It's 2018 in Haas Pavilion and Stanford's Brittany McPhee crosses the timeline, tucks the ball under her arm and looks over to Tara Van Derveer for a half court set. Unknown to McPhee, Cal's Mikayla Cowling is sneaking in behind her to steal the ball away. The ball is knocked free and a streaking Asha Thomas anticipates her teammate's steal attempt recovers the loose ball and drives down the lane, pulling two Cardinal defenders towards her. She delivers a no look, over-the-head pass to a trailing Cowling who lays it in. California would go on to beat Stanford 78-66 in a dominant performance to win The Battle of The Bay. It was the most memorable play in the most memorable game I have seen in my 10 years of supporting the women's basketball program.
I never thought I would ever see a performance like that versus the Cardinal again, let alone a better one. Tara has done a great job always getting her team prepared especially for big games and even more so for their cross bay rival. But this is a new era of Cardinal basketball which Tara retiring and an extensive roster turnover. While they navigate the uncharted waters, it is a perfect time for a veteran, talented, and hungry Cal team to pounce. And they did.
Much will be said about the record setting 18 3 point makes, playing mistake free without the trademark unnecessary fouling and unforced turnovers, and out rebounding a Cardinal front court. But I want to focus on the coaching. There is no doubt going into last night's game, Charmin Smith was considered a good coach looking to finally turn the corner. There have been many big games under Smith's watch that were always "close but not enough" and sprinkled into those games have been some marquee wins over women's basketball mainstays, but the inconsistent play has left many fans wondering is this the ceiling under Charmin? Could getting back to the NCAA tournament be achieved. I think she finally hushed the nay sayers, myself included.
A hallmark under Smith in my eyes has been over coaching; trying to teach in game rather than accepting those problems won't get fixed and learning how to win in spite of them. I've seen this year tremendous growth and trust where micromanaging was once at the forefront. She will trust the talent on the floor to play how they are going to play while she manages different rotations on the floor, decide which 7 or 8 players or even which handful of matchups are going to win the game for her. Basketball is a game of confidence and chemistry and if the players feel the coaching staff is doubting themselves, then they play that way. This year's staff feels more in tune with each other than in years past.
One final note. I don't usually take much stock in pre-game chalk talks. They are fluff with game prep or key match ups sprinkled in. However last night's chalk talk was a bit telling. Eliza Pierre was asked if anyone on Stanford's roster would give Cal trouble and she shrugged it off saying she believe everyone matched up extremely well with Stanford. In previous years, I would interpret her saying that is that "we are completely out matched, but I can't say that in front of donors". This year however there was a pinch on confidence behind her saying that. Almost like "We have the better team and we ain't scared" and I think that showed with not only the score and the box score but in their style of play. From the arrogant 3-point attempts you might only see at Chase Center, to fighting for rebounds even after a whistle. This team is playing with not only confidence but arrogance. And not in the sense of arrogance as they don't respect their opponent but rather "If you're gonna be us in our Haas, you're gonna have to go through me and I ain't movin' "
"Come see this team play. I just want to fight for them to get what they deserve. It’s such a fun team to watch and I just wish more people would come and see us"
Great write-up! This looked like a very well coached team. They played suffocating individual and, especially, TEAM defense. So many little things that show an understanding of what to do away from the ball.
And once the 3s started raining, the rout was on. Again, movement without the ball created lots of inside-out play that generated open opportunities from deep. Good decisions punished Furd defensive help.
My basketball knowledge is quite superficial but it was so easy for me to appreciate the intelligence and quality of our play. Such a satisfying victory. Go Bears!
As a fan of Cal women's basketball for 40 years I didn't just love this game, it has become something truly special. In some respects it tops the Alexis 37 point night and the Asha Thomas buzzer beater. I've actually seen the Bears blow out the Furdies before but -- literally -- not since the Reagan administration. This was the perfect write-up and Nick I thank you for it.
The interesting thing to me will be how they handle the four long road trips during ACC play. Wil travel fatigue leave the team with less juice by season’s end (i.e. less left in the tank than teams that don’t have to crisscross the country multiple times).
Cal should've been ranked in the top 25 after last week. They better be now after handedly beating Stanford. You can't tell me there are 25 better teams in the country right now.
Love this! And love Cal. And, forgive me, but f*ck you fernando, you were great, you made us proud, but those you left are the ones who will live Go Bears Forever, forever. Sweet WBB win, and sweet write up. Thank you, Nick, and thank you WFC, for all of it
It's 2018 in Haas Pavilion and Stanford's Brittany McPhee crosses the timeline, tucks the ball under her arm and looks over to Tara Van Derveer for a half court set. Unknown to McPhee, Cal's Mikayla Cowling is sneaking in behind her to steal the ball away. The ball is knocked free and a streaking Asha Thomas anticipates her teammate's steal attempt recovers the loose ball and drives down the lane, pulling two Cardinal defenders towards her. She delivers a no look, over-the-head pass to a trailing Cowling who lays it in. California would go on to beat Stanford 78-66 in a dominant performance to win The Battle of The Bay. It was the most memorable play in the most memorable game I have seen in my 10 years of supporting the women's basketball program.
I never thought I would ever see a performance like that versus the Cardinal again, let alone a better one. Tara has done a great job always getting her team prepared especially for big games and even more so for their cross bay rival. But this is a new era of Cardinal basketball which Tara retiring and an extensive roster turnover. While they navigate the uncharted waters, it is a perfect time for a veteran, talented, and hungry Cal team to pounce. And they did.
Much will be said about the record setting 18 3 point makes, playing mistake free without the trademark unnecessary fouling and unforced turnovers, and out rebounding a Cardinal front court. But I want to focus on the coaching. There is no doubt going into last night's game, Charmin Smith was considered a good coach looking to finally turn the corner. There have been many big games under Smith's watch that were always "close but not enough" and sprinkled into those games have been some marquee wins over women's basketball mainstays, but the inconsistent play has left many fans wondering is this the ceiling under Charmin? Could getting back to the NCAA tournament be achieved. I think she finally hushed the nay sayers, myself included.
A hallmark under Smith in my eyes has been over coaching; trying to teach in game rather than accepting those problems won't get fixed and learning how to win in spite of them. I've seen this year tremendous growth and trust where micromanaging was once at the forefront. She will trust the talent on the floor to play how they are going to play while she manages different rotations on the floor, decide which 7 or 8 players or even which handful of matchups are going to win the game for her. Basketball is a game of confidence and chemistry and if the players feel the coaching staff is doubting themselves, then they play that way. This year's staff feels more in tune with each other than in years past.
One final note. I don't usually take much stock in pre-game chalk talks. They are fluff with game prep or key match ups sprinkled in. However last night's chalk talk was a bit telling. Eliza Pierre was asked if anyone on Stanford's roster would give Cal trouble and she shrugged it off saying she believe everyone matched up extremely well with Stanford. In previous years, I would interpret her saying that is that "we are completely out matched, but I can't say that in front of donors". This year however there was a pinch on confidence behind her saying that. Almost like "We have the better team and we ain't scared" and I think that showed with not only the score and the box score but in their style of play. From the arrogant 3-point attempts you might only see at Chase Center, to fighting for rebounds even after a whistle. This team is playing with not only confidence but arrogance. And not in the sense of arrogance as they don't respect their opponent but rather "If you're gonna be us in our Haas, you're gonna have to go through me and I ain't movin' "
Charmin postgame:
"Come see this team play. I just want to fight for them to get what they deserve. It’s such a fun team to watch and I just wish more people would come and see us"
Lets go WFC readers, get to Haas!
Way to go, ladies!
Our long national nightmare is over
Great write-up! This looked like a very well coached team. They played suffocating individual and, especially, TEAM defense. So many little things that show an understanding of what to do away from the ball.
And once the 3s started raining, the rout was on. Again, movement without the ball created lots of inside-out play that generated open opportunities from deep. Good decisions punished Furd defensive help.
My basketball knowledge is quite superficial but it was so easy for me to appreciate the intelligence and quality of our play. Such a satisfying victory. Go Bears!
As a fan of Cal women's basketball for 40 years I didn't just love this game, it has become something truly special. In some respects it tops the Alexis 37 point night and the Asha Thomas buzzer beater. I've actually seen the Bears blow out the Furdies before but -- literally -- not since the Reagan administration. This was the perfect write-up and Nick I thank you for it.
The interesting thing to me will be how they handle the four long road trips during ACC play. Wil travel fatigue leave the team with less juice by season’s end (i.e. less left in the tank than teams that don’t have to crisscross the country multiple times).
Looking at the last AP poll, Cal would be 28th and Stanford 29th. It would be nice to see the Bears rise a few spots now.
Cal should've been ranked in the top 25 after last week. They better be now after handedly beating Stanford. You can't tell me there are 25 better teams in the country right now.
Their 3-point shooting is unconscious but they’ll go as far as their D takes them.
Oh, yes, Go Bears!!!!
Your joy and pride are so beautiful. It’s these rare moments in sports that make all the agony worth it. Go Bears!
I will note it’s a lot easier to offensive rebound when you don’t have to battle Cam Brink and Kiki Ifren every possession
If you're intentionally reclaiming the phrase "a hair behind" on behalf of hares and other rodents, I'm here for it.
Technically, hares (and rabbits) are lagomorphs, not rodents.
Hell yeah they are.
Sigh, the inevitable errors when you rush to get the article done before bedtime! Fixed it.
No sleep 'til Big Game!
Well done Nick, really enjoyed reading that. Believe in these gals, that was quite the show & turnaround. Who saw this coming!
Love this! And love Cal. And, forgive me, but f*ck you fernando, you were great, you made us proud, but those you left are the ones who will live Go Bears Forever, forever. Sweet WBB win, and sweet write up. Thank you, Nick, and thank you WFC, for all of it