Good effort by the Bears without having KA. We were tied at 57-57. With KA we win this game. Without KA, it is tough.

This team underachieved. This was a very beatable VA. Another disappointing season.

We're losing on turnovers 15 to 6, that's the ball game. Nevertheless we put up a good fight without Kristine.

Even with Anigwe it would still be the same errors that always...plague...us. I will never, ever understand. Happy we made the tournament!! Wish we would be a consistent Sweet 16 program but at least I can savor the one FF we had.

blungld said:

---

This team underachieved. This was a very beatable VA. Another disappointing season.

---

I think VA would have been very beatable if Kristine had played and Ayieotan had not.

Cowling had to show more in her final game and without KA.

It wasn't just KA's scoring, rebounding and defense we missed

KA draws the defense giving space for others

She also would provide depth in the paint. CJ played more than she was capable of and cramped at the end. When you are fatigued your defense and jumping (rebounding) is the first to go.

Not having our normal post rotation was the biggest factor in the game

The great former Georgia coach and now announcer, Andy Landers, described both teams as "offensively challenged". That about sums it up.

HoopDreams said:

---

It wasn't just KA's scoring, rebounding and defense we missed

KA draws the defense giving space for others

She also would provide depth in the paint. CJ played more than she was capable of and cramped at the end. When you are fatigued your defense and jumping (rebounding) is the first to go.

Not having our normal post rotation was the biggest factor in the game

---

+1

We learned a lot more about Kianna Smith too. We'll have a dynamic back-court next season with Kianna, Asha and a healthy Mi'Cole Cayton.

The two seniors starters, Cowling and Davidson, had to step up today without post Anigwe. They combined to shoot 26.6% from the field. Cal also got nothing from Jaelyn Brown who had been *a super sixth man* off of the bench in recent games. Basically-the Bears had three players provide their offense while the Cavaliers had five players in double figures. UVA had an extra ten field goal attempts due to the difference in turnovers & offensive rebounds. Boyle's team holds their opponents to approximately 60 points per game so Cal was their average opponent.

Next season, HC Gottlieb has to get her team to implement more pressure on defense. Cal was second to last in steals in the conference and doesn't force enough opposition turnovers. Take a gander at today's stats in both areas to see the problem.

GO BEARS!

It would be interesting next year to try a line up of 3 guards with West and KA. Allowing KA to play more of a 4 off West's big body could be interesting, then rotate in Brown and Styles.

blungld said:

---

It would be interesting next year to try a line up of 3 guards with West and KA. Allowing KA to play more of a 4 off West's big body could be interesting, then rotate in Brown and Styles.

---

I like it. Add new freshman Forbes to that rotation of Brown and Styles.

blungld said:

---

It would be interesting next year to try a line up of 3 guards with West and KA. Allowing KA to play more of a 4 off West's big body could be interesting, then rotate in Brown and Styles.

With little frontcourt depth next year, we are probably going to have to go small, with only one big in at a time. Would be great if we could bring in a new associate/assistant who would know how to run that type of offensive system (hint).

---

I was hoping that by next year Chen would be a viable big, a defensive presence to spell other bigs. But I don't think she's going to get there.

blungld said:

---

I was hoping that by next year Chen would be a viable big, a defensive presence to spell other bigs. But I don't think she's going to get there. b

---

I have yet to see any evidence Chen has quick enough feet or good enough hands for defense and rebounding. She also seems to have a very low release on her shot. Seeing our other bigs get more than a few of their shots blocked makes me wonder if we should try coaching them on hook shots.

There have been some bigs who have played ok simply by keeping their hands up at all times both on offense and defense, and getting some rebounds or an occasional putback just on that basis. But you can't develop even that sitting on the bench. Chen played only 33 minutes in 11 games this year.

Let's note, however, that Kianna played one hell of a game, along with Asha and C.J.

Anigwe misses way too many games, for a variety of reasons, to be counted on for much. She has issues with emotional control (flipping off opposing coaches), attitude and, apparently, some kind of unknown medical condition.

I have no inside info, but I'm not buying the medical excuse. You can practice for two weeks and then you can't?

As for Chen, I don't think there's any chance she can play at this level. If she could, she would have played when Anigwe was out -- and that happened a lot.

You can have an opinion about Anigwe in terms of play or behavior, but I think speculation doubting the veracity of an apparent medical situation is inappropriate. There are plenty of infections/viruses that can lead to fluctuations in energy and strength. We aren't privy to what ails her, nor should we be. Stick with basketball.

Agreed.

blungld said:

---

This team underachieved. This was a very beatable VA. Another disappointing season.

---

Could be worse- we could have finished 2-16 in a conference whose only entry into the round of 64 got blown out by a 13 seed!

Not sure why a post like this is helpful. It implies that success in men's basketball and women's basketball are mutually exclusive or somehow attention paid to a men's basketball team having a struggling season is misplaced.

Cal is a family. We should root for all Golden Bears to excel in the classroom and on the court.

I've been a fan Cal women's basketball since I was a student playing in the Cal Band in support of the team featuring Teresa Palmisano. I like that Coach Gottlieb seems to building a program which is consistently in the top tier of the Pac 12.

Nice game by the Bears missing their best player due to injury!

Here's to better seasons and tournament runs by both basketball teams next year.

Go Bears!

Thanks, evanluck. We drink to that.