[VB Card]

Next up for the 6-0 Cardinal (#68 on KenPom) is a Tuesday match-up with the Grand Canyon Antelopes (3-2; #96 on KenPom) in Palm Desert @ 4 pm PT on TruTV. 

GCU came into this season with a solid amount of hype after finishing last year 30-5, bowing out of the NCAA Tourney in the Round of 32 to Alabama. They return 4/5 starters from last season. The Antelopes have disappointed so far, however, with losses to Arizona State and UC Davis, and wins over Cal State Fullerton, Western Kentucky, and Norfolk State. GCU is led by guard Tyon Grant-Foster (19.0 ppg) and TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles (19.4 ppg). Point guard Rayshon Harrison also can do some damage with season averages of 13.8 ppg and 4.8 apg. Former Arizona State big man Duke Brennan starts at the 5 for the Antelopes and he has almost doubled his scoring averages from a year ago. 

The key for Stanford tomorrow night will be limiting Grant-Foster and Coles, and forcing the Lopes off the 3-point line. This will be the biggest test of the season to date. If Stanford wants to win, we'll need more than just Maxime to step up on the offensive end. For anyone who hasn't tuned into a MBB game yet this season, Maxime Raynaud is one of the best players in the country. He leads the nation in rebounding and double-doubles. He also leads the ACC in scoring. He's a special player, so tune in while you still can. 

This is a one-off neutral site game as part of the greater Acrisure Invitational. Stanford will return to the Bay Area to face Cal Poly (and former Haase assistant Jesse Pruitt) on Saturday.

[VB Card]

Next up for the 6-0 Cardinal (#68 on KenPom) is a Tuesday match-up with the Grand Canyon Antelopes (3-2; #96 on KenPom) in Palm Desert @ 4 pm PT on TruTV. 

GCU came into this season with a solid amount of hype after finishing last year 30-5, bowing out of the NCAA Tourney in the Round of 32 to Alabama. They return 4/5 starters from last season. The Antelopes have disappointed so far, however, with losses to Arizona State and UC Davis, and wins over Cal State Fullerton, Western Kentucky, and Norfolk State. GCU is led by guard Tyon Grant-Foster (19.0 ppg) and TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles (19.4 ppg). Point guard Rayshon Harrison also can do some damage with season averages of 13.8 ppg and 4.8 apg. Former Arizona State big man Duke Brennan starts at the 5 for the Antelopes and he has almost doubled his scoring averages from a year ago. 

The key for Stanford tomorrow night will be limiting Grant-Foster and Coles, and forcing the Lopes off the 3-point line. This will be the biggest test of the season to date. If Stanford wants to win, we'll need more than just Maxime to step up on the offensive end. For anyone who hasn't tuned into a MBB game yet this season, Maxime Raynaud is one of the best players in the country. He leads the nation in rebounding and double-doubles. He also leads the ACC in scoring. He's a special player, so tune in while you still can. 

This is a one-off neutral site game as part of the greater Acrisure Invitational. Stanford will return to the Bay Area to face Cal Poly (and former Haase assistant Jesse Pruitt) on Saturday.

[needle]

Next up for the 6-0 Cardinal (#68 on KenPom) is a Tuesday match-up with the Grand Canyon Antelopes (3-2; #96 on KenPom) in Palm Desert @ 4 pm PT on TruTV. 

GCU came into this season with a solid amount of hype after finishing last year 30-5, bowing out of the NCAA Tourney in the Round of 32 to Alabama. They return 4/5 starters from last season. The Antelopes have disappointed so far, however, with losses to Arizona State and UC Davis, and wins over Cal State Fullerton, Western Kentucky, and Norfolk State. GCU is led by guard Tyon Grant-Foster (19.0 ppg) and TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles (19.4 ppg). Point guard Rayshon Harrison also can do some damage with season averages of 13.8 ppg and 4.8 apg. Former Arizona State big man Duke Brennan starts at the 5 for the Antelopes and he has almost doubled his scoring averages from a year ago. 

The key for Stanford tomorrow night will be limiting Grant-Foster and Coles, and forcing the Lopes off the 3-point line. This will be the biggest test of the season to date. If Stanford wants to win, we'll need more than just Maxime to step up on the offensive end. For anyone who hasn't tuned into a MBB game yet this season, Maxime Raynaud is one of the best players in the country. He leads the nation in rebounding and double-doubles. He also leads the ACC in scoring. He's a special player, so tune in while you still can. 

This is a one-off neutral site game as part of the greater Acrisure Invitational. Stanford will return to the Bay Area to face Cal Poly (and former Haase assistant Jesse Pruitt) on Saturday.

Stanford and Grand Canyon have two common opponents, Norfolk State and UC Davis:

Stanford 79
UC-Davis 65

Grand Canyon 68
UC-Davis 75

+++

Stanford 70
Norfolk State 63

Grand Canyon 91
Norfolk State 73

Notably, Grand Canyon shot 58% from three against Norfolk State but only 16% from three against UC-Davis.

I expect Stanford to dominate because they are the better, more consistent team by far, but an upset loss is definitely not out of the question when you play a team that can be streaky good shooting the ball.

[needle]

Next up for the 6-0 Cardinal (#68 on KenPom) is a Tuesday match-up with the Grand Canyon Antelopes (3-2; #96 on KenPom) in Palm Desert @ 4 pm PT on TruTV. 

GCU came into this season with a solid amount of hype after finishing last year 30-5, bowing out of the NCAA Tourney in the Round of 32 to Alabama. They return 4/5 starters from last season. The Antelopes have disappointed so far, however, with losses to Arizona State and UC Davis, and wins over Cal State Fullerton, Western Kentucky, and Norfolk State. GCU is led by guard Tyon Grant-Foster (19.0 ppg) and TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles (19.4 ppg). Point guard Rayshon Harrison also can do some damage with season averages of 13.8 ppg and 4.8 apg. Former Arizona State big man Duke Brennan starts at the 5 for the Antelopes and he has almost doubled his scoring averages from a year ago. 

The key for Stanford tomorrow night will be limiting Grant-Foster and Coles, and forcing the Lopes off the 3-point line. This will be the biggest test of the season to date. If Stanford wants to win, we'll need more than just Maxime to step up on the offensive end. For anyone who hasn't tuned into a MBB game yet this season, Maxime Raynaud is one of the best players in the country. He leads the nation in rebounding and double-doubles. He also leads the ACC in scoring. He's a special player, so tune in while you still can. 

This is a one-off neutral site game as part of the greater Acrisure Invitational. Stanford will return to the Bay Area to face Cal Poly (and former Haase assistant Jesse Pruitt) on Saturday.

Stanford and Grand Canyon have two common opponents, Norfolk State and UC Davis:

Stanford 79
UC-Davis 65

Grand Canyon 68
UC-Davis 75

+++

Stanford 70
Norfolk State 63

Grand Canyon 91
Norfolk State 73

Notably, Grand Canyon shot 58% from three against Norfolk State but only 16% from three against UC-Davis.

I expect Stanford to dominate because they are the better, more consistent team by far, but an upset loss is definitely not out of the question when you play a team that can be streaky good shooting the ball.

[skip75]

Thanks for a nice preview VB.  A few more notes ...

Grand Canyon favored by 1-1/2.

Grand Canyon is coached by Bryce Drew, famous for a buzzer-beater in the 1998 NCAA tournament to pull out a Valparaiso victory over Ole Miss.  His first head coaching job was at Valpo, where he went 124-49 in 5 seasons.  Three seasons at Vanderbilt didn't go so well (40-59).  In his first 4 seasons at GCU, he is 94-32.

The Antelopes were the WAC regular season and tournament champs last year leading to their NCAA tourney berth.  They are the preseason pick to win it again this year (8 of 9 1st place votes), Grant-Foster is the pick to repeat as WAC Player of the Year, and Grant-Foster & Harrison are 2/5 of the preseason All-WAC team.

A big reason for their disappointing start is that they opened the season without Grant-Foster & Brennan.  This will be just their second game at full strength.

Grant-Foster has had an interesting career to say the least.  He's 24 years old and in his 7th year of college.  He played 2 years at a JC (NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention), played sparingly at Kansas during the Covid year, then transferred to DePaul.  After scoring 9 points in the first half of the season opener, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.  Subsequently, he had 2 heart surgeries, missed that season and the next, then transferred to GCU.  Last season, his first at GCU, he was the WAC Player of the Year, leading the league scoring 20.1 ppg.  He had an eligibility issue to start this season after declaring entry into the 2024 NBA draft and then withdrawing after the May 31 deadline.  So he missed the first 2 games of this season.  Jay Bilas picked Grant-Foster to his pre-season All-American team (2nd team) and said "Don't be surprised if he leads the nation in scoring".  (I'm wondering if Grant-Foster has a sunglasses NIL deal ;-)

Brennan missed the first 4 games with a left arm injury.  In his first game back, the Antelopes led Norfolk State 54-27 at halftime and cruised to a 91-73 win.  They had assists on 31 of 33 made baskets.

By the way Needle, there is a third common opponent - Cal St Fullerton.  GCU beat them 89-79 in their opener.  Four days later, Stanford beat them 80-53.

According to a game preview on the GCU site, only 13% of D1 teams play at a slower pace than Stanford.  Drew says that they prefer a faster pace, and will be looking to "get deflections and put pressure on the defensive end".

I've said all along that this game will be as good a measuring stick as we have until the Cal game a week from Saturday and Oregon 2 weeks later (after finals).  I suppose some will say, "They lost to UC Davis. They suck." I don't think this one is that simple.

[skip75]

Thanks for a nice preview VB.  A few more notes ...

Grand Canyon favored by 1-1/2.

Grand Canyon is coached by Bryce Drew, famous for a buzzer-beater in the 1998 NCAA tournament to pull out a Valparaiso victory over Ole Miss.  His first head coaching job was at Valpo, where he went 124-49 in 5 seasons.  Three seasons at Vanderbilt didn't go so well (40-59).  In his first 4 seasons at GCU, he is 94-32.

The Antelopes were the WAC regular season and tournament champs last year leading to their NCAA tourney berth.  They are the preseason pick to win it again this year (8 of 9 1st place votes), Grant-Foster is the pick to repeat as WAC Player of the Year, and Grant-Foster & Harrison are 2/5 of the preseason All-WAC team.

A big reason for their disappointing start is that they opened the season without Grant-Foster & Brennan.  This will be just their second game at full strength.

Grant-Foster has had an interesting career to say the least.  He's 24 years old and in his 7th year of college.  He played 2 years at a JC (NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention), played sparingly at Kansas during the Covid year, then transferred to DePaul.  After scoring 9 points in the first half of the season opener, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.  Subsequently, he had 2 heart surgeries, missed that season and the next, then transferred to GCU.  Last season, his first at GCU, he was the WAC Player of the Year, leading the league scoring 20.1 ppg.  He had an eligibility issue to start this season after declaring entry into the 2024 NBA draft and then withdrawing after the May 31 deadline.  So he missed the first 2 games of this season.  Jay Bilas picked Grant-Foster to his pre-season All-American team (2nd team) and said "Don't be surprised if he leads the nation in scoring".  (I'm wondering if Grant-Foster has a sunglasses NIL deal ;-)

Brennan missed the first 4 games with a left arm injury.  In his first game back, the Antelopes led Norfolk State 54-27 at halftime and cruised to a 91-73 win.  They had assists on 31 of 33 made baskets.

By the way Needle, there is a third common opponent - Cal St Fullerton.  GCU beat them 89-79 in their opener.  Four days later, Stanford beat them 80-53.

According to a game preview on the GCU site, only 13% of D1 teams play at a slower pace than Stanford.  Drew says that they prefer a faster pace, and will be looking to "get deflections and put pressure on the defensive end".

I've said all along that this game will be as good a measuring stick as we have until the Cal game a week from Saturday and Oregon 2 weeks later (after finals).  I suppose some will say, "They lost to UC Davis. They suck." I don't think this one is that simple.

[needle]

By the way Needle, there is a third common opponent - Cal St Fullerton.  GCU beat them 89-79 in their opener.  Four days later, Stanford beat them 80-53.

Thanks for the correction!

[needle]

By the way Needle, there is a third common opponent - Cal St Fullerton.  GCU beat them 89-79 in their opener.  Four days later, Stanford beat them 80-53.

Thanks for the correction!

[martyup]

I'd like to thank VB and skip75 for great posts about today's game against GCU.  Your information and analysis will help generate more interest among Cardboard members in following MBB.  We are all busy in our lives and many of us don't have the time to look up the information you have provided or keep track of the MBB game schedule.  

The same praise goes to those other members who have taken it upon themselves to take the lead in other Stanford sports on the Cardboard.  Your hard work and dedication is what makes the Cardboard the best place to follow Stanford sports.

[martyup]

I'd like to thank VB and skip75 for great posts about today's game against GCU.  Your information and analysis will help generate more interest among Cardboard members in following MBB.  We are all busy in our lives and many of us don't have the time to look up the information you have provided or keep track of the MBB game schedule.  

The same praise goes to those other members who have taken it upon themselves to take the lead in other Stanford sports on the Cardboard.  Your hard work and dedication is what makes the Cardboard the best place to follow Stanford sports.

[SkiBum80]

Seconding what Marty / Bill Murray / "Bob Wiley" said.

[SkiBum80]

Seconding what Marty / Bill Murray / "Bob Wiley" said.

[SkiBum80]

I’m not sure we win this game or not.
But if Haase were still running the team I’m sure we lose and with turnovers more than double assists if not triple

[SkiBum80]

I’m not sure we win this game or not.
But if Haase were still running the team I’m sure we lose and with turnovers more than double assists if not triple

[PVTree]

Stanford with the 33-32 lead at the half. Eliminate the turnovers and Stanford has a much bigger lead.

Raynaud leading the way as usual on his way to a double-double.

[PVTree]

Stanford with the 33-32 lead at the half. Eliminate the turnovers and Stanford has a much bigger lead.

Raynaud leading the way as usual on his way to a double-double.

[skip75]

The pace seems generally in Stanford's favor.  GCU did well when getting out on fast breaks, but Stanford's been able to limit that.  The defense is doing well containing Grant-Foster - only 3 pts on 1-5 shooting.  Brennan was hurting Stanford on both ends early (6 pts & 4 rebounds, but played only 11 minutes while getting 2 fouls).  Dealing with him in the 2nd half might be the key to game.

[skip75]

The pace seems generally in Stanford's favor.  GCU did well when getting out on fast breaks, but Stanford's been able to limit that.  The defense is doing well containing Grant-Foster - only 3 pts on 1-5 shooting.  Brennan was hurting Stanford on both ends early (6 pts & 4 rebounds, but played only 11 minutes while getting 2 fouls).  Dealing with him in the 2nd half might be the key to game.

[TooMuchTV]

The game is on Max in Dolby Vision/Atmos.

[TooMuchTV]

The game is on Max in Dolby Vision/Atmos.

[PVTree]

It is on TruTV on Infinity.

We are starting to unravel. We are missing shot after shot. GCU is getting many ORs to keep increasing the lead which is up to 7.

[PVTree]

It is on TruTV on Infinity.

We are starting to unravel. We are missing shot after shot. GCU is getting many ORs to keep increasing the lead which is up to 7.

[JJJ]

I understand GCU is no walk in the park, but let’s go Card!

[JJJ]

I understand GCU is no walk in the park, but let’s go Card!

[JohnR34231]

Things look bleak for the good guys as the game winds down.

[JohnR34231]

Things look bleak for the good guys as the game winds down.

[PVTree]

We haven't shown to have reliable scorers other than Raynaud, Sellers, and Blakes. Others seem to be hit or miss. We did well to beat the weak teams on the schedule. As the competition gets tougher, our reality will be revealed. If it's anywhere close to today, I'm hoping to end up with a .500 record after ACC play.

[PVTree]

We haven't shown to have reliable scorers other than Raynaud, Sellers, and Blakes. Others seem to be hit or miss. We did well to beat the weak teams on the schedule. As the competition gets tougher, our reality will be revealed. If it's anywhere close to today, I'm hoping to end up with a .500 record after ACC play.

[Card10Fan]

I'm not a fan of Ryan Agarwal taking and missing as many shots as he does. He's 9/36 from 3 on the season yet shoots a lot. We don't have much offense outside of Raynaud, Sellers, Blakes. Okpara needs to find more ways to contribute. 

GCU is a good team but I think we could have won with better second half play. I still believe in what Kyle Smith is building. 

[Card10Fan]

I'm not a fan of Ryan Agarwal taking and missing as many shots as he does. He's 9/36 from 3 on the season yet shoots a lot. We don't have much offense outside of Raynaud, Sellers, Blakes. Okpara needs to find more ways to contribute. 

GCU is a good team but I think we could have won with better second half play. I still believe in what Kyle Smith is building. 

[needle]

We haven't shown to have reliable scorers other than Raynaud, Sellers, and Blakes. Others seem to be hit or miss. We did well to beat the weak teams on the schedule. As the competition gets tougher, our reality will be revealed. If it's anywhere close to today, I'm hoping to end up with a .500 record after ACC play.

.500 in ACC play would be a dream. KS has a three-man team, and only two showed up tonight (Sellers a complete non-factor in the second half).

That said, I love, love, love that KS gave the young guys some run to show his displeasure with guys like Agarwal and Okpara doing nothing (that's my interpretation, anyway). It will come down to recruiting, but I believe KS knows what to do with talented players if he ever gets enough of them.

EDIT: Ah, I see what you meant now, PVTree. Yes, 15-15 or thereabouts is probably a realistic overall record for this team.

[needle]

We haven't shown to have reliable scorers other than Raynaud, Sellers, and Blakes. Others seem to be hit or miss. We did well to beat the weak teams on the schedule. As the competition gets tougher, our reality will be revealed. If it's anywhere close to today, I'm hoping to end up with a .500 record after ACC play.

.500 in ACC play would be a dream. KS has a three-man team, and only two showed up tonight (Sellers a complete non-factor in the second half).

That said, I love, love, love that KS gave the young guys some run to show his displeasure with guys like Agarwal and Okpara doing nothing (that's my interpretation, anyway). It will come down to recruiting, but I believe KS knows what to do with talented players if he ever gets enough of them.

EDIT: Ah, I see what you meant now, PVTree. Yes, 15-15 or thereabouts is probably a realistic overall record for this team.

[SkiBum80]

We had 11 assists to 13 turnovers
Im guessing first game this season being on the wrong side of that ratio
We still have trouble with teams that play such tight defense
The way to break it down is a quick drive and shoot or dish
Our guys were driving but not finishing well
Lots missed layups albeit contested or drew fouls
But a +1 3pt play beats a missed layup due to foul and then only knocking down 1 of 2 from charity stripe
But I do think last years team mighta had 20 turnovers and been more blown out

[SkiBum80]

We had 11 assists to 13 turnovers
Im guessing first game this season being on the wrong side of that ratio
We still have trouble with teams that play such tight defense
The way to break it down is a quick drive and shoot or dish
Our guys were driving but not finishing well
Lots missed layups albeit contested or drew fouls
But a +1 3pt play beats a missed layup due to foul and then only knocking down 1 of 2 from charity stripe
But I do think last years team mighta had 20 turnovers and been more blown out

[old spanish trail]

Reynaud phenomenal; Blakes and Sellers good enuf; Kanon (?), the redshirt frosh who seems to have taken Okpura's minutes is surprisingly effective and he will get better, Agural maybe 1 for 6 on 3's and he has to be waaay better to finish out of the bottom of the ACC, too bad they don't have Stoyakavic. 0 pts from the bench; Gealer dribbling around to no purpose like he's still in high school; Batson ok defensively; 5 or 6 guys don't play. I like this team, but...

[old spanish trail]

Reynaud phenomenal; Blakes and Sellers good enuf; Kanon (?), the redshirt frosh who seems to have taken Okpura's minutes is surprisingly effective and he will get better, Agural maybe 1 for 6 on 3's and he has to be waaay better to finish out of the bottom of the ACC, too bad they don't have Stoyakavic. 0 pts from the bench; Gealer dribbling around to no purpose like he's still in high school; Batson ok defensively; 5 or 6 guys don't play. I like this team, but...

[MV72018]

Reynaud phenomenal; Blakes and Sellers good enuf; Kanon (?), the redshirt frosh who seems to have taken Okpura's minutes is surprisingly effective and he will get better, Agural maybe 1 for 6 on 3's and he has to be waaay better to finish out of the bottom of the ACC, too bad they don't have Stoyakavic. 0 pts from the bench; Gealer dribbling around to no purpose like he's still in high school; Batson ok defensively; 5 or 6 guys don't play. I like this team, but...

From looking at the highlights on YouTube, it looked like GC was a lot quicker than the Cardinal. They made good use of that quickness and of good shot faking ability and double-clutching to get and make shots that seemed to have been well defended. We had trouble staying even with them after the first half and they gradually pulled away. Two stats tell the tale of the game:

1. FGs  
SU:   24 for 63 (38.1%)
GCU: 25 for 54 (46.3%)

2. 3-point shots
SU:   4 for 22 (18.2%)
GCU: 5 for 12 (41.7%) 

In other words, GCU was a lot more selective and successful in launching 3 balls. SU chucked up almost twice as many 3-balls as GCU but made one less than GCU. 

This was a revealing defeat for the Cardinal. Agarwal has to step up his shooting big time for us to get better. 2 for 11 overall and 0 for 6 on 3-point attempts won't cut it. GCU got 18 points from its bench players, while SU got 0!

[MV72018]

Reynaud phenomenal; Blakes and Sellers good enuf; Kanon (?), the redshirt frosh who seems to have taken Okpura's minutes is surprisingly effective and he will get better, Agural maybe 1 for 6 on 3's and he has to be waaay better to finish out of the bottom of the ACC, too bad they don't have Stoyakavic. 0 pts from the bench; Gealer dribbling around to no purpose like he's still in high school; Batson ok defensively; 5 or 6 guys don't play. I like this team, but...

From looking at the highlights on YouTube, it looked like GC was a lot quicker than the Cardinal. They made good use of that quickness and of good shot faking ability and double-clutching to get and make shots that seemed to have been well defended. We had trouble staying even with them after the first half and they gradually pulled away. Two stats tell the tale of the game:

1. FGs  
SU:   24 for 63 (38.1%)
GCU: 25 for 54 (46.3%)

2. 3-point shots
SU:   4 for 22 (18.2%)
GCU: 5 for 12 (41.7%) 

In other words, GCU was a lot more selective and successful in launching 3 balls. SU chucked up almost twice as many 3-balls as GCU but made one less than GCU. 

This was a revealing defeat for the Cardinal. Agarwal has to step up his shooting big time for us to get better. 2 for 11 overall and 0 for 6 on 3-point attempts won't cut it. GCU got 18 points from its bench players, while SU got 0!

[fullmetal]

GCU's early games not at full strength were not indicative of their true potential.  I guess it happens.  Good lessons for the Stanford men.

[fullmetal]

GCU's early games not at full strength were not indicative of their true potential.  I guess it happens.  Good lessons for the Stanford men.