I predict that Cal will squeak out a victory, 75-72, over arch-rival Stanford in Palo Alto tomorrow night. The Bears have lost to the Cardinal ten consecutive seasons in Maples Pavillion. Cal has not swept the season series from Stanford in forty years.
Stanford has only lost once in ten games this season at home. They will not be easy to beat there. The Cardinal also was embarrassed by the Bears in Berkeley in a 20-point loss and will want revenge. Their current lineup has two new underclassmen as starters now.
Several stats suggest that this should be a close game. Both teams score 75 points per game. Both grab approximately 40 rebounds per contest. Both lineups are loaded with three-point shooters. Cal averages 9.6 to Stanford's 8.4 treys. In Berkeley, the Bears went off for 18 three-point baskets to the Cardinal's 9.
The reason that I like Cal's chances is that Stanford does not cause many turnovers. They have forced a dozen per game on average. In the Bear's blowout win earlier this season, the Cardinal only caused nine TOs. None of the Cal starters had more than 2. The Bears also dominated the assists category with 20 to the Cardinal's 10. Cal outrebounded Stanford, too, 43-38, which is a rare occurrence. Have the Bears had single digit turnovers in any other games this year?
Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
The one new factor that the Cal defense needs to prepare for is the emergence of Santa Clara junior transfer shooting guard, Tess Heal. The Aussie averaged 20 points per game for the Broncos. She seemed reluctant to take many shots early this season and was trying to find her role and fit in. She now is the team's instant offense sixth "man". The reason that Stanford defeated Wake Forest was Tess Heal. She led the team in scoring with 24 points. Heal was "on fire", hitting six consecutive treys. The team wants her to shoot now. Tess started the game at Cal and only accounted for two points. I can almost guarantee that the Aussie will want to make a statement tomorrow night.
Women's Basketball at Wake Forest 1/16/2025 - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
GO BEARS!
Stanford has only lost once in ten games this season at home. They will not be easy to beat there. The Cardinal also was embarrassed by the Bears in Berkeley in a 20-point loss and will want revenge. Their current lineup has two new underclassmen as starters now.
Several stats suggest that this should be a close game. Both teams score 75 points per game. Both grab approximately 40 rebounds per contest. Both lineups are loaded with three-point shooters. Cal averages 9.6 to Stanford's 8.4 treys. In Berkeley, the Bears went off for 18 three-point baskets to the Cardinal's 9.
The reason that I like Cal's chances is that Stanford does not cause many turnovers. They have forced a dozen per game on average. In the Bear's blowout win earlier this season, the Cardinal only caused nine TOs. None of the Cal starters had more than 2. The Bears also dominated the assists category with 20 to the Cardinal's 10. Cal outrebounded Stanford, too, 43-38, which is a rare occurrence. Have the Bears had single digit turnovers in any other games this year?
Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
The one new factor that the Cal defense needs to prepare for is the emergence of Santa Clara junior transfer shooting guard, Tess Heal. The Aussie averaged 20 points per game for the Broncos. She seemed reluctant to take many shots early this season and was trying to find her role and fit in. She now is the team's instant offense sixth "man". The reason that Stanford defeated Wake Forest was Tess Heal. She led the team in scoring with 24 points. Heal was "on fire", hitting six consecutive treys. The team wants her to shoot now. Tess started the game at Cal and only accounted for two points. I can almost guarantee that the Aussie will want to make a statement tomorrow night.
Women's Basketball at Wake Forest 1/16/2025 - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
GO BEARS!
