UCONN VS. California
Date: November 17, 2017
Gample Pavillion
Storrs, Ct
Storrs, Ct
Time: 7:00
TV: SNY
TV: SNY
No. 1 UConn Huskies No. 20 California
1-0 1-0
Prior Meetings
H: 1-0; A: 0-1; N: 2-0
11/24/91 L 60-76 A
12/28/94 W 99-52 H
3/29/09 W 77-53 N
12/22/13 W 80-47 N
Overview
H: 1-0; A: 0-1; N: 2-0
11/24/91 L 60-76 A
12/28/94 W 99-52 H
3/29/09 W 77-53 N
12/22/13 W 80-47 N
Overview
UConn last played California on my Granddaughter Mya's birthday in 2013. The Huskies hammered them 80-47 in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden. They were led by Brianna Stewart with 29 points and 10 rebounds. California was held to 29% shooting and 1-9 on threes and forced them into 18 turnovers. The Golden Bears were ranked No. 21 at the time.
This season California won their opening game against Saint Mary's 87-80. A win is a win, but not a great defensive effort by the Golden Bears. But when is a win like a loss? When you lose a player of the caliber of Mi'cole Cayton, a 5'9" sophomore guard who is in the starting lineup, it's always a loss.
Not only does the loss of Clayton hurt the depth of the Golden Bears, but she really brings them tough defense and intensity. She was their best on ball defender and their best threat attacking the hoop off the dribble.
California is led by AA Honorable Mention Kristine Anigwe a 6'4" forward. She was the 2016 USBWA National Freshman of the Year and also a two time PAC-12 first team member.
UConn is coming off their first game of the season, a 78-53 win over No. 10 Stanford. They were led by Crystal Dangerfield with 24 points and Katie Lou Samuelson with 21 points. Lots of good performances and few that were not up to particular player's standards. But overall a terrific first win.
UCONN
UConn Starters
33 Katie Lou Samuelson
6'3" Junior Guard/Forward
Katie Lou had a terrific first game. I loved her strong drives to the basket and she also made several tricky dribble moves to get open. She is bigger and stronger this season.
Min - 31, FG 50%, 3PT 50%, FT 87.5%, 21 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 1 blks, 1 stls
24 Napheesa Collier
6'1" Junior Forward/Guard
Napheesa had a slow start to her season against Stanford. I've heard word that she hasn't recovered fully from a foot injury, but Geno nor any of the press has mentioned it. To me she just looked a little off. It happens. I expect her to have a great bounce back game against California.
Min - 21, FG 50%, 3PT 33.3%, FT 50%, 8 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 0 blks, 3 stls
15 Gabby Williams
5'11" Senior Forward
Ole reliable. She just set the tone against Stanford both offensively with her strong moves in the paint and defensively with her intense pressure and quick hands. Slow start from the foul line. Sometimes these kind of things get in a player's head so I hope she hits her first few against California.
Min - 25, FG 50%, 3PT 00%, FT 25%, 11 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg, 1 blk, 3 stls
After the NCAA tournament and the two exhibition games, you would have thought Kia was going to hit every three pointer once the season started. Not so much. But she never let that impact her effort, especially on defense. The Nurse/Williams duo can shut down any team's backcourt.
Min - 30, FG 12.5%, 3PT 00%, FT 100%, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 0 blks, 1 stl
5 Crystal Dangerfield
5'5" Sophomore Guard
Great start for the sophomore point guard. More than anyone not named Geno expected. Her three point shots were from WAY out and totally change the UConn offense. I don't expect another 6-7 from downtown but her confidence is off the charts.
Min - 34, FG 56.3%, 3PT 85.7%, FT 0%, 24 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 0 blks, 4 stls
UConn Bench
23 Azura Stevens
6'6" Senior Forward/Guard
Not a bad start for Stevens, but I think we all know she has more to offer. I think her three point shot is just MIA right now. She looks to be in between in her thought process. But don't expect that to last long.
Min - 22, FG 36.4%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 apg, 3 blk, 1 stl
3 Megan Walker
6'1" Freshman Guard/Forward
Walker didn't make much of an impact in the Stanford game, but she didn't hurt the team either. Yeah, I know, an underperforming performance for the No. 1 recruit, but it ain't easy to play for UConn with 5-6 AA's in front of you. She will get it. Eventually
Min - 16, FG 25%, 3PT 00%, FT 00%, 2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 1 blk, 0 stls
10 Molly Bent
5'9" Sophomore Guard
Eighth player off the bench and looked like she belonged. Still afraid to shoot but her defense will get her some minutes.
Min - 8, FG 0%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 0 ppg, 1 rpg, 0 apg, 0 blks, 0 stls
25 Kyla Irwin
6'2" Sophomore Forward
She looks in better shape. I think she could play well against California in her limited minutes.
Min - 5, FG 0%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 0 ppg, 1 rpg, 0 apg, 0 blks, 0 stls
4 Mikayla Coombs
5'8" Freshman Guard
Need to see more.
Min - 3, FG 0%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 0 ppg, 0 rpg, 0 apg, 0 blks, 0 stls
2 Andra Espinoza-Hunter
5'11" Freshman Guard
Need to see more.
Min - 4, FG 0%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 0 ppg, 0 rpg, 0 apg, 0 blks, 0 stls
34 Alexi Gordon
6' Freshman Guard
Need to see more.
Min - 1, FG 0%, 3PT 0%, FT 0%, 0 ppg, 1 rpg, 0 apg, 0 blks, 0 stls
Head Coach
Lindsay Gottlieb
138-65 (66-42 Pac-12) record at Cal; 174-90 record as a head coach
2012-13 Naismith National Coach of the Year Finalist
Selected by the media as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2012-13
Helped Cal to its first Pac-12 Regular-Season Championship (2012-13)
Took Cal to the program's first-ever Elite Eight and Final Four (2012-13)
Most wins in a six-year period of any Golden Bear women's basketball coach
Coached five players to eight All-America seasons: Kristine Anigwe (2016, 2017), Brittany Boyd (2015, 2014); Reshanda Gray (2015); Layshia Clarendon (2013, 2012); Gennifer Brandon (2013)
Four WNBA Draft selections since 2012-13
"When Geno reached out and asked if I wanted to start a series with UConn, I agreed with no hesitation. They are the best and we want to be the best. I want to give our players every possible opportunity to compete, to stretch themselves, and to play on the biggest stage."
California Starters
31 Kristine Anigwe
6'4" Junior Forward/Center
Min - 26, FG% 60, 3PT% 00, FT% 45, 14 pts, 4 rebs, 1 assists, 2 blks, 2 stls
3 Mikayla Cowling
6'2" Senior Guard/Forward
Min - 38, FG% 50, 3PT% 50, FT% 00, 13 pts, 6 rebs, 6 assists, 3 stls
1 Asha Thomas
5'4" Junior Guard
Min - 27, FG% 67, 3PT% 50, FT% 100, 12 pts, 2 rebs, 6 assists
12 Penina Davidson
Min - 25, FG% 55.6, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 10 pts, 12 rebs, 2 assists
6'3" Senior Forward/Center
Min - 25, FG% 55.6, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 10 pts, 12 rebs, 2 assists
33 Jaelyn Brown
6'1" Sophomore Guard
Min - 10, FG% 33.3, 3PT% 000, FT% 50, 3 pts, 1 rebs, 1 assist
California Bench
14 Kianna Smith
Min - 19, FG% 25, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 8 pts, 2 rebs, 3 assists
4 Alaysia Styles
Min - 22, FG% 60, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 10 pts, 4 rebs, 0 assists
6'3" Freshman Forward
Min - 22, FG% 60, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 10 pts, 4 rebs, 0 assists
14 Kianna Smith
6' Freshman Guard
Min - 19, FG% 25, 3PT% 000, FT% 100, 8 pts, 2 rebs, 3 assists
California Injuries
21 Mi'cole Cayton
5'9" Sophomore Guard
Cayton tore her ACL in their first game and will be out for the season. Sad news for this young lady and a big blow to the California team.
Min - 26, FG% 30.8, 3PT% 33.3, FT% 100, 13 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists, 2 stls
Game Analysis
Cal started the season as the 20th ranked team the pre-season poll. With the injury to starting guard Mi'Cole Cayton a short rotation becomes even shorter. I expect that sophomore guard Jaelyn Brown will replace her giving California four players 6' foot tall and over in the starting lineup.
The Golden Bears are led by AA honorable mention Kristine Anigwe, their 6'4" forward. She reminds me of Alana Coates, the powerful center who played for South Carolina. Anigwe can finish with either hand, does a great job availing herself for entry post passes and has terrific footwork. UConn will have to work really hard to limit her production.
Mikayla Cowling is a 6'2" senior guard/forward with some nice wing skills. She has a quick release on her three point shot and is an excellent athlete. She can get to the basket and finish with a variety of moves. I really like her game. Their point guard is 5'4" junior Asha Thomas. She is a little dynamo! She has a really nice pull up jumper and her change of pace dribble is tough to defend.
The other two starters are 6'4" senior Penina Davidson and the aforementioned sophomore Jaelyn Brown. They are solid players but I'm not sure how much they can contribute in this game.
California is very young off the bench with two freshman, and they will be thrown into the fire against the Huskies. It won't be pretty.
UConn is going to pressure a ton in this game. Cal's point guard will be hard pressed (pun intended) to run any offense and when the ball goes down low to Anigwe you can bet the Huskies will be doubling quickly. Cal will have to hit a high percentage of kick out threes to do any damage.
On offense, Cal doesn't appear to be quick enough in a few positions to stay with UConn. I would look for a lot of transition baskets for UConn against the slower Golden Bears.
I'm really expecting a big bounce back game from both Nurse and Collier and I would look for more ball distribution from Dangerfield.
The Golden Bears are led by AA honorable mention Kristine Anigwe, their 6'4" forward. She reminds me of Alana Coates, the powerful center who played for South Carolina. Anigwe can finish with either hand, does a great job availing herself for entry post passes and has terrific footwork. UConn will have to work really hard to limit her production.
Mikayla Cowling is a 6'2" senior guard/forward with some nice wing skills. She has a quick release on her three point shot and is an excellent athlete. She can get to the basket and finish with a variety of moves. I really like her game. Their point guard is 5'4" junior Asha Thomas. She is a little dynamo! She has a really nice pull up jumper and her change of pace dribble is tough to defend.
The other two starters are 6'4" senior Penina Davidson and the aforementioned sophomore Jaelyn Brown. They are solid players but I'm not sure how much they can contribute in this game.
California is very young off the bench with two freshman, and they will be thrown into the fire against the Huskies. It won't be pretty.
UConn is going to pressure a ton in this game. Cal's point guard will be hard pressed (pun intended) to run any offense and when the ball goes down low to Anigwe you can bet the Huskies will be doubling quickly. Cal will have to hit a high percentage of kick out threes to do any damage.
On offense, Cal doesn't appear to be quick enough in a few positions to stay with UConn. I would look for a lot of transition baskets for UConn against the slower Golden Bears.
I'm really expecting a big bounce back game from both Nurse and Collier and I would look for more ball distribution from Dangerfield.
Final Prediction
I feel a little sorry for California. After the poor second half performance, I would expect UConn to pour it on for 40 minutes, with the only thing holding the score down would be Geno calling off the dogs and playing the bench a lot of minutes. Somehow I don't think he will do much of that.
I feel a little sorry for California. After the poor second half performance, I would expect UConn to pour it on for 40 minutes, with the only thing holding the score down would be Geno calling off the dogs and playing the bench a lot of minutes. Somehow I don't think he will do much of that.
UConn was going to win big before the Cal player tore her ACL. With her out and the team having no time to really adjust UConn should win this game big.
The Huskies by 45+.
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