Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
Canes Rising Contributor
Opponent/Conference: Leland Stanford Junior University (Pacific 12)
Location: New York City/ Madison Square Garden (Capacity: 19,812)
Date/Time: April 2nd/9 PM ET
TV/Radio: ESPN/WVUM (90.5 FM)
Game Notes
Stanford's Best Scorer--Chasson Randle (19.4 PPG)
Stanford's Best Rebounder--Anthony Brown (6.8 RPG)
Stanford's Best Distributor--Chasson Randle (3.0 APG)
Stanford's Best Perimeter Shooter--Anthony Brown (44.3%)
Stanford's Best Free Throw Shooter--Chasson Randle (87.8%)
Team Notes
Stanford's Record--23-13 (9-9)
NIT Seed--2
Stanford's Best Wins--@Texas(74-71), Connecticut(72-59)
Players to Watch
Coming into the season, Stanford was a team that was projected to be a major factor in March. Johnny Dawkins' team underachieved terribly, failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, and looking nothing like the team that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last season. Stanford has a ton of firepower, especially at the guard position. Chasson Randle is Stanford's all time leading scorer, averaging over nineteen points per game this season. He can score any way he chooses, he can shoot from the perimeter, he can slash to the rim, and he's one of the best free throw shooters in the country. While Randle is an outstanding talent, he isn't the only Cardinal that fans should be watching, Stefan Nastic is a talented, skilled big that possesses outstanding size, and uncommon athleticism. The 6'11 center averages 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Nastic isn't your typical large, lumbering oaf, he has good feet, and is deadly in the low post. Another player to watch is Anthony Brown, a long, athletic wing that averages 14.9 points per game.
Keys to Victory
Be Sharp--Stanford has a ton of offensive weapons, Miami has to avoid giving points away. That means that mental errors can't happen. The Cardinal can't be given easy layups, or cheap putbacks. When the 'Canes double Nastic in the post, the rotations have to be timely and sure. If players don't rotate correctly, open shots will result, and the Cardinal can and will make open shots from beyond the arc. In Stanford's last game, the Old Dominion Monarchs allowed Stanford to have a ton of cheap baskets early, which proved to be too much to overcome. Make Stanford work for every basket, make them use every second of the shot clock.
Move the Ball--When ODU made their move in the second half, they moved the basketball around very well. Miami has to do the same, because Stanford does struggle defensively. The offense can't be isolation based, the ball has to move from side to side. When Stanford is forced to move, they make mistakes, and those mistakes can lead to easy scoring opportunities. Moving the ball also keeps Stanford from conserving their energy on the defensive end, they aren't an overly deep team, with six players playing a lion's share of the minutes.
Team Rebounding--Tonye Jekiri has been ruled out for this game, due to a concussion suffered during the NIT Semifinal. The 'Canes will be hard pressed to replace Jekiri, but can match his production in the aggregate. Sheldon McClellan, Davon Reed and Ivan Cruz-Uceda have to be active on the boards, and they must have help from their teammates. This team has to work together to overcome their lack of bulk on the frontline. Miami has to find a way to stay close on the boards, if Stanford can overwhelm the 'Canes on the glass, this game will be a rout.
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