2025-2026 University of Idaho Women's Basketball (PDF) - University of Idaho Athletics
I can't wait to see tomorrow night's game. On paper, Idaho has superior stats in every category. However, they have yet to face a Power 4 conference foe. The Vandals average approximately 85 points per game. In their ten games, they have put up scores in the eighties and nineties in all but two encounters. Their lowest offensive scoring output this season has been 76 points twice.
Their two defeats came at UC Davis, 89-76, and at home in Moscow, ID, at the hands of Oral Roberts, 92-89.
The Aggies hit 14 of 30 three pointers to register that win. Idaho's star, Debora dos Santos, went off in the latter matchup and produced in 21 minutes, 22 points & 15 rebounds but to no avail.
ESPN'S Bracketology has the Vandals projected as a 13th seed for this year's NCAA Tournament. I would say that Cal matches up well versus Idaho. The only problem might be whether or not the Bears have a strong offensive showing in this particular contest.
2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster - University of Idaho Athletics
The Idaho Vandals lead the Big Sky Conference in almost everything. The are tops in assists per game with 15.3. (Cal checks in w/ 16.2). They average 84.9 points on 45.2 FG%. The Vandals are #1 in point margin at 17.3 ppg. Idaho has seven players that hit at least 33% of their three-point attempts for a collective 7.5 treys per game. (Cal connects on 7.3).
Rebounding is this team's strength. In the three close battles that they've had, their opponents either outrebounded them or were very close. Idaho leads the Big Sky in total rebounds (49.2/g), offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds & rebound margin (+ 12.8/g). The Bears are going to have to be physical Wednesday to stop easy second chance baskets.
Art Moreira is in his second year as Idaho's HC. He implements an 8-9 player rotation. The Vandals have six proficient guards that run the show but what has enabled them to take the next step is the two USF posts that transferred. Both are from Brazil and are redshirt seniors.
IMO, Charmin Smith needs to decide on a couple critical matchups. Their center is 6-5 Lorena Barbosa. She starts and plays 17.4 mpg. She averages 12.0 points and 4.8 boards per night. The Vandals sixth "man" is their best player, Debora dos Santos. She is a sturdy 6-0 PF that is difficult to move off of the block. She missed their last game, so I don't know the status of her health for tomorrow. Dos Santos (#9) has only played 12.9 minutes and yet contributes 11.1 points to the offense and 7.4 rebounds. Last season in the WCC, she averaged a double-double (15.3 points and 10.6 rebounds). The only Cal players that seem suited to battle this dynamic duo down low are obviously 6-5 Sakima Walker & 6-1 Naya Ojukwu.
I will quickly provide an overview of the backcourt threats that Idaho possesses. Their starting PG is 5-8 junior Hope Hassman (#4). She provides 4.2 assists and 14.1 points per game. Hassman is a deadly shooter. She is second in threes (14) and hits an unbelievable 92.6% of her free throws. Their #2 offensive player is 5-11 SR, Kyra Gardner (#3), a transfer SG from Washington State. She adds 13.0 points & 6.2 boards on average. Kyra is a dangerous three-point threat with 23! She also is the Vandal's defensive stopper. Gardner is top in steals w/ 2.5 per game and tied for the best in shot blocks with 9. Another productive guard is Ana Pinheiro from Portugal. She's a 6-0 soph combo guard that averages 8.7 points plus 5.1 boards. She is tied w/ her backcourt mate with 9 shot blocks and is third in steals. The fourth guard is 5-8 soph PG, Ella Uriarte, from Folsom HS.
She contributes 6.4 points to the mix.
Idaho has lots of depth and three players are tied for the most minutes at approximately 25. Two more substitute guards are 5-6 senior PG Mary McMorris. She typically puts up 6.4 points while being 2nd on the team in assists and steals. Ana Beatriz da Silva is another Brazilian. She is a 5-11 soph SG that helps w/ 6.5 points & 5 rebounds per game. The final sub in Sarah Brans, a 6-1 SR SF from Monte Vista High in Danville.
My optimistic prediction is that Cal will prevail over Idaho, 77-75. GO BEARS!
I can't wait to see tomorrow night's game. On paper, Idaho has superior stats in every category. However, they have yet to face a Power 4 conference foe. The Vandals average approximately 85 points per game. In their ten games, they have put up scores in the eighties and nineties in all but two encounters. Their lowest offensive scoring output this season has been 76 points twice.
Their two defeats came at UC Davis, 89-76, and at home in Moscow, ID, at the hands of Oral Roberts, 92-89.
The Aggies hit 14 of 30 three pointers to register that win. Idaho's star, Debora dos Santos, went off in the latter matchup and produced in 21 minutes, 22 points & 15 rebounds but to no avail.
ESPN'S Bracketology has the Vandals projected as a 13th seed for this year's NCAA Tournament. I would say that Cal matches up well versus Idaho. The only problem might be whether or not the Bears have a strong offensive showing in this particular contest.
2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster - University of Idaho Athletics
The Idaho Vandals lead the Big Sky Conference in almost everything. The are tops in assists per game with 15.3. (Cal checks in w/ 16.2). They average 84.9 points on 45.2 FG%. The Vandals are #1 in point margin at 17.3 ppg. Idaho has seven players that hit at least 33% of their three-point attempts for a collective 7.5 treys per game. (Cal connects on 7.3).
Rebounding is this team's strength. In the three close battles that they've had, their opponents either outrebounded them or were very close. Idaho leads the Big Sky in total rebounds (49.2/g), offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds & rebound margin (+ 12.8/g). The Bears are going to have to be physical Wednesday to stop easy second chance baskets.
Art Moreira is in his second year as Idaho's HC. He implements an 8-9 player rotation. The Vandals have six proficient guards that run the show but what has enabled them to take the next step is the two USF posts that transferred. Both are from Brazil and are redshirt seniors.
IMO, Charmin Smith needs to decide on a couple critical matchups. Their center is 6-5 Lorena Barbosa. She starts and plays 17.4 mpg. She averages 12.0 points and 4.8 boards per night. The Vandals sixth "man" is their best player, Debora dos Santos. She is a sturdy 6-0 PF that is difficult to move off of the block. She missed their last game, so I don't know the status of her health for tomorrow. Dos Santos (#9) has only played 12.9 minutes and yet contributes 11.1 points to the offense and 7.4 rebounds. Last season in the WCC, she averaged a double-double (15.3 points and 10.6 rebounds). The only Cal players that seem suited to battle this dynamic duo down low are obviously 6-5 Sakima Walker & 6-1 Naya Ojukwu.
I will quickly provide an overview of the backcourt threats that Idaho possesses. Their starting PG is 5-8 junior Hope Hassman (#4). She provides 4.2 assists and 14.1 points per game. Hassman is a deadly shooter. She is second in threes (14) and hits an unbelievable 92.6% of her free throws. Their #2 offensive player is 5-11 SR, Kyra Gardner (#3), a transfer SG from Washington State. She adds 13.0 points & 6.2 boards on average. Kyra is a dangerous three-point threat with 23! She also is the Vandal's defensive stopper. Gardner is top in steals w/ 2.5 per game and tied for the best in shot blocks with 9. Another productive guard is Ana Pinheiro from Portugal. She's a 6-0 soph combo guard that averages 8.7 points plus 5.1 boards. She is tied w/ her backcourt mate with 9 shot blocks and is third in steals. The fourth guard is 5-8 soph PG, Ella Uriarte, from Folsom HS.
She contributes 6.4 points to the mix.
Idaho has lots of depth and three players are tied for the most minutes at approximately 25. Two more substitute guards are 5-6 senior PG Mary McMorris. She typically puts up 6.4 points while being 2nd on the team in assists and steals. Ana Beatriz da Silva is another Brazilian. She is a 5-11 soph SG that helps w/ 6.5 points & 5 rebounds per game. The final sub in Sarah Brans, a 6-1 SR SF from Monte Vista High in Danville.
My optimistic prediction is that Cal will prevail over Idaho, 77-75. GO BEARS!
