Stanford Men's Basketball Rolling into Matchup with UT Arlington Behind Strong Start, Stellar Freshman Play, and Veteran Leadership
As Stanford gears up for its penultimate nonconference clash at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal are riding the momentum of an 8-2 start and showing signs that this team might have staying power in year two of its ACC journey. Wednesday night’s matchup against UT Arlington tips off at 7 p.m. PT and will stream on ACC Network Extra.
A Strong Foundation Through Ten Games
Stanford has taken care of business early, stacking up wins over Minnesota, Saint Louis, Portland State, Montana, Montana State, Louisiana, Portland, and San Jose State. The Cardinal aren’t just winning-they’re doing it with authority, outscoring opponents by an average of 9.1 points per game. That kind of margin speaks to both ends of the floor: efficient offense paired with disciplined defense.
One of the signature moments so far came in the Acrisure Invitational, where Stanford took the title behind a dramatic buzzer-beater from Benny Gealer to edge out Saint Louis. That win, along with a solid showing against Minnesota, gave the Cardinal a confidence boost that’s been evident in their play since.
Ebuka Okorie: Freshman Phenom
There’s no sugarcoating it-Ebuka Okorie has been electric. The freshman guard is putting up 21.0 points per game, which places him 14th nationally and second among all freshmen.
That’s elite company. Only Duke’s Cameron Boozer and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa are averaging more among first-year players.
Okorie’s scoring isn’t just volume-it’s impact. He’s become a go-to option in crunch time and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
He’s getting help, too. Chisom Okpara is quietly putting together a strong campaign of his own, averaging 15.2 points per game-good for 17th in the ACC. Together, they’ve formed a dynamic inside-out combo that gives Stanford a versatile offensive identity.
Building on Last Season’s Momentum
Under head coach Kyle Smith, the program has taken a clear step forward. Last season, Stanford racked up 21 wins-the most since 2014-15-and matched the program record for home victories with 17.
That kind of progress doesn’t happen by accident. Smith has brought a defensive edge and a culture of accountability that’s translating into wins.
Stanford’s inaugural season in the ACC ended with a seventh-place finish and a postseason berth in the NIT-their first since 2018. Now in year two, the foundation is firmer, and the expectations are rising.
From The Farm to the NBA: Raynaud, Jones, and Williams Making Noise
Maxime Raynaud, who graduated in 2025 after a standout season, is already making an impact at the next level. The All-American big man was drafted by the Sacramento Kings and has been productive early in his rookie campaign, averaging 14.4 points over his last seven games. He recently dropped a career-high 25 points, joining fellow Stanford alums Spencer Jones (career-high 28) and Ziaire Williams (20+) in putting up big numbers in the NBA since December 1.
That kind of professional success is a recruiting tool in itself-and a testament to the development pipeline Stanford is building under Smith.
Graduate Transfers Making Immediate Impact
Stanford’s depth has been bolstered by two graduate transfers who’ve wasted no time making their presence felt. AJ Rohosy, a Division III standout from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, has been remarkably efficient, averaging 10.4 points on 56 percent shooting. He’s already hit double figures in five games and brings a steady, high-IQ presence to the floor.
Jeremy Dent-Smith, a two-time All-American at Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills, has chipped in 8.2 points per game and reached double digits four times. Both players have seamlessly transitioned to the Division I level, giving the Cardinal valuable experience and scoring punch off the bench.
Looking Ahead
With one more nonconference game after UT Arlington before diving fully into ACC play, Stanford is in a good place. They’ve blended young talent with veteran leadership, leaned on a defense-first mindset, and are starting to look like a team that could do some damage in conference play.
Wednesday night’s matchup offers another chance to sharpen the edges before the grind of league play begins. If the Cardinal continue on their current trajectory, they won’t just be a tough out in the ACC-they might be one of the teams to watch come March.