After the long road trip to San Jose, Stanford returns to Maples to take on the University of Texas at Arlington. Stanford is favored by 12.5, the over/under is 144.5, making the implied score 78.5-66. The Mavericks are 7-3, including 3-2 on the road. In the Western Athletic Conference pre-season coaches poll, they were picked to finish 4th (of 7). They are pretty young (4 Fr, 6 So, 1 Jr, 3 Sr), although all 3 seniors are expected to start. Their games have been relatively low scoring, averaging 74-64. They have held opponents to 40% FG shooting - 25% from 3. Their offense does not rely much on 3s - averaging 5/game on 28% shooting. Despite seeming to be a bit undersized, they average a +10.8 rebounding margin and get 4.7 blocks/game.
Projected starting line-up is:
#2 Raysean Seamster (6'7/200 Sr F) Leads with 15.9ppg and 6.9rpg. Shoots 56.3% FGs, but only 54.8 FTs (Rohosy-like?). Voted to the pre-season All-WAC team;
#42 Marcell McCreary (6'4/225 Sr G) 12.2ppg, leading 3-pt shooter (15/44);
#1 Cash Chavis (6'2/180 So G) 9.4ppg, leads with 4.6apg;
#34 Cameron Jackson (6'8/240 So F/C);
#4 Marcus Rigsby Jr. (6'3/200 Sr G).
The Mavericks have 10 players that average at least 10 minutes per game - and none that average 30 or more. On average, the bench players are smaller than the starters, although they do have a 6'11" player averaging 10 minutes per game.
With or without Okorie, it would be nice to see Stanford develop more consistency. They shot and rebounded well vs. SJS, but got in the Christmas spirit a bit too much with the 20 turnovers. Sure would be nice to see them keep the pedal to the metal when they get a 14-point lead. Also would be nice to develop a bit more depth, but it doesn't seem that there's much trust beyond 8 players (one of them being Okorie). That could be a problem throughout the season.
Projected starting line-up is:
#2 Raysean Seamster (6'7/200 Sr F) Leads with 15.9ppg and 6.9rpg. Shoots 56.3% FGs, but only 54.8 FTs (Rohosy-like?). Voted to the pre-season All-WAC team;
#42 Marcell McCreary (6'4/225 Sr G) 12.2ppg, leading 3-pt shooter (15/44);
#1 Cash Chavis (6'2/180 So G) 9.4ppg, leads with 4.6apg;
#34 Cameron Jackson (6'8/240 So F/C);
#4 Marcus Rigsby Jr. (6'3/200 Sr G).
The Mavericks have 10 players that average at least 10 minutes per game - and none that average 30 or more. On average, the bench players are smaller than the starters, although they do have a 6'11" player averaging 10 minutes per game.
With or without Okorie, it would be nice to see Stanford develop more consistency. They shot and rebounded well vs. SJS, but got in the Christmas spirit a bit too much with the 20 turnovers. Sure would be nice to see them keep the pedal to the metal when they get a 14-point lead. Also would be nice to develop a bit more depth, but it doesn't seem that there's much trust beyond 8 players (one of them being Okorie). That could be a problem throughout the season.