lineup. Robertson is a natural small forward, but also plays at the 4. In those situations, Jamal Boykin can move to the 5, and Gutierrez can go at any of the three perimeter spots.

“I’m not saying it’s great that Theo was out, but just to let people get a chance to be out there playing,” senior point guard Jerome Randle said. “With Jorge, we see he’s able to do a lot of other things other than coming off the bench giving us a lot of defense. He can score. I think he’s better for this team right now when he comes off the bench because he’s very fiery.”

Gutierrez worked hard on his shot in the off-season and he entered this week ranked second in the Pac-10 in 3-point accuracy at 53.3 percent. He’s already made as many 3-pointers (8) as all last season, when he converted just 30.8 percent.

“He’s gotten better,” Montgomery said. “He’s not pure. But it’s going in, so it’s good.”

Randle believes the difference is merely confidence.

 ”I know a lot of times he second-guesses his shots. I tell him, if I create and draw the defense and you’re open for a shot and you don’t shoot the ball, I’m going to be mad,” Randle said. “He takes the shot now. He’s not hesitating. He looks pretty good now. He’s making jump shots.”

Gutierrez wasn’t the only Cal player to get more opportunity recently. Center Max Zhang and forward Omondi Amoke also have helped build better depth.

“(Max) gained some confidence, for sure,” Montgomery said. “We’ll be able to use all these kids before it’s all said and done. Omondi has come in and done a real nice job, particularly on the boards. He’s very active to the glass. He doesn’t always get to where he’s supposed to be, but he’s a strong rebounder.”

PACIFIC OFFERS TICKETS: Here’s a link to Pacific’s official site, noting that tickets remain for tonight’s game. The Tigers already have sold close to 7,500 tickets for the game at Stockton Arena, which will constitute the largest home crowd ever to watch a Pacific basketball game.  

PRACTICE MAKES . . . BETTER: Randle called Saturday night’s 19-point win over Iowa State the Bears’ best performance of the season. And there was a reason.

“Friday’s practice was the best practice we’ve had all year, and I believe it carries over to the game,” he said, “Everyone just came in with energy. We were talking on defense, executing the plays. The coaches were even fiery. I was lovin’ the whole vibe.”

KAMP UPDATE: Harper Kamp is practicing with the team two out of every three days, Montgomery said, but  that doesn’t change things on game night. The junior forward has not played this season while recovering from knee surgery last April.

Asked if the plan to red-shirt him is a sure thing, Montgomery said, “I think in his mind it is, yeah. We’re leaving the door open, but he’s pretty solid on it.

“He’s just leery of what would happen with the knee, so he’s just decided that it’s better for him to try to get 100 percent healthy.”

Monty said Kamp definitely will return next season, but for now his contributions to the team will be in practice. “He seems to be getting stronger every day,” Montgomery said.

PACIFIC SCOUT: The Tigers rarely wow their opponents, but generally they are very capable. This year’s squad is typical.

“They’re very solid. They play hard, they’re physical, they well-coached, they’ve got a lot of pride in their program,” Montgomery said. “They’re always a contender in the Big West because it’s important. They don’t beat themselves, they don’t make a lot of mistakes, they know who they are.”

Montgomery expects the Bears will have a fight on their hands.

“They’re not going to back off at all. They’ll come after us,” he said. “To get a Pac-10 school over in Stockton, it’s a big game for them. They’ll be ready to go.”

ETCETERA: The Bears beat Pacific in Mike Montgomery’s debut game as Cal’s coach last season, winning 68-56 in Berkeley, behind 24 points from Jerome Randle and 18 from Patrick Christopher . . . The Bears own a 24-2 margin in the all-time series, which began with a 39-28 victory during the 1908-09 campaign. Cal has won eight straight over the Tigers since an 82-77 overtime defeat on Dec. 10, 1954, which was Pete Newell’s first loss as Cal coach . . . Randle has climbed past Jackie Ridgle (1969-71) into 13th place on Cal’s career scoring list with 1.345 points. Next up: Roy Fisher (1988-91) at 1,382 points.

TIPOFF: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Stockton Arena

TV: Big West.TV (subscription internet broadcast at www.bigwest.org/tv)

RADIO: 1550-AM

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CAL (5-3)
Starters                                 Ht   Yr   Pts   Rebs
PF Jamal Boykin                       6-8  Sr.  12.1  7.0
C  Max Zhang                         7-2  So.   4.3   3.9
SG Jorge Gutierrez                  6-2  So.   6.6  3.0*
SG Patrick Christopher             6-5  Sr.  14.8  5.0
PG Jerome Randle                  5-10  Sr.  20.1  5.0*

Key reserves
F  Omondi Amoke                    6-7  So.   6.3  7.5
C  Markhuri Sanders-Frison       6-8  Jr.   3.3  4.6
F  Theo Robertson                   6-6  Sr.  18.0  4.0

PACIFIC (6-1)
Starters                             Ht   Yr   Pts   Rebs
SF Joe Ford                         6-6  Sr.     5.3   5.4
PF Sam Willard                    6-9  Jr.   11.9   7.6
C  Michael Nunnally              6-8  Sr.     7.4  5.9
SG Terrell Smith                  6-4  Jr.    11.4  3.9
PG Demetrece Young           5-11   Jr.   7.3  2.9*

Key reserves
G  Lavar Neufville                 6-1  Sr.   7.5  1.8
F  Pat Eveland                      6-6  Jr.   7.1  2.3
G  Allen Huddleston              6-1  Fr.   6.0   3.1
* – Assists