[bl82]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along? Did he warm up prior to the Cal game? Is he in a boot?

[bl82]

After defeating Cal 57-50, the Stanford men remain at #89 in the NET rankings. But Thursday's game vs #37 WSU is another opportunity for a Quad 1 (at least for now) win. Stanford won 62-57 at WSU on January 13, but since then the Cougars have gone 3-0 with home wins over Cal by 8, Utah by 17 and Colorado by 27.

Overall, Wazzu is 12-7 (5-3) and in a virtual tie with Stanford, 13-7 (6-4) for 6th in the conference. Here's a comparison of NET-based results:

Quad 1
WSU 0-2, Stanford 4-4

Quad 2
WSU 1-2, Stanford 2-2

Quad 3
WSU 6-2, Stanford 2-1

Quad 4
WSU 5-1, Stanford 5-0

Stanford is 9-1 at Maples, while WSU is 3-1 in true road games.

As far as team statistics, WSU is tops in conference games in opponent's FG (38.9%) and opponent's 3-pt FG (26.3%), 3rd in rebounding margin, 4th in TOs forced and best in points allowed. They are led offensively by guards Michael Flowers (12.9 ppg in conference play), Noah Williams 11.6 ppg) and Tyrell Roberts (10.9 ppg).

Besides TOs the most concerning Stanford statistic, for me, is that the Cardinal have made only 6 of their last 35 3-point FG attempts spanning the last two games. 17% 3-pt FG shooting will likely doom the Cardinal versus WSU.

ESPN BPI gives the Cardinal a 47.5% probability of beating the Cougars.

Speaking of problems with our 3-point shooting, any sense of how Taitz is coming along? Did he warm up prior to the Cal game? Is he in a boot?