CAL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Last season: 19-15, 7-11 (tied for eighth in the Pac-12; reached the second round of the WBIT)
Coach: Charmin Smith, sixth season, 56-80
Season opener: Monday vs. Saint Mary’s, 6 p.m.
Projected starters: Senior forward Marta Suarez (11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds), senior guard Ioanna Krimili (13 points, 2.3 assists), center Ugonne Onyiah (7.7 points, 6.2 rebounds), senior guard Kayla Williams (6.6 points, 5.0 rebounds), graduate senior forward Natalia Ackerman (12.0 points, 8.9 rebounds)
Key reserves: Senior forward Claudia Langarita (2.1 points, 1.9 rebounds), sophomore guard Gisella Maul (2.3 points, 1.1 assists), sophomore guard Lulu Twidale (6.3 points, 1.4 rebounds), senior guard Jayda Noble (3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds)
Strengths: Cal’s front line of Suarez, Onyiah and Cal Poly transfer Ackerman give the Golden Bears a wealth of experience in its first foray into the loaded ACC. Suarez and Onyiah each stand at 6-foot-3 and combined for over 12 rebounds per game. Leading scorer Krimili returns to the backcourt, and Ackerman – who hails from Watsonville – averaged 2.1 blocks per game and was an all-Big West selection.
Weaknesses: Cal’s lack of proven wings outside of Ackerman could be an issue in the ACC. Freshman Kamryn Mafua and senior reserve Claudia Langarita are the only other listed forwards on the roster. Kayla Williams, who averaged just 6.6 points-per-game, and Texas transfer Gisella Maul will both need to be steady contributors in an unsettled backcourt.
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Outlook: Smith enjoyed her first winning season as Cal coach and led the program to the postseason for the first time since 2019, but the Golden Bears will be hard-pressed to repeat that in their new conference. Non-league matchups with tournament teams in powerhouse Gonzaga, as well as Alabama and Auburn from the SEC, will test Cal before the start of ACC play.
– Joseph Dycus