After an embarrassing loss to California the Huskies will be anxious to get back in the win column. We preview the matchup in Palo Alto as Washington seeks to avoid it’s first losing streak of the year in a date with Stanford.
Who: #25 Washington Huskies (22-6, 13-2) vs. Stanford Cardinal (15-13, 8-8)
When: Today, 1 PM tip-off
Where: Maples Pavilion – Palo Alto, California
How to Watch: ESPN2, FuboTV or Sling (7 Day Free-Trials)
Stanford Notes:
It’s been six years since Washington has won in Maples Pavilion. Washington ended an even longer losing streak in Salt Lake City earlier this season beating Utah.
Stanford’s KZ Okpala is in the mix for Most Improved Player of the Year in the Pac-12. His field goal percentage is up to 46.5% from 39.3% a year ago, his 3-point percentage is up to 38.5% from 22.6%, his scoring is up to 17.4 ppg from 10 ppg and his rebounding up to 5.8 rpg from 3.7 rpg.
Washington had a lot of trouble with Cal’s 7’3” Center Connor Vanover, they will face another talented 7 footer this week in Stanford’s Josh Sharma. Sharma is averaging 9.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg and shooting 70.8% from the field, in Pac-12 play he is shooting 77.9% from the field.
The Last Time: Washington beat Stanford 80-64 in Seattle on January 17th.
The last time the teams played Okpala scored 22 points while Sharma added 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jaylen Nowell scored 22 points for Washington, while Naz Carter and Dominic Green combined for 22 off the bench. Washington put a bottle on the Cardinals outside shooting (3 of 15 from beyond the arc) and forced 18 turnovers. The Huskies had a season-low 6 turnovers in the first meeting.
Keys to the Game
Will Daejon Davis play?
The big question is whether the Stanford sophomore guard will play. Davis hurt his ankle in Stanford’s 98-50 win over Washington State when diving for a loose ball. He emerged from the locker room in crutches with his ankle wrapped heavily. Noah Dickerson had a similar injury and played the next game but had more time to rest. Davis actually signed a letter of intent with Washington with his high school teammate Jaylen Nowell back in 2016 but asked out of his commitment when Lorenzo Romar was dismissed. He is averaging 11.8 ppg and 4.6 apg this season but struggled in the first meeting going 1 of 7 from the field with 5 turnovers.
Better Bench Play
Washington’s bench was poor against Cal and Naz Carter and Dominic Green look out of sorts. They combined for 22 points in the first meeting with Stanford and Washington could use more of the same on Sunday. Green is shooting just 28% from the field over the last 10 games.
Play Husky Defense
Not only did Cal shoot the ball well but Washington wasn’t able to jump start their offense by forcing turnovers. If Davis is unable to play the Huskies need to take advantage of Stanford missing one of the conferences better ball handlers. Stanford turns the ball over more than any other Pac-12 team and is 325th in the nation out of 351 teams.The Cardinal were two points shy of 100 against the Cougars so Washington will need to be on their A game. Washington is 17-0 when holding opponents under 67 points. Stanford is 0-9 when scoring 66 or less.
Prediction:
Stanford is 10-2 at home and they have won their last four home games by an average of 22 points. I am optimistic Washington’s defensive problems are not long-term but Stanford is a strong offensive team leading the conference in field goal percentage during Pac-12 play at just under 48%. Well coached teams like Washington don’t stay in a funk for long but while everyone is concerned about Washington’s defense the offense looks a lot like it did in the Nigel Williams-Goss, Markelle Fultz years where it’s one or two people playing hero ball. If Washington can get balanced scoring and multiple players in double figures, they can win but that remains to be seen. I think this one will come down to the last possession, I hope I’m wrong about who comes out on top.
Stanford 66 Washington 64
Last Game’s Prediction: Washington 72, Cal-Berkeley 55
Actual Score: Cal-Berkeley 76, Washington 73
