RebKell's Junkie Boards

[taropatch]

Two of California's top scorers from last year are gone -- make that three with the dismissal of Mercedes Jefflo.

http://www.dailycal.org/2015/09/19/mercedes-jefflo-dismissed-from-cal-womens-basketball-team/

[summertime blues]

This has been covered in another thread, I believe.

_________________
Don't take life so serious. It ain't nohows permanent.
It takes 3 years to build a team and 7 to build a program.--Conventional Wisdom

[dtrain34]

Also since I believe Gray and Boyd graduated, a little perspective is needed, it's not like all the best Bears are jumping ship.

[calbearman76]

The Cal situation is intriguing. Losing Jefflo means that Cal will have no seniors and only one Junior that gets any real playing time. On the other hand, they have three returning players who have started at least 10 games, Courtney Range (6-3), Gabby Green (6-2) and Mikayla Cowling (6-2). They also add Kristine Anigwe (6-4), one of the top freshman posts in the country.

What they need is a point guard and they will need to find one among the incoming freshmen (Green did play some point last season in relief of Boyd, but it wasn't always pretty). Breanna Cavanaugh is a top 100 prospect from New Jersey. Asia Thomas is also a top 100 prospect from Oakland. MaAne Mosely is also a local prospect who played with Green and Cowling in high school, but she is more of a wing than a point guard

The other question is depth. Penina Davidson (6-3) is the only other player with any significant playing time. She showed some flashes last year, but is not yet a reliable option. Chen Yue (6-7) is a freshman from China. Hopefully she can provide some backup for Anigwe.

With all the youth I expect to Cal to struggle until they find a consistent scorer or two (Cowling and Anigwe seem the most likely). It doesn't help that they play at Louisville and against Texas A&M in Las Vegas during November. Cal will be a long quick defensive team that will create unique challenges for their opponents. If they can find a point guard and stay away from any injuries the Golden Bears could be good by the end of the year, even without Jefflo.

[PRballer]

If one of the freshmen point guards can step up and play solid defense, distribute effectively and limit her TOs (doesn't need to score too much), Cal can be good by the end of the year. They may be horrible in November/December. Intriguing team to look at this year, certainly with some young post/wing talent.