golden Bears gear Up for March Madness: cal to Face Mississippi State in NCAA Tournament
Table of Contents
- 1. golden Bears gear Up for March Madness: cal to Face Mississippi State in NCAA Tournament
- 2. Tournament Bound: A Celebration in Berkeley
- 3. Road to the Tournament: A Look Back at the Season
- 4. First Round Location: Los Angeles
- 5. Key Players and Offensive Prowess
- 6. Scouting the Opposition: Mississippi State
- 7. Looking Ahead: Tournament Expectations
- 8. What aspect of Cal’s game are you most excited to see in the NCAA Tournament, and what do you think will be the key to their success?
- 9. Cal Bears’ Ioanna Krimili on March Madness: “We’re Ready to Roar!”
- 10. The Excitement of Selection Sunday
- 11. Facing Mississippi State in the First Round
- 12. Cal’s Offensive Prowess and Key Players
- 13. Playing in Los Angeles
- 14. Tournament Aspirations
- 15. A Question for the Fans
The Cal Bears (25-8) are heading to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament as an No. 8 seed and will tip off against No. 9 Mississippi State (22-10) of the Southeastern Conference.
After a season highlighted by a potent offense and a strong showing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Golden Bears are eager to make their mark in the national spotlight. The team gathered with supporters at a watch party in Memorial Stadium, erupting in celebration upon hearing their name called during the selection show.
Tournament Bound: A Celebration in Berkeley
The atmosphere at the Field Club in Memorial Stadium crackled with anticipation as the selection show unfolded. “there was no real drama in terms of whether Cal was going to be part of the 68-team field,” as the Bears anticipated a berth. The event drew hundreds of supporters, including family members, donors, and students, all eager to share in the excitement.
Road to the Tournament: A Look Back at the Season
Cal’s journey to the tournament wasn’t without its challenges. After a February dip that included road losses to Notre Dame and Louisville, the team rallied to finish the season strong with a 12-6 record in the ACC. Their success can be attributed to an exciting brand of basketball characterized by frequent 3-point attempts and a balanced scoring attack, with five starters averaging in double figures.
First Round Location: Los Angeles
The Bears will be traveling to Los Angeles for their opening game, hosted by No. 1 seed USC (28-3) in the Spokane Region Four.the game is scheduled for saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Forward Marta Suarez expressed relief at the location: “We’re so glad we’re in L.A. We’re used to traveling but that doesn’t mean we wanted to do it.”
Key Players and Offensive Prowess
This is Cal’s first NCAA Women’s Tournament game as 2019. The team boasts a dynamic offense, spearheaded by All-ACC guard Ioanna Krimili, who averages 14.2 points per game. Other key contributors include Lulu Twidale (13.2 points per game), Marta Suarez (13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds), Michelle Onyiah (12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds), and Kayla Williams (11.3 points and 4.0 assists).
As a team, the Bears set a school record this season with 294 3-point baskets, surpassing their opponents by a important margin, with 124 more than their opponents. “They better guard the 3-point line. I think everybody knows that,” said Coach smith, underscoring the importance of their perimeter shooting.
Ioanna Krimili shared her enthusiasm,saying,”It’s so cool. All of our fans, they’ve been here since Day 1 and it’s a really good feeling. We all wanted this so bad.”
Scouting the Opposition: Mississippi State
Mississippi State finished 10th in the SEC and lost to Ole Miss in their league tournament. The Bulldogs, coached by Sam Purcell, also favor a fast-paced style of play, averaging 76.1 points per game.Coach Smith acknowledges the challenge ahead: “I know Sam’s a really good coach. I know his teams play hard. It’s an SEC opponent,it’s going to be a tough opponent for us. We have to get in the lab right now and figure it all out.”
Cal Head Coach Charmin Smith recognizes this tournament appearance’s value, stating “Our sport is exploding right now. We want to be part of that, be a part of that momentum. Having a winning season helps for that.”
“We had our wishes and our dreams but all we kept saying is we certainly know we’re in,” Smith said. “We’re dancing. We’re excited. We got exactly what we thought we would get.”
Looking Ahead: Tournament Expectations
With their potent offense and experienced roster, the Cal Bears are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Their first-round matchup against Mississippi State promises to be a high-scoring affair, and the Bears will need to rely on their 3-point shooting and balanced attack to advance.
Smith said, “This is a team that enjoys playing with each other and playing for cal. We want to keep playing as long as we can. It’s a great prospect.”
The stage is set,and the Golden Bears are ready to roar. Be sure to tune in Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT to cheer on Cal as they begin their quest for a national championship! Visit the NCAA website for streaming options and bracket updates.
What aspect of Cal’s game are you most excited to see in the NCAA Tournament, and what do you think will be the key to their success?
Cal Bears’ Ioanna Krimili on March Madness: “We’re Ready to Roar!”
Archyde News recently caught up with Ioanna Krimili, All-ACC guard for the Cal Bears women’s basketball team, as thay prepare for their first NCAA Tournament appearance as 2019. Here’s what she had to say about their upcoming game against Mississippi State and their tournament aspirations:
The Excitement of Selection Sunday
archyde News: Ioanna, congratulations on making the NCAA Tournament! What was the atmosphere like when you found out Cal was selected?
Ioanna Krimili: Thank you! The atmosphere was electric. We were all at Memorial Stadium with our families, friends, and so many supporters. When we saw our name pop up, the place just erupted. It was an amazing feeling, especially knowing how hard we’ve worked all season to get here. Knowing our fans have been with us as Day 1 makes it even more special. We all wanted this so bad.”
Facing Mississippi State in the First Round
Archyde News: You’re facing Mississippi State in the first round, a team known for its fast-paced style. What are your initial thoughts on the matchup?
Ioanna Krimili: We certainly know they’re a tough SEC opponent.Coach Smith has emphasized that we need to be prepared for a physical game. They average a lot of points, so we need to bring our A-game on both ends of the court. Defense will be key, but so will our ability to execute our offense and knock down shots.We need to be switched on and ready.”
Cal’s Offensive Prowess and Key Players
Archyde News: Cal’s offense has been a major strength this season, especially your three-point shooting. How vital will that be in the tournament?
Ioanna Krimili: Our three-point shooting is definately a weapon. Coach Smith always says, “They better guard the 3-point line!” But its not just about the threes. We have a balanced scoring attack with multiple players who can score in double figures. We rely on each other, and that makes us tough to guard. Myself, Lulu, Marta, Michelle, and Kayla all contribute considerably. We trust each other implicitly.”
Playing in Los Angeles
Archyde News: The first round is in Los Angeles, hosted by USC. Marta Suarez expressed relief about the location. How do you feel about playing in LA?
Ioanna Krimili: Being in LA is great! It feels closer to home in a way, and we know we’ll have some fans there supporting us. It’s always nice to have a little bit of familiarity when you’re on the road, especially in a high-pressure environment like the NCAA Tournament.”
Tournament Aspirations
Archyde News: What are your expectations for the tournament? What dose this Cal team hope to achieve?
Ioanna Krimili: we’re taking it one game at a time, but we definitely have high aspirations. We believe we can make a deep run. We want to represent Cal well and show the country what we’re capable of. This is a special team that enjoys playing together and playing for Cal. We’re ready to roar!”
A Question for the Fans
Archyde News: Ioanna, thanks for your time. One final question for our readers: What aspect of Cal’s game are you most excited to see in the NCAA Tournament,and what do you think will be the key to their success?
