Stanford Cardinal
Pac-12 (29-3, 17-1)
The Stanford Cardinal have continued their run of excellence in the Pac-12 Conference, as outside of a loss at Washington, the Cardinal have been elite in conference play. Stanford is led by national player of the year candidate Chiney Ogwumike and a solid supporting cast that, when clicking on all cylinders offensively, can take apart any team in the nation on any given day.
Big Wins: 11/26 vs Purdue (86-69), 12/21 Tennessee (76-70), 2/2 at California (70-64)
Bad Losses: 11/11 at Connecticut (57-76), 2/9 at Washington (82-87), 3/8 USC (68-72)
Coach: Tara VanDerveer (19 seasons at Stanford)
Why They Can Surprise:
Stanford has a difference maker type of player in Ogwumike. She can carry a team on her back all the way to the Final Four. The Cardinal can also surprise by simply playing loose as a cohesive team. They should be able to fly somewhat under the radar as UConn and Notre Dame are going to get the majority of the attention as favorites to win the championship. Thus, Stanford can take more chances, especially with a regional on its home floor and with the home crowd behind them.
Why They Can Disappoint:
In the losses against UConn and Washington the Cardinal struggled from behind the three-point line as they made just 12 of 52 shots from behind the arc. The inability to keep teams from collapsing on Ogwumike down low is something that could cost Stanford in an NCAA Tournament game. The most likely strategy teams are going to try and employ in the postseason will be to dare the Cardinal to beat them from the perimeter. That is why it will be critical for Stanford to at least get some perimeter shooting to keep the inside open and allow the offense to maintain balance.
Probable Starters:
Amber Orrange, Junior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 4.5 apg
Lili Thompson, Freshman, Guard, 7.8 ppg, 2.8 apg
Mikaela Ruef, Redshirt Senior, Forward, 6.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Chiney Ogwumike, Senior, Forward, 26.8 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Taylor Greenfield, Junior, Forward, 5.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Karlie Samuelson, Freshman, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 1.4 apg
Erica McCall, Freshman, Forward, 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Bonnie Samuelson, Junior, Forward, 6.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Sara James, Senior, Guard, 2.6 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 78.2 (26th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.9 (44, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.0 (6, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 34.9 (9, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.6 (75, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.6 (14, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.9 (174, 3)
Rebound Margin: 8.8 (14, 1)
Assists Per Game: 18.3 (9, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.7 (20, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tulsa
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Michigan
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Georgia
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Hampton
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over West Virginia
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over South Carolina
2012 NCAA Regional Final win over Duke
2012 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Baylor
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC Davis
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over St. John's
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina
2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Gonzaga
2011 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Texas A&M
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC Riverside
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Iowa
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Georgia
2010 NCAA Regional Final win over Xavier
2010 NCAA National Semifinal win Oklahoma
2010 NCAA National Final loss to Connecticut
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over San Diego State
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Ohio State
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Iowa State
2009 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cleveland State
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over UTEP
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Pittsburg
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Maryland
2008 NCAA National Semifinal sin over Connecticut
2008 NCAA National Final loss to Tennessee
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Idaho State
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Florida State
*all team stats through 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
