Ok guys, here is the game hub for today's Cal women's basketball game against Cal Poly, which tips off at 2:00 PM PST. What I will do is provide my list of 5 things to look for in this game. Also, click here to view the preview of the game on CalBears.com.
#1. Cal Poly has a balanced scoring attack: The Mustangs have four players (Lisa Marie Sanchez, Lynn Leaupepe, Hannah Gilbert, and Beth Balbierz) who all score in double figures on average. Sanchez leads the herd with 13.3 points per game. The biggest challenge this Cal Poly team poses is balance. There isn't one player to key on and focus on to stop. On the flip side, there isn't one player to really worry about, either. So, pick your poison. More solid players to worry about vs. one or two that can really kill you.
#2. Cal needs to step it up from the foul line: This is not only a key to this game, but a key to all games in general. Right now, Cal is shooting 65.5% from the foul line while their opponents are shooting 69.6% from the foul line. While it may not be against Cal Poly, if Cal continues to get outshot at the foul line, it will eventually come back to haunt them. Courtney Range, Cal's leading scorer, ironically, is shooting just 60% from the line, so as far as free throws are concerned, she's actually part of the problem.
#3. Look for Courtney Range to continue to shine: Even though her foul shooting has been weak, Range has still been the top player on this Cal team. She's averaging 20.7 points per game and shooting 50% from 3-point range. Look for her to continue to shine and be the go-to player.
#4. Cal should win the battle on the boards: This season, Cal Poly is averaging 42.3 rebounds per game while their opponents average 42.3 rebounds per game, so on the glass it's a wash for them. However, Cal is averaging 46.3 rebounds per game while their opponents average 35.7 rebounds per game. Cal is not only getting rebounds, but they are preventing opponents from getting rebounds as well (you kinda do both at the same time). Anyways, Cal should win the battle on the boards and give themselves an advantage by doing so.
#5. Kristine Anigwe needs a bounce back game: In her last outing against UC Riverside, Kristine Anigwe finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. She didn't play bad, but she didn't play as well as she has. It would be nice to see her come out today and finish with a double-double. E.g. 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Prediction: I expect Cal to win this game 67-53. I think Cal wins comfortably, but I could see this being close for a little while before the Bears end up pulling away. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
#1. Cal Poly has a balanced scoring attack: The Mustangs have four players (Lisa Marie Sanchez, Lynn Leaupepe, Hannah Gilbert, and Beth Balbierz) who all score in double figures on average. Sanchez leads the herd with 13.3 points per game. The biggest challenge this Cal Poly team poses is balance. There isn't one player to key on and focus on to stop. On the flip side, there isn't one player to really worry about, either. So, pick your poison. More solid players to worry about vs. one or two that can really kill you.
#2. Cal needs to step it up from the foul line: This is not only a key to this game, but a key to all games in general. Right now, Cal is shooting 65.5% from the foul line while their opponents are shooting 69.6% from the foul line. While it may not be against Cal Poly, if Cal continues to get outshot at the foul line, it will eventually come back to haunt them. Courtney Range, Cal's leading scorer, ironically, is shooting just 60% from the line, so as far as free throws are concerned, she's actually part of the problem.
#3. Look for Courtney Range to continue to shine: Even though her foul shooting has been weak, Range has still been the top player on this Cal team. She's averaging 20.7 points per game and shooting 50% from 3-point range. Look for her to continue to shine and be the go-to player.
#4. Cal should win the battle on the boards: This season, Cal Poly is averaging 42.3 rebounds per game while their opponents average 42.3 rebounds per game, so on the glass it's a wash for them. However, Cal is averaging 46.3 rebounds per game while their opponents average 35.7 rebounds per game. Cal is not only getting rebounds, but they are preventing opponents from getting rebounds as well (you kinda do both at the same time). Anyways, Cal should win the battle on the boards and give themselves an advantage by doing so.
#5. Kristine Anigwe needs a bounce back game: In her last outing against UC Riverside, Kristine Anigwe finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. She didn't play bad, but she didn't play as well as she has. It would be nice to see her come out today and finish with a double-double. E.g. 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Prediction: I expect Cal to win this game 67-53. I think Cal wins comfortably, but I could see this being close for a little while before the Bears end up pulling away. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
