Setting the Stage
Stanford's men's basketball team is gearing up for a showdown against California in Berkeley on February 21 at 3 p.m., broadcast on the ACC Network. With a rivalry that's always intense, Stanford is looking to settle the score after their last encounter.
The Starting Five
Stanford's season is off to a solid 16-10 start, boasting four quadrant one NET victories. They've taken down some big names in the ACC, including No.
14/15 North Carolina, No. 16/13 Louisville, and a road win at Virginia Tech.
Let's talk about Ebuka Okorie, a freshman sensation lighting up the scoreboard with 22.5 points per game. He's not just making waves as a top scorer nationwide but is also turning heads as one of the top freshmen, alongside Duke's Cameron Boozer and BYU's AJ Dybantsa. Recognized for his stellar play, Okorie has earned a spot on the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team as of February 19.
Stanford's triumph at the Acrisure Invitational in Palm Desert was a highlight, with a thrilling buzzer-beater from Benny Gealer securing the win against Saint Louis on November 28.
Stanford is among an elite group of 35 teams nationwide boasting at least four quadrant one wins. They stand as one of 10 ACC teams to achieve this, with three victories over current AP top-25 opponents.
Maxime Raynaud, a Stanford alum, is making his mark in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings. After a standout college career, he's now averaging 11.6 points per game across 30 starts. Other former Cardinal players like Ziaire Williams and Brook Lopez are also contributing well in the league.
Cal, Part II
Stanford aims to notch their first win of the season against Cal on February 21, seeking their sixth victory in the last seven matchups. Last year, under coach Kyle Smith, Stanford swept Cal 3-0, and they haven't been swept by the Bears since the 2009-10 season. Jeremy Dent-Smith was a standout in their previous meeting, scoring 20 points.
Okorie: A Unique Talent
Ebuka Okorie is having a phenomenal season, averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He's making history as the first Stanford freshman since Brook Lopez to score 20 points in four consecutive games and the first to hit back-to-back 30-point games since Landry Fields.
Okorie has shattered the Stanford freshman scoring record three times this season. He first set the mark with 32 points against Colorado, then upped it to 36 against North Carolina, and finally, a jaw-dropping 40 points against Georgia Tech. This makes him the first Stanford player to hit 40 points in a game since Casey Jacobsen in 2002.
His 18 free throws against Colorado are the second most in a single game in Stanford's history, just behind Reid Travis's 19. Okorie ranks ninth in the nation with 6.5 free throws per game, showcasing his prowess at the line.
As Stanford heads into this clash with Cal, all eyes will be on Okorie and the Cardinal as they aim to continue their strong season and assert their dominance in this storied rivalry.