Oregon Ducks and California Women’s Basketball

Tonight at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 ET), the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team will try and defend the Matt Court against the 18-7 California Golden Bears, who demolished the Ducks in their last meeting in early January. The Ducks, however, will put forward a better performance in this game with Amanda Johnson back from the shelf. Cal, however, has three players who average double-digits and are well-equipped to win this game. This should be an interesting home stand for the Ducks against a favored opponents, and this game will be telling for the team.

The Golden Bears build their game on a tough inside presence and can rebound on anybody. Gennifer Brandon is a beast on the interior, and she averages 10.8 rebounds per game to go with 9.4 points per game. The guards Layshia Clarendon and Brittany Boyd can shut down their opponents on the perimeter and can put up points (11.5 and 10.1 PPG respectively).

The two most talented players in this game, however, belong to the Oregon Ducks. Amanda Johnson is averaging 20-10 this season and is one of the best players in the nation. Both she and Jasmin Holliday have the ability to take over a game, and this is especially key given the strong interior presence that the Golden Bears possess. Johnson and Holliday, of course, average a combined 35-17.6 per game.

Star freshman forward Reshanda Gray is the team’s Manu Ginobili, so to speak, because her 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game are compiled, in most cases, off of the bench. Gray is an impact player who may average just 20 minutes per contest, but she makes those minutes well worth it.

Most of the players on the Golden Bears are strong rebounders (six players who average at least three boards per game) and receive contributions from a variety of sources. They get the ball underneath and beat teams with close, efficient shots.

Expect the Oregon Ducks to hold their ground at home and knock off a difficult a opponent in what will prove to be an important home victory. Oregon will be lead by Johnson, and this team will take down Cal.

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