[McKenwood]

Going back to 2021 we only have 1 season (2021) where we had more than 5 wins (6) in the first 9 games.  But it also looks like this will be the first time since at least then that we hadn't scheduled any top 100 teams in those first 9 games (though Massey is volatile at this time of year). Nevertheless, we only won one of those top 100 games (#57 Oregon in 2021).

2024's 1st 9 opponent (Massey Rating, Result, Score):

Denver 249 W 85-62
CS Fullerton 220 W 80-53
Northern Arizona 229 W 90-64
UC Davis 139 W 79-64
Norfolk St 218 W 70-63
at Santa Clara 132
vs Grand Canyon 130
Cal Poly 207
Utah Valley 161

Here is 2023:

CS Northridge 225 W 88-79
CS Sacramento 308 W 91-73
Santa Clara 100 L 77-89
E Washington 146 W 95-70
vs Arkansas 85 L 2 OT 74-77
vs Michigan 115 L 78-83
vs Northern Iowa 114 L 51-73
San Diego 193 W 88-64
Idaho 319 W 82-64
at San Diego St 25 L 60-74

Here is 2022:

Pacific 195 W 88-78
at Wisconsin 44 L 50-60
San Diego St 11 L 62-74
Cal Poly 314 W 80-43
vs Mississippi 111 L 68-72
vs Florida St 158 W 70-60
vs Memphis 20 L 48-56
UCLA 6 L 66-80
at Arizona St 45 L 64-68

And 2021:

Tarleton St 246 W 62-50
at Santa Clara 99 L 72-88
San Jose St 273 W 76-62
Valparaiso 203 W 74-60
at Baylor 4 L 48-86
NC A&T 304 W 79-65
at Colorado 56 L 76-80
Oregon 57 W 72-69
Dartmouth 240 W OT 89-78
vs Texas 20 L 53-60

Thanks OC. I get PTSD reviewing the three prior seasons.

Key game in December is against cal who is at 93 in the Massey rating. Not sure why they are ranked worse than Stanford given their road win against USC.

I like Stanford's early season schedule this year despite the cupcake nature of it. Build some confidence and avoid the ridiculous cross-country trips of the prior years. There will be plenty of those in January-March.

[McKenwood]

Going back to 2021 we only have 1 season (2021) where we had more than 5 wins (6) in the first 9 games.  But it also looks like this will be the first time since at least then that we hadn't scheduled any top 100 teams in those first 9 games (though Massey is volatile at this time of year). Nevertheless, we only won one of those top 100 games (#57 Oregon in 2021).

2024's 1st 9 opponent (Massey Rating, Result, Score):

Denver 249 W 85-62
CS Fullerton 220 W 80-53
Northern Arizona 229 W 90-64
UC Davis 139 W 79-64
Norfolk St 218 W 70-63
at Santa Clara 132
vs Grand Canyon 130
Cal Poly 207
Utah Valley 161

Here is 2023:

CS Northridge 225 W 88-79
CS Sacramento 308 W 91-73
Santa Clara 100 L 77-89
E Washington 146 W 95-70
vs Arkansas 85 L 2 OT 74-77
vs Michigan 115 L 78-83
vs Northern Iowa 114 L 51-73
San Diego 193 W 88-64
Idaho 319 W 82-64
at San Diego St 25 L 60-74

Here is 2022:

Pacific 195 W 88-78
at Wisconsin 44 L 50-60
San Diego St 11 L 62-74
Cal Poly 314 W 80-43
vs Mississippi 111 L 68-72
vs Florida St 158 W 70-60
vs Memphis 20 L 48-56
UCLA 6 L 66-80
at Arizona St 45 L 64-68

And 2021:

Tarleton St 246 W 62-50
at Santa Clara 99 L 72-88
San Jose St 273 W 76-62
Valparaiso 203 W 74-60
at Baylor 4 L 48-86
NC A&T 304 W 79-65
at Colorado 56 L 76-80
Oregon 57 W 72-69
Dartmouth 240 W OT 89-78
vs Texas 20 L 53-60

Thanks OC. I get PTSD reviewing the three prior seasons.

Key game in December is against cal who is at 93 in the Massey rating. Not sure why they are ranked worse than Stanford given their road win against USC.

I like Stanford's early season schedule this year despite the cupcake nature of it. Build some confidence and avoid the ridiculous cross-country trips of the prior years. There will be plenty of those in January-March.