My only hope today is that Cal can play their best and be competitive against #6 Notre Dame. I guess that theoretically the Bears have a chance today, but if you review the boxscore (below), it's not very likely.
https://calbears.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2024-25/notre-dame/boxscore/36911
To win championships, a team normally has to emphasize defense. Three teams that Cal faced this season in the ACC put defense first: Duke, Notre Dame & UNC. All three stopped the Bears from running their offense and forced between 21-34 turnovers. The only two games that Cal was blown out this season were Duke (72-38) and Notre Dame (91-52) on the road. The Bears lost by 34 & 39 points, respectively. North Carolina had to come to Berkeley and captured a somewhat competitive game, 65-52. This was Cal's only home loss (16-1).
The Fighting Irish had three first team selections as all-ACC: G Hannah Hidalgo, G Olivia Miles & G Sonia Citron. Hidalgo was voted the conference POY as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. Citron was also selected on the all-ACC Defensive Team. Notre Dame also had a second team selection, PF Liatu King, and an all-Freshmen selection in 6-5 C Kate Koval.
The Fighting Irish have struggled recently and lost to Florida State and NC State. Cal defeated both of these nationally ranked teams at home. How can this be? Well-the Bears outscored Fla St (82-71) and beat NCS (79-71). Cal was able to run their offense and play their game against these two opponents. It is all about matchups. Notre Dame has only lost 4 games and wins by an average of 22 points in the ACC.
2024-WBB-ACC-Stats-9.pdf
If Cal can impress today, they may be able to move up to a #7 seed from #8 seed line of the NCAA Tournament. GO BEARS!
https://calbears.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2024-25/notre-dame/boxscore/36911
To win championships, a team normally has to emphasize defense. Three teams that Cal faced this season in the ACC put defense first: Duke, Notre Dame & UNC. All three stopped the Bears from running their offense and forced between 21-34 turnovers. The only two games that Cal was blown out this season were Duke (72-38) and Notre Dame (91-52) on the road. The Bears lost by 34 & 39 points, respectively. North Carolina had to come to Berkeley and captured a somewhat competitive game, 65-52. This was Cal's only home loss (16-1).
The Fighting Irish had three first team selections as all-ACC: G Hannah Hidalgo, G Olivia Miles & G Sonia Citron. Hidalgo was voted the conference POY as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. Citron was also selected on the all-ACC Defensive Team. Notre Dame also had a second team selection, PF Liatu King, and an all-Freshmen selection in 6-5 C Kate Koval.
The Fighting Irish have struggled recently and lost to Florida State and NC State. Cal defeated both of these nationally ranked teams at home. How can this be? Well-the Bears outscored Fla St (82-71) and beat NCS (79-71). Cal was able to run their offense and play their game against these two opponents. It is all about matchups. Notre Dame has only lost 4 games and wins by an average of 22 points in the ACC.
2024-WBB-ACC-Stats-9.pdf
If Cal can impress today, they may be able to move up to a #7 seed from #8 seed line of the NCAA Tournament. GO BEARS!
