As the regular season concludes, a significant shift in the women's basketball narrative in the Bay Area is evident. Cal, enjoying its first potential NCAA Tournament bid in six years, has outperformed early-season expectations, with standout performances leading to a commendable 22-7 record. In sharp contrast, Stanford, historically a dominant force, is battling to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly four decades, and their new coach, Kate Paye, acknowledges the team’s underperformance amid high expectations. As they enter the postseason, both teams reflect the contrasting fortunes in this competitive landscape.
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Bay Area women's basketball landscape has shifted, with Cal on the rise and Stanford struggling.
Cal guard Kayla Williams said, 'For us to have shocked our conference, being looked at as the best team in the Bay ... it's just allowed my last season to be fun.'
Paye remarked, 'We're not happy. We expect to win more. We want to do better.' Reflecting the high standards set by Stanford's historical success.
Stanford, predicted to finish seventh in the preseason, is now dangerously close to missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1987.
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