The Washington Huskies go on the road to face the California Golden Bears on Friday, January 5th at 7PM Pacific.
The Washington Huskies (11-1) go on the road to face the California Golden Bears (10-3) on Friday, January 5th at 7PM Pacific.
The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and California will be streaming on Washington Livestream; as well as, streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.
In their last game before facing Washington, California lost at Stanford, 51-78.
Dalayah Daniels Returns to Berkeley
Friday’s matchup marks the return of junior forward #14 Dalayah Daniels to play Cal after transferring from California to Washington two years ago.
As a Cal Golden Bear, Daniels averaged 9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds and 1.23 blocks per game.
This season, Daniels is the second-leading scorer for the Huskies at 12.1 points per game (while adding 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks); and making 58.6% of her two-point attempts.
Dalayah Daniels grabbed her 500th rebound in her career this season at Hawaii (284 at UW) — including her two seasons at Cal.
Daniels recorded her 100th career block this season versus Sacramento State (11/6) — Daniels has 53 blocks as a Husky.
California’s Offense
California‘s offense averages 71.5 points per game; while the Huskies average 69.3 points per game.
Overall, California is an average three-point shooting team at 30.8% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Washington defenders are holding opponents to only 21.4% shooting from three-point range (ranked in Top 11% nationally).
The California team is more focused on (and more effective) attacking from two-point range, making 47.9% of their two-point attempts; as well as, 56.9% accuracy within 4.5 feet of the rim.
California has three players averaging double figures in scoring.
Ioanna Krimili is a 5’10” guard and the leading scorer for the Golden Bears at 14.3 points per game — however, she’s only played 4 games after missing nine games with a knee problem.
Cal’s most dangerous offensive threat, Krimili is back in action and scored 12 points in 19 minutes in Cal’s loss to Stanford on December 28th.
Ioanna Krimili is making a scorching 43.5% % of her three-point attempts and (even more scorching) 73.3% of her two-point attempts.
👌👌👌👌🤪
IOANNA!!! pic.twitter.com/6lgli35z7W— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) December 29, 2023
Currently, Krimili shoots 100% from everywhere within the lane area, on limited attempts (6 total).
Ionna Krimili will aggressively attack from all areas of the court — her only weakness is the right-side wing three-pointer where she shoots 20%.
Marta SuÃrez is a formidable 6’3″” forward and the Golden Bears second-leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, while adding 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals.
Suarez shoots a decent 31.8% from three-point range (21 for 66); and makes 47.1% of her two-point attempts.
Despite her size, Marta SuÃrez is not as efficient shooting inside-the-lane as one would expect, but still manages to score 41.1% of her points in-the-paint.
SuÃrez is also active on the offensive boards, as 17.7% of her points come from second-chance opportunities.
However, SuÃrez takes most of her shots from the mid-range area and beyond the three-point line with varying efficiency and results (see shooting chart above).
👌✌️🚨…👌👌👌 @Martasuarezzz pic.twitter.com/3ocw27YyVt
— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) December 8, 2023
Leilani McIntosh is the Golden Bears third-leading scorer at 11.8 points per game; as well as, a team-leading 6.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a team-high 2.2 steals — i.e., she is the engine of the Cal offense.
McIntosh is excellent from three-point range, making 39.1 % of her three-point attempts.
5..4..3..2…..👌 🤪 @LeiMcintosh pic.twitter.com/pMimZOECZc
— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) December 8, 2023
Currently, McIntosh’s highest accuracy from deep is on right-side three-pointers (56.2%) and left-corner threes (50%).
Leilani McIntosh also scores 29.9% of her points inside-the-paint, making 53.8% of her attempts within 4.5 feet of the rim.
That's crafty! @LeiMcintosh pic.twitter.com/qiVgOKdvWx
— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) November 18, 2023
Finally, McIntosh is very active in transition — scoring 20.1% of her points from Cal’s fastbreak offense.
Washington Defense
The Washington Huskies will need to disrupt the Cal offense by challenging the Golden Bears “do-everything” guard Leilani McIntosh by: (1) playing good transition defense; (2) cutting off her dribble-drive lane penetration; and (3) tightly contesting her three-point shots.
The Dawgs will also need to play tenacious defense against Cal’s scoring leader Ionna Krimili — 76% of her shots are jumpers and 56% of those are catch-and-shoot jumpers — by denying her the ball or closing out quickly when the ball is passed to her on the perimeter.
Krimili and McIntosh are the players most likely to power an upset bid by the Cal Golden Bears and the Huskies must strategize accordingly.
More generally, the Huskies defense must also dominate and control the inside by remaining active and physical.
Washington averages 29.8 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Top 9 % among Division One schools nationally.
Meanwhile, the Golden Bears average an exceptional 14.5 offensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Top 11% nationally.
Washington defenders must limit the Golden Bears’ second chance opportunities with strong defensive rebounding.
Likewise, since the majority of California’s offense comes from two-point range with 40.9% of their points from inside-the-paint; the Huskies must contest all shots in the and around the lane.
The Dawgs average 4.1 blocks per game — which ranks among the Top 20% of Division One schools nationally.
Washington Offense
The Huskies are currently averaging 34.1% accuracy from three-point range.
UW has seven players shooting 33.3.% or better from beyond the arc :
Lauren Schwartz (38.8% );
Chloe Briggs (37.8%);
Teagan Brown (37.5%),
Hannah Stines (36.4%);
Jayda Noble (36.4%);
Elle Ladine (35.7%); and
Sayvia Sellers(33.3%).
Washington’s offense is also very efficient from mid-range and close range, averaging 51.8% on two-pointers and 64.4% within 4.5 feet of the rim.
Overall, 52.9% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 13.8 assists per game.
Prediction: Huskies Win by 10!
Washington will win this road game over the California Golden Bears in a (mostly) close contest by dominating the Golden Bears with inside-the-paint scoring and defensive rebounding; tight stifling defense; andlimiting their own turnovers.
GO DAWGS!