[SamuelMcF]

We are favored by 8. USF ranked in the 90's by averaging a few major rankings (Sagarin, KenPom, RPI). Best opponent we've played at home, a small step up from Santa Clara who we beat handily by 18. USF scores - and allows - a lot more points than SCU.

Discuss!

[SamuelMcF]

We are favored by 8. USF ranked in the 90's by averaging a few major rankings (Sagarin, KenPom, RPI). Best opponent we've played at home, a small step up from Santa Clara who we beat handily by 18. USF scores - and allows - a lot more points than SCU.

Discuss!

[JJJ]

Whoa! Thanks for this thread--would've missed the game otherwise. Going to set the DVR now!
#gocard

---

Here's the gostanford.com blurb:

Notables

• Stanford plays its first home game in 16 days on Tuesday night, hosting San Francisco at Maples Pavilion. Despite being picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll, the Cardinal has continued to surprise as one of the country’s most improved teams.
  
• Stanford is off to its best start since 2011, when the Cardinal also won nine of its first 10 games. The Cardinal’s seven-game winning streak to begin the season was its longest since a 10-0 start in 2008. Last season, Stanford won its ninth game on Jan. 19 and 10th game on Jan. 26.
  
• Stanford has held all 10 opponents to under 70 points, representing the first time the Cardinal has accomplished the feat since a 10-game stretch from Dec. 28, 2010-Jan. 29, 2011. Stanford has allowed 57.7 points per game, a total which leads the Pac-12 and ranks 15th in the country.
  
• Stanford’s nine victories have all come by double digits, including four 20-point wins and a season-best 31-point triumph over William & Mary on Nov. 21. Stanford produced 10 double-digit wins overall in 2018-19. Meanwhile, the Cardinal’s +18.1 scoring margin ranks second in the Pac-12 and ninth in the nation.
  
• In addition to playing elite defense, Stanford’s 50.4 percent field goal percentage leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth in the country. The Cardinal has connected on 50.0 percent or better from the floor in eight of its nine games this season.
  

https://admin.gostanford.com/gameday/men...ball/2248/

---

I knew we were playing good D but these stats were a bit refreshing to me.
Like in baseball when they say, "Speed comes to the ballpark every day" maybe we can say "our D comes to the gym every game"? Hope it shows up tonight too!

[JJJ]

Whoa! Thanks for this thread--would've missed the game otherwise. Going to set the DVR now!
#gocard

---

Here's the gostanford.com blurb:

Notables

• Stanford plays its first home game in 16 days on Tuesday night, hosting San Francisco at Maples Pavilion. Despite being picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll, the Cardinal has continued to surprise as one of the country’s most improved teams.
  
• Stanford is off to its best start since 2011, when the Cardinal also won nine of its first 10 games. The Cardinal’s seven-game winning streak to begin the season was its longest since a 10-0 start in 2008. Last season, Stanford won its ninth game on Jan. 19 and 10th game on Jan. 26.
  
• Stanford has held all 10 opponents to under 70 points, representing the first time the Cardinal has accomplished the feat since a 10-game stretch from Dec. 28, 2010-Jan. 29, 2011. Stanford has allowed 57.7 points per game, a total which leads the Pac-12 and ranks 15th in the country.
  
• Stanford’s nine victories have all come by double digits, including four 20-point wins and a season-best 31-point triumph over William & Mary on Nov. 21. Stanford produced 10 double-digit wins overall in 2018-19. Meanwhile, the Cardinal’s +18.1 scoring margin ranks second in the Pac-12 and ninth in the nation.
  
• In addition to playing elite defense, Stanford’s 50.4 percent field goal percentage leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth in the country. The Cardinal has connected on 50.0 percent or better from the floor in eight of its nine games this season.
  

https://admin.gostanford.com/gameday/men...ball/2248/

---

I knew we were playing good D but these stats were a bit refreshing to me.
Like in baseball when they say, "Speed comes to the ballpark every day" maybe we can say "our D comes to the gym every game"? Hope it shows up tonight too!

[burger]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

[burger]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

[76lsjumb]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

Kisunas for Terry.  No drop off there...

[76lsjumb]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

Kisunas for Terry.  No drop off there...

[CTcard]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

Will be interesting to see Kisunas at point.

[CTcard]

Terry is out tonight with an "upper body injury."  Kisunas starting instead.

Will be interesting to see Kisunas at point.

[JJJ]

Wow, we're down 19-11 with 5 minutes to go in 1H. Low-scoring is an understatement.

---

At least since I have tuned in, D has come to play. 19-14 with 2 minutes to go 1H. (unless we went to quarters unbeknownst to me.)

---

Davis, Wills, and White on the floor. PG by committee?
24-18 at the half. ODS 1-6 from the floor. Some kind of record?

[JJJ]

Wow, we're down 19-11 with 5 minutes to go in 1H. Low-scoring is an understatement.

---

At least since I have tuned in, D has come to play. 19-14 with 2 minutes to go 1H. (unless we went to quarters unbeknownst to me.)

---

Davis, Wills, and White on the floor. PG by committee?
24-18 at the half. ODS 1-6 from the floor. Some kind of record?

[JJJ]

Kisunas handling the ball at the top of the key didn't end well. (stolen).

---

USF leads 31-22. Bryce Wills has 10. 15 minutes left in 2H. I hope the rest of our offense wakes up.

---

38-34 now with 12 minutes left. Maples starting to sound rowdy!
DD with 9 quick points!!!

[JJJ]

Kisunas handling the ball at the top of the key didn't end well. (stolen).

---

USF leads 31-22. Bryce Wills has 10. 15 minutes left in 2H. I hope the rest of our offense wakes up.

---

38-34 now with 12 minutes left. Maples starting to sound rowdy!
DD with 9 quick points!!!

[burger]

Wow, fantastic win.  What grit.

This defense is a joy to watch.

[burger]

Wow, fantastic win.  What grit.

This defense is a joy to watch.

[Crafter Artisan]

We need Lord Tyrell.  The other options got us through tonight, but most of our remaining games will be against teams at least as good as the Dons and we'll have trouble winning without him.  Davis, da Silva, and Spencer Jones at the end were heroes.

[Crafter Artisan]

We need Lord Tyrell.  The other options got us through tonight, but most of our remaining games will be against teams at least as good as the Dons and we'll have trouble winning without him.  Davis, da Silva, and Spencer Jones at the end were heroes.

[needle]

I'm so dumb, I didn't know James Keefe is Adam's son until Monte pointed it out.

I'm very pumped after the win, in no small part because I thought Keefe the Younger showed (I think) he can be a steady contributor. His size will be needed against some of the better teams in Stanford's future.

There's no reason at this point to not view an NCAA bid as a realistic goal. Got to stay healthy, of course, as the offense went missing for long stretches tonight without Terry.

[needle]

I'm so dumb, I didn't know James Keefe is Adam's son until Monte pointed it out.

I'm very pumped after the win, in no small part because I thought Keefe the Younger showed (I think) he can be a steady contributor. His size will be needed against some of the better teams in Stanford's future.

There's no reason at this point to not view an NCAA bid as a realistic goal. Got to stay healthy, of course, as the offense went missing for long stretches tonight without Terry.

[BobK]

James is one of three Keefe-Klein athletes at Stanford.

Very impressed with how tough Stanford played the last 10-12 minutes.

10-1

[BobK]

James is one of three Keefe-Klein athletes at Stanford.

Very impressed with how tough Stanford played the last 10-12 minutes.

10-1

[BostonCard]

Push on the point spread.  Nice comeback.

BC

[BostonCard]

Push on the point spread.  Nice comeback.

BC

[SamuelMcF]

We held USF to BY FAR their season-low. Before this it was 67 vs. ASU...we held them to 56. When your offense isn't clicking (which it most certainly wasn't at first), defense will keep you in the game while you figure it out (which we eventually did...46 points in the 2H).

In past seasons, I guarantee this game would've been a loss. (And in fact, last season it was!) We played our worst half of basketball all season without arguably our most important player against a solid opponent, and instead of folding, gritted our teeth, fought hard, and closed it out down the stretch. Proud of the guys. This will be an important and extremely teachable win for them.

[SamuelMcF]

We held USF to BY FAR their season-low. Before this it was 67 vs. ASU...we held them to 56. When your offense isn't clicking (which it most certainly wasn't at first), defense will keep you in the game while you figure it out (which we eventually did...46 points in the 2H).

In past seasons, I guarantee this game would've been a loss. (And in fact, last season it was!) We played our worst half of basketball all season without arguably our most important player against a solid opponent, and instead of folding, gritted our teeth, fought hard, and closed it out down the stretch. Proud of the guys. This will be an important and extremely teachable win for them.

[pefloresjr]

We held USF to BY FAR their season-low. Before this it was 67 vs. ASU...we held them to 56. When your offense isn't clicking (which it most certainly wasn't at first), defense will keep you in the game while you figure it out (which we eventually did...46 points in the 2H).

In past seasons, I guarantee this game would've been a loss. (And in fact, last season it was!) We played our worst half of basketball all season without arguably our most important player against a solid opponent, and instead of folding, gritted our teeth, fought hard, and closed it out down the stretch. Proud of the guys. This will be an important and extremely teachable win for them.

I agree.  The team was very out of sorts for much of the game but finally found some things that were working and started getting a little offensive rhythm.  It shows what a true point guard can do for a team.  Defense and great shooting have given this team its good start.  With Terry out injured and Jones having a quiet game, I was very happy to see the team keep working and find a way to win.  

Montgomery said a couple of things that were interesting.  He wanted Davis and da Silva to "make something happen" when the team was struggling because your veteran stars need to lead the way in games like this.  They did just that and he said it was time to collect the win and get the heck out of Dodge.  

The most interesting thing he said was that the coaches were telling him last year that they had a "really good" point guard coming in this year (Tyrell Terry).  That adds an interesting fact that supports the possibility that Cormac Ryan left for reasons other than some systemic problem with Haase and his coaches.  I think someone posted something along this line in another thread.  I don't think we have enough information to truly decide whether or not there are systemic issues and I will be watching recruiting and retention closely but I am a little less worried now that I know the coaches were clearly excited about bringing in an upgrade at point.  

Mostly I am super happy to have a reason to pay attention to women's AND men's basketball again.  

Cheers,
Peter

[pefloresjr]

We held USF to BY FAR their season-low. Before this it was 67 vs. ASU...we held them to 56. When your offense isn't clicking (which it most certainly wasn't at first), defense will keep you in the game while you figure it out (which we eventually did...46 points in the 2H).

In past seasons, I guarantee this game would've been a loss. (And in fact, last season it was!) We played our worst half of basketball all season without arguably our most important player against a solid opponent, and instead of folding, gritted our teeth, fought hard, and closed it out down the stretch. Proud of the guys. This will be an important and extremely teachable win for them.

I agree.  The team was very out of sorts for much of the game but finally found some things that were working and started getting a little offensive rhythm.  It shows what a true point guard can do for a team.  Defense and great shooting have given this team its good start.  With Terry out injured and Jones having a quiet game, I was very happy to see the team keep working and find a way to win.  

Montgomery said a couple of things that were interesting.  He wanted Davis and da Silva to "make something happen" when the team was struggling because your veteran stars need to lead the way in games like this.  They did just that and he said it was time to collect the win and get the heck out of Dodge.  

The most interesting thing he said was that the coaches were telling him last year that they had a "really good" point guard coming in this year (Tyrell Terry).  That adds an interesting fact that supports the possibility that Cormac Ryan left for reasons other than some systemic problem with Haase and his coaches.  I think someone posted something along this line in another thread.  I don't think we have enough information to truly decide whether or not there are systemic issues and I will be watching recruiting and retention closely but I am a little less worried now that I know the coaches were clearly excited about bringing in an upgrade at point.  

Mostly I am super happy to have a reason to pay attention to women's AND men's basketball again.  

Cheers,
Peter

[d4cohn]

There's no reason at this point to not view an NCAA bid as a realistic goal. 

Really happy to see the improvement in the team this year, particularly with all of the younger players.
I think our weak non-conference schedule, coupled with our conference not always being the best,
could make our margin of error for a bid rather small.

[d4cohn]

There's no reason at this point to not view an NCAA bid as a realistic goal. 

Really happy to see the improvement in the team this year, particularly with all of the younger players.
I think our weak non-conference schedule, coupled with our conference not always being the best,
could make our margin of error for a bid rather small.

[Renaissance Man]

I have been wondering how we will will respond when we face a team with an elite big man.  While USF did not have an elite big, they did have a big big, and his presence in the middle caused a lot of problems for our 5-out offense.  Kisunas and Keefe are not threats from the perimeter, so there was no need for the big to ever leave the key, allowing the other four to pressure at the 3-point line with no fear of leaving the hoop exposed.  After generating no offense for the first 3/4 of the game, we immediately went on a run when Jimbo Lull went to the bench with foul trouble, and maintained enough momentum to get a win.  I hope that Terry's return somehow changes the dynamic in this situation, but teams will see film, and we will see more of this.

[Renaissance Man]

I have been wondering how we will will respond when we face a team with an elite big man.  While USF did not have an elite big, they did have a big big, and his presence in the middle caused a lot of problems for our 5-out offense.  Kisunas and Keefe are not threats from the perimeter, so there was no need for the big to ever leave the key, allowing the other four to pressure at the 3-point line with no fear of leaving the hoop exposed.  After generating no offense for the first 3/4 of the game, we immediately went on a run when Jimbo Lull went to the bench with foul trouble, and maintained enough momentum to get a win.  I hope that Terry's return somehow changes the dynamic in this situation, but teams will see film, and we will see more of this.

[CompSci87]

When Terry is available, the starters don't include Kisunas or Keefe, and all 5 can shoot, so 5 out offense works then. DaSilva plays the 5. Whether he can defend against an elite big man is an open question, though.

But yeah, it doesn't work when one of those two are in, and they definitely are in the rotation. So it's puzzling to see the offense try to operate with a big man above the 3-point line and his defender sagged all the way into the paint. Seems like a different set is needed for that personnel group.

[CompSci87]

When Terry is available, the starters don't include Kisunas or Keefe, and all 5 can shoot, so 5 out offense works then. DaSilva plays the 5. Whether he can defend against an elite big man is an open question, though.

But yeah, it doesn't work when one of those two are in, and they definitely are in the rotation. So it's puzzling to see the offense try to operate with a big man above the 3-point line and his defender sagged all the way into the paint. Seems like a different set is needed for that personnel group.