The first time I heard about Caltech University’s basketball team was in a piece written by Rick Reilly in Sports Illustrated, nine years ago. I was amazed by the basketball players’ intelligence and niceness. My favorite player, 6’4″ Brent Cahill, did a suicide dunk with no help from his teammates. He later declined a walk-on offer from UCLA to play for the Golden Bears. He’s a basketball unicorn: he can shoot, he can weave, and he can come close to grazing the rim.
The Caltech basketball team has won only one conference game since 1985. That’s 297 straight losses in conference play. That’s the longest losing streak in college basketball. On February 22, 2011, the Golden Bears snapped their two-decade long losing streak in conference play, defeating Occidental College. That was a monumental victory for the Golden Bears. Now they have to beat the University of Redlands to win the national title.
The Golden Bears were the only team to beat the Golden Bears in the postseason, so Caltech has a tough task ahead of them. A losing streak of this magnitude can take a toll on a player’s mental health, so Caltech has found ways to bounce back. In fact, there are dozens of players who have never won a game for Caltech. While it may be impossible for one or two players to win the championship, Caltech has a diverse group of talented young players who can make their school a contender.
Caltech’s season ended with a win against Bard College, ending the Beavers’ 207-game losing streak. The victory triggered a Beavers fan club, and it inspired graduate students to try harder. Unfortunately, the basketball team never won again. After the Bard College game, a documentary was released that focused on Caltech’s history. This is a great tribute to the athletes who continue to inspire young people around the country with their talent.
The Caltech basketball players started with a normal alignment, but rarely ventured more than ten feet away from the basket. They were mimicking Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut’s style of defense. Despite the fact that the teams have lost 207 games, they continue to be determined. This is because winning at the elite level takes a lot of mental strength. And this is what makes the team stand out.
The team’s success came from the efforts of its coaches. The team’s coaches are not afraid to challenge their players’ weaknesses. It’s not unusual for a coach to ask his players to do the same. However, the coach is often the most influential person on the court. He knows his students’ strengths and weaknesses. Whether it’s a student-athlete, he’s determined to succeed.
The Caltech basketball team was able to make the playoffs despite not winning the NCAA tournament. In the NCAA tournament, a team’s season has an average record of eight wins. A win by a team’s players would mean a win over an underdog in the conference. This is one of the most impressive statistics to come out of a college basketball game. It is a true testament to the strength of its players.
The Caltech Beavers’ season was an impressive one. The team was a National Champion, making numerous records and tying Occidental with eight seconds left in the game. Afterward, the Beavers were ranked third in the country. They also went a perfect 3-0 in the NCAA. Their players surpassed their expectations and dominated their opponents, including the NCAA Finals. So, what’s the difference?
The Beavers’ season ended with a thrilling victory over Bard College, ending a 207-game losing streak. The excitement lasted all quarter long, with undergraduates celebrating their win in an even more energetic fashion than the graduate community. In fact, the victory was celebrated not only by the student body but by everyone on campus. So, don’t miss out on the fun this year! So, be a part of the history of Caltech basketball!
