[skip75]

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/r...first-team
https://theacc.com/news/2025/3/10/dukes-...onors.aspx

[skip75]

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/r...first-team
https://theacc.com/news/2025/3/10/dukes-...onors.aspx

[SkiBum80]

Patterning myself on Coach Taylor's consistent end to pregame pressers, but uttering it with just a bit more enthusiasm and conviction: Go Card!

[SkiBum80]

Patterning myself on Coach Taylor's consistent end to pregame pressers, but uttering it with just a bit more enthusiasm and conviction: Go Card!

[needle]

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.

[needle]

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.

[JJJ]

Thank you for the great preview. Will be watching in real time. Go Card!

[JJJ]

Thank you for the great preview. Will be watching in real time. Go Card!

[fullmetal]

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.

[fullmetal]

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.

[skip75]

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.

[skip75]

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.

[TonyLima]

Anyone else having trouble finding the game on ESPN?

Edit:

Never mind.  It just showed up as "upcoming."

[TonyLima]

Anyone else having trouble finding the game on ESPN?

Edit:

Never mind.  It just showed up as "upcoming."

[JJJ]

ESPNEWS 9-7 Stanford up right now.

[JJJ]

ESPNEWS 9-7 Stanford up right now.

[skip75]

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

[skip75]

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

[TonyLima]

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

[TonyLima]

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

[Spiny_Norman]

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.

[Spiny_Norman]

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.

[TonyLima]

Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.

[TonyLima]

Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.

[76lsjumb]

Just heard that Ted Valentine is one of the refs.
Bummer.
It’s over. We lose. No need to play further.

[76lsjumb]

Just heard that Ted Valentine is one of the refs.
Bummer.
It’s over. We lose. No need to play further.

[ADPinWDC]

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?

[ADPinWDC]

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?

[TonyLima]

Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.

Stanford needs to shoot better.

[TonyLima]

Stojakovic was 7 for 7, just missed his first shot.

Stanford needs to shoot better.

[Spiny_Norman]

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.

[Spiny_Norman]

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.

[fullmetal]

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.

[fullmetal]

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.

[needle]

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.

[needle]

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.

[ADPinWDC]

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

[ADPinWDC]

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

[TonyLima]

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.

[TonyLima]

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.