Stanford Cardinal
2012-2013 Overall Rank: #31
Conference Rank: #3 Pac-12
Stanford Team Page
Stanford made a great run through the NIT and ended up winning the title. This time around Coach Johnny Dawkins and company will hope to build off of that success and reach the NCAAs. With Chasson Randle and Aaron Bright leading the way, the Cardinal should have high expectations. Randle had a great freshman campaign, averaging 13.8 points per game and knocking down 43.8 percent of his attempts from long range. With a year of experience, Randle should only be better. Randle can handle the ball, but Bright will be the point guard…at least on paper. In reality, both Randle and Bright are scorers who can distribute. Bright is another great shooter and he also led the Cardinal with 3.7 assists per game. Those two alone provide Stanford with one of the best backcourts around, but they will get some help.
2011-12 Record: 26-11, 10-8
2011-12 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Johnny Dawkins
Coach Record: 75-59 at Stanford, 75-59 overall
Who’s Out:
Josh Owens and Andrew Zimmerman were the usual starters in the frontcourt last season. How effectively Stanford can replace them will determine just how good this team will be in 2012-2013. Owens was easily the most consistent scoring threat in the paint and his efficiency on the offensive end opened up shots for Randle and Bright. Owens was also the top rebounder on the team. Zimmerman only averaged 13.5 minutes per game, but Coach Dawkins still left his versatile and tough forward in the starting lineup for most of the season. Jack Trotter was another big man who could come in and grab some boards. Jarrett Mann was a part-time starter last year but saw his playing time decrease as Randle and Bright emerged as the perimeter’s top playmakers.
Who’s In:
Stanford has another quality recruiting class coming in and Rosco Allen and Grant Verhoeven will look to beef up the frontcourt depth. Allen is a versatile 6-9 forward who can step outside and knock down the long ball with consistency. However, Allen will not add the interior scoring threat that the Cardinal are looking for. Allen will likely need some time to develop his game and add some strength. Verhoeven on the other hand is a tough player who is not afraid to mix it up in the paint. He will be a solid rebounder right away, but he could also turn into a fine scorer if the Cardinal need to give him the opportunity. Shooting guard Christian Sanders may have to bide his time with the talent returning on the perimeter, yet he has the shooting ability to provide an offensive spark off of the bench and the intensity to help out on the other end of the floor as a freshman.
Who to Watch:
The Stanford frontcourt may lose a couple starters, but they have plenty of experience returning. At times Dwight Powell will be a fine scorer and a superb rebounder. He is a great athlete yet consistency remains a concern. If Powell plays well for 25 minutes per game, consider the frontcourt concerns resolved. As an upperclassman Powell certainly has the potential to avoid disappearing for large chunks of a game at a time, but he has to prove it first. Junior Josh Huestis played more minutes last season than Zimmermann and Powell despite starting only five games. Huestis is a versatile 6-7 forward who can step outside and knock down the long ball and mix it up in the paint and block shots. He is more than ready to step into a full-time starting position. John Gage is another upperclassman with plenty of experience. His limited scoring mostly comes from his outside shooting and that will not help out Stanford’s need for an interior scorer. However, he does provide another big body. Stefan Nastic, a 6-11 sophomore, rarely saw the floor during the 2011-2012 campaign, but he will be back to battle for minutes. The frontcourt may lack a true post scorer if Powell or Verhoeven are not up for the job, yet they do have a ton of talent and versatility.
Final Projection:
Anthony Brown was overshadowed by Randle and Bright last season, but he may just be the best perimeter player on the team. Brown was a very highly regarded recruit a few years back but has yet to live up to his potential. The 6-6 wing is a very capable shooter and a dynamic scorer. Last year he averaged 8.1 points per game and do not be surprised if he benefits more this year from Randle and Bright’s passing ability. Once Brown takes that next step, the backcourt will be impossible to stop and they will not even need a double digit scorer in the paint to get open looks on the perimeter. Randle, Bright and Brown will create those open shots for themselves and each other. That would allow Coach Dawkins to play his best rebounders and defenders in the frontcourt and Stanford has plenty of those.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Aaron Bright, Junior, Guard, 11.7 points per game
Chasson Randle, Sophomore, Guard, 13.8 points per game
Anthony Brown, Junior, Guard, 8.1 points per game
Josh Huestis, Junior, Forward, 5.3 points per game
Dwight Powell, Junior, Forward, 5.8 points per game
Madness 2013 NBA Draft Rankings:
#74 Dwight Powell
Madness 2012 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#66 Rosco Allen
#103 Grant Verhoeven
