Anxious to see how good UCLA will look this year. They have taken Notre Dame to overtime and hung with South Carolina. Looking at their roster, they have some real depth and talent. If their coaching scheme works, I think they can win the PAC12. One continuing challenge will be not to let Fields chuck it up too often.

annarborbear;842618077 said:

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Anxious to see how good UCLA will look this year. They have taken Notre Dame to overtime and hung with South Carolina. Looking at their roster, they have some real depth and talent. If their coaching scheme works, I think they can win the PAC12. One continuing challenge will be not to let Fields chuck it up too often.

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On paper UCLA has the players and talent. They are much improved from last year. This will be a real good test for our young players.

not just this year but for the next couple of years.. Both teams are young and talented.

annarborbear;842618077 said:

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Anxious to see how good UCLA will look this year. They have taken Notre Dame to overtime and hung with South Carolina. Looking at their roster, they have some real depth and talent. If their coaching scheme works, I think they can win the PAC12. One continuing challenge will be not to let Fields chuck it up too often.

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Actually it looks like Fields is shooting fairly well for her (43% from the field) and is she is only taking 15% of the shots. If we can stop Canada, we should do okay.

they had some injury issues in the past, but they certainly are stocked with talent. They s/b in the hunt for the conference title.

GATC;842618142 said:

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Actually it looks like Fields is shooting fairly well for her (43% from the field) and is she is only taking 15% of the shots. If we can stop Canada, we should do okay.

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I am remembering our two wins against them last year, including when Fields shot 4-19 against us in Berkeley. But perhaps she has it more under control this year. She certainly has talent and quickness. However, Fields is just shooting 20% from three. So we may need to play some zone, focus on guarding Korver, and hope that Fields will try to take over and shoot more from the outside.

UCLA's certainly playing better ball this year than last, and has many strengths. Also some weaknesses. The main weakness at present: half-court offense. Teams that can slow the Bruins down and force them to execute in the half-court do much better than teams that try to out-athlete UCLA. Ditto teams that take care of the basketball and that do work on the offensive glass, since my Bruins are so dependent on getting out in transition.

Regarding Monday's game, I personally think it's a coin-flip. On a neutral court under equal circumstances, I'd imagine UCLA to have the edge right now, if only because I understand your Bears to be experiencing some growing pains in the backcourt, while Jordin Canada simultaneously happens to be blossoming before our eyes. But this Monday's game in Haas will be UCLA's 3rd in 6 days, with Game #2 coming at Sacramento State and dealing with that team's playing style is such a nasty punch to the privates. Meanwhile, Cal will've had 8 days to rest and prepare. So I just think y'all might be significantly fresher and meaner than UCLA come Monday. Also, you guys just stroke it against my Bruins! At least you have lately. Last season, against Cal opponents not named UCLA, the Bears shot 31.25% from beyond the arc. In its two games against UCLA, Cal shot a combined 50% (exactly) from 3-point-land. Well jeez, if y'all shoot like that again on Monday, I don't see how my Bruins are supposed to respond defensively, because how do you stop that *and* Anigwe?

Anyway, despite my anxiety, I'm very amped for Monday's game. Best of luck to your Bears.

Without Brittany Boyd and Mercedes Jefflo this season, I don't see how Cal will have the speed to handle PG Canada & SG Fields. All four of these guards scored in double-figures against each other last year. UCLA has been able to get fast break points (like in the Michigan game) whereas Cal has seldom been able to score points that way in 2015...I hope that the Bears triumph on Monday night. GO BEARS!