Hey guys, Cal women's basketball (9-2) opens up Pac-12 play on Saturday on the road against Arizona State (9-3). Tip-off is 6:00 PM PST on Pac-12 Networks. Here are 5 things to look for going into this game.
#1. Cal has more talent, but will that be enough? Looking at the stat sheet, Cal looks like far and away the better team. Kristine Anigwe is averaging 22.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while nobody on Arizona State's team averages more than 11 points per game. Arizona State center Quinn Dornstauder is averaging 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and she's their leading scorer. If you are looking at talent alone, Cal is clearly the better team, but Arizona State has the ranking that they do because they defend well and get everybody involved.
#2. Will Cal struggle to score against Arizona State? Arizona State's calling card is clearly their defense. Their opponents are shooting 39.6% from the field and 28.0% from 3-point range. As for rebounding, Arizona State is doing a solid job, with an average rebounding margin of +5.2. Arizona State's game plan is to play great defense and do a good job on the boards. If they do those two things, they'll give themselves a great chance to win. Especially since they are at home and coming in as the higher ranked team.
#3. Pace will be key: Cal likes to play a more up-tempo style with the scores being in the 70s and 80s. Arizona State likes to slow it down more and have scores be in the 50s and 60s. If Cal wants to win this game, they'll have to speed up the tempo, kill Arizona State in the fast break, and overwhelm them with their offensive firepower and length on defense.
#4. How much will Cal's lack of depth affect them? So far, Cal has been doing just fine with a 6-7 player rotation, but against superior competition, it will definitely be harder for Cal to win with fewer players in rotation. Chen Yue's injury limits Coach Gottlieb to just 8 healthy players. No matter how talented you are, it's always tough to win with fewer players than the opposition.
#5. Cal must get off to a strong start: Against CSU-Northridge, Cal started off sluggishly with an 11-11 tie late in the first quarter. Cal pulled away decisively, but against a ranked opponent on the road, Cal can't expect to win while simultaneously starting sluggishly. They have to get off to a good start and not allow the Sun Devils to build an early lead.
Prediction: Cal looks like the better team on paper. They have more talent, more weapons, etc. If Kristine Anigwe, Asha Thomas, Courtney Range, and Mikayla Cowling all have strong outings, Cal should win this game. I predict that Cal will get the production they need from them and get the win by the score of 75-69.
#1. Cal has more talent, but will that be enough? Looking at the stat sheet, Cal looks like far and away the better team. Kristine Anigwe is averaging 22.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while nobody on Arizona State's team averages more than 11 points per game. Arizona State center Quinn Dornstauder is averaging 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and she's their leading scorer. If you are looking at talent alone, Cal is clearly the better team, but Arizona State has the ranking that they do because they defend well and get everybody involved.
#2. Will Cal struggle to score against Arizona State? Arizona State's calling card is clearly their defense. Their opponents are shooting 39.6% from the field and 28.0% from 3-point range. As for rebounding, Arizona State is doing a solid job, with an average rebounding margin of +5.2. Arizona State's game plan is to play great defense and do a good job on the boards. If they do those two things, they'll give themselves a great chance to win. Especially since they are at home and coming in as the higher ranked team.
#3. Pace will be key: Cal likes to play a more up-tempo style with the scores being in the 70s and 80s. Arizona State likes to slow it down more and have scores be in the 50s and 60s. If Cal wants to win this game, they'll have to speed up the tempo, kill Arizona State in the fast break, and overwhelm them with their offensive firepower and length on defense.
#4. How much will Cal's lack of depth affect them? So far, Cal has been doing just fine with a 6-7 player rotation, but against superior competition, it will definitely be harder for Cal to win with fewer players in rotation. Chen Yue's injury limits Coach Gottlieb to just 8 healthy players. No matter how talented you are, it's always tough to win with fewer players than the opposition.
#5. Cal must get off to a strong start: Against CSU-Northridge, Cal started off sluggishly with an 11-11 tie late in the first quarter. Cal pulled away decisively, but against a ranked opponent on the road, Cal can't expect to win while simultaneously starting sluggishly. They have to get off to a good start and not allow the Sun Devils to build an early lead.
Prediction: Cal looks like the better team on paper. They have more talent, more weapons, etc. If Kristine Anigwe, Asha Thomas, Courtney Range, and Mikayla Cowling all have strong outings, Cal should win this game. I predict that Cal will get the production they need from them and get the win by the score of 75-69.
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