Stanford Cardinal (22-13, 9-9 Pac-12)
vs.
Old Dominion Monarchs (27-7, 13-5 Conference USA)
Postseason NIT Semifinals • Tuesday, March 31, 2015
6 p.m. PT • New York, N.Y. • Madison Square Garden (19,763)
Tournament Seeds: Stanford (2), Old Dominion (1)
Series History: Stanford leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Stanford 84, Old Dominion 60 (Nov. 23, 2000 at San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Radio: KNBR 1050 AM (PxP: Scott Reiss, Analyst: John Platz)
Westwood One (PxP: Dave Ryan, Analyst: Kelly Tripuka)
KZSU 90.1 FM (PxP: Vihan Lakshman)
TV: ESPN (PxP: Bob Wischusen, Analysts: Fran Fraschilla, Bob Knight)
Scouting Old Dominion
Old Dominion (27-7, 13-5 Conference USA), which tied for second in conference play, has won nine of its last 10. The Monarchs last appeared in the NIT semifinals in 2006 ... Old Dominion is averaging 65.1 points and 36.2 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent overall. The Monarchs are solid defensively, holding opponents to 56.8 points, 39.8 percent shooting overall and 30.8 percent from three-point range ... Look out for: Trey Freeman (17.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 45.0% FG, 123 assists), Aaron Bacote (10.1 ppg, 84.4% FT, 95 assists), Richard Ross (8.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 58.1% FG, 53 blocks).
Stanford All-Time vs. Old Dominion
The only previous meeting resulted in an 84-60 victory on Nov. 23, 2000 in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Shootout. In that game, Ryan Mendez scored 18 points and Casey Jacobsen added 16 points as the Cardinal pulled away after a sluggish first half.
Unchartered Territory
Tuesday’s game against Old Dominion will represent the first time in school history Stanford has played a game on March 31. Stanford’s previous longest season wrapped up three years ago on March 29, with the Cardinal defeating Minnesota 75-51 to capture the NIT championship. If Stanford advances to Thursday, its 37 games played this season would match a school record (also achieved in 2012).
Been There, Done That
Stanford is making its third trip to Madison Square Garden in four seasons, having also participated in the 2011 Preseason NIT and 2012 Postseason NIT. In fact, the Cardinal is visiting New York for the sixth time overall in four seasons after competing at Barclays Center in Brooklyn back in November and twice in 2013.
Stanford All-Time In The Postseason
Stanford is 41-22 all-time in 26 postseason appearances overall, including a 16-5 record in eight NIT appearances. The Cardinal has claimed two NIT championships, winning in 1991 and 2012. Stanford owns a 23-16 record in 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and captured the 1942 title. Stanford posted a 2-1 mark in its only season of CBI competition.
Stanford All-Time At Madison Square Garden
Stanford has posted a 13-4 record over nine previous visits to Madison Square Garden.
Four Straight Postseasons
Stanford is one of four Pac-12 teams to have appeared in four consecutive postseasons. Arizona has earned three straight NCAA berths after reaching the 2012 NIT. Colorado played in the NCAA Tournament for three consecutive seasons before taking part in the 2015 CBI. Oregon has reached the NCAA Tournament three years in a row after playing in the 2012 NIT.
It’s Another 20-Win Campaign
Stanford has reached the 20-win plateau for the 23rd time in school history and fourth during head coach Johnny Dawkins’ seven-year tenure. The only other coach in the 100-year history of the program to record at least four 20-win seasons was Mike Montgomery, who accomplished the feat 13 times over an 18-year career.
Stanford’s Path To NYC
Seeded No. 2 in its region, Stanford defeated UC Davis 77-64 to open tournament play. After top-seeded Colorado State was upset in the first round, the Cardinal was assured of home-court advantage for its remaining games. Stanford then knocked off Rhode Island (74-65) and Vanderbilt (78-75) over a span of three days at Maples Pavilion.
Randle Closing In On Scoring Record
11 points away from becoming Stanford’s all-time scoring leader, trailing only Todd Lichti (2,336). Against Arizona on Jan. 22, Randle (2,326) became the 15th player in conference history and first since 2003 to eclipse 2,000 career points ... Ranks fourth all-time in conference history behind UCLA’s Don MacLean (2,608), Arizona’s Sean Elliott (2,555) and Lichti (2,336) ... Established school records for career three-pointers, field goal attempts, minutes played and games started. Tied with Anthony Brown for career games played Stanford’s first Academic All-America First Team selection since Dan Grunfeld in 2006 ... Named the 2015 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming Stanford’s second honoree in as many seasons following Dwight Powell in 2014. Also, tabbed a Pac-12 All-Academic First Team selection after earning second-team accolades the two previous seasons ... Finalist for Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s (20 candidates), Naismith Trophy (30 candidates), Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award and Senior CLASS Award.
Brown Continues Last Season’s Pace
Anthony Brown’s impressive all-around game continues to garner national attention. Brown, who has notched five double-doubles, ranks second in scoring (15.0 ppg) and assists (93) but leads the Cardinal in rebounding (6.9 rpg) and three-point shooting (43.3 percent). Brown has scored in double figures in all but four games. Brown is also Stanford’s best perimeter defender and regularly tasked with guarding the opponent’s top scorer. As the 2014 Pac-12 Most Improved Player, Brown averaged 12.3 points while shooting 45.3 percent from distance.
Improved Nastic Anchors The Frontcourt
Stefan Nastic has developed into one of best centers in the country and a focal point of the Cardinal offense. His transformation actually started at the end of last season, when Nastic converted 14-18 (77.8 percent) during the NCAA Tournament and 29-34 (85.3 percent) over his final eight games. This season, Nastic is averaging 13.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while reaching double figures in all but six games. Also a very solid free throw shooter (75.6 percent), Nastic has made 57-68 (83.8 percent) from the foul line over his last 11 games.
Marcus Allen Providing Energy, Hustle
When injuries forced Reid Travis and Grant Verhoeven out of the starting lineup, Stanford lost some size but added defensive energy and nonstop hustle with Marcus Allen. He has started 20 straight games, averaging 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 52.2 percent. Since becoming a lineup regular, Allen has established career-high totals in nearly every category while posting his first double-double on Feb. 8 against USC. Allen became the fourth player to score at least 20 points this season with a career-high 22 against UC Davis on March 17.
Seniors Are Pac-12 All-Academic Picks
Seniors Anthony Brown, Stefan Nastic and Chasson Randle have been named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team. It’s the fifth straight season Stanford has been honored with at least three picks. The Cardinal has totaled the most selections of any conference school for five of the seven seasons under head coach Johnny Dawkins. Randle was named to the first team and is a three-time recipient. Fifth-year seniors Brown and Nastic were tabbed to the second team and have now both been recognized four consecutive seasons.
Well Represented Among All-Pac-12 Team
Chasson Randle was named an All-Pac-12 First Team pick for the second straight season, as Stanford was represented with three honorees overall. Anthony Brown and Stefan Nastic received honorable mention accolades. Stanford’s three all-conference picks are its most since 2008, when Brook Lopez (first team), Anthony Goods (honorable mention), Mitch Johnson (honorable mention) and Robin Lopez (honorable mention) were recognized.
Frontcourt Depth A Concern
Stanford received a boost with the addition of Rosco Allen, who returned on March 1 against Oregon after missing the previous four games with a back injury. However, the Cardinal experienced a setback three weeks ago at Arizona State, when Michael Humphrey exited after just four minutes due to a sprained left ankle. Humphrey has missed the last six games and his status will be determined in New York. Injuries have affected Stanford all season, especially in the frontcourt, where Reid Travis (nine games, stress fracture) and Grant Verhoeven (missed first seven games, out since Jan. 11, hip injury) have missed time.
Unable To Sustain Early Pace
Halfway through conference play, Stanford occupied third place in the standings at 6-3, representing its best record at the turn since a 7-2 start in 2008. However, the Cardinal went 3-6 down the stretch, falling out of contention for a Pac-12 Tournament first-round bye.
A Team That Values The Basketball
Stanford is averaging only 10.7 turnovers per game, a total that leads the Pac-12 and ranks 30th-best in the country. The Cardinal has committed 10 miscues or fewer in 19 games.
Team Effort On The Boards
Stanford’s 36.7 rebounds per game rank fourth in the Pac-12 and it’s been a complete team effort. Six players have grabbed 10 boards in at least one game: Stefan Nastic (6 times), Anthony Brown (5), Reid Travis (3), Rosco Allen (2), Michael Humphrey (2), Marcus Allen (1).
Searching For The Right Combination
Head coach Johnny Dawkins has employed nine different lineups after using just two combinations all of last season. Against Utah on Feb. 12, Michael Humphrey became the sixth player to make his first career start this season, joining Marcus Allen, Robert Cartwright, Dorian Pickens, Reid Travis and Grant Verhoeven as first-timers in the lineup.
Three (!) Seniors Earning Master’s Degrees
Senior tri-captains Anthony Brown, Stefan Nastic and Chasson Randle are determined to succeed academically, with each starter currently completing coursework toward their master’s degrees and exhibiting strong leadership on the court.
Brown (communication major, 3.26 undergraduate GPA), a fifth-year senior, is working toward a coterminal M.A. in the media studies program ... Fellow fifth-year senior Nastic (psychology major, 3.10 undergraduate GPA) is progressing toward a coterminal M.A. in the communication program ... Randle (African and African-American studies major, 3.34 undergraduate GPA) is set to complete both his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in four years. Randle has been accepted into the department of psychology’s master’s program.
2015-16 Recruiting Class To Provide Boost
Head coach Johnny Dawkins has announced the signing of three incoming student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The group will join the Cardinal for the 2015-16 campaign. The class, which is ranked No. 22 by Rivals.com, includes Josh Sharma (Lexington, Mass. - Northfield Mount Hermon HS), Marcus Sheffield (Alpharetta, Ga. - Chattahoochee HS) and Cameron Walker (Santa Maria, Calif. - Righetti HS). All three signees are projected as top-100 players and four-star recruits, following up Stanford’s recent line of strong classes.
