Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Syracuse's B.J. Johnson pulls down a rebound in warmups prior to the game.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Syracuse center Rakeem Christmas hangs on the rim after throwing down an alley-oop dunk on Syracuse's first possession.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Christmas shows some frustration during the first half. The forward picked up two fouls in the frame and a third early in the second.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

SU freshman Chris McCullough skies up to block a shot in the first half.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Syracuse forward Michael Gbinije finishes a dunk in transition.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

SU shooting guard Trevor Cooney gets fired up as he jogs back on defense after making a 3-pointer from the corner.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Orange assistant coach Mike Hopkins (right) and Christmas (left) yell from the bench.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Point guard Kaleb Joseph rises up for a layup as California's David Kravish (left) and Jordan Mathews (right) look on.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Jim Boeheim instructs him team during Thursday's loss to the Golden Bears.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Boeheim motions toward the court. After the game, he said his team had a long way to go.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

McCullough takes the ball to the basket against a Cal defender on Thursday night.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Johnson drives right against a Golden Bears' defender. The sophomore finished with seven rebounds, but no points and no assists.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Assistant coach Gerry McNamara, shooting guard Trevor Cooney and manager Peter Corasaniti look on during the Orange's loss on Thursday night at MSG.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Joseph rises up for a jumper over Kravish during the second half.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Christmas and Cooney converge in the zone. The Bears were able to find holes, though, as they shot 8-of-19 from 3.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Joseph stares blankly while sitting on the bench in the second half. His 13-point effort wasn't enough for SU.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

McCullough goes up for a block. He led Syracuse with four of those on Thursday night.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Joseph committed three turnovers against Cal. The Orange had 12 in total.

Sam Maller | Staff Photographer

Cooney looks to create room. He finished just 3-of-10 from the field.