Stanford Basketball hosts the Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday. What are the keys for the Cardinal to get a signature win?
The 11-1 Stanford Basketball team is looking for respect. Despite their impressive record, Kansas alum, Jerod Haase’s team has not been given serious consideration for the AP Top 25. A victory at home over the #5 Kansas Jayhawks would go a long way to reestablish the Cardinal program in Haase’s fourth year as the head coach.
Tip-off will be at 3 p.m. ET, Sunday, and will be televised on ABC.
Stanford has been the surprise of the Pac-12 this season after being pegged 10th in the league’s preseason poll. Currently ranked #55 in the KenPom rankings, the Cardinal received seven AP Top 25 votes this week. Haslametrics.com has Stanford at #21 in its rankings.
The Cardinal has not played a tough schedule. Their best win came over KenPom #50 Oklahoma 73-42 at the Hall of Fame Classic on Nov. 25. Unfortunately, Stanford dropped a tough game 68-67 the next night in Kansas City to KenPom #7 Butler in a game that Stanford led by seven, midway through the second half, for their only loss of the season.
Kansas (9-2) was ranked #1 in the AP Poll for one week before losing 56-55 at #10 Villanova. The Jayhawks have one of the most storied programs in the nation and a Stanford signature victory should propel them into the Top 25. From there, with a top-tier finish in the Pac-12, the Cardinal should get a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Stanford is out to show that men’s basketball is back on The Farm. To do so, the Cardinal must excel in the following areas.