On Friday at 11:30 AM PST on Pac-12 Networks, the #10 seeded California Golden Bears will take on the #2 seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in the Quarterfinals of the Pac-12 women's basketball tournament. I will get this game hub rolling with 5 things to look for going into the game.
#1. Cal has to find a way to make some shots: Cal shot less than 40% from the field in both of their losses to Arizona State this season. As a result, Cal scored only 49 points in each game. Cal has to do their best to give Kristine Anigwe, Mikayla Cowling, and Courtney Range some makable shots so as to get them in a groove. As sort of an extension, Cal has to knock down some 3s. Cal has shot 7-22 from 3-point range against Arizona State this season and that has to change for this game.
#2. Penina Davidson has to play big again: If Cal wants to be playing on Saturday, they'll need Penina Davidson to have another big performance. She's only scored 5 points against the Sun Devils all season, so it will certainly be easier said than done for her to turn it up for this game. But, without Penina Davidson playing at least as well as she played against Utah, I don't see Cal getting this win.
#3. Kristine Anigwe needs a little help from her friends: In Cal's 49-57 loss at Arizona State, Kristine Anigwe had 22 points and 13 rebounds, but nobody else for Cal was scoring in double figures. Wanna know how many players Arizona State had scoring in double figures in that game? They had three. Cal has to make sure Asha Thomas, Courtney Range, Penina Davidson, and Mikalya Cowling get rolling so as to take the pressure off of Kristine Anigwe. If it's just Kristine Anigwe who shows up against one of the best teams in the country, Cal will get steamrolled.
#4. Cal has to take care of the ball: Arizona State is one of the best teams in the country because of their defense. That means they force a lot of misses and turnovers. Cal has to take care of the ball, take smart shots, and not force anything. Taking care of the ball might be the number one thing Cal should focus on going into this game. If Cal takes care of the ball in addition to getting some more help for Kristine Anigwe, they could pull off the upset.
#5. Cal has to do a better job at the foul line: Cal has shot 59.1% from the foul line against Arizona State and that simply isn't going to cut it. Cal has to get to the line against Arizona State and make their foul shots. In games against elite defensive teams that are much better than you, each point really is precious. Cal should treasure every moment at the line because that is where they can make up ground without taking time off the clock. It's simple, but true. Cal has to make their foul shots.
Prediction: While beating Utah was great, Arizona State is a different animal. They've been one of the best teams in the country all season and they play fabulous defense. Arizona State will be a tough team for Cal to beat and will require that Cal play their best possible basketball. In order to win this game, Cal really does need to do ALL of the following things: Get Kristine Anigwe more help, take care of the ball, knock down their shots, and control the glass.
Unless Cal does all of those things, odds are good Arizona State will win as expected. What's even more troublesome for Cal is that doing all of those things doesn't guarantee that they win, either. At the end of the day, I have to pick Arizona State to win this game. The Sun Devils are simply too good and Cal will already be running on fumes after an intense win over Utah. 60-52 Arizona State wins.
#1. Cal has to find a way to make some shots: Cal shot less than 40% from the field in both of their losses to Arizona State this season. As a result, Cal scored only 49 points in each game. Cal has to do their best to give Kristine Anigwe, Mikayla Cowling, and Courtney Range some makable shots so as to get them in a groove. As sort of an extension, Cal has to knock down some 3s. Cal has shot 7-22 from 3-point range against Arizona State this season and that has to change for this game.
#2. Penina Davidson has to play big again: If Cal wants to be playing on Saturday, they'll need Penina Davidson to have another big performance. She's only scored 5 points against the Sun Devils all season, so it will certainly be easier said than done for her to turn it up for this game. But, without Penina Davidson playing at least as well as she played against Utah, I don't see Cal getting this win.
#3. Kristine Anigwe needs a little help from her friends: In Cal's 49-57 loss at Arizona State, Kristine Anigwe had 22 points and 13 rebounds, but nobody else for Cal was scoring in double figures. Wanna know how many players Arizona State had scoring in double figures in that game? They had three. Cal has to make sure Asha Thomas, Courtney Range, Penina Davidson, and Mikalya Cowling get rolling so as to take the pressure off of Kristine Anigwe. If it's just Kristine Anigwe who shows up against one of the best teams in the country, Cal will get steamrolled.
#4. Cal has to take care of the ball: Arizona State is one of the best teams in the country because of their defense. That means they force a lot of misses and turnovers. Cal has to take care of the ball, take smart shots, and not force anything. Taking care of the ball might be the number one thing Cal should focus on going into this game. If Cal takes care of the ball in addition to getting some more help for Kristine Anigwe, they could pull off the upset.
#5. Cal has to do a better job at the foul line: Cal has shot 59.1% from the foul line against Arizona State and that simply isn't going to cut it. Cal has to get to the line against Arizona State and make their foul shots. In games against elite defensive teams that are much better than you, each point really is precious. Cal should treasure every moment at the line because that is where they can make up ground without taking time off the clock. It's simple, but true. Cal has to make their foul shots.
Prediction: While beating Utah was great, Arizona State is a different animal. They've been one of the best teams in the country all season and they play fabulous defense. Arizona State will be a tough team for Cal to beat and will require that Cal play their best possible basketball. In order to win this game, Cal really does need to do ALL of the following things: Get Kristine Anigwe more help, take care of the ball, knock down their shots, and control the glass.
Unless Cal does all of those things, odds are good Arizona State will win as expected. What's even more troublesome for Cal is that doing all of those things doesn't guarantee that they win, either. At the end of the day, I have to pick Arizona State to win this game. The Sun Devils are simply too good and Cal will already be running on fumes after an intense win over Utah. 60-52 Arizona State wins.
