Stanford Basketball: Are the Cardinal good enough for an NCAA Tournament bid?
By Connor Hope
After missing the NCAA Tournament last season, the Stanford Cardinal look like a team that can return for the first time since 2014.
Despite finishing last season with a disappointing 14-17 record, Stanford should be an exciting team to watch this upcoming season. Led by seniors Dorian Pickens and Michael Humphrey, and redshirt-junior Reid Travis, the Cardinal look like they are built for success.
The Cardinal’s woes last season came down to their offense, which ranked 258th in points per game. Even with solid scoring by Pickens, Humphrey, and Travis, the rest of the team struggled for most of the season.
While the Cardinal will lose its fourth leading scorer, Marcus Allen, to graduation, they also add three four-star recruits that can help improve the scoring.
Ultimately, however, the success of the Cardinal hinges on the play of Travis. Travis, who was an All-Pac-12 First Team selection last season, is one of the favorites to win Pac-12 Player of the Year.
Last season, Travis averaged 17.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, leading the Cardinal in both categories. This year, he will have to maintain his offense while improving his defense in order to help Stanford succeed. Travis’ defense took a slight dip between his freshman and redshirt sophomore year, and he will need to return, or even improve on, the defense he showed in his first season.
Pickens and Humphrey will also need to help Travis. Pickens has the ability to stretch the floor and allow Stanford’s forwards to work on the inside, while Humphrey will help Travis on the boards.
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Unlike USC and Arizona, which are fully expected to make the NCAA Tournament, Stanford will need a strong non-conference performance to earn a bid. If they can pick up quality wins in the non-conference, and earn a couple wins against the top of the Pac-12, the Cardinal may be playing well into March.