Cal Positively Polishes Off Northridge, 92-68

Although it is difficult to be positively positive, Todd Bozeman, Cal’s basketball coach since Monday, approached a record for repetition as he answered questions before the Golden Bears played Cal State Northridge Wednesday night.

What are his immediate goals? Stay positive and create a positive atmosphere, the 29-year-old former Cal assistant said.

And what of Lou Campanelli, the man who hired him as an assistant three years ago and whose place he is now taking? Did the Cal administration treat him fairly, firing him with 10 games left in the regular season?

A difficult situation, Bozeman conceded. But really, he would rather focus on the positive.

Cal’s players provided Bozeman with more positives by dispatching Northridge, 92-68, before 6,578 in Harmon Arena.

Cal (11-7) ended a three-game losing streak, and everyone but Brian Hendrick, who sat out because of a sore Achilles’ tendon, played.

Cal forward Alfred Grigsby set the tone on the Golden Bears’ first time down the floor, tossing down a thunderous dunk. Only 7 minutes 20 seconds into the game, Cal had a 17-2 lead and Bozeman substituted in an entirely new lineup.

So what did the Cal players think of their new head man?

“He’s been really positive with everything that’s going on,” point guard Jason Kidd said. “He’s just been positive.”

Cal tied a school record by blocking 11 shots. Akili Jones scored 14 points for Cal. Stevie Johnson, Grigsby and Lamond Murray each had 10.

Ryan Martin scored 15 points for Northridge (8-13).