[81alum]

Graves has been quoted that he’s happy with less.   Tara quoted at the open practice last week that she wants 15 and to paraphrase a bit women deserve the chance

I’m sure we will play Oregon in March see ya in Vegas

The different philosophies probably have to do with the value of the degrees.  Of the 15 people we carry on our team, there are usually a small number who never play significant minutes in any of their four years. 

A rare few of our players start for 4 years, more of them earn starting roles by the time they are juniors or seniors, and a few more become very significant to the rotation and earn significant minutes even if they never start.  But then there are always a few others who don't really do any of those things--but they are important in practice, they join the sisterhood that is the team, and they graduate with a degree from Stanford University.  They might even go on an archaeological dig in Peru.  Those same players could perhaps have been four year starters at a lesser program, but their lives are deeply enriched by being at Stanford.  I think that may be what Tara means when she says "They deserve a chance."  Not just a chance at basketball, but a chance at a much better life.  Carrying fewer than 15 means the program is not providing that chance to as many women as it could.

As much as I like Graves as a coach, I doubt he has quite that perspective.

[81alum]

Graves has been quoted that he’s happy with less.   Tara quoted at the open practice last week that she wants 15 and to paraphrase a bit women deserve the chance

I’m sure we will play Oregon in March see ya in Vegas

The different philosophies probably have to do with the value of the degrees.  Of the 15 people we carry on our team, there are usually a small number who never play significant minutes in any of their four years. 

A rare few of our players start for 4 years, more of them earn starting roles by the time they are juniors or seniors, and a few more become very significant to the rotation and earn significant minutes even if they never start.  But then there are always a few others who don't really do any of those things--but they are important in practice, they join the sisterhood that is the team, and they graduate with a degree from Stanford University.  They might even go on an archaeological dig in Peru.  Those same players could perhaps have been four year starters at a lesser program, but their lives are deeply enriched by being at Stanford.  I think that may be what Tara means when she says "They deserve a chance."  Not just a chance at basketball, but a chance at a much better life.  Carrying fewer than 15 means the program is not providing that chance to as many women as it could.

As much as I like Graves as a coach, I doubt he has quite that perspective.