[Papa John]

The rumors that Stanford has a men's basketball team in 2022 have proven true. Covid willing, the Cardinal will return to Pac-12 action in a big way, hosting NET #12 and 13-0 USC at 2 pm on Tuesday. Stanford, NET #101, hasn't played at all since Dec. 23 and not at home since Dec. 16. The game is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.

The Trojans average 76 ppg and have held their opponents to 60.8 ppg. Opponents FG% is 35.6, 27.5 3PT. The only negative stats for them/positive for us are:
(1) USC shoots 60% FT
(2) they have a slightly negative TO margin (9.8 opponents to 10.5 USC)

USC has not played a difficult schedule. Their most impressive wins are probably SDSU and WSU. They are led by junior forward Isaiah Mobley, older brother of Evan.

If Stanford wasn't coming off of a 19-day Covid-induced break, I'd give the Cardinal a reasonable chance to pull off the upset. But I have to think there will be some notable rust, assuming that during much (most?) of that break the team wasn't even able to have full practices.

After USC, Stanford travels to the state of Washington for a Thursday-Saturday doubleheader at WSU and UW. Then home versus the AZ schools and after that at the LA schools. I want to believe that we will win, but this stretch of seven games--assuming the games are played--is when the wheels could fall off the metaphorical wagon. I would consider 4-3 to be a h.u.g.e. success, 2-5 maybe the most likely outcome, and 0-7 a distinct possibility.

[Papa John]

The rumors that Stanford has a men's basketball team in 2022 have proven true. Covid willing, the Cardinal will return to Pac-12 action in a big way, hosting NET #12 and 13-0 USC at 2 pm on Tuesday. Stanford, NET #101, hasn't played at all since Dec. 23 and not at home since Dec. 16. The game is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.

The Trojans average 76 ppg and have held their opponents to 60.8 ppg. Opponents FG% is 35.6, 27.5 3PT. The only negative stats for them/positive for us are:
(1) USC shoots 60% FT
(2) they have a slightly negative TO margin (9.8 opponents to 10.5 USC)

USC has not played a difficult schedule. Their most impressive wins are probably SDSU and WSU. They are led by junior forward Isaiah Mobley, older brother of Evan.

If Stanford wasn't coming off of a 19-day Covid-induced break, I'd give the Cardinal a reasonable chance to pull off the upset. But I have to think there will be some notable rust, assuming that during much (most?) of that break the team wasn't even able to have full practices.

After USC, Stanford travels to the state of Washington for a Thursday-Saturday doubleheader at WSU and UW. Then home versus the AZ schools and after that at the LA schools. I want to believe that we will win, but this stretch of seven games--assuming the games are played--is when the wheels could fall off the metaphorical wagon. I would consider 4-3 to be a h.u.g.e. success, 2-5 maybe the most likely outcome, and 0-7 a distinct possibility.

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

[TriangleTree]

If Stanford wasn't coming off of a 19-day Covid-induced break, I'd give the Cardinal a reasonable chance to pull off the upset. But I have to think there will be some notable rust, assuming that during much (most?) of that break the team wasn't even able to have full practices.

I thought we'd have a reasonable chance too with the home court, but that's pretty much gone with no fans on stands.
I still say we'll give them all they can handle in a competitive game.

[TriangleTree]

If Stanford wasn't coming off of a 19-day Covid-induced break, I'd give the Cardinal a reasonable chance to pull off the upset. But I have to think there will be some notable rust, assuming that during much (most?) of that break the team wasn't even able to have full practices.

I thought we'd have a reasonable chance too with the home court, but that's pretty much gone with no fans on stands.
I still say we'll give them all they can handle in a competitive game.

[Papa John]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

[Papa John]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

[Oskidunker]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

[Oskidunker]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Enfield making the NCAAs in years 3 and 4 was enough to buy him plenty of time, "ego" or not (the program was in total shambles before him). He capitalized on that time by recruiting the Mobley brothers and surrounding them with transfers. In the meantime he has been landing SoCal 4*s every year. It's USC. They should be able to do that purely on name brand alone regardless of "being elite" (though now it helps that they've seen some success).

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Enfield making the NCAAs in years 3 and 4 was enough to buy him plenty of time, "ego" or not (the program was in total shambles before him). He capitalized on that time by recruiting the Mobley brothers and surrounding them with transfers. In the meantime he has been landing SoCal 4*s every year. It's USC. They should be able to do that purely on name brand alone regardless of "being elite" (though now it helps that they've seen some success).

[teejers1]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

That's my take, too.  And Cal played them tough; will be pleasantly surprised if Stanford does.

[teejers1]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

That's my take, too.  And Cal played them tough; will be pleasantly surprised if Stanford does.

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

That's my take, too.  And Cal played them tough; will be pleasantly surprised if Stanford does.

Cal ended up losing by 14, but the first half was indeed close. USC was only favored by 5.5 so they destroyed the spread. "Played them tough?"

USC has had a total creampuff schedule. The teams that have, by what I assume to be your actual definition, "played them tough" (were either winning or within 5 at halftime):
- Washington State
- Long Beach State
- UC Irvine
- Cal (was down 5 at half before losing by 14)

My only surprise here was Utah not on the list as they were getting creamed at halftime, since the rest of USC's opponents have been jokes. As it turns out, though, Utah is really really REALLY bad. By the way, they beat Cal. (Although I don't like the transitive property in MBB so that's not entirely fair.)

Thus, I will not be surprised at all if we "play them tough" in the 1H given the above list. We "played tough" with Baylor (down 6 at half), Colorado (down 5 at half), Oregon (winning at half), and in our two Hawaii games. 

I will, however, be pleasantly surprised if we end up winning or even losing close, much like Cal did not either. USC is favored by 5, so in fairness Vegas views this game with a similar eye as the Cal game.

[SamuelMcF]

USC proving today's winning formula. Their top 6 are 3 juniors (5*, 4*, 3* sixth man) and 3 transfers. That's how you build a competitive starting lineup in today's CBB landscape.

USC team final rankings in the Andy Enfield era, per kenpom.com:
2013-14: 151
2014-15: 151
2015-16: 49
2016-17: 53
2017-18: 51
2018-19: 82
2019-20: 55
2020-21: 6
2021-22 (so far): 15

Enfield took over a failing program, restored it to respectability in year 3, but it wasn't until year 8 that USC became elite. In his first six years, USC made the NCAA tournament twice with an overall record of 1-2. Also made it to the second round of the NIT another year. Don't know how many other schools with USC's ego would have stuck with Enfield, but he has a 5* and two 4* freshmen scheduled to arrive this fall. #1 class in the conference so far, #5 nationally.

Usc is the best team in the conference, by along shot.

That's my take, too.  And Cal played them tough; will be pleasantly surprised if Stanford does.

Cal ended up losing by 14, but the first half was indeed close. USC was only favored by 5.5 so they destroyed the spread. "Played them tough?"

USC has had a total creampuff schedule. The teams that have, by what I assume to be your actual definition, "played them tough" (were either winning or within 5 at halftime):
- Washington State
- Long Beach State
- UC Irvine
- Cal (was down 5 at half before losing by 14)

My only surprise here was Utah not on the list as they were getting creamed at halftime, since the rest of USC's opponents have been jokes. As it turns out, though, Utah is really really REALLY bad. By the way, they beat Cal. (Although I don't like the transitive property in MBB so that's not entirely fair.)

Thus, I will not be surprised at all if we "play them tough" in the 1H given the above list. We "played tough" with Baylor (down 6 at half), Colorado (down 5 at half), Oregon (winning at half), and in our two Hawaii games. 

I will, however, be pleasantly surprised if we end up winning or even losing close, much like Cal did not either. USC is favored by 5, so in fairness Vegas views this game with a similar eye as the Cal game.

[burger]

Is this a game thread?  It is now.

Starting lineup:

Delaire
O'Connell
Jones
Keefe
Ingram

[burger]

Is this a game thread?  It is now.

Starting lineup:

Delaire
O'Connell
Jones
Keefe
Ingram

[JJJ]

Raynaud the only player not available due to health protocol.

[JJJ]

Raynaud the only player not available due to health protocol.

[SamuelMcF]

Raynaud the only player not available due to health protocol.

That's a bummer. Hope he's back soon for the next games.

[SamuelMcF]

Raynaud the only player not available due to health protocol.

That's a bummer. Hope he's back soon for the next games.

[old spanish trail]

Is that four blocks of DeLaire? He needs another move. Two travels on Silva. One is enuf. Angel, Ingram and Jones playing well. Keefe doing what he can.

[old spanish trail]

Is that four blocks of DeLaire? He needs another move. Two travels on Silva. One is enuf. Angel, Ingram and Jones playing well. Keefe doing what he can.

[newguy]

i think the color man should tell us about Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
they were great back in the day.

[newguy]

i think the color man should tell us about Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
they were great back in the day.

[BobK]

Stanford just down one at the half

[BobK]

Stanford just down one at the half

[old spanish trail]

Stanford just down one at the half

And playing good D. USC has alot of good players. More than I was aware of. Guess that's why they were undefeated. Walton sure loves Harrison Ingram.

[old spanish trail]

Stanford just down one at the half

And playing good D. USC has alot of good players. More than I was aware of. Guess that's why they were undefeated. Walton sure loves Harrison Ingram.

[TonyLima]

Suddenly in H2 zebras decide to call fouls. T on Ingram? RUKM?

14 min left, 7 fouls on Stanford, 3 on SC.

[TonyLima]

Suddenly in H2 zebras decide to call fouls. T on Ingram? RUKM?

14 min left, 7 fouls on Stanford, 3 on SC.

[BobK]

That was certainly a T on Ingram. He should know better
No Maxime he isn’t at the game

[BobK]

That was certainly a T on Ingram. He should know better
No Maxime he isn’t at the game

[TonyLima]

That was certainly a T on Ingram. He should know better
No Maxime he isn’t at the game yet

YMMV.

[TonyLima]

That was certainly a T on Ingram. He should know better
No Maxime he isn’t at the game yet

YMMV.

[JJJ]

Suddenly in H2 zebras decide to call fouls. T on Ingram? RUKM?

14 min left, 7 fouls on Stanford, 3 on SC.

Taunting is pretty much an automatic T and an empty gym means there’s nowhere to hide. He will learn from this.

[JJJ]

Suddenly in H2 zebras decide to call fouls. T on Ingram? RUKM?

14 min left, 7 fouls on Stanford, 3 on SC.

Taunting is pretty much an automatic T and an empty gym means there’s nowhere to hide. He will learn from this.

[chrisk]

Stanford should schedule more games at 2pm Tuesday.

---

Stanford has not beaten a top 5 team since 2007. 0-15 since then.
Beat #3 UCLA in 2007.

[chrisk]

Stanford should schedule more games at 2pm Tuesday.

---

Stanford has not beaten a top 5 team since 2007. 0-15 since then.
Beat #3 UCLA in 2007.