MBB: ACC Tournament -
skip75 - 03-12-2025
Stanford takes on Cal today at 4:00 on ESPN2. Stanford favored by 5.5, O/U is 139.5, implied score is 72.5-67. KenPom prediction is a 74-71 Stanford win.
Here is my preview & the game thread for Stanford's 66-61 win over the Bears at Maples on Feb. 22.
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=25482
Here is a preview from the Sleepers Media podcast (a couple of Michigan State guys):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACujnmJsLsg Spoiler alert: they both pick Cal - partly due to the "hard to beat a team 3 times in a season" theory. I've never bought into that theory fully. Duke has beaten Miami twice this season & if they played them again the outcome is not going to be any different. For 2 teams more evenly matched (like Stanford & Cal), the theory makes more sense. But I have faith in Kyle Smith & his staff to make the adjustments pre-game & in-game to make that third victory possible.
One factor that might be in Stanford's favor is that Cal needed 2 OTs to get past Virginia Tech yesterday. They essentially went with a 7-man rotation (Spencer Mahoney played only 2 minutes & Christian Tucker played 1 minute). Among the starters: Rytis Petraitis played 46 minutes; Andrej Stojakovich & Jeremiah Wilkinson each played 44; and Mady Sissoko & Jovan Blacksher Jr. each played 36. DJ Campbell (27 minutes) & Lee Dort (14) rounded out the rotation.
Stojakovich led Cal with 29 points on 11-20 shooting (3-6 on 3s). To really oversimplify things, I think that this game make just come down to who is the best player on the court today - Andrej or Maxime (although Wilkinson was probably the guy who gave Stanford the most trouble in Cal's comeback at Maples). I like our chances, but it won't be easy.
By the way - congrats to Maxime!
https://gostanford.com/news/2025/03/10/raynaud-named-to-all-acc-first-team
https://theacc.com/news/2025/3/10/dukes-cooper-flagg-headlines-acc-mens-basketball-2024-25-season-honors.aspx
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
SkiBum80 - 03-12-2025
Patterning myself on Coach Taylor's consistent end to pregame pressers, but uttering it with just a bit more enthusiasm and conviction: Go Card!
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
needle - 03-12-2025
I think Kal has the "intangibles" edge despite the lengthy OT games they've played consecutively, as they are no doubt firm believers in the winning-begets-winning theory. Plus, you know Madsen and Andrej are going to be motivated going against their former teams.
That said, I think Stanford has proven over the course of the season that they are the better, more consistent team. But no predictions from me today.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
JJJ - 03-12-2025
Thank you for the great preview. Will be watching in real time. Go Card!
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
fullmetal - 03-12-2025
Stanford was up big against kal (+16 pts) as late as the middle of the 2H back in Feb. They just have to learn to shut the door completely and not get complacent. Could have been a rotation or foul trouble issue on kal's part, but still...protect that lead. Every possession counts.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
skip75 - 03-12-2025
I didn't see Cal's game yesterday, but heard (on the TreeCast & on one of the ACC tourney games earlier today) that both Jeremiah Wilkinson & Jovan Blacksher Jr. were injured - one close to the end of regulation time and one in the 2nd OT. Starting line-ups are posted and neither Wilkinson or Blacksher is starting. Not sure what their availability might be. So the Bears starting back court will be DJ Campbell & Christian Tucker.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
TonyLima - 03-12-2025
Anyone else having trouble finding the game on ESPN?
Edit:
Never mind. It just showed up as "upcoming."
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
JJJ - 03-12-2025
ESPNEWS 9-7 Stanford up right now.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
skip75 - 03-12-2025
(03-12-2025, 03:53 PM)skip75 Wrote: I didn't see Cal's game yesterday, but heard (on the TreeCast & on one of the ACC tourney games earlier today) that both Jeremiah Wilkinson & Jovan Blacksher Jr. were injured - one close to the end of regulation time and one in the 2nd OT. Starting line-ups are posted and neither Wilkinson or Blacksher is starting. Not sure what their availability might be. So the Bears starting back court will be DJ Campbell & Christian Tucker.
Both are unavailable.
Stanford up early: Stanford 9 - Stojakovich 7
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
TonyLima - 03-12-2025
(03-12-2025, 03:53 PM)skip75 Wrote: I didn't see Cal's game yesterday, but heard (on the TreeCast & on one of the ACC tourney games earlier today) that both Jeremiah Wilkinson & Jovan Blacksher Jr. were injured - one close to the end of regulation time and one in the 2nd OT. Starting line-ups are posted and neither Wilkinson or Blacksher is starting. Not sure what their availability might be. So the Bears starting back court will be DJ Campbell & Christian Tucker.
*Kal’s
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
Spiny_Norman - 03-12-2025
Cal can't miss. Stojakovic is 7-8.
And they are double-teaming Stanford like crazy, putting a lot of pressure on Stanford. Cal also rebounding like maniacs, killing Stanford on the boards.
Stanford needs defensive stops to get back in the game.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
TonyLima - 03-12-2025
Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.
76lsjumb -
76lsjumb - 03-12-2025
Just heard that Ted Valentine is one of the refs.
Bummer.
It’s over. We lose. No need to play further.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
ADPinWDC - 03-12-2025
Neither team playing much defense.
Kal is getting too many garbage shots.
Ok, Raynaud and Gealer with threes. Fine.
And, leave Blakes (#21) in the game -- he carried us early.
Too much standing around without the ball; go set a pick.
If Raynaud shoots outside, nobody is underneath for a rebound.
Do we have ANYONE who can harass Stojakovic?
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
TonyLima - 03-12-2025
(03-12-2025, 04:29 PM)TonyLima Wrote: Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.
Stanford needs to shoot better.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
Spiny_Norman - 03-12-2025
(03-12-2025, 04:33 PM)TonyLima Wrote: (03-12-2025, 04:29 PM)TonyLima Wrote: Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.
Stanford needs to shoot better.
Stanford 7-10 from 3 and 2-9 from 2.
Cal is 2-6 from 3 and 11-13 from 2.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
fullmetal - 03-12-2025
Throwing up prayers as you run through the lane isn't a great strategy. Gotta create, or at least draw in the defenders so you can kick out for an open three.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
needle - 03-12-2025
Shouldn't Stanford at least occasionally drive to the basket in hopes of getting some fouls called against this short-handed Kal team? I'm exaggerating, but not by much.
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
ADPinWDC - 03-12-2025
Points in the paint at 6m 1H:
Kal 20, STAN 4
We are only in this game by making 3s
We need a taller lineup out there
Playing three guards.
And Raynaud can make a lot of points attacking the rim. Kal won't stop him
RE: MBB: ACC Tournament -
TonyLima - 03-12-2025
(03-12-2025, 04:34 PM)Spiny_Norman Wrote: (03-12-2025, 04:33 PM)TonyLima Wrote: (03-12-2025, 04:29 PM)TonyLima Wrote: Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.
Stanford needs to shoot better.
Stanford 7-10 from 3 and 2-9 from 2.
Cal is 2-6 from 3 and 11-13 from 2.
my bad. They need to rebound better.