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Last year at this time, it was all new for the Cal basketball team.

"We were like freshmen," said senior forward Jamal Boykin, one of four returning starters.

There was excitement surrounding new coach Mike Montgomery's team, but also a great unknown. No one knew guards Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher would become All-Pac-10 players as juniors. Few believed a team picked to finish eighth would wind up tied for third, win 22 games and earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

"It was about proving people wrong. That's what we've been trying to do the last three years," said Christopher, now part of a team expected to challenge for the conference crown. "It's different being on the other end of the spectrum. I think we're ready for it. This is what we've been looking forward to since we came in here. Now it's time to make some noise."

For the Golden Bears, who began practice last Friday, year two under Montgomery means no longer having to start at the beginning. The roster includes 10 returning players, and they've had a taste of what their coach wants.

"It's made a tremendous difference. Practices are a lot smoother," Boykin said.

"We really have a new level of comfort," added senior forward Theo Robertson. "Things are moving a little bit quicker in practice."

The Bears have practiced so far without two players who will be in their primary rotation. Junior power forward Harper Kamp continues to battle back after knee

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surgery, and sophomore guard Jorge Gutierrez developed sharp pain on the bottom of his right foot last week.

Montgomery said Cal's medical team doesn't believe Gutierrez has plantar fasciitis, which can linger if not given time to heal. The Bears are taking no chances with Gutierrez, who hasn't done more than light running this week.

"It's hard to be on the sidelines," said Gutierrez, who hopes to be cleared next week.

On other topics:

  • Montgomery said sophomore forward Omondi Amoke may have made the biggest offseason improvement, and is active on the boards in practice.

  • Robertson, who had offseason hip surgery, looks better than ever, according to Montgomery.

  • Montgomery is happy with both of his point guards. Randle, who put on 15 pounds of muscle, is working hard to improve his decision-making and defense, and the coach complimented freshman Brandon Smith for competing effectively against Randle in practice.

  • Junior college transfer Markhuri Sanders-Frison, competing for the starting center job, has dropped 19 pounds to 274 since arriving on campus two months ago.

    The Bears open their season Nov. 9 at home against Murray State in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament.

    Note: The Stanford women's basketball team was picked to win its 10th consecutive Pac-10 title Thursday in a vote of league coaches. Cal was second. Stanford received nine first-place votes. The other first-place vote went to Arizona State, which finished third in the poll. UCLA was fourth.