While the California Golden Bears haven’t exactly gotten off to the starts that teams like UCLA, Washington St., and even Arizona St. have in the league, there is a player that the Bears have that many covet–and that’s sophomore Ryan Anderson, who coming into this week has shot over 52% from three-point land over his last 10 and 94% from the charity stripe. In a college basketball world where shooting the ball has become more art than science, Anderson is Van Gogh with deadly range.  (But he has both ears).

The Golden Bears will probably need actually much more from the sophomore, as they take on ASU and Arizona this week. The schedule never seems to let up in the Pac 10, so having Anderson capitalize on the seven double doubles he’s already achieved is paramount to Cal moving and staying in the upper echelon of the league; it won’t be easy.

I say that because even though on paper the Golden Bears have an 11-4 record, the wins haven’t exactly come against powerhouses. The closest thing to high quality opponents have been USC and Missouri, and when they’ve faced quality competition, they haven’t fared so well. Can they ride Anderson to the promised land? Ben Braun sure hopes so!