California Women's Basketball Previewed ACC Season
The Golden Bears attended ACC Media Day in Charlotte to prepare for their upcoming campaign.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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California Women's Basketball representatives attended ACC Media Day in Charlotte to discuss team preparations. Head coach Charmin Smith and players Lulu Twidale and Gisella Maul highlighted the squad's readiness for the season.
Why it matters
The program is emphasizing veteran leadership and team chemistry to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The team participated in unique bonding exercises and intensive offseason training to build rapport before ACC play begins.
The roster returns 4 full-time starters and 7 total players from last year's squad that reached the WBIT quarterfinals. The coaching staff is leveraging this experience to improve performance following previous narrow losses in key matchups.
The players
Charmin Smith
She serves as the head coach for the California Women's Basketball program.
Lulu Twidale
She is a member of the California Women's Basketball team who attended media day.
Gisella Maul
She is a player for the California Women's Basketball team who represented the program in Charlotte.
Ruby Perkins
She joined the California Women's Basketball program as a freshman this season.
The details
Coaching staff and players focused on team culture through activities like muay thai classes and escape rooms. Players also worked with personal trainers to refine individual skills during the offseason in anticipation of a challenging schedule.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: The team appeared at ACC Media Day.
Week of October 12, 2026: California faces UCLA in an exhibition game.
Week of October 19, 2026: California faces USC in an exhibition game.
December 31, 2026: The team plays at Notre Dame.
The Big Picture
The program is realigning its training and veteran retention strategies specifically to earn a bid for the NCAA Tournament.
The team's exhibition schedule against UCLA and USC is designed to engage fans in Southern California. The reliance on veteran experience suggests a focus on tightening late-game execution after narrow losses last season.
The takeaway
The team's focus on team bonding and individual offseason training highlights a transition toward a more cohesive veteran unit. Implementing these off-court connections may provide the competitive edge needed to navigate a challenging conference schedule.
Further reading
For more on the upcoming season, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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Should college teams focus more on player confidence and culture to achieve better game results?
