IRVINE -- There was some symmetry last night with Thomas Juillerat hitting 1,000 career points on the same day that Dominic Calegari recorded a career high in points. They have grown close this year, with the senior Juillerat taking freshman Calegari under his wing.
After the game, UCD coach Gary Stewart said he thought that Juillerat's achievement was all the more impressive because he has been asked to play in the post at 6-foot-5. At the Division I level, that's difficult to do. It's going to be difficult for the Aggies to replace the attitude he brings as much as anything. Juillerat is the 13th Aggie player to reach four figures in career points.
Calegari's not especially fiery on the court, but there is an element of fearlessness that has grown more apparent in the previous weeks. That's Juillerat's trademark. And just like Juillerat, it's not difficult to see Calegari developing into a really important player for UC Davis down the road.
As for Thursday's game, UCD wasted the first half with turnovers and couldn't get back into it. Irvine shot well from 3-point range. With a large junior class, the Anteaters figure to be one of the favorites in the Big West next year. Juillerat really paved the way back into it, driving against Anteater center Mark Kelley and hanging fouls on him. That cleared out the middle to some extent (although Darren Fells is a load inside).
Saturday's trip to Long Beach will be a struggle. The 49ers are fast, athletic and always a threat to hang triple digits on a team that is not ready to compete.
No comments:
Post a Comment