On Sunday at 12:00 PM PST on Pac-12 Networks, Cal women's basketball will take on the Arizona Wildcats. Cal comes into this game 11-13 overall and 2-11 in Pac-12 play. Arizona comes into this game 11-14 overall and 2-11 in Pac-12 play. This game hub will get rolling with 5 things to look for going into the game.
#1. How will Kristine Anigwe respond to being benched? Kristine Anigwe was benched for Friday's contest against the #9 ranked Sun Devils. It will be interesting to see how she responds to the discipline. Will she come out even more motivated and focused or will she struggle to mentally lock in?
#2. Cal has to avoid scoring droughts: A problem for Cal this season has been going into funks where they don't score for extended periods of time. Cal has to find a way to keep their offense from freezing up. A 4 or 5 minute cold stretch can cost you the game if your opponent responds by making shots of their own.
#3. Malena Washington lets it fly from beyond the arc: Arizona junior guard Malena Washington has attempted 106 3-point shots on the season and has made only 29.2% of them. Cal should expect her to try to take a lot of 3s, but percentages say if Cal rebounds the ball well, Washington's 3-point shooting won't be a concern. However, if she gets too many open looks and Cal doesn't rebound the ball, then Washington could prove to be a serious threat.
#4. Asha Thomas needs to score: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Asha Thomas has to get rolling in this game in terms of her shooting. Cal will have a hard time winning this game if Asha Thomas isn't scoring. I know she is a great facilitator and does other things on the floor, but she was highly recruited because she can score, too. With all the injuries to this Cal team, Asha Thomas needs to figure out that Cal needs her to score.
#5. Cal should be pumped: During Friday's press conference, Coach Gottlieb talked about this game being a revenge game for her team. She says they really feel bad about losing to the Wildcats down in Tucson and that they are looking for some payback. Given that their season is essentially in the gutter, it is encouraging to hear that they are extra motivated for a game. It'll be interesting to see if Cal is extra dialed in and focused.
Prediction: I got Cal winning this game 66-60. Both teams have struggled all season and Cal is at home looking for some revenge. There aren't many games where Cal should be favored, but this is one of those few games. Cal is at home against a team that has struggled as much as them. Therefore, Cal should win. It's sort of a toss up on a neutral floor, but I have to give Cal the edge at home. The only thing that deters Cal from winning is if Kristine Anigwe is moody and if no one else on Cal plays well. Which could happen, actually.
#1. How will Kristine Anigwe respond to being benched? Kristine Anigwe was benched for Friday's contest against the #9 ranked Sun Devils. It will be interesting to see how she responds to the discipline. Will she come out even more motivated and focused or will she struggle to mentally lock in?
#2. Cal has to avoid scoring droughts: A problem for Cal this season has been going into funks where they don't score for extended periods of time. Cal has to find a way to keep their offense from freezing up. A 4 or 5 minute cold stretch can cost you the game if your opponent responds by making shots of their own.
#3. Malena Washington lets it fly from beyond the arc: Arizona junior guard Malena Washington has attempted 106 3-point shots on the season and has made only 29.2% of them. Cal should expect her to try to take a lot of 3s, but percentages say if Cal rebounds the ball well, Washington's 3-point shooting won't be a concern. However, if she gets too many open looks and Cal doesn't rebound the ball, then Washington could prove to be a serious threat.
#4. Asha Thomas needs to score: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Asha Thomas has to get rolling in this game in terms of her shooting. Cal will have a hard time winning this game if Asha Thomas isn't scoring. I know she is a great facilitator and does other things on the floor, but she was highly recruited because she can score, too. With all the injuries to this Cal team, Asha Thomas needs to figure out that Cal needs her to score.
#5. Cal should be pumped: During Friday's press conference, Coach Gottlieb talked about this game being a revenge game for her team. She says they really feel bad about losing to the Wildcats down in Tucson and that they are looking for some payback. Given that their season is essentially in the gutter, it is encouraging to hear that they are extra motivated for a game. It'll be interesting to see if Cal is extra dialed in and focused.
Prediction: I got Cal winning this game 66-60. Both teams have struggled all season and Cal is at home looking for some revenge. There aren't many games where Cal should be favored, but this is one of those few games. Cal is at home against a team that has struggled as much as them. Therefore, Cal should win. It's sort of a toss up on a neutral floor, but I have to give Cal the edge at home. The only thing that deters Cal from winning is if Kristine Anigwe is moody and if no one else on Cal plays well. Which could happen, actually.
