Buffs host Cal, the country’s top rebounding team By Brian Howell Buffzone.com

Womens Buff basketball team don’t have much experience with new Pac-12 Conference foes.

The Buffaloes do, however, have a fresh memory of the Cal Bears and they know they’re in for a battle tonight. Colorado (13-1, 2-1 Pac-12) hosts Cal (11-5, 2-2) in its Pac-12 home opener at 7 p.m.

“The main emphasis is being more physical than they are and just being aggressive and ready for a fight,” CU junior Meagan Malcolm-Peck said. “I think our team actually raises the level of play with the higher competition we play. That’s really exciting for us.”

Cal got off to a fast start this year, in large part because of its tremendous rebounding. The Bears rank No. 1 in the country with a plus-18.3
Meagan Malcolm-Peck of Colorado battles with Shawnte Taylor of Weber State. For more photos of the game, go to www.dailycamera.com. December 17, 2011 / Cliff Grassmick ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )

average and have out-rebounded every opponent this year.

Cal hasn’t lost a rebounding battle since March 21, 2011 — in Boulder. The Buffs out-rebounded Cal in an 81-65 win in the WNIT.

“We just fought back and they backed down,” Malcolm-Peck said. “I think we have to throw the first punch and be ready for it, but know we can do it.”

CU has been exceptional on the boards all season, as well, out-rebounding 12 of 14 opponents and ranking 11th in the country with a plus-10.6 rebounding margin.

“It’s always fun to be physical down there,” said Malcolm-Peck, who has averaged five rebounds per game this season. “I think (Cal is) for sure the best rebounding team we’ve played. We’ve worked a lot this week on just boxing out and you’ve got to hit them first and not let them make the first move.”

That’s easier said than done. Cal sophomore Gennifer Brandon is posting 11.1 rebounds per game, including 24 in one game and 19 in another. She sat out last year with an injury and didn’t play against the Buffs.

CU coach Linda Lappe

Led by Brandon and Talia Caldwell, the Bears are particularly good at hitting the offensive glass. Cal scores an average of 18.1 second-chance points per game, nearly double the second-chance points the Bears allow (9.1). In Saturday’s 90-67 win over Oregon, the Bears out-rebounded the Ducks 63-26 and had 29 second-chance points, compared to one for Oregon.

“That’s part of their offense,” CU coach Linda Lappe. “They look to drive it hard and just crash the glass. We’ll have to do a great job of boxing out and keeping them out of the paint. You can’t let them get too many offensive rebounds and you can’t let them score them.”

In addition to competing on the boards, the Buffs are looking to stay strong on defense, score in transition and cut down on their turnovers. The Buffs have averaged 17.2 turnovers per game and rank last in the conference in turnover margin. They have 58 turnovers in three conference games.

“Anytime they’re over 15, it’s too many turnovers,” Lappe said. “We’ve become a little sloppy with our outlets. We’ve become a little sloppy with our posts — we have too many post turnovers.”

While CU has spent this week working on getting better in preparation for Cal, the Buffs have also been eager to hit the Coors Events Center court. They haven’t played in front of the home fans since Dec. 17.

“It’s an exciting time,” Lappe said. “First Pac-12 game here and hopefully we get a good fan base and get this place rockin’ a little bit. If that’s the case, we’ll definitely bring a lot of energy.”