Can California Golden Bears Bounce Back Against Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine?
As the California Golden Bears prepare to host the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine at Haas Pavilion, fans are eager to see if their team can rebound from recent setbacks and capitalize on home-court advantage. The upcoming clash scheduled for March 21 promises to be a pivotal moment in the season for both teams.
The Golden Bears have had a rollercoaster of performances lately, with their most recent game against Stanford Cardinal ending in a 57-71 loss on March 7. Despite putting up a strong fight in the first half, leading with 36 points before halftime, CAL's offense struggled to maintain its rhythm throughout the second half. Their field goal percentage was just 32 percent and they were only able to convert one out of three free throws. This inefficiency from the line could prove costly if not addressed before facing HAW.
On defense, CAL failed to record any blocks and committed 18 personal fouls which contributed significantly to their defeat. However, they did manage an impressive total of 44 rebounds and maintained an assists turnover ratio of 2.0 – signs that there are still positives within this team's dynamic.
Looking back at their first-round game against Washington State Cougars on March 6 shows a different side of CAL – one that emerged victorious with a scoreline of 65-44. In this matchup, they showcased better control over possession with fewer turnovers (10) and demonstrated defensive prowess by stealing the ball nine times from WSU.
Their shooting was more effective too; hitting nearly half (44 percent) of their two-point attempts and improving their three-point percentage slightly (31 percent). Moreover, they capitalized on second-chance points scoring an impressive total of 26 which could be crucial against HAW.
However, it's important not to overlook CAL's encounter with Oregon State Beavers on March 2 where they suffered another loss (58-79). The Beavers' high-scoring offense proved too much for CAL as ORST shot an exceptional field goal percentage at over half (54 percent). It highlighted areas where CAL must tighten up defensively if they hope to contain HAW’s shooters.
The upcoming game is more than just another fixture; it’s an opportunity for redemption for California Golden Bears. With home support behind them at Haas Pavilion and lessons learned from past games – particularly in terms of shooting accuracy and defensive solidity – there is every chance that CAL can turn things around against Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine.
Fans looking forward to supporting their team can catch all the action live on March 21st at Haas Pavilion or tune in at exactly nine o'clock Pacific Time as these two teams battle it out on court.