A few observations:

Anastasia had a cast from calf to toes and was using a knee scooter. Alma and Claudia were ambulatory but working by themselves at low speed. Ila participated in some of the team drills but during others worked on an exercise machine. I don't think she did any full court work.

Charmin said everyone on the floor (at that time not including Ila) could shoot threes and we expect to play faster. She also said our defense was poor last season and will be better and that this year's players are more committed to defense. I inferred some addition by subtraction.

Ioanna has a strong motor and plenty of skills beyond 3-point shooting. Marta can play, looks like she can do everything from post to point. McKayla is long and versatile. I expect all three to start or play major minutes.

Lulu looks good for a freshie, could play point or shooting guard with no obvious weaknesses other than inexperience.

Heard that Anastasia had an Achilles problem and is out for the season.

1. Wzs a little surprised at Illa Lane's size. I don't mean height. She is a pounder. Can create space. But is not the swiftest afoot. Like Stu said , she participated in some drills and not others. She did have some injuries at Santa Barbara.

2. Two big surprises. Marta Suarez, the transfer from Tennessee can play. Fairly fast , good size, can shoot the three. Wonderful skills around the basket.

3. Ioanna Krimili is a player. Known for her shooting, she didn't shoot well. But she had tape around her wrist and thumb. But she did everything else well. Can handle the ball, can pass well, can defend well and is very active. Really has a motor. She is a little bulky but surprises you with her quickness. Assume her shooting will improve when she gets her wrist unwrapped.

4. Lulu looks to be the heir apparent as point guard. Very athletic. Can defend and shoots better than I expected. I think she will be the backup point guard and Krimili the third point guard. But Krimili will probably start a off guard.

5. McKayla Williams is thinner than I expected. But she has good skills, can score in a variety of ways.

6. Kemery and Mia were well Kemery and Mia.

7. Michele seemed more animated this year is a positive sort of way. Atempted her dunk at the end of practice. Made a lot of free throws.

8. Fun spot was Leilani trying to make a one handed backward shot from midcourt. I don't know if I could even get the ball up there. She had many near misses but finally at the end, she made one. Got the biggest cheer of the afternoon.

9. Folsome should be a very good team this year . With our recruit from there plus one of their injured players from last year is Ok. Hope they come to the Jamboree. Would be tempted to see them.

Fun practice and block party. All the players have high energy. We have length, quickness and shooters. I agree, defense looks improved.

New nonconference schedules with the Santa Clara and UL Monroe game dates added were available in the Haas lobby. Now they just need to update Calbears.com.

Christian Trigg, the new Director of Brand Development for Cal WBB, made his way through the crowd introducing himself and passing out information on the California Legends Collective and the NIL goals for the women's program.

Burgers and fries from Fuddruckers' food truck out on Spieker Plaza for the Block party. This open practice and block party will be an annual event according to Charmin.

All the players were introduced by a fan in front of Haas. Kai Felton asked me to introduce Michelle.

Go Bears!!

Hopefully, they will be on their site schedule soon. Charmin was upset it wasn't already done.

Sorry, no idea because I don't know what the other teams look like. I think compared to last season we should have a better shooting percentage, better defense, and better rebounding from our guards and wings.

Throughout the league, there were 29 portal transfers in, and 37 portal transfers out, plus the usual seniors graduating and freshmen entering. In total, there will be 18 new ESPN Top 100 recruits. That plus all of the good coaches at every school. So it will be the most uncertain environment ever. Playing great defense will be the best strategy.

ClayK said:

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The team definitely seems better. Curry was a better scorer than Krimli, but two tiny guards are always an issue defensively.

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Curry could hit threes and pull-up twos. She could also drive to the hoop but IMHO missed way too many wild inside shots, making only .357 on twos in conference play. In comparison Leilani took better shots and shot .511 on twos in conference play.

I also think Leilani is a much better defensive player. Both have quickness and good motors but Leilani has off the charts defensive BBIQ and puts much more effort into defense.

ClayK said:

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Suarez could be a difference-maker, but she will need to shoot better. A 6-3 player should be have a good shooting percentage, and Suarez did not at Tennessee.

And it's unclear why she just left Tennessee at midseason. Nothing was revealed, really, and if it was just about playing time, that could be a problem. If it was her getting herself committed to playing college basketball in the U.S., it could work out really well.

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If you had done a bare minimum of research, you could have easily figured out why she left in midseason. Her mother's cancer diagnosis must have already been pretty dire, so it's perfectly understandable why she left as soon as practical (she did wait a couple of weeks to finish the fall semester and then continued with remote learning). Anyway, I'm glad Marta was able to return to Spain to spend a final few months with her mom (who passed away in August).

Anyone who actually saw Marta's time at Tennessee can understand why she didn't return. From the first time I saw her, I couldn't figure out why they recruited a player with her skillset - simply not a good match with the other players that they recruit. Note that I am talking about her style of play, NOT her skill level (which was perfectly fine). Anyway, Marta tried her best to fit in and persevered thru two and a half seasons: made the all-freshman team (she must have been doing something right), missed the second year with a foot injury, and then played the non-conference schedule in her third year before returning to Spain.

As for her shooting percentage, no one who actually watched some games would be surprised at her shooting stats. If your teammates treat you like a square peg, you're not going to get many shots in rhythm inside or outside. And if you subtract her 3FG%, her 2FG% is a more reasonable 45%. But as Stu already pointed out, she is capable of playing across the floor so that 45% was not just from traditional post shots around the basket. Do I wish she shot better from outside? Sure, but maybe more compatible teammates will help her get back in rhythm (though to be honest I always thought of her as someone who COULD shoot the 3 as opposed to being a pure outside shooter).

Would agree Waynebear. Very sophisticated around the hoop. And a nice looking three point shot, though it didn't always go down. Had a nice spin on the ball after her release from three. Form looked good.

Can play inside or out. Might actually pair well with Michele since they are both athletic. Could cover the corners on the threes point shots.