[OutsiderFan]

I don't think the issue is the 2018 class size as much as the failure to develop and coach up the roster to at least its expected performance based on recruiting ranking. Stanford did after all win the conference two years after a signing class of 12 in 2013. In recent years, every 5th season Stanford has had a low rated/small recruiting class. But in every year except those "anomaly years" Stanford has had a Top 25 national recruiting class. So in some respects 2018 was right on schedule.

Of course, the last conference championship came on the heels of a Top 10 recruiting class. That is more the norm. I don't think Stanford WBB and WVB would be so great right now if getting recruiting classes ranked in the 20s year after year. But based on recruiting rankings, Shaw is clearly getting less than he should out of the talent he has recruited.  It stands to reason that if recruiting slips further, he will start losing more than he wins annually.  The 2020 season should be a very good one based on the '16 and '17 classes, but not if key contributors leave early.

Stanford Pac-12 signing class ranks (national)
As of now 2020: 3 (21)
2019: 4 (21)
2018: 7 (40)
2017: 2 (14)
2016: 3 (16)
2015: 5 (24)
2014: 2 (13)
2013: 11 (52)
2012: 1 (7)
2011: 4 (22)
2010: 6 (25)
2009: 3 (21)
2008: 9 (47)

[OutsiderFan]

I don't think the issue is the 2018 class size as much as the failure to develop and coach up the roster to at least its expected performance based on recruiting ranking. Stanford did after all win the conference two years after a signing class of 12 in 2013. In recent years, every 5th season Stanford has had a low rated/small recruiting class. But in every year except those "anomaly years" Stanford has had a Top 25 national recruiting class. So in some respects 2018 was right on schedule.

Of course, the last conference championship came on the heels of a Top 10 recruiting class. That is more the norm. I don't think Stanford WBB and WVB would be so great right now if getting recruiting classes ranked in the 20s year after year. But based on recruiting rankings, Shaw is clearly getting less than he should out of the talent he has recruited.  It stands to reason that if recruiting slips further, he will start losing more than he wins annually.  The 2020 season should be a very good one based on the '16 and '17 classes, but not if key contributors leave early.

Stanford Pac-12 signing class ranks (national)
As of now 2020: 3 (21)
2019: 4 (21)
2018: 7 (40)
2017: 2 (14)
2016: 3 (16)
2015: 5 (24)
2014: 2 (13)
2013: 11 (52)
2012: 1 (7)
2011: 4 (22)
2010: 6 (25)
2009: 3 (21)
2008: 9 (47)