Cal Women's Basketball vs. UCLA Gamethread

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 1:01 PM PST in California Golden Bears Men's Basketball

Time: 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET
TV: None
Radio: KKGN 960 AM
Free Audio Stream: KALX 90.7
$ Audio Stream: Cal Bears All Access
Gametracker

The Bruins, in more ways than one, have usurped Cal’s former place in the Pac-10, both stylistically and in the standings. UCLA will slow the game down, focusing on suffocating trapping defense and team rebounding. When they are playing their best they are forcing constant turnovers and bad shots while holding opponents to one shot per possession. On offense they will rarely take 3 point shots - just 10.7% of their field goals are from behind the arc. UCLA wants to pound the ball inside as much as possible, ideally getting high percentage shots for their forwards.

UCLA has had impressive balance on offense this year, with six players averaging between 8.0 and 11.7 points per game. Jasmine Dixon is the biggest threat, but UCLA has such a deep group of veteran players that no one person has had to take on the offensive burden. Seniors Darxia Morris and Doreena Campbell do most of the ball handling.

The good news for a struggling Cal team is that UCLA isn’t typically a team that will blow you out (though recent Pac-10 results against the Oregon schools and USC might be indicating otherwise). That’s in large part due to their slow style of play and an offense that, while effective, isn’t as elite as their defense. The bad news is that although UCLA won’t blow you out, their defense is such that a 10 point deficit feels like 20. They are just that hard to score on.

For Cal to win today the Bears need to do the following:

Get a composed performance from everybody that will be handling the ball: Layshia Clarendon, Eliza Pierre and Lindsay Sherbert must stay calm, avoid traps and make smart, safe passes whenever they get in trouble. DeNesha Stallworth, Talia Caldwell and Rama N'Diaya must be aware when guards need help and get open to break traps. It will have to be a full team effort.

Force turnovers and score in transition: Scoring before UCLA’s defense sets up in the half court might end up being the most effective form of offense for the Bears. UCLA is a decent ball handling team, but they can be vulnerable to coughing up the ball. This would be a good day to get a vintage, 6 steal afternoon from Eliza Pierre!

Shoot the ball well: OK, that sounds pretty obvious. But considering UCLA’s rebounding prowess and Cal’s rebounding slump, the Bears cannot rely on offensive rebounds to provide multiple second chances. Additionally, UCLA's ability to force turnovers will also cost Cal shots. Field goal attempts will a precious commodity, and Cal must use them well. With the way Cal has shot the ball from 3 lately, it might be a good strategy to stretch UCLA's defense. Hopefully Clarendon and Sherbert hit a few early to give the Bruins something to think about.

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Pretty good crowd on hand

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:01 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Ucla assistant coach sluttin’ it up in four inch red heels.

by paleodan on Jan 22, 2011 2:09 PM PST via mobile reply actions

9-4 UCLA

Not a great start

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:13 PM PST via mobile reply actions

The Cal All Access thing is getting weirder and weirder. There was somebody’s phone call to an 800 operator instead of the game. And then suddenly it switched to the game just now. WTF?

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 2:15 PM PST reply actions

Refs not calling anything

That’s a bad sign, plays right into UCLA’s strategy.

Bruins turning it over lots though

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions

9-6 ucla

UCLA has turned it over on at least 6 straight possessions, but we aren’t hitting shots

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:22 PM PST via mobile reply actions

This is reminding me of last year’s game. :(

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 2:25 PM PST up reply actions

Double figures!

Just not getting many open looks, and UCLA is hitting theirs

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:29 PM PST via mobile reply actions

21-12 ucla

So ugly. Sooooo ugly, by both sides.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Nice finish to the half for the Bears, though. 32-23 ucla.

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 2:45 PM PST reply actions

32-23 at the half

Every Ucla possession is a turnover or a wide open jumper that goes in. Gonna have to tighten up the defense if we’re gonna make the comeback.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 2:46 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Now Cal All Access has some DJ guy hosting a food show. The Cal women’s game is going on, and Cal is playing some radio DJ taking about claim chowder, on a call-in show. I am not making this up. Time to try switching to KALX.

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:07 PM PST reply actions

45-31

UCLA just started nailing 3s. We’re in trouble here.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:09 PM PST via mobile reply actions

What's up

With the new co-ed CHEER team in black t-shirts? I think I approve not.

by daveman on Jan 22, 2011 3:17 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Here's a pic.

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz254/davetjen/e9a29bd8.jpg

by daveman on Jan 22, 2011 3:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

CheerSF, a local group that’s been partnered for women’s basketball games for at least the last few years. I’ve never been a big fan, either.

by Yes We Cannon on Jan 22, 2011 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

That’s CheerSF, they are a group that comes to most Saturday women’s games.

by paleodan on Jan 22, 2011 3:28 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Although the black shirts seem new. Don’t they usually wear white t-shirts?

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:29 PM PST up reply actions

Bears cut the lead to 6!

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:19 PM PST reply actions

It's a game again

Down just 6!

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:20 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Just can't get closer than 6 or 8

Hopefully Ucla blows a bunch of free throws

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:27 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Jasmine Dixon back on with 4 fouls

Attack her!

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Layshia missing the front end of the 1&1

Felt like we missed our big opportunity

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions

It’s like Cal hits a wall every time they get to 6. They just can’t get any closer!

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:42 PM PST reply actions

And just like that, the Bears cut it to 4!

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:42 PM PST up reply actions

Down 3 with the ball!!!

And we turn it over. Ouch.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Down 4 cause I am dumb

Too many missed fts to pull of a comeback. Good effort though

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 22, 2011 3:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

The Bears could have won that one. AAARGH! But at least they didn’t give up and make ucla earn it.

How ya gonna keep 'em down on the Farm, after they've seen Berkeley?

by CalBear81 on Jan 22, 2011 3:49 PM PST reply actions

Long sigh.

But I agree. Last year’s Haas game, when the team still had three veteran players, was bizarre and embarrassing; this year’s, against an experienced La-La program, showed some spark. And the second half was much better than the first, always an encouraging sign. (The rebounding and lack of perimeter shooting were maddening, though.)

by BearBint on Jan 22, 2011 5:57 PM PST up reply actions

Ugh

Final: 65-56. ucla wins

by daveman on Jan 22, 2011 3:49 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Just got back from the game. Fun time. The refs let UCLA get away with everything. :(!

The author, who has 35 years’ consulting experience, has taught at University of California Berkeley, where he was able to observe the culture and the way the senior management operates.
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jan 22, 2011 5:39 PM PST reply actions

good effort, though frustrating at times

After last year’s debacle this game was refreshing and I thought the Bears played pretty well. Missed free throws at the end killed us.

I’m also relieved that UCLA will lose Seniors Morris and Campbell, among others. Of course, like us, they got an excellent recruiting class but as our sophomores develop, I believe we will be competitive with them going into next season.

Too bad we couldn’t get some (good) open looks. We chucked up some ill-conceived three attempts instead of taking it into the post where both their stars were in foul trouble.

Talia has certainly improved her FT shooting this season…disappointed Layshia missed the front half of that one and one near the end. Eliza missed hers as well….no excuse to miss free throws.

Overall though I think the Bears played pretty well and shouldn’t hang their heads. They get another crack at UCLA. They have to take care of business against BOTH Oregon schools next week. Then it’s time to right the wrong(s) at Haas with games against the Washingtons….

Onward and upward Bears!

Go Bears!

by BBallgrrrl on Jan 22, 2011 6:29 PM PST reply actions

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