Notre Dame Dominates Cal, 91-52

This game shows the chasm between good teams and elite teams

As I was watching today’s game against Notre Dame, I was struck by how similar the teams are stylistically. Both teams feature a balance scoring attack that prefers an uptempo, rhythm approach. Both teams have exceptional guard play but also can go inside if the situation calls for it. Both teams play a mix of defenses to try to confuse and disrupt their opponent.

Notre Dame is just better at it. Much better at all of it.

Cal started strong and played the Fighting Irish even for the first seven minutes of the game. Early 3-pointers from the Splash Sisters Lulu Twidale and Ioanna Krimili kept Cal close, down 14-12 with three minutes left in the quarter. Notre Dame promptly went on an 8-0 run to take a 22-12 lead before Cal answered with a 3-pointer to cut it to 22-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Notre Dame pulled away in the second quarter. An early 8-0 run and a later 11-0 run all added up to a 44-23 halftime lead. For the quarter, Cal shot 4-of-15, with no 3-pointers made. Notre Dame featured seven different players make at least two baskets. Michelle Onyiah was on the bench for most of the second quarter after picking up her second foul. The Fighting Irish took advantage, scoring 24 points in the paint in the first half.

Cal came out fighting in the third quarter. An easy bucket inside from Michelle Onyiah and a 3-pointer from Lulu Twidale may have lulled you into thinking Cal would make a run. Notre Dame’s 15-0 scoring run midway through the third quarter put to rest any glimmers of a comeback, as the rout was on. Notre Dame led 72-35 after three quarters. The fourth quarter was uneventful for both teams, as Notre Dame cruised to the 39-point victory.

Cal shot poorly for the game, making 32% of their shots. Lulu Twidale scored 14 points, while Marta Suarez and Michelle Onyiah each added 10. Notre Dame has very active hands on defense. They limited multiple attempted dribble drives and individual action that required time to develop. Of Cal’s 21 total turnover, Marta Suarez accounted for 9. Notre Dame All-American Hannah Hidalgo finished with 24 points, while fellow guards Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles each added 16.

At this point in the season, we know who this Cal team is. They have an excellent starting five, with all starters able to carry the team for stretches. Cal get minimal contributions from the bench, so when foul troubles plague the starters there is a drop off in overall efficiency. Cal averages over 18 turnovers per game, the worst in the ACC. They turn the ball over in both their wins and losses. However, in their best wins of the season (NC State, Florida State, Alabama), they averaged only 13 turnovers. For Cal to compete against the top competition, Cal needs to not beat themselves.

Cal falls to 19-6 overall, 7-5 in ACC play and 8th place in the conference standings. In looking at the conference standings, Cal has played 6 of the 7 teams above them, going 2-4. Of Cal’s remaining 6 games, the Bears face only 2 teams with winning records. Their most difficult games will be at 9th place Virginia Tech (2/23) and hosting 7th place Georgia Tech(2/27). All of this lines up for a likely 5th through 8th seed in the ACC Tourney, and comparable seeding in the NCAA tournament.

The Golden Bears return to Haas Pavilion this week, facing Boston College on Thursday and Syracuse next Sunday.