New Era Of Unknowns Season Preview And Thoughts For Cal Womens Basketball

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New era of unknowns: Season preview and thoughts for Cal women’s basketball
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New Era of Unknowns: Season Preview and Thoughts for Cal Women's Basketball

Questions Abound for Golden Bears

Cal women’s basketball begins a new season facing a myriad of uncertainties with a new head coach and an almost entirely new roster.

Youthful Inexperience

The Golden Bears feature a young squad, with just three seniors and eight underclassmen, including four freshmen. This lack of experience will likely lead to inconsistencies throughout the season.

Head coach Charmin Smith is in her first season at the helm after spending 15 seasons at Santa Clara. = She has brought in a new offensive and defensive system, which will take time for the players to adjust to. Assistant coach Jonnie Mack is also a new addition to the staff and has a wealth of experience in player development. = The addition of highly touted recruits Jayda Curry, Kamryn Jackson and Kyra Smith will provide a much-needed boost to the team's athleticism and scoring ability.

Schedule Challenges

Cal's schedule is also daunting, with non-conference games against perennial powerhouses such as Stanford, Oregon, and Tennessee. They will also face a challenging Pac-12 slate that includes six teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Golden Bears will also play four Pac-12 games on the road, which will make it difficult to build momentum. = The team will need to find ways to win close games and avoid letting the schedule overwhelm them.

Reasons for Optimism

Despite the challenges, there are reasons for optimism for Cal women's basketball. The team is well-coached, and the young players have shown flashes of potential.

The Bears have a strong nucleus of returning players, including senior guard Leilani McIntosh and junior forward Evelien Lutje Schipholt. = The addition of experienced transfers like Jayda Curry and Jazlyn Green should also help the team compete in the Pac-12. = The season begins on November 7th against UC Davis at Haas Pavilion.

Conclusion

The 2023-24 season is a new era for Cal women's basketball. With a new coach and a young roster, there are many unknowns. But there are also reasons for optimism. The Golden Bears have a strong work ethic and are eager to prove themselves.