[Papa John]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

[Papa John]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

[bl82]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along? Did he warm up prior to the Cal game? Is he in a boot?

[bl82]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along? Did he warm up prior to the Cal game? Is he in a boot?

[Papa John]

<snip>
Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along?  Did he warm up prior to the Cal game?  Is he in a boot?

According to the Cal game recap on Rivals, it doesn't look like Taitz will be playing vs WSU or even UW:

Note: Sophomore guard Noah Taitz (lower leg) was still out for Stanford. Below is what Jerod Haase said about his return timeline and what it’ll mean to get him back:

“Yeah, we don’t have a timetable at this point still. So, I don’t have anything more on that unfortunately. But yeah, with Noah, he adds a real spark to the team, has the ability to shoot the basketball at such a high rate and we’re anxious to get him back and do think that could add depth and quality depth at that.”

https://stanford.rivals.com/news/recap-s...y-over-cal

[Papa John]

<snip>
Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along?  Did he warm up prior to the Cal game?  Is he in a boot?

According to the Cal game recap on Rivals, it doesn't look like Taitz will be playing vs WSU or even UW:

Note: Sophomore guard Noah Taitz (lower leg) was still out for Stanford. Below is what Jerod Haase said about his return timeline and what it’ll mean to get him back:

“Yeah, we don’t have a timetable at this point still. So, I don’t have anything more on that unfortunately. But yeah, with Noah, he adds a real spark to the team, has the ability to shoot the basketball at such a high rate and we’re anxious to get him back and do think that could add depth and quality depth at that.”

https://stanford.rivals.com/news/recap-s...y-over-cal

[JJJ]

During the Cal game broadcast, Don MacLean and Ted Robinson(?) were going on about how they couldn't understand NET ratings, and wishing we went back to RPI.

[JJJ]

During the Cal game broadcast, Don MacLean and Ted Robinson(?) were going on about how they couldn't understand NET ratings, and wishing we went back to RPI.

[Papa John]

I think Google had something to do with creating the NET algorithm, so I guess, indirectly, Stanford is partly to blame? But plenty of people dislike the RPI rankings because they didn't take into account margin of victory (or loss). So per usual, there isn't any ranking system with which everyone will agree.

The bottom line is that NET has been around for at least a couple of years, so basketball coaches should not be surprised at a low ranking if they can't put bad teams away and lose by 20+ points to elite teams.

[Papa John]

I think Google had something to do with creating the NET algorithm, so I guess, indirectly, Stanford is partly to blame? But plenty of people dislike the RPI rankings because they didn't take into account margin of victory (or loss). So per usual, there isn't any ranking system with which everyone will agree.

The bottom line is that NET has been around for at least a couple of years, so basketball coaches should not be surprised at a low ranking if they can't put bad teams away and lose by 20+ points to elite teams.

[winflop]

This is the must win of must win games this year. They won't get many more shots at tournament-caliber teams. Need to stack up as many Quad 1 & 2 wins as possible.

[winflop]

This is the must win of must win games this year. They won't get many more shots at tournament-caliber teams. Need to stack up as many Quad 1 & 2 wins as possible.

[McKenwood]

WSU is 3.5 point favorite. A little surprising given Stanford's (relative) strength at home.

Stanford needs to get off to a good start and then limit their periods of offensive inefficiency. Be prepared for pressure.

[McKenwood]

WSU is 3.5 point favorite. A little surprising given Stanford's (relative) strength at home.

Stanford needs to get off to a good start and then limit their periods of offensive inefficiency. Be prepared for pressure.

[SamuelMcF]

WSU is 3.5 point favorite. A little surprising given Stanford's (relative) strength at home.

Stanford needs to get off to a good start and then limit their periods of offensive inefficiency. Be prepared for pressure.

Wazzu was favored by 7.5 in our road game. This line seems consistent with that, even if we won the last one.

As a comparison, USC was favored by 7 at Maples, then by 11 at Galen despite our prior win. This is pretty much exactly the same.

[SamuelMcF]

WSU is 3.5 point favorite. A little surprising given Stanford's (relative) strength at home.

Stanford needs to get off to a good start and then limit their periods of offensive inefficiency. Be prepared for pressure.

Wazzu was favored by 7.5 in our road game. This line seems consistent with that, even if we won the last one.

As a comparison, USC was favored by 7 at Maples, then by 11 at Galen despite our prior win. This is pretty much exactly the same.

[burger]

Down 18-7 after 8 minutes 

Haase's offense is just unwatchable when we face a good defense.  Sloppy passing. No schemes to get good shots.  Terrible spacing.  Why do I keep watching these games?

[burger]

Down 18-7 after 8 minutes 

Haase's offense is just unwatchable when we face a good defense.  Sloppy passing. No schemes to get good shots.  Terrible spacing.  Why do I keep watching these games?

[martyup]

Terrible start for the Cardinal.  We can't hit out 3s and WSU is hitting most of theirs.

It's hard to watch Keefe get the ball at the free throw line and the defense backs away from him to clog the paint and prevent cutters.  If he could just develop his 15 foot shot . . .

[martyup]

Terrible start for the Cardinal.  We can't hit out 3s and WSU is hitting most of theirs.

It's hard to watch Keefe get the ball at the free throw line and the defense backs away from him to clog the paint and prevent cutters.  If he could just develop his 15 foot shot . . .

[Card10Fan]

Uninspiring start yet again. They pressure on the perimeter and deny our passing side to side and our team hasn't handled it well. Our offense is very out of sorts. O boards keeping us in it. Can we actually ever play well at home in a big game? Apparently not.

[Card10Fan]

Uninspiring start yet again. They pressure on the perimeter and deny our passing side to side and our team hasn't handled it well. Our offense is very out of sorts. O boards keeping us in it. Can we actually ever play well at home in a big game? Apparently not.

[old spanish trail]

I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

[old spanish trail]

I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

[Card10Fan]

The thing that gets me is just how poorly we play and how unexciting our team is to watch. It's like we have no scheme or plan. Haase's teams always lack fundamentals; free throw shooting,  turnovers (case in point it's currently 15-0 WSU on points off turnovers). Our offense @UCLA, vs Cal, and in this game so far ABYSMAL.

If we played well, competed and still lost, i'd be ok with it. That's not the case. We never peak at the end of the season or play well in the big games. It's the same story every year.

[Card10Fan]

The thing that gets me is just how poorly we play and how unexciting our team is to watch. It's like we have no scheme or plan. Haase's teams always lack fundamentals; free throw shooting,  turnovers (case in point it's currently 15-0 WSU on points off turnovers). Our offense @UCLA, vs Cal, and in this game so far ABYSMAL.

If we played well, competed and still lost, i'd be ok with it. That's not the case. We never peak at the end of the season or play well in the big games. It's the same story every year.

[martyup]

I'm glad the women play at 7 PM because this game is not fun to watch.

If we can do what we did to the Cougs in Pullman, we are still in this game.  I think we went on a 23-0 run in that game.

[martyup]

I'm glad the women play at 7 PM because this game is not fun to watch.

If we can do what we did to the Cougs in Pullman, we are still in this game.  I think we went on a 23-0 run in that game.

[burger]

I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

You mean Beskind, I assume?  He's not a scorer at all, but he's a pretty good defender.  And we're missing Taitz now, so we're thin at guard.

The thing that Haase is doing wrong is having Beskind and Keefe on the floor at the same time.  That's two guys who aren't shooting threats  You can't let the defense just play 5 on 3.

[burger]

I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

You mean Beskind, I assume?  He's not a scorer at all, but he's a pretty good defender.  And we're missing Taitz now, so we're thin at guard.

The thing that Haase is doing wrong is having Beskind and Keefe on the floor at the same time.  That's two guys who aren't shooting threats  You can't let the defense just play 5 on 3.

[old spanish trail]

The thing that gets me is just how poorly we play and how unexciting our team is to watch. It's like we have no scheme or plan. Haase's teams always lack fundamentals; free throw shooting,  turnovers (case in point it's currently 15-0 WSU on points off turnovers). Our offense @UCLA, vs Cal, and in this game so far ABYSMAL.

If we played well, competed and still lost, i'd be ok with it. That's not the case. We never peak at the end of the season or play well in the big games. It's the same story every year.
[/quote}

---------

Yep, no scheme and many turnovers. DeLaire looks frustrated, the rest look puzzled. And, it's so gd boring.

---

[quote="old spanish trail" pid='343460' dateline='1643942193']
I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

You mean Beskind, I assume?  He's not a scorer at all, but he's a pretty good defender.  And we're missing Taitz now, so we're thin at guard.

The thing that Haase is doing wrong is having Beskind and Keefe on the floor at the same time.  That's two guys who aren't shooting threats  You can't let the defense just play 5 on 3.

Yep, sorry, Beskind. 5 on 3 makes it real tough on the other 3. It's not like the other team doesn't know. Keefe is holding his own, sort of, under the basket, but he is not an offensive threat.

[old spanish trail]

The thing that gets me is just how poorly we play and how unexciting our team is to watch. It's like we have no scheme or plan. Haase's teams always lack fundamentals; free throw shooting,  turnovers (case in point it's currently 15-0 WSU on points off turnovers). Our offense @UCLA, vs Cal, and in this game so far ABYSMAL.

If we played well, competed and still lost, i'd be ok with it. That's not the case. We never peak at the end of the season or play well in the big games. It's the same story every year.
[/quote}

---------

Yep, no scheme and many turnovers. DeLaire looks frustrated, the rest look puzzled. And, it's so gd boring.

---

[quote="old spanish trail" pid='343460' dateline='1643942193']
I'm sorry, I kknow he plays hard but Becton is just a black hole at the shooting guard position. We should have hired Kyle Smith

You mean Beskind, I assume?  He's not a scorer at all, but he's a pretty good defender.  And we're missing Taitz now, so we're thin at guard.

The thing that Haase is doing wrong is having Beskind and Keefe on the floor at the same time.  That's two guys who aren't shooting threats  You can't let the defense just play 5 on 3.

Yep, sorry, Beskind. 5 on 3 makes it real tough on the other 3. It's not like the other team doesn't know. Keefe is holding his own, sort of, under the basket, but he is not an offensive threat.

[BostonCard]

Ingram just doesn’t have it today.  0/5, with 0 points, 3 rebounds, and 0 assists.  I mean, Beskind we aren’t expecting anything of, but if your top scorer goes cold, you are screwed.

BC

[BostonCard]

Ingram just doesn’t have it today.  0/5, with 0 points, 3 rebounds, and 0 assists.  I mean, Beskind we aren’t expecting anything of, but if your top scorer goes cold, you are screwed.

BC

[JJJ]

Terrible start for the Cardinal.  We can't hit out 3s and WSU is hitting most of theirs.

It's hard to watch Keefe get the ball at the free throw line and the defense backs away from him to clog the paint and prevent cutters.  If he could just develop his 15 foot shot . . .

Agreed. I don’t understand what Haase is trying to accomplish when they do that. But I’m still watching. And I think Keefe deserves to start.

---

Murrel should’ve thrown the ball off his defender’s feet when trying to save it from going out of bounds.

[JJJ]

Terrible start for the Cardinal.  We can't hit out 3s and WSU is hitting most of theirs.

It's hard to watch Keefe get the ball at the free throw line and the defense backs away from him to clog the paint and prevent cutters.  If he could just develop his 15 foot shot . . .

Agreed. I don’t understand what Haase is trying to accomplish when they do that. But I’m still watching. And I think Keefe deserves to start.

---

Murrel should’ve thrown the ball off his defender’s feet when trying to save it from going out of bounds.

[JJJ]

That was a winnable game.

[JJJ]

That was a winnable game.

[PVTree]

That was a winnable game.

That's the third winnable game that slips away (Colorado and Washington being the other 2).

[PVTree]

That was a winnable game.

That's the third winnable game that slips away (Colorado and Washington being the other 2).