I predict that Cal will win by 15 points today, 70-55. Only PG Syndi Summers returns from the team that faced Cal in Berkeley last season. She earned Mountain West all-freshmen team honors. She played 22 minutes versus the Bears without scoring.

When I saw that they traveled to Xavier in Cinncinati and held them to 36 points, I was impressed. However, I visited the Xavier website and observed that they were 1-29 last season and have lost 20 games in a row. The Spartans ***turned the ball over 26 times*** to this quality of an opponent. The Bears need to press their backcourt today and pressure the SJS guards throughout the game. Do not allow the game to be a half-court game because the Spartans may have the strongest post players that the Bears have faced. Their starting center, 6-3 senior Djessira Diawara, is a transfer from Houston. She was 5-10 from the floor and played 31 1/2 minutes. She has beaten out the Louisville transfer, 6-4 Hennie Van Schaik, from the Netherlands, who only received 10 minutes of PT. She was the best player on Cal State Bakersfield two years ago. I wanted Cal to go after her on the transfer portal. Marisa Davis -Jones was one of their better players last year and Cal recruited her. She only was given 7 minutes of playing time vs Xavier? Is the rest of the roster improved over last year? IDK

Women's Basketball 2024-25 - SJSU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - San Jose State Spartans

It's hard to gauge the San Jose State offense because they scored 55 points across country in their opener while simultaneously turning the ball over 26 times. Empty possessions. This is why that I am posting this late because i have no clue about this new Spartan contingent's offensive capability.

Women's Basketball at Xavier 11/5/2024 - SJSU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - San Jose State Spartans

GO BEARS!

At intermission, Cal leads 51-28. Lulu Twidale & Ioanna Krimili continue to be "unconsciouis" with their shooting. The coach continues to limit Ackerman's minutes (4). She is the sixth man of the team,yet the coach will not play her. Cal only has three TOs but has only forced 4 on SJS. Suarez, Onyiah & Williams have been steady. Suarez & Onyiah have picked up two personal fouls.

70-34 end of third. We have at least 10 players ( maybe 11) that can be in the rotation

stu said:

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Watching online. It's nice to see us beat weaker teams by more than 5 or 10 but it seems to me we don't need to play our starters quite so much.

Are any of us at the game? The stands look empty. And the court is ugly.

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So far, it does seem like a tale of two different teams - starters, bench. I think we will need to get Langarita back to have another experienced player available as the newer players develop.

Yeah, nobody has been able to slow Ioanna or Lulu down. When they're sitting our offense suffers.

stu said:

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BTW Gabrielle has a new hairdo - looking good!

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Agreed. Frivolous, I know, but I kept worrying that half her old style was going to fall off, like an 18th-century wig.

BearBint said:

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stu said:

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BTW Gabrielle has a new hairdo - looking good!

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Agreed. Frivolous, I know, but I kept worrying that half her old style was going to fall off, like an 18th-century wig.

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My old hair style began to fall off when I was her age.

The five freshies continue to lack the ability to make a basket. Today, they were 0-13. If one adds Jayda Noble to the group, those six were 1 -16 or 6.25% from the floor. The six that can shoot the rock connected on 25 for 48 for a FG% of 52.08%. I wonder when Gisella Maul will join the mix? Bears desperately need a 7th productive player.

Cal travels to Gonzaga next Thursday night. This game should give fans a feel for how competitive this basketball team is in 2024-25. GO BEARS!

CalFanatic said:

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stu said:

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Schroeder71 said:

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At intermission, Cal leads 51-28. Lulu Twidale & Ioanna Krimili continue to be "unconsciouis" with their shooting. The coach continues to limit Ackerman's minutes (4). She is the sixth man of the team,yet the coach will not play her. Cal only has three TOs but has only forced 4 on SJS. Suarez, Onyiah & Williams have been steady. Suarez & Onyiah have picked up two personal fouls.

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Natalia finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals.and a block in just 13 minutes. I wonder if she's fully healthy?

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There was an article posted here (if I recall) saying Ackerman would only play 15-20 minutes a game. I believe it's lingering and sort of severe back issues.

In the article she said "I want to be able to walk later in life"... or something along the lines.

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https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2024/08/05/watsonvilles-natalia-ackerman-to-play-for-cal-bears-in-2024-25-womens-basketball/

Our potential experienced players give us a solid eight:

Starters:
Onyiah
Suarez
Krimili
Twidale
Williams

Subs:
Langarita
Ackerman
Noble

Will that be good enough for an NCAA tournament bid (i.e., ninth in the ACC)? Quite possibly, if we can continue to shoot at a high percentage, if Michelle can continue to stay on the court, and if there are no injuries.

The question will then be: Can Maul or any of the freshmen rise up and take the place of any of the three subs with a comparatively superior performance? So far, no obvious signs of that yet. But if not, we go with the experienced eight.

SFCALBear72 said:

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GATC said:

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Schroeder71 said:

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The five freshies continue to lack the ability to make a basket. Today, they were 0-13. If one adds Jayda Noble to the group, those six were 1 -16 or 6.25% from the floor. The six that can shoot the rock connected on 25 for 48 for a FG% of 52.08%. I wonder when Gisella Maul will join the mix? Bears desperately need a 7th productive player.

Cal travels to Gonzaga next Thursday night. This game should give fans a feel for how competitive this basketball team is in 2024-25. GO BEARS!

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Although they didn't shoot well players 6-13 had a +/- of +10 which means they outplayed their opponents. They also had more or the same number of steals and blocks as the starters. They only committed only 2 turnovers and rebounded well. I was especially impressed with the play of Donez who did not score but played excellent defense and had a +/- of +12. Ackerman who also played great and had great stats had a +13.

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Also, third game in six days for our freshmen. They are not used to that routine yet.
Scoring is not the only way you contribute to a team win. Defense. Rebounds. Creating turnovers. Assists. Maybe hold off on your rant until mid-season. Give them time to adjust to college ball.

With the time missed, you think Gisella is going to contribute significantly right away? Doubtful.

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Just my opinion, these freshman have been playing basketball regularly for at least 5 years. Can't believe that "third game in six days" is any kind of a factor for 18 year olds that aren't even playing half the game.

Specifically on Zahra and Lola, I know its early to be picky, but in Zahra's case in a short sample size when she drives to the hoop she appears to decide early that's she shooting instead of dishing, hope that gets adjusted. In Lola's case its almost the opposite. Nothing wrong with pass first mentality but for a player that was such a high scorer in high school, I'm not seeing anything from here to look for the basket. I would think that she would possess a bit more of that mentality. Again, small sample size and I realize over time these factors may shift.

High school teams play in tournaments often and play for three or four consecutive days.

2024-2025 California Women's Basketball (PDF) - California Golden Bears Athletics

Lola Donez plays the hardest and is receiving the most PT (19.7 mpg) by far. She has yet to score from the field. She has taken 70% of her shots from three-point land. Donez has four steals and four assists vs zero TOs. Kamryn Mafua is also taking 70% treys (7-10). Zahra King was supposedly a point guard and playmaker, yet she has only two assists + five turnovers. She seems to be a gunner (15 shots) early on. She appears to be a below average shooter (.20 FG%) from the field and the free throw line (.54%). Gabrielle Abigor has a beautiful rainbow free throw shot (6-6) but is weak on defense. Most of SJS's post players baskets came against #33 (perhaps six).

The redshirt frosh, Anastasia Drousini, has only played limited minutes in two games but she does not appear to be on the same level as the recruit class. She might be the last scholarship player on the bench this season.

I have not given up on the newbies but they certainly need to improve. I will give them credit when it is deserved.
GO BEARS!

Schroeder71 said:

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High school teams play in tournaments often and play for three or four consecutive days.

2024-2025 California Women's Basketball (PDF) - California Golden Bears Athletics

Lola Donez plays the hardest and is receiving the most PT (19.7 mpg) by far. She has yet to score from the field. She has taken 70% of her shots from three-point land. Donez has four steals and four assists vs zero TOs. Kamryn Mafua is also taking 70% treys (7-10). Zahra King was supposedly a point guard and playmaker, yet she has only two assists + five turnovers. She seems to be a gunner (15 shots) early on. She appears to be a below average shooter (.20 FG%) from the field and the free throw line (.54%). Gabrielle Abigor has a beautiful rainbow free throw shot (6-6) but is weak on defense. Most of SJS's post players baskets came against #33 (perhaps six).

The redshirt frosh, Anastasia Drousini, has only played limited minutes in two games but she does not appear to be on the same level as the recruit class. She might be the last scholarship player on the bench this season.

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Lola Donez looks the most D1 ready. Understands the game, and although her shot hasn't gone through the hoop, her shot looks the best. I think she will be a key rotation player.

I am a little concerned with Kamryn's quickness. As a wing player she looks a little slow.

King needs to adjust to the size, quickness and speed of the game, but it's pretty clear she is more comfortable driving than shooting (which will be harder than it was in HS)

Abigor still learning the defense

Towards the end of the game Lola bonked her head on the hardwood, does anyone know if she's ok?