The Washington Huskies host the California Golden Bears on Sunday, February 11th at 12PM Pacific.
The Washington Huskies (13-9, 3-8 PAC) host the California Golden Bears (14-10, 4-8 PAC) on Sunday, February 11th at 12PM 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 defeated Washington State, 66-59.
The last time the Washington Huskies faced the California Golden Bears they were handed their first loss of the PAC-12 season at Cal, 57 – 70.
California’s Offense
California‘s offense averages 68.3 points per game; while the Huskies average 64.5 points per game.
Overall, California is an average three-point shooting team at 32.5% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Washington defenders are holding opponents to only 28.6% shooting from three-point range.
The California team is more focused on (and more effective) attacking from two-point range, making 46.5% of their two-point attempts; as well as, 55.3% 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 16.1 points per game and is Cal’s most dangerous offensive threat.
In their last matchup, Washington should have been fully briefed on California’s leading scorer Ioanna Krimili but did not look like it: Krimili scored a season-high 21 points on 57.1% shooting overall (8 for 14) and 66.6% (4 for 6) from beyond the arc.
Now in the rematch, Ioanna Krimili is making a scorching 44.4% of her three-point attempts and 47.2% of her two-point attempts.
Krimili shoots an impressive 65.4% at the rim (within 4.5 feet).
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IOANNA!!! pic.twitter.com/6lgli35z7W— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) December 29, 2023
Ionna Krimili will aggressively attack from all areas of the court — her only weaknesses seem to be the right-side wing (three-pointer plus midrange) and the free-throw area in the lane.
Marta SuÃrez is a formidable 6’3″” forward and the Golden Bears second-leading scorer at 11.9 points per game, while adding 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals.
Suarez shoots a decent 30% from three-point range (30 for 100); and makes 46.9% of her two-point attempts (75 for 160).
Despite her size, Marta Suárez is not as efficient shooting inside-the-lane as one would expect, but still manages to score 46.3% of her points in-the-paint.
Suárez is also active on the offensive boards, as 21.1% of her points come from second-chance opportunities.
However, Marta Suárez 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).
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— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) December 8, 2023
Leilani McIntosh is the Golden Bears third-leading scorer at 10.1 points per game; as well as, a team-leading 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and a team-high 1.7 steals — she is, however, the engine of the Cal offense.
McIntosh is excellent from three-point range, making 39.5 % 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 (53.5%) and left-corner threes (47.1%).
Leilani McIntosh also scores 29.6% of her points inside-the-paint, making 52.4% 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 17.7% 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 — 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 a road victory 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 25.9 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Top 34 % among Division One schools nationally.
Meanwhile, the Golden Bears average an exceptional 13.1 offensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Top 16% 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 49.3% of their points from inside-the-paint; the Huskies must contest all shots in the and around the lane.
The Dawgs average 4.2 blocks per game — which ranks among the Top 14% of Division One schools nationally.
Washington Offense
The Huskies are currently averaging 32.1% accuracy from three-point range.
UW has seven players shooting 31.2% or better from beyond the arc :
Jayda Noble (37.5%);
Teagan Brown (37.5%),
Chloe Briggs (35.6%);
Hannah Stines (35.3%);
Elle Ladine (32.8%);
Lauren Schwartz (31.2%); and
Sayvia Sellers(31.2%).
Washington’s offense is also very efficient from mid-range and close range, averaging 47.9% on two-pointers and 59.5% within 4.5 feet of the rim.
Overall, 52.9% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 13.0 assists per game.
Prediction: Huskies Win by 5!
Washington should win this game over the California Golden Bears in a close contest by dominating the Golden Bears with inside-the-paint scoring and defensive rebounding; tight stifling defense; andlimiting their own turnovers.
GO DAWGS!
