[skip75]

This road trip is already a success with the dramatic win at VaTech - but why not get greedy?

The Cavaliers (Cavs, Wahoos, Hoos - take your pick) are favored by 11.5 and the over/under is 143.5 - making the implied score 77.5-66. They are 13-2, 2-1 in the ACC, & 9-0 ay home. Best win is vs. NC State, losses were vs. Butler (neutral site) and at VaTech in 3 OTs. They cruised past Cal 84-60 on Weds with five players scoring in double figures. They are #23 in both the AP and Coaches polls.

Nobody who played in UVa's 88-65 loss at Maples last season is playing for the Hoos this season - although we saw Isaac McKneely last week playing for Louisville and Dai Dai Ames is now playing for Cal. They have a new coach (Ryan Odom) and 12 new players. The only holdovers are three redshirt sophomores - none of whom play much. The newcomers include six freshmen, one junior, one senior and four grads.

Starters vs. Cal were:
#28 Thijs (not a typo) De Ridder (6'9/238 Fr F) Played 2 seasons in Liga ACB (Belgium). Leads team with 16.1ppg on 54.3% shooting. Gets 6.3rpg - also 3 fouls/game (has fouled out 3 times).
#1 Thomas Malik (6'5/215 Gr G) 2 years each at USC & USF - 1st team All-WAC last season. Scores 12.8ppg.
#5 Sam Lewis (6'7/210 Jr G) 2 years at Toledo - 2nd team All-MAC. Scores 10.0ppg
#17 Johann Grunloh (7'0/238 Fr C) One season in Germany's basketball Bundesliga. Leads team with 6.9rpg. 2nd in ACC with 2.5 blocks/game.
#30 Dallin Hall (6'4/197 Gr G) 3 seasons at BYU following a 2-year mission. Leads team with 4.0apg. 2nd in ACC with 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

UVa uses a deep rotation with 9 players averaging 17-27 minutes per game - but they are dealing with a couple injuries. Seven different players have led the team in scoring. Other key players are:
#6 Jacori White (6'3/180 Gr G) Leads ACC with 50% shooting on 3s (30-60). Scores 10.9ppg. Has been out since December 20 with a fractured wrist, is now listed as day-to-day, but is not expected to be available today.
#2 Chance Mallory (5'10/166 Fr G) 2nd in ACC with 2.1 steals/game. Scores 10.6ppg.
#11 Devin Tillis (6'7/240 Gr F) 4 years at UCI. Missed the first 4 games following arthroscopic knee surgery in October, appeared to re-injure the knee in the Cal game, but is listed as probable for today.
#33 Ugonna Onyenso (7'0/245 Sr C) 2 years Kentucky/1 year Kansas State. 2.4 blocks/game.

This will be the toughest test of the season so far. Louisville is rated a bit higher, but Stanford got them at Maples. The Hoos lead the ACC in rebounds (42.3/game) & offensive rebounds (14.3). They are 2nd in blocks with 6.47/game. Our big guys will have to be at their best at both ends of the floor.  Maybe UVa will be already be thinking about their trip to Louisville on Tuesday. In any case, I'm looking forward to this game, and as I've said many times (but now I'm adding in something new) - In Kyle & in Ebuka, I trust.

[skip75]

This road trip is already a success with the dramatic win at VaTech - but why not get greedy?

The Cavaliers (Cavs, Wahoos, Hoos - take your pick) are favored by 11.5 and the over/under is 143.5 - making the implied score 77.5-66. They are 13-2, 2-1 in the ACC, & 9-0 ay home. Best win is vs. NC State, losses were vs. Butler (neutral site) and at VaTech in 3 OTs. They cruised past Cal 84-60 on Weds with five players scoring in double figures. They are #23 in both the AP and Coaches polls.

Nobody who played in UVa's 88-65 loss at Maples last season is playing for the Hoos this season - although we saw Isaac McKneely last week playing for Louisville and Dai Dai Ames is now playing for Cal. They have a new coach (Ryan Odom) and 12 new players. The only holdovers are three redshirt sophomores - none of whom play much. The newcomers include six freshmen, one junior, one senior and four grads.

Starters vs. Cal were:
#28 Thijs (not a typo) De Ridder (6'9/238 Fr F) Played 2 seasons in Liga ACB (Belgium). Leads team with 16.1ppg on 54.3% shooting. Gets 6.3rpg - also 3 fouls/game (has fouled out 3 times).
#1 Thomas Malik (6'5/215 Gr G) 2 years each at USC & USF - 1st team All-WAC last season. Scores 12.8ppg.
#5 Sam Lewis (6'7/210 Jr G) 2 years at Toledo - 2nd team All-MAC. Scores 10.0ppg
#17 Johann Grunloh (7'0/238 Fr C) One season in Germany's basketball Bundesliga. Leads team with 6.9rpg. 2nd in ACC with 2.5 blocks/game.
#30 Dallin Hall (6'4/197 Gr G) 3 seasons at BYU following a 2-year mission. Leads team with 4.0apg. 2nd in ACC with 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

UVa uses a deep rotation with 9 players averaging 17-27 minutes per game - but they are dealing with a couple injuries. Seven different players have led the team in scoring. Other key players are:
#6 Jacori White (6'3/180 Gr G) Leads ACC with 50% shooting on 3s (30-60). Scores 10.9ppg. Has been out since December 20 with a fractured wrist, is now listed as day-to-day, but is not expected to be available today.
#2 Chance Mallory (5'10/166 Fr G) 2nd in ACC with 2.1 steals/game. Scores 10.6ppg.
#11 Devin Tillis (6'7/240 Gr F) 4 years at UCI. Missed the first 4 games following arthroscopic knee surgery in October, appeared to re-injure the knee in the Cal game, but is listed as probable for today.
#33 Ugonna Onyenso (7'0/245 Sr C) 2 years Kentucky/1 year Kansas State. 2.4 blocks/game.

This will be the toughest test of the season so far. Louisville is rated a bit higher, but Stanford got them at Maples. The Hoos lead the ACC in rebounds (42.3/game) & offensive rebounds (14.3). They are 2nd in blocks with 6.47/game. Our big guys will have to be at their best at both ends of the floor.  Maybe UVa will be already be thinking about their trip to Louisville on Tuesday. In any case, I'm looking forward to this game, and as I've said many times (but now I'm adding in something new) - In Kyle & in Ebuka, I trust.

[Card10Fan]

Rebounding rebounding rebounding is gonna be key. I think Okpara is gonna need a big bounce back game and Okorie is gonna need to score 25. We will need to make perimeter shots.  Going in with low expectations but hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Splitting on road trips I think i considered a victory with the toughness of the ACC and the travel. Coming home with 2 victories would be monstrous.

[Card10Fan]

Rebounding rebounding rebounding is gonna be key. I think Okpara is gonna need a big bounce back game and Okorie is gonna need to score 25. We will need to make perimeter shots.  Going in with low expectations but hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Splitting on road trips I think i considered a victory with the toughness of the ACC and the travel. Coming home with 2 victories would be monstrous.

[TonyLima]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

[TonyLima]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

[BobK]

Down 41-34 at the half. Their bigs far better than ours but overall Stanford is playing very well. Gealer and Okorie with a combined 27.

[BobK]

Down 41-34 at the half. Their bigs far better than ours but overall Stanford is playing very well. Gealer and Okorie with a combined 27.

[skip75]

Down 41 34 at the half after UVa finishes with a 5-0 run.  Could be much worse after some bad turnovers and giving up way to many O-boards. Difference in the game is UVa's 11 2nd chance points (to 0 for Stanford).

[skip75]

Down 41 34 at the half after UVa finishes with a 5-0 run.  Could be much worse after some bad turnovers and giving up way to many O-boards. Difference in the game is UVa's 11 2nd chance points (to 0 for Stanford).

[BostonCard]

Well, it was close while it lasted, but UVa has opened up an 18 point lead by starting the second half 16-5.

BC

[BostonCard]

Well, it was close while it lasted, but UVa has opened up an 18 point lead by starting the second half 16-5.

BC

[JohnR34231]

Virginia is really taking over now. Oh well.

[JohnR34231]

Virginia is really taking over now. Oh well.

[Nobadeer]

Giltay's eye injury ugh. LSJU hasn't been the same without him. He's the most dynamic frontcourt player as many have recently noted.

If Okorie and Benny G can't re-heat, this could be a rough last 10 minutes.

[Nobadeer]

Giltay's eye injury ugh. LSJU hasn't been the same without him. He's the most dynamic frontcourt player as many have recently noted.

If Okorie and Benny G can't re-heat, this could be a rough last 10 minutes.

[burger]

Many factors contributing to this loss, but the spacing on offense continues to be terrible.

It's like a pick-up game with 5 guys who've never played together before so that no one knows what anyone else wants to do. 

Okpara and Okorie are both excellent drivers, and we essentially never clear out for them.

[burger]

Many factors contributing to this loss, but the spacing on offense continues to be terrible.

It's like a pick-up game with 5 guys who've never played together before so that no one knows what anyone else wants to do. 

Okpara and Okorie are both excellent drivers, and we essentially never clear out for them.

[ADPinWDC]

Agree on bad spacing, not enough team work -- lots of lazy screens.

From here, can we get to 20 wins, before ACC Tourney?  
Close -- we likely end up 19, 20, 21 wins
And getting TWO from KAL would put us at or over 20, I submit.  
Lose both to KAL and we don't get to 20.
We make the NIT by winning 20 and one game in the ACC Tourney.

[ADPinWDC]

Agree on bad spacing, not enough team work -- lots of lazy screens.

From here, can we get to 20 wins, before ACC Tourney?  
Close -- we likely end up 19, 20, 21 wins
And getting TWO from KAL would put us at or over 20, I submit.  
Lose both to KAL and we don't get to 20.
We make the NIT by winning 20 and one game in the ACC Tourney.

[skip75]

Down 41-34 at the half.  Their bigs far better than ours but overall Stanford is playing very well. Gealer and Okorie with a combined 27.

And, unfortunately, a combined 29 at the end.

---

Down 41 34 at the half after UVa finishes with a 5-0 run.  Could be much worse after some bad turnovers and giving up way to many O-boards. Difference in the game is UVa's 11 2nd chance points (to 0 for Stanford).

And it did get much worse.

On the bright side.......
-a 1-1 road trip is a success
-Giltay & Okpara both returned to the game following injuries
-Rohosy was 2-3 from the line!

And now it's back home for 3 at Maples. Bring on the Tar Heels!

[skip75]

Down 41-34 at the half.  Their bigs far better than ours but overall Stanford is playing very well. Gealer and Okorie with a combined 27.

And, unfortunately, a combined 29 at the end.

---

Down 41 34 at the half after UVa finishes with a 5-0 run.  Could be much worse after some bad turnovers and giving up way to many O-boards. Difference in the game is UVa's 11 2nd chance points (to 0 for Stanford).

And it did get much worse.

On the bright side.......
-a 1-1 road trip is a success
-Giltay & Okpara both returned to the game following injuries
-Rohosy was 2-3 from the line!

And now it's back home for 3 at Maples. Bring on the Tar Heels!

[BostonCard]

Agree on bad spacing, not enough team work -- lots of lazy screens.

From here, can we get to 20 wins, before ACC Tourney?  
Close -- we likely end up 19, 20, 21 wins
And getting TWO from KAL would put us at or over 20, I submit.  
Lose both to KAL and we don't get to 20.
We make the NIT by winning 20 and one game in the ACC Tourney.

https://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Stanford&year=2026

Our projected record is 20-11.  We are favored against Cal (at home but not on the road), FSU, Georgia Tech, BC and Pittsburgh, which gets us to 19 wins, but the margin against NC, Clemson, Cal (on the road), SMU, and Notre Dame are all within 5 points, with a win probability of greater than 35% for all of those games, so all of those are “winnable”.

BC

[BostonCard]

Agree on bad spacing, not enough team work -- lots of lazy screens.

From here, can we get to 20 wins, before ACC Tourney?  
Close -- we likely end up 19, 20, 21 wins
And getting TWO from KAL would put us at or over 20, I submit.  
Lose both to KAL and we don't get to 20.
We make the NIT by winning 20 and one game in the ACC Tourney.

https://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Stanford&year=2026

Our projected record is 20-11.  We are favored against Cal (at home but not on the road), FSU, Georgia Tech, BC and Pittsburgh, which gets us to 19 wins, but the margin against NC, Clemson, Cal (on the road), SMU, and Notre Dame are all within 5 points, with a win probability of greater than 35% for all of those games, so all of those are “winnable”.

BC

[needle]

I'd say 20 wins after everything would be a good season. That's always been what I've been hoping for as a (realistic, I think) fan.

That said, if Stanford has somehow come up with a victory, I'd have set my sights much higher.

But there's levels....and, I think after the ND game, I had a good idea that Stanford ain't there yet.

[needle]

I'd say 20 wins after everything would be a good season. That's always been what I've been hoping for as a (realistic, I think) fan.

That said, if Stanford has somehow come up with a victory, I'd have set my sights much higher.

But there's levels....and, I think after the ND game, I had a good idea that Stanford ain't there yet.

[chrisk]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

In the Bay Area, channel 4 is easy to find. Good old over-the-air broadcast. CW probably gets better nationwide coverage than the ACC Network.

[chrisk]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

In the Bay Area, channel 4 is easy to find. Good old over-the-air broadcast. CW probably gets better nationwide coverage than the ACC Network.

[CompSci87]

Wow, I'm out of date. I didn't know 4 had affiliated with CW until you posted. Googling, I see it happened in 2023.

[CompSci87]

Wow, I'm out of date. I didn't know 4 had affiliated with CW until you posted. Googling, I see it happened in 2023.

[TonyLima]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

In the Bay Area, channel 4 is easy to find.  Good old over-the-air broadcast.  CW probably gets better nationwide coverage than the ACC Network.

Thanks.  I could do that, but I think I'll just keep boycotting CW.

[TonyLima]

Sigh. Once again we do hand-to-claw combat with the POS that is CW. Has there ever been a network that makes things as hard to find?  (Highly likely I won’t be posting this game.)

In the Bay Area, channel 4 is easy to find.  Good old over-the-air broadcast.  CW probably gets better nationwide coverage than the ACC Network.

Thanks.  I could do that, but I think I'll just keep boycotting CW.

[SkiBum80]

I'd say 20 wins after everything would be a good season. That's always been what I've been hoping for as a (realistic, I think) fan.

That said, if Stanford has somehow come up with a victory, I'd have set my sights much higher.

But there's levels....and, I think after the ND game, I had a good idea that Stanford ain't there yet.

Agree with this.  
Coach still has to pull it together after discouraging losses like today, and surely more such losses to come, and then organize and motivate our guys to go out and beat the teams we can and should beat.
20 wins would be no small achievement given what we looked like as the season was about to begin.
And would be another over-achievement season for Coach and players in my estimation.
But it still ain't assured and many big tests yet to come to get to 20.
As before, I shy away at this point, from thinking anything more than 20 wins plus maybe NIT as being the high end of my expectations for an extremely successful season.

[SkiBum80]

I'd say 20 wins after everything would be a good season. That's always been what I've been hoping for as a (realistic, I think) fan.

That said, if Stanford has somehow come up with a victory, I'd have set my sights much higher.

But there's levels....and, I think after the ND game, I had a good idea that Stanford ain't there yet.

Agree with this.  
Coach still has to pull it together after discouraging losses like today, and surely more such losses to come, and then organize and motivate our guys to go out and beat the teams we can and should beat.
20 wins would be no small achievement given what we looked like as the season was about to begin.
And would be another over-achievement season for Coach and players in my estimation.
But it still ain't assured and many big tests yet to come to get to 20.
As before, I shy away at this point, from thinking anything more than 20 wins plus maybe NIT as being the high end of my expectations for an extremely successful season.

[SamuelMcF]

A loss away @ NET #16 UVA, even by this much, only pushes us down a few spots to #74.

As I stated previously - finishing even in the same stratosphere of last year's team (#80), considering the significant net talent drain,* would be miracle work.


*Beyond last year's "big three," I don't think folks realize Derin Saran - who rode pine for us - has started every game for NET #125 UC Irvine and leads them in minutes, assists, and steals while second in points and rebounds. Meanwhile, we have 2 shooting guards redshirting.

[SamuelMcF]

A loss away @ NET #16 UVA, even by this much, only pushes us down a few spots to #74.

As I stated previously - finishing even in the same stratosphere of last year's team (#80), considering the significant net talent drain,* would be miracle work.


*Beyond last year's "big three," I don't think folks realize Derin Saran - who rode pine for us - has started every game for NET #125 UC Irvine and leads them in minutes, assists, and steals while second in points and rebounds. Meanwhile, we have 2 shooting guards redshirting.

[ADPinWDC]

YES... in Bracketology, we are in the "Next Four OUT" (#73-76).   
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/...redictions  

Can make NIT, like last year (at 21-14) when we were finished by Kent State in the final 16 of NIT.   
With Okorie would could make Last Eight of NIT...

[ADPinWDC]

YES... in Bracketology, we are in the "Next Four OUT" (#73-76).   
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/...redictions  

Can make NIT, like last year (at 21-14) when we were finished by Kent State in the final 16 of NIT.   
With Okorie would could make Last Eight of NIT...

[Treebound]

I think we make the NIT.  I'm hoping Kyle and Co can outperform and give us a shot at the Dance.  Yes, I'm an optimist, but Okorie is a frosh and is only getting better with each game.   VaTEch was an amazing performance! The Bracketology site lists 8 teams making it in from the ACC.  Can we get ourselves into that 8 spot?     

Looks like the Duke game is sold out and GoStanford is selling tickets at some very high price points.  Given this week's schedule, I'm not happy I gave up my longtime season tickets due to frustration with Muir and Haase.    That said, I'm still going, although I expect to see too much Duke Blue.  Glad the AD is throwing a pre-game tailgate!  Would love to see the students showing up en mass.  Fire them up, Kyle!

[Treebound]

I think we make the NIT.  I'm hoping Kyle and Co can outperform and give us a shot at the Dance.  Yes, I'm an optimist, but Okorie is a frosh and is only getting better with each game.   VaTEch was an amazing performance! The Bracketology site lists 8 teams making it in from the ACC.  Can we get ourselves into that 8 spot?     

Looks like the Duke game is sold out and GoStanford is selling tickets at some very high price points.  Given this week's schedule, I'm not happy I gave up my longtime season tickets due to frustration with Muir and Haase.    That said, I'm still going, although I expect to see too much Duke Blue.  Glad the AD is throwing a pre-game tailgate!  Would love to see the students showing up en mass.  Fire them up, Kyle!