Can California Golden Bears Women's Basketball Return to Championship Form This Season?

As I sit here watching the Golden Bears' preseason practice footage, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension about this upcoming season. Having followed women's college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen programs rise and fall, but California's journey has been particularly fascinating to watch. The question on everyone's mind - can this team really return to championship form after three consecutive seasons finishing below .500 in conference play?

Let me be honest - I've always had a soft spot for this program. There's something special about the way California basketball has historically developed players, even during these recent challenging years. Last season's 15-16 record wasn't exactly inspiring, but if you watched closely, you could see glimpses of something brewing. The freshmen showed remarkable growth, and the team's defensive intensity in those final games against Stanford and Oregon told me this wasn't a group ready to settle for mediocrity.

I remember talking to a colleague who covers international basketball, and he mentioned something that stuck with me about coaching transitions. He referenced a Serbian coach discussing new staff additions, saying "Getting Rondae and JB is a big help for us because we know the players very well. They know our team as well. It's going to be very helpful." That philosophy resonates with what I'm seeing at California - the value of familiar faces who understand the program's DNA. When Coach Charmin Smith brought back former Cal standout Mikayla Cowling as an assistant coach this offseason, it reminded me of that same principle. Having someone who's worn the uniform, who understands what it means to play in Haas Pavilion - that's invaluable for rebuilding a championship culture.

The numbers from last season don't lie, but they don't tell the whole story either. California ranked 245th nationally in scoring offense at 62.3 points per game - frankly, that's unacceptable for a program with their resources. But here's what gives me hope: their defensive rating improved by nearly 12% in the final eight games, and they held opponents to 38% shooting during that stretch. That's the kind of foundation you can build upon. I've always believed defense travels better than offense, especially in the tough Pac-12 conference.

Looking at the roster construction, I'm particularly excited about the backcourt. Senior guard Leilani McIntosh has started 87 consecutive games - that kind of experience is gold in college basketball. Her assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.4-to-1 placed her in the top 15 nationally among point guards. Combine that with the development of sophomore Lulu Twidwell, who increased her scoring average from 4.2 to 11.6 points per game in conference play, and you've got the makings of a backcourt that can compete with anyone.

The frontcourt does worry me, I won't sugarcoat it. Losing leading rebounder Evelien Lutje Schipholt to graduation leaves a significant void in the paint. Her 8.1 rebounds per game accounted for nearly 30% of the team's total rebounds last season. Freshman post player Marta Suarez shows promise - I watched her in high school and she's got tremendous footwork - but asking a first-year player to anchor your defense in the Pac-12 is a tall order. They'll need significant contributions from transfers Peighton DeRosa and Claudia Langarita, who combined for 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game at their previous schools.

What really gives me optimism, though, is the scheduling. The non-conference slate includes games against Creighton, Mississippi State, and a potential matchup with South Carolina in the Paradise Jam tournament. These are exactly the kind of tests this young team needs. I've always believed you learn more from playing tough opponents than racking up easy wins against inferior competition. Those games will prepare them for the brutal Pac-12 schedule, where they'll face defending champion Stanford twice and an improved UCLA team that returns all five starters.

The recruiting class deserves mention too. Ranked 12th nationally by ESPN, it's the highest-ranked class since 2017. Five-star guard Amaya Bonner could be an immediate impact player - her athleticism jumps off the screen when you watch her highlights. But more importantly, this class represents Coach Smith's vision for the program. They're recruiting players who fit their system rather than just chasing stars, and that strategic approach often pays dividends in the long run.

I'm looking particularly closely at how they handle late-game situations this season. Last year, California lost six games by five points or fewer, including that heartbreaker against Arizona where they led by eight with three minutes remaining. Closing out games is as much about mental toughness as physical ability, and that's where experienced coaching staff and player leadership make all the difference. If they can flip even half of those close losses into wins, we're talking about a potential 20-win season.

The facilities upgrade can't be overlooked either. The recent $4.2 million renovation to Haas Pavilion includes new player development areas and film rooms that rival professional facilities. In the competitive world of college recruiting, those investments matter. I've toured the new facilities, and they're genuinely impressive - the kind of environment that attracts top talent and helps develop players to their full potential.

As the season approaches, my prediction is cautiously optimistic. I see this team winning between 18-22 games and potentially making some noise in the NCAA tournament. They probably won't challenge for the Pac-12 title this season - let's be realistic, Stanford and Oregon are loaded - but returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019 would represent significant progress. The foundation is there, the coaching staff has stability, and the young talent is developing. Championship form might still be a year away, but the path back is becoming clearer with each passing month. This could be the season that California women's basketball reminds everyone why they were once considered among the nation's elite programs.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-11 12:00