[81alum]

I’ve always been suspicious of the “tough to beat the same team three times” adage.  Mostly because I rarely see the underdog channel all that supposed knowledge and win.

Regardless of what the may have learned, if we come ready to play we smoke those guys!

I think you are correct that when one team just doesn't match up physically or athletically the old adage doesn't apply.  I so sadly remember Oregon beating us three times in 19-20.  We just had no answer and the third game in the Pac 12 tournament was our worst.  I seem to remember Ionescu flying back from the Kobe Bryant funeral to join her team in thrashing us. 

The three game adage I think is more applicable when the teams are more evenly matched and one team won the first couple of times through superior preparation, tactics, or coaching.  The question is whether WSU or Cal did or didn't get the most out of their players the last two times we played them.  WSU came within 15 last time and it was adjusting to play without CLW.  More recently Tuhina has been coming into her own.  Cal the first time was playing without a full strength Krimili, but she did not really get going in the second game.  I would therefore be slightly more worried about WSU at this point.

Here is a question:  if Lepolo, our best perimeter player can't play, who defends either Tuhina or Krimili?  Probably Harriel.  How will she do?  We don't yet know.  But a rematch probably won't be identical to the earlier games.

[81alum]

I’ve always been suspicious of the “tough to beat the same team three times” adage.  Mostly because I rarely see the underdog channel all that supposed knowledge and win.

Regardless of what the may have learned, if we come ready to play we smoke those guys!

I think you are correct that when one team just doesn't match up physically or athletically the old adage doesn't apply.  I so sadly remember Oregon beating us three times in 19-20.  We just had no answer and the third game in the Pac 12 tournament was our worst.  I seem to remember Ionescu flying back from the Kobe Bryant funeral to join her team in thrashing us. 

The three game adage I think is more applicable when the teams are more evenly matched and one team won the first couple of times through superior preparation, tactics, or coaching.  The question is whether WSU or Cal did or didn't get the most out of their players the last two times we played them.  WSU came within 15 last time and it was adjusting to play without CLW.  More recently Tuhina has been coming into her own.  Cal the first time was playing without a full strength Krimili, but she did not really get going in the second game.  I would therefore be slightly more worried about WSU at this point.

Here is a question:  if Lepolo, our best perimeter player can't play, who defends either Tuhina or Krimili?  Probably Harriel.  How will she do?  We don't yet know.  But a rematch probably won't be identical to the earlier games.