On Friday at 6:00 PM PST, Cal women’s basketball will take on the Washington State Cougars on Pac-12 Networks. Cal comes into this game with a 1-7 record in Pac-12 play while Washington State comes in with a 3-5 record. I will get this game hub rolling with 5 things to look for going into this game.
#1. Borislava Hristova really carries the Cougars: Washington State has a really good freshman of their own in 6’0” freshman forward Borislava Hristova, who leads the team in scoring with 17.1 points per game. She is having a fabulous freshman season and is really carrying her team on her back. The number two scorer for the Cougars is senior guard Taylor Edmondson, who averages 7.1 points per game.
#2. Will Cal get a boost from their home crowd? Cal hasn’t played in Berkeley since January 10 against Utah. It’s been a while since they’ve been at home and it is no doubt that four straight road games have made things even tougher. They should feel energized to be playing in front of their home fans again and that could give them just the boost they need to pick up their second win of conference play.
#3. Kristine Anigwe needs more help: Kristine Anigwe is being asked to do too much right now for this Cal team. Asha Thomas, Mikayla Cowling, and Courtney Range can’t be scoring in single digits with low shooting percentages. Those three players all have to play their best basketball and lift up Kristine Anigwe. If it’s Kristine Anigwe once again being forced to carry the load for her team, Cal will likely lose.
#4. Cal needs to do better taking care of and moving the ball: This Cal team turns the ball over way too much and they don’t get nearly enough assists. If Gabby Green returns, that should help, but even with her back, this team still has to do a better job of moving the ball around the court, finding the open shooter, and not committing turnovers. 3-4 turnovers every game are just going to happen, but the rest can be avoided. Cal is turning the ball over 18 times per game, which is just awful.
#5. Asha Thomas has to step up: If Cal wants to cut down on turnovers, move the ball better, and not have Kristine Anigwe carry them, it has to start with their freshman point guard Asha Thomas. Thomas will be an elite point guard in the Pac-12 in the future, but right now she’s not there yet. She has to be more consistent and produce every night. When you are the point guard, you are also the quarterback of the team and more needs to be expected of you in terms of getting your teammates going and running the offense. As Asha Thomas steps up her game, so does the game of everyone around her. If Cal wants to come out victorious against the Cougars, they need Asha Thomas to come up big.
Prediction: I do not yet know whether or not Gabby Green will play and that could decide this game. But, even if she isn’t able to go, I’m still going to pick Cal to win this game. I expect them to be energized by their home crowd in what really is a must-win game. Kristine Anigwe will deliver and I do think that Courtney Range, Mikayla Cowling, and Asha Thomas will step up their game at home. Plus, Penina Davidson has been doing pretty well, so I expect her to be solid as well. I’m looking for Cal to win this game 68-64.
#1. Borislava Hristova really carries the Cougars: Washington State has a really good freshman of their own in 6’0” freshman forward Borislava Hristova, who leads the team in scoring with 17.1 points per game. She is having a fabulous freshman season and is really carrying her team on her back. The number two scorer for the Cougars is senior guard Taylor Edmondson, who averages 7.1 points per game.
#2. Will Cal get a boost from their home crowd? Cal hasn’t played in Berkeley since January 10 against Utah. It’s been a while since they’ve been at home and it is no doubt that four straight road games have made things even tougher. They should feel energized to be playing in front of their home fans again and that could give them just the boost they need to pick up their second win of conference play.
#3. Kristine Anigwe needs more help: Kristine Anigwe is being asked to do too much right now for this Cal team. Asha Thomas, Mikayla Cowling, and Courtney Range can’t be scoring in single digits with low shooting percentages. Those three players all have to play their best basketball and lift up Kristine Anigwe. If it’s Kristine Anigwe once again being forced to carry the load for her team, Cal will likely lose.
#4. Cal needs to do better taking care of and moving the ball: This Cal team turns the ball over way too much and they don’t get nearly enough assists. If Gabby Green returns, that should help, but even with her back, this team still has to do a better job of moving the ball around the court, finding the open shooter, and not committing turnovers. 3-4 turnovers every game are just going to happen, but the rest can be avoided. Cal is turning the ball over 18 times per game, which is just awful.
#5. Asha Thomas has to step up: If Cal wants to cut down on turnovers, move the ball better, and not have Kristine Anigwe carry them, it has to start with their freshman point guard Asha Thomas. Thomas will be an elite point guard in the Pac-12 in the future, but right now she’s not there yet. She has to be more consistent and produce every night. When you are the point guard, you are also the quarterback of the team and more needs to be expected of you in terms of getting your teammates going and running the offense. As Asha Thomas steps up her game, so does the game of everyone around her. If Cal wants to come out victorious against the Cougars, they need Asha Thomas to come up big.
Prediction: I do not yet know whether or not Gabby Green will play and that could decide this game. But, even if she isn’t able to go, I’m still going to pick Cal to win this game. I expect them to be energized by their home crowd in what really is a must-win game. Kristine Anigwe will deliver and I do think that Courtney Range, Mikayla Cowling, and Asha Thomas will step up their game at home. Plus, Penina Davidson has been doing pretty well, so I expect her to be solid as well. I’m looking for Cal to win this game 68-64.
