Stanford Cardinal
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #28
Conference Rank: #3 Pac-12
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The clock appears to be ticking for Coach Johnny Dawkins. During his five seasons with Stanford, the Cardinal have yet to make the NCAA Tournament. This year should be different with a bevy of talent returning. Few players in the Pac-12 can match the production of 6-10 forward Dwight Powell. The senior averaged 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 2012-2013 and he should be in for a huge senior season. With a little more aggressiveness when it comes to finishing, Powell could easily be closer to 20 and 10.
2012-13 Record: 19-15, 9-9
2012-13 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Johnny Dawkins
Coach Record: 94-74 at Stanford, 94-74 overall
Who’s Out:
Gabriel Harris was supposed to be the only significant departure. He started a few games last season, but most of his ten minutes per contest came from off of the bench. Yet another injury to fifth year senior Andy Brown is the more significant loss. Brown, who started 20 contests in 2012-2013, would have played a similar role this time around but tore his ACL for the fourth time and that pretty much puts an end to his collegiate career.
Who’s In:
Stanford will not need much help from their newcomers, but freshmen Marcus Allen, Malcolm Allen, Schuyler Rimmer and Scott Woods will get an opportunity to contribute right away. Rimmer and Woods will add some girth to the frontcourt eventually. The Allen brothers were a great pickup for Coach Dawkins and those two are the future of the backcourt. Marcus will likely be the backup point guard from day one and Malcolm can come in off of the bench and knock down some shots. Neither should see huge minutes as freshmen due to the talent returning, yet they certainly have the ability to take the Pac-12 by storm.
Who to Watch:
For now the backcourt starters will be Aaron Bright, Chasson Randle and Anthony Brown. Randle is the star of the backcourt and averaged 13.6 points per game as a sophomore. Randle’s ability to attack the basket and knock down three-pointers makes him difficult to defend. Randle may be consistent, but that cannot be said for the rest of the shooters. Bright, a senior point guard, shot just 34.7 percent from the floor. However, he has proven to be a capable floor leader. The return of wing Anthony Brown, along with the Allen twins, should help the backcourt knock down shots. Brown played in just four games a year ago before suffering a season ending hip injury. Back in 2011-2012, Brown averaged 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. Robbie Lemons and Christian Sanders will compete with the Allen’s for playing time off of the bench. Sanders had a promising freshman campaign despite averaging just 9.0 minutes per contest.
Final Projection:
The Cardinal have even more depth in the frontcourt. Josh Huestis should again join Powell in the starting lineup after averaging 10.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Huestis is an amazing defender and one of the best rebounders on the West Coast. Huestis does all of the dirty work to open up room for Powell, but he can score too. John Gage will stretch out the defense with his shooting ability and could even spend time in the starting lineup if Coach Dawkins needs to play big. Sophomore Roscoe Allen earned seven starts as a freshman showed plenty of potential, especially defensively. Stefan Nastic is a big body at 6-11 and 245 pounds and Grant Verhoeven can push some people around in the paint as well. Elliot Bullock is even back after being away from the floor for three years. With this much depth and experience, Stanford should make the NCAA Tournament. If they fail to do so, the heat will really be on Coach Dawkins.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Aaron Bright, Senior, Guard, 9.3 points per game
Chasson Randle, Junior, Guard, 13.6 points per game
Anthony Brown, Junior, Guard, 3.0 points per game
Josh Huestis, Senior, Forward, 10.5 points per game
Dwight Powell, Senior, Forward, 14.9 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.5 (93rd in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.5 (166, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.6 (259, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.5 (161, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.0 (91, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (78, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.3 (35, 3)
Rebound Margin: 1.8 (117, 7)
Assists Per Game: 12.1 (219, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (57, 2)
Madness 2014 NBA Draft Rankings:
#46 Dwight Powell
Madness 2013 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#105 Marcus Allen
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