So I just don't have the time to go to any games, or watch that many, but I do see as many as I can. The Michigan State game was my first look at this year's team, and here are some (small sample size + stats) thoughts.
*There isn't a point guard on the roster. Charmin was reduced to having Krimili and Suarez bring the ball up because Kayla Williams, the nominal point, is 30/28 A/TO.
And Michigan State was loaded with quick, aggressive guards and Williams couldn't do anything on either end of the court. A quickness deficit will kill you unless you are dominant inside, and though Onyiah was very good, she's a foul machine and is unlikely to play a full game against a quality team.
*Marta Suarez. She's a good shooter. She's a terrible ballhandler (12/24 A/TO), slow and a mediocre, at best, defender. The fact that she had to bring the ball up is a clear indication Cal has no guards. You can blame Charmin, but Charmin knows the game and sees her players in practice. Suarez, from that perspective, is a better choice (in part because of who's guarding her) than more traditional ballhandlers.
The fact that Suarez is such a key part of Cal's team shows that the talent level isn't where it should be to compete at a high level. If she were the first player off the bench, or the fifth best starter, you've got something.
*Michelle Onyiah. Better this year than last. Credit must be given to the staff for her steady improvement. That said, she doesn't play smart and doesn't, apparently, understand that there are times she has to avoid contact and let the other team score. Very athletic, good inside and would be a real asset if surrounded by shooters and a couple of good ballhandlers.
*Lulu Twidale. She can shoot it. Seriously shoot it. Good form, quick release. But clearly Charmin doesn't trust her to bring the ball up or handle the ball in the halfcourt. 17/19 A/TO -- and note that Cal has played enough bad teams that the A/TO should be better for all players.
Twidale is a legit shooting wing on a good team, but needs a real PG to unlock her full potential.
*Ioanna Krimili. Nice player. I like her better with hair. Good shooter, smart, with a future pro career in Europe. Again, needs a good PG and enough around her so they don't guard her with their best defender. (And MSU had really good perimeter defenders.)
*Gabrielle Abigor. I've seen her since she was a sophomore in high school, and she's a marvelous athlete with a shooting range of three feet (though I haven't seen all her games at Cal). Great supporting piece but like all young posts, needs seasoning. She's like so many Cal posts in recent years: Gets the ball, athletic, can't shoot.
*Lola Donez. Seems like a nice player who can defend but can't score.
Sadly, the missing piece is one of the hardest to find: A point guard who can run the show, handle the ball and make the occasional three. Oh, and a perimeter stopper would be nice too.
All that said, Cal appears to be a competent P4 basketball team. There's talent and some quality, but also some flaws that good teams can exploit.
Oh, and it's not the refs' fault.
*There isn't a point guard on the roster. Charmin was reduced to having Krimili and Suarez bring the ball up because Kayla Williams, the nominal point, is 30/28 A/TO.
And Michigan State was loaded with quick, aggressive guards and Williams couldn't do anything on either end of the court. A quickness deficit will kill you unless you are dominant inside, and though Onyiah was very good, she's a foul machine and is unlikely to play a full game against a quality team.
*Marta Suarez. She's a good shooter. She's a terrible ballhandler (12/24 A/TO), slow and a mediocre, at best, defender. The fact that she had to bring the ball up is a clear indication Cal has no guards. You can blame Charmin, but Charmin knows the game and sees her players in practice. Suarez, from that perspective, is a better choice (in part because of who's guarding her) than more traditional ballhandlers.
The fact that Suarez is such a key part of Cal's team shows that the talent level isn't where it should be to compete at a high level. If she were the first player off the bench, or the fifth best starter, you've got something.
*Michelle Onyiah. Better this year than last. Credit must be given to the staff for her steady improvement. That said, she doesn't play smart and doesn't, apparently, understand that there are times she has to avoid contact and let the other team score. Very athletic, good inside and would be a real asset if surrounded by shooters and a couple of good ballhandlers.
*Lulu Twidale. She can shoot it. Seriously shoot it. Good form, quick release. But clearly Charmin doesn't trust her to bring the ball up or handle the ball in the halfcourt. 17/19 A/TO -- and note that Cal has played enough bad teams that the A/TO should be better for all players.
Twidale is a legit shooting wing on a good team, but needs a real PG to unlock her full potential.
*Ioanna Krimili. Nice player. I like her better with hair. Good shooter, smart, with a future pro career in Europe. Again, needs a good PG and enough around her so they don't guard her with their best defender. (And MSU had really good perimeter defenders.)
*Gabrielle Abigor. I've seen her since she was a sophomore in high school, and she's a marvelous athlete with a shooting range of three feet (though I haven't seen all her games at Cal). Great supporting piece but like all young posts, needs seasoning. She's like so many Cal posts in recent years: Gets the ball, athletic, can't shoot.
*Lola Donez. Seems like a nice player who can defend but can't score.
Sadly, the missing piece is one of the hardest to find: A point guard who can run the show, handle the ball and make the occasional three. Oh, and a perimeter stopper would be nice too.
All that said, Cal appears to be a competent P4 basketball team. There's talent and some quality, but also some flaws that good teams can exploit.
Oh, and it's not the refs' fault.
