Always look forward to Schroeder's analysis of future opponents. But this initial game will be another battle of the portal unknowns. St Mary's will have 10 newcomers, including 7 portal transfers. Will also be fun watching their new assistant coach Brittany Boyd-Jones breathing fire on the bench.
St Mary's
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Last: 1 mo ago by polarbear
I'll be there but will miss the next two games. Should be fun.
Cal should win by at least twenty points tonight over St Mary's. According to the SF Chronicle, the Gaels best player, guard Zeryhia Aokuso (#24), will not play tonight. She was the WCC Freshman of the Year last season. She had a field day against the Bears last year, connecting on 8 of 12 shots to total 18 points. Tayla Dalton has transferred to Gonzaga and will be waiting for Cal there. Their post player, Ali Bamberger, graduated. These were the Gael's top three scorers from last season.
Cal & Saint Mary's return only five players and have both brought in ten newbies. Each team has four inside players and eleven guards/wings. I don't know whether the Bears are a good offensive team or not. If they are they could win by thirty. I don't see St Mary's scoring more than 50-55 points this evening. SG Maia Jones will be their 5th high scorer from 2023-24, averaging 6.9 points per game. She led the Gaels with 33 treys (40.7%). If Cal can get out on their plethora of guards to stop the three pointers, the visitors should have difficulty scoring inside on a regular basis.
I'll predict a final score of 75-55. It could be higher if Cal can shoot. GO BEARS!
Cal & Saint Mary's return only five players and have both brought in ten newbies. Each team has four inside players and eleven guards/wings. I don't know whether the Bears are a good offensive team or not. If they are they could win by thirty. I don't see St Mary's scoring more than 50-55 points this evening. SG Maia Jones will be their 5th high scorer from 2023-24, averaging 6.9 points per game. She led the Gaels with 33 treys (40.7%). If Cal can get out on their plethora of guards to stop the three pointers, the visitors should have difficulty scoring inside on a regular basis.
I'll predict a final score of 75-55. It could be higher if Cal can shoot. GO BEARS!
In a preseason WCC women's basketball poll, Saint Mary's was picked to finish 8th by the conference's 11 head coaches.
Future Cal opponents:
Gonzaga (1st)
Pacific (5th)
Sidebar: Both Washington State and Oregon State will compete in the WCC this season. The Cougars were picked a very close second behind Gonzaga and the Beavers (4th).
Future Cal opponents:
Gonzaga (1st)
Pacific (5th)
Sidebar: Both Washington State and Oregon State will compete in the WCC this season. The Cougars were picked a very close second behind Gonzaga and the Beavers (4th).
I didn't know that WSU & OSU were playing in the West Coast Conference this year. Thanks!
This looks to be the best shooting team in a long time
PG Williams looks quick and scrappy
PG Williams looks quick and scrappy
Cal jumps out to 15-2 lead on five made threes - but still making too many turnovers.
St Mary's on a 9-0 run.
But, Smith looks to be willing to play everyone. King, Noble, Ackerman, Williams and Twidale all have seen time.
note: The run happened with Oniyah off the court.
St Mary's on a 9-0 run.
But, Smith looks to be willing to play everyone. King, Noble, Ackerman, Williams and Twidale all have seen time.
note: The run happened with Oniyah off the court.
At the end of first quarter: Cal 20 St Mary's 15. Cal with six threes and one layup by Williams.
I didn't realize it was Theo on the broadcast until they just mentioned his name!
Cal now making a few two point shots!
Cal now making a few two point shots!
Oniyah just got an elbow in the face but no foul was called.
Cal running 10 deep so far
Offense is primarily inside out
Offense is primarily inside out
Did not know Boyd was coaching at St. Marys
Williams is a whippy little guard; enjoying her play. I also want to see more of Abigor.
"Don't get distracted, myself. Don't get distracted." Self-talk from a young relative
Suarez with 4 turnovers already with 5 to go in the second quarter.
However, she also has 10 points to lead the Bears.
However, she also has 10 points to lead the Bears.
Turnovers bad
FTs good
FTs good
39-21 with 3 minutes to go in half.
Mafua sees the court.
Ackerman gets a great pass and easy bucket.
Mafua sees the court.
Ackerman gets a great pass and easy bucket.
at the half, 42-26.
Abigor got on the floor for final 1:30 (or so)
Abigor got on the floor for final 1:30 (or so)
I counted 11 players getting PT
All but two points of our points scored by our starters. Bench players just getting started in developing their contributions.
Cal 7-15 on threes, 6-15 on twos.
Cal with 9 assists on those 15 made baskets.
Cal with 24 rebounds (7O, 17D) to St.Mary's 11 (2O, 9D)
Cal with 12 turnovers - (Suarez 4 Williams 3) - St. Mary's with 9
But, Cal has 19 points off turnovers - St. Mary's only with 8 points.
Cal is 9-9 from the line. St. Mary's made both of their free throws.
Cal with 9 assists on those 15 made baskets.
Cal with 24 rebounds (7O, 17D) to St.Mary's 11 (2O, 9D)
Cal with 12 turnovers - (Suarez 4 Williams 3) - St. Mary's with 9
But, Cal has 19 points off turnovers - St. Mary's only with 8 points.
Cal is 9-9 from the line. St. Mary's made both of their free throws.
Tough to score when you don't shoot!annarborbear said:
All but two points of our points scored by our starters. Bench players just getting started in developing their contributions.
King took two shots
Mafua took one shot
Ackerman made her only shot.
Noble, Donez and Abigor are not credited with any shots.
I gather we were supposed to Win by quite a bit, good to see it happening
Williams just takes the ball - moves a lot and makes the finish (but misses the FT).
Just a great display of body and ball control.
Cal - 49 SMU 28
Just a great display of body and ball control.
Cal - 49 SMU 28
St. Mary's has turned up the defensive pressure and the Bears are not responding.
49-34 - 5:30 to go in third
49-34 - 5:30 to go in third
Three quarters done. Cal 61 - SMU 41 Cal led 19-15 for the quarter - but seemed to dominate when they wanted. Ackerman providing some excellent minutes offensively and even a great reach block - 8 points (3-3 from field), 6 rebounds in just 8 minutes!
Cal cooled off from deep - only 1-7 for the quarter.
15-18 from the line (Ackerman is 2-4 and Williams missed her free throw)
Cal cooled off from deep - only 1-7 for the quarter.
15-18 from the line (Ackerman is 2-4 and Williams missed her free throw)
72-47 with 732 to go.
Twidale leading scorers with 22! on 5 of 8 from deep
Suarez with 17 (5-10, 3-5) (although she still leads the Bears with 5 turnovers)
Oniyah with only two fouls and 1 turnover.
Krimili with hair and only 8 points (3-6, 2-5) (but also +34)
Twidale leading scorers with 22! on 5 of 8 from deep
Suarez with 17 (5-10, 3-5) (although she still leads the Bears with 5 turnovers)
Oniyah with only two fouls and 1 turnover.
Krimili with hair and only 8 points (3-6, 2-5) (but also +34)
pretty good projectionSchroeder71 said:
Cal should win by at least twenty points tonight over St Mary's. According to the SF Chronicle, the Gaels best player, guard Zeryhia Aokuso (#24), will not play tonight. She was the WCC Freshman of the Year last season. She had a field day against the Bears last year, connecting on 8 of 12 shots to total 18 points. Tayla Dalton has transferred to Gonzaga and will be waiting for Cal there. Their post player, Ali Bamberger, graduated. These were the Gael's top three scorers from last season.
Cal & Saint Mary's return only five players and have both brought in ten newbies. Each team has four inside players and eleven guards/wings. I don't know whether the Bears are a good offensive team or not. If they are they could win by thirty. I don't see St Mary's scoring more than 50-55 points this evening. SG Maia Jones will be their 5th high scorer from 2023-24, averaging 6.9 points per game. She led the Gaels with 33 treys (40.7%). If Cal can get out on their plethora of guards to stop the three pointers, the visitors should have difficulty scoring inside on a regular basis.
I'dict a final score of 75-55. It could be higher if Cal can shoot. GO BEARS!
Cal has the big lead but Gaels have made a couple of excellent inbound plays for buckets and a couple of passes into the paint. Can't tell if Cal is just giving space with the lead, but the defense does not seem as tight as it was.
77-51 with 513 to go in fourth
77-51 with 513 to go in fourth
85-55 with Krimili hitting two from deep - and deep into the clock.
2:16 to go, and I think we will see all new players for the final 2:16.
2:16 to go, and I think we will see all new players for the final 2:16.
Cal plays the last minute with five frosh:
King, Mafua, Dozen, Abigor and Bowes.
King, Dozen, and Mafua with their first NCAA points.
King, Mafua, Dozen, Abigor and Bowes.
King, Dozen, and Mafua with their first NCAA points.
One reason we may see fewer minutes for bench players in games like this is because the NCAA NET ranking system places a lot of emphasis on scoring margins and not just on wins and losses. As a result, you will want to beat a weaker team, especially at home, by a very wide margin. But we will still need to develop some of our freshmen for the ACC season ahead.
Ackerman already shows her value. She has a high basketball IQ and puts herself in the right places at the right times.
Lulu took very good unforced shots within the flow and made them. She now looks ready and experienced.
Ackerman already shows her value. She has a high basketball IQ and puts herself in the right places at the right times.
Lulu took very good unforced shots within the flow and made them. She now looks ready and experienced.
Looks like the new world of college sports means you hopefully retain one-third of your previous year's team, bring in one-third via the portal and add the balance with new recruits. Point is, no stability and players/teams having to find out about their chemistry on a yearly basis.
That said, Cal looks like a fun team to watch. Their first six FGs were made 3s. As the game wore on, they were able to break the paint and get easy looks. Made their FTs. They did what they needed to do.
What impressed me the most (yes, only one game) was Michelle. No stupid fouls. Helping on defense, intimidating drivers. Getting the rebounds in her area but not going after balls where she had no chance - again, not resulting in needless fouls. No off-the-ball fouls. As a result, she was able to stay on the floor and get some rhythm. Led the team in minutes played with 29. The one foul she incurred was an offensive foul after she stole the ball and got called on what I saw as a 50/50 play...which normally would go against the defender. Very solid and hoping this is a sign.
If I had to guess, Cal can go 8 or 9 deep with players that can contribute. As time goes by, depth should be more defined.
That said, Cal looks like a fun team to watch. Their first six FGs were made 3s. As the game wore on, they were able to break the paint and get easy looks. Made their FTs. They did what they needed to do.
What impressed me the most (yes, only one game) was Michelle. No stupid fouls. Helping on defense, intimidating drivers. Getting the rebounds in her area but not going after balls where she had no chance - again, not resulting in needless fouls. No off-the-ball fouls. As a result, she was able to stay on the floor and get some rhythm. Led the team in minutes played with 29. The one foul she incurred was an offensive foul after she stole the ball and got called on what I saw as a 50/50 play...which normally would go against the defender. Very solid and hoping this is a sign.
If I had to guess, Cal can go 8 or 9 deep with players that can contribute. As time goes by, depth should be more defined.
Hard to make assumptions after one game but at a minimum, there's not much to hate from that first game. We looked polished in all aspects.
I'm hoping that some (or all, lol) of the folks who came early to watch the women play before the men's game will buy tickets and come back for future games.
The Bears certainly gave them the incentive with their style of play.
The Bears certainly gave them the incentive with their style of play.
That depresses me. However, perhaps it's not a bad idea to have (hopefully) a bunch of talented young rookies every (hopefully) season, with several seniors and grad students to guide and inspire them. The trick seems to be getting most of the rookies to stay--and to appreciate the fine education they're receiving.gljone said:
Looks like the new world of college sports means you hopefully retain one-third of your previous year's team, bring in one-third via the portal and add the balance with new recruits. Point is, no stability and players/teams having to find out about their chemistry on a yearly basis.
"Don't get distracted, myself. Don't get distracted." Self-talk from a young relative
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