SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — California practiced at home at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday, then boarded a bus for the quick 50-mile trip down Interstate 880 for a light shootaround in San Jose before its NCAA tournament opener against UNLV.
The road certainly feels familiar — and maybe a bit unfair — for the favorites, too.
The fifth-seeded Runnin’ Rebels (25-9), who usually travel with a strong contingent, could be outnumbered in the stands when they face the Golden Bears (20-11) on Thursday. Despite being a higher seed and winning in Berkeley on Dec. 9, the selection committee placed UNLV in the heart of Cal’s alumni base in technology-rich Silicon Valley.
The short distance has allowed Cal to keep its usual practice schedule, avoid changing time zones and rest a whole lot more.
