Setting the Scene
Stanford is gearing up for an electrifying showdown at Maples Pavilion as they host Pittsburgh for the final homestand of the regular season. The action tips off on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
The Starting Five
Stanford's season has been a thrilling ride, boasting a 16-11 record with impressive victories in four quadrant one NET games. They've taken down big names like North Carolina, Louisville, Saint Louis, and Virginia Tech. This squad is proving they can hang with the best.
Ebuka Okorie is a name that's been buzzing all season. Averaging 22.3 points per game, he ranks seventh in the nation and is making waves as a freshman, only trailing Duke's Cameron Boozer and BYU's AJ Dybantsa. His stellar performance has earned him a spot on the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team, a testament to his impact on the court.
The Cardinal's triumph at the Acrisure Invitational in Palm Desert was a highlight, with Benny Gealer's buzzer-beater against Minnesota sealing the deal. Only 36 teams nationwide have snagged at least four quadrant one wins, and Stanford is among the elite eight in the ACC to achieve this feat.
Maxime Raynaud, a Stanford alumnus, continues to shine in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, demonstrating the strength of the Cardinal's program. His success, along with other Stanford NBA alumni like Ziaire Williams and Brook Lopez, underscores the program's ability to develop top-tier talent.
Homestand Begins with Pitt
Stanford is on the hunt for their first victory against Pittsburgh as ACC opponents and their second overall in a rivalry dating back to the 1931-32 season. Last year, the Cardinal fell to the Panthers, but with the game at Maples Pavilion, they're ready to flip the script.
Okorie: One of a Kind
Ebuka Okorie has been nothing short of sensational. With averages of 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, he's not just playing-he's dominating. Okorie is the first Stanford freshman since Brook Lopez in 2007 to have four consecutive 20-point games and the first since Landry Fields in 2010 to post back-to-back 30-point games.
Okorie has shattered the Stanford freshman scoring record three times this season. His 40-point explosion against Georgia Tech was a performance for the ages, making him the first Cardinal to hit that mark since Casey Jacobsen in 2002. Okorie is now one of only a handful of ACC freshmen to score 40 points in a game, joining an elite group that includes legends like Tyler Hansbrough and Mark Price.
As Stanford takes on Pittsburgh, all eyes will be on Okorie to see if he can continue his historic run and lead the Cardinal to victory.