http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/all-century-vote.html

With a current total of 99 blocks, with at least two games to go this season, Kravish has a chance to break the record for most blocked shots, as he has two years left.

Michael Stewart (1994-97) – holds ever Cal blocked shot record – career (207), season (59) and game (7, three times) … owns four of the top six season block totals at the school … named Pac-10 All-Freshman in 1994 … Cal’s Best Defensive Player as a freshman and Most Improved Player as a senior … career field goal rate of 51.0% is 10th in school history.

Thanks. Haven’t had time to try again to find the record for total blocks for a career and where Kravish stands in relation to that record. I did look up how many blocks Kravish had last year, which was 41. I did not look up the stats from two years ago, but I think that since Kravish is so far ahead of Soloman for this season and last season, his total now must still be way ahead of Soloman’s total blocked shots numbers for almost three seasons now.

It’s my sense that Cal has never had a player that blocked a lot of shots each year over a four year career at Cal, which leads me to the conclusion that Kravish is on his way to easily break whatever is that high total. He could be in line to compete for the Pac-12 record.

Again, an interview with Kravish, maybe next year when post-season enthusiasm dies down, about Kravish’s unique method of blocking shots, which involves few fouls on himself, would be an interesting story and interview. His stats are particularly unusual as he is not a center, a position that normally generates the most blocked shots on a team.

Tend to agree with you. I’ve watched Cal for many years, and the best back to the basket guy I think we’ve had was Kamp, who was definitely not tall, but was pretty husky, consistent with your comment. I must admit I don’t remember Hendricks style of play. Also, I am almost sure that McNamara’s total game was back to the basket. I’m sure it was Imhoff’s, too, but I never saw him play at Cal (though I did when he played for the Lakers). Back to the basket is a difficult skill to master. Kamp must have been doing it for years and was probably already good at it in high school.

BTW, I thought Cobbs was reverting to his “I’m Michael Jordan” mode yesterday a bit, but really only for the time that Cal couldn’t get a good shot off so then Cobbs decided to try some difficult ones. He did make one, a nice scoop shot which, perhaps unfortunately, will encourage him to try some more. A good thing about those difficult shots is that he often gets fouled on them. But I wish he should just try stick to some open, or semi-open regular jump shots and some drives to the basket where he gets to the rim (Cobbs is good at that but Crabbe is even better, perhaps because he’s taller). Also, I should comment that while Cobbs is good doing difficult shots, the guy with the most potential in doing them is Wallace, who has good moves and is lightning quick. Again, love his jump hook, which I bet he is easily hitting over 50% of.

Not sure back to the basket is going to be in either of their games. So long as they stay active,the guards keep driving, and everyone keeps such great spacing down low for passing, I’ll be happy.

On back to the basket play (and not trying to put either guy down), ever notice how the really good ones seemed to have either tremendous height or, more likely, very broad shoulders (picturing Brian Hendrix). Then again, Powe was just physically overpowering.

I just think both Kravish and Solomon are not build for it at this level. Defenders can push them off their spot too easy, so both guys must rely more on finesse.

You have to do what you can do as well as possible, and the way the ball is moving down low on offense (not to mention outstanding help defense), the team is getting great production from both of them.

I think we do go inside a bit more now but, unfortunately, except for Thurman, we really don’t get as much traditional front court production down low, except for put backs, as we should from big men. Soloman has yet to develop a back to the basket type game, and Kravish does very little of it. Both like to shoot jumpers facing the basket and are not very mobile in getting themselves into position to do so. Both having been playing well with the style of play they now have, but if they want to be more effective next year, they need to develop their back to the basket game, which is more effective in being able to get a good shot off inside than using jumpers facing the basket.

His best shot is his jump hook inside, where he takes advantage of his long reach. He should spend time teaching Soloman how to do that (I noticed that Kravish brought back a hook shot, which he hasn’t used in a while — made it, too).

Have not found stats yet of highest total blocked shots by a Cal men’s basketball player, but I will. Kravish had three yesterday and 48 for the season (perhaps excluding yesterday’s results). I think he is on his way to the record. Someone should write about that and his unusual way of blocking shots without jumping, which seems to be very effective and doesn’t tend to get him in foul trouble, which is what happens to most shot blockers, who normally jump to block shots.