On Sunday, at 2:00 PM PST, Cal women's basketball will get their turn to face the Utah Utes. Cal comes into this game 10-4 (1-2 in Pac-12) while Utah is 10-4 (2-1 in Pac-12). A free live stream will be available via CalBears.com. This thread will fire up with 5 things to look for in the game.
#1. Utah guard Paige Crozon is playing very well to start Pac-12 play: In Utah's three games against Washington, Washington State, and Stanford, Crozon has averaged 18.3 points per game on 42.5% shooting from the field, 44.4% shooting from three-point range, and 92.9% shooting from the line. She's stepped up her game in Pac-12 play and will definitely be the main player Cal will want to keep the ball away from.
#2. The battle on the glass will be intense: Utah averages 43.4 rebounds per game while giving up 33.2 rebounds per game. That's a +10.2 margin. Cal averages 42.6 rebounds per game while giving up 36.9 rebounds per game. That's a +5.7 margin. Utah appears to have the edge on the glass. While Kristine Anigwe averages 9.7 rebounds per game, the Utes have Emily Potter averaging 11.7 rebounds per game and Paige Crozon grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game. Cal will have to bring their A-game inside to win this game.
#3. Mikayla Cowling has to find her groove: With the battle on the glass being intense and Utah appearing to have the edge in that department, Cal will need to neutralize things with the long-ball and some quality perimeter play. Courtney Range has been playing pretty well in Pac-12 play, but Mikayla Cowling has been quiet. She needs to get back to doing what she does best, which is scoring the basketball and knocking down three-point shots.
#4. Emily Potter will challenge Kristine Anigwe: Kristine Anigwe has been superb this season, averaging 21.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Emily Potter will be the toughest player Anigwe has faced all season inside. Potter averages 16.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Plus, she's taller than Anigwe standing at 6'6". I expect Anigwe to be up to the challenge, but it will require her to play her best.
#5. Can Cal get off to a better start? Utah is clearly a better team than Colorado, who came in 0-2 without their best player. Utah scores the ball well, rebounds well, and knocks down their foul shots. Plus, they appear to be pretty solid defensively. Cal can't get off to a slow start against Utah and expect to win. If Cal doesn't start this game strong, odds are good they lose.
Prediction: I expect Utah to give Cal all they can handle. They have one player coming in with a hot shooting touch and another player that can hold her own with Kristine Anigwe in the paint. I give Cal a 70-69 edge because they are at home, but this one could really go either way. This one will be interesting.
#1. Utah guard Paige Crozon is playing very well to start Pac-12 play: In Utah's three games against Washington, Washington State, and Stanford, Crozon has averaged 18.3 points per game on 42.5% shooting from the field, 44.4% shooting from three-point range, and 92.9% shooting from the line. She's stepped up her game in Pac-12 play and will definitely be the main player Cal will want to keep the ball away from.
#2. The battle on the glass will be intense: Utah averages 43.4 rebounds per game while giving up 33.2 rebounds per game. That's a +10.2 margin. Cal averages 42.6 rebounds per game while giving up 36.9 rebounds per game. That's a +5.7 margin. Utah appears to have the edge on the glass. While Kristine Anigwe averages 9.7 rebounds per game, the Utes have Emily Potter averaging 11.7 rebounds per game and Paige Crozon grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game. Cal will have to bring their A-game inside to win this game.
#3. Mikayla Cowling has to find her groove: With the battle on the glass being intense and Utah appearing to have the edge in that department, Cal will need to neutralize things with the long-ball and some quality perimeter play. Courtney Range has been playing pretty well in Pac-12 play, but Mikayla Cowling has been quiet. She needs to get back to doing what she does best, which is scoring the basketball and knocking down three-point shots.
#4. Emily Potter will challenge Kristine Anigwe: Kristine Anigwe has been superb this season, averaging 21.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Emily Potter will be the toughest player Anigwe has faced all season inside. Potter averages 16.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Plus, she's taller than Anigwe standing at 6'6". I expect Anigwe to be up to the challenge, but it will require her to play her best.
#5. Can Cal get off to a better start? Utah is clearly a better team than Colorado, who came in 0-2 without their best player. Utah scores the ball well, rebounds well, and knocks down their foul shots. Plus, they appear to be pretty solid defensively. Cal can't get off to a slow start against Utah and expect to win. If Cal doesn't start this game strong, odds are good they lose.
Prediction: I expect Utah to give Cal all they can handle. They have one player coming in with a hot shooting touch and another player that can hold her own with Kristine Anigwe in the paint. I give Cal a 70-69 edge because they are at home, but this one could really go either way. This one will be interesting.
