- Nihan Anaz
SAT 12/27
Cal's Nihan Anaz earning Pac-10 Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors in early December may seem, on the surface, to be a good sign for the Lady Bears, who haven't had a winning season in more than a decade. But while Cal's defense consistently ranks amongst the best in the conference, the team struggles on offense, and there's no obvious successor in sight for the Turkish Anaz, a senior guard averaging almost 16 points a game. But in America it's all about instant gratification, so appreciate Anaz, a play-maker with a golden shooting touch, while you still can. This Saturday at noon at Haas Pavilion, Cal (7-2) begins Pac-10 conference play at home with a televised game against the Oregon Ducks. Last year Oregon finished fifth in the Pac-10, beating Cal in two tightly contested meetings. The Ducks have lost their standout, Cathrine Kraayeveld, to a season-ending knee injury, but are still ranked #21 nationally with a big win over #9 LSU and an 8-2 start. Look for Lafayette product Corrie Mizusawa to step up in Kraayeveld's absence, as the junior transfer from St. Mary's is now the Ducks' starting point guard.
Fourth-year Berkeley coach Caren Horst-meyer relies on veteran players like Anaz and juniors Kristin Iwanaga and Leigh Gregory, the latter of whom has quick moves under the basket that get her around post players sometimes half a foot taller than her. Tickets from 1-800-GO-BEARS or CalBears.ocsn.com -- Annika Dukes
SAT 12/27
D'oh! Homers!
Thick at the 'Stick
And now for news of the Other Team. The 49ers are one of the NFL's classic homer teams. They've lost every road game except one, but have won all but one contest in the salty confines of beloved, crumbling Candlestick. With their playoff hopes now officially crushed (then again, they're not as pathetic as the Raiders), the Niners still should have enough pride to go out and beat division rivals Seattle this Sunday (2 p.m.). Are on-again, off-again quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (the new TO?) up to the task? More importantly, if the Garcia-to-Lloyd offense stalls, can the Niners' elusive rushing game behind fullback Fred Beasley and running back Kevan Barlow pick up the slack? SF49ers.com -- Kelly Vance
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