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Expectations mount at Cal now that Tyrone Wallace is returning

Expectations mount at Cal now that Tyrone Wallace is returning

Cal's hopes of ascending in the Pac-12 pecking order received a huge boost Thursday when its best player announced he's staying in Berkeley.

Point guard Tyrone Wallace revealed he will return for his senior season after flirting with declaring for the NBA draft for most of the past month.

Wallace emerged as a potential second-round pick last season when he averaged 17.1, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in his first year playing point guard. Staying in school gives the long, athletic 6-foot-5 guard a chance to cut down his turnovers, improve his 31 percent 3-point shooting and fulfill a promise to his late grandfather to earn his diploma.

The return of Wallace could land Cal a spot in the preseason top 25 next fall and should give the Bears a chance to challenge Arizona, Utah, Oregon and UCLA for the Pac-12 title. Some of those teams may have more depth than Cal, but the Bears have as talented a nucleus as any of them.

Cal's strength should be a backcourt that features Wallace, high-scoring Jordan Mathews and former elite recruit Jabari Bird. Returner Sam Singer and 6-foot-7 Georgetown transfer Stephen Domingo should provide perimeter depth off the bench.

While last year's top big man David Kravish is graduating this spring, Cal could be in better shape in the frontcourt than it was last season when it lacked both a rim protector and capable backups. Five-star power forward Ivan Rabb promises to be an immediate starter and impact player and Kingsley Okoroh and Kameron Rooks should share time alongside him.

Adding to the excitement for Cal is the possibility the Bears could add one more elite prospect. Wing Jaylen Brown, a consensus top-five recruit in next year's class, is considering the Bears, Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and others.

While the Bears would gladly take a commitment from Brown, the reality is they're already in good shape for next season either way.

It was a mild disappointment when Cal missed the NCAA tournament last season after getting off to a 10-1 start. It would be a monumental disappointment next season if the Bears weren't part of March Madness.

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!