Stanford celebrated their 1992 National Championship team this weekend -- and many of the players from that team noted that their championship run was fueled by a December comeback victory over Tennessee at Maples. We can hope that this year's team will be similarly fueled by their 77 - 70 comeback victory -- erasing an eight-point deficit late in the 3rd Quarter to take a ten-point lead with 25 seconds to go. It is important for a team to gain confidence that they can come back decisively against a good team -- but it would have been a little more comfortable for the fans if this year's team hadn't done this particular full reprise of the 1992 team's experience. It did make for an entertaining game.
The game was back and forth for the first half -- freqent lead changes and neither team ahead by more than five points. Tennessee's Jordan Horston made a layup with one second left to send the game into half-time tied. The game continued to be close in the third quarter until Stanford hit a roughly five minute dry spell and Tennessee took an eight point lead. With less than 30 seconds left in the third, Agnes Emma-Nnopu got a block to start a Stanford possession that ended the quarter with a Cameron Brink three pointer! That cut the Tennessee lead to five points and gave the Cardinal a huge momentum swing. The team and the crowd were electrified. Stanford came out determined for the fourth quarter and with just under eight minutes to go, Stanford took a lead on a Brink layup (assisted by Brooke Demetre) and never trailed again.
Brink, Jones an' Jump
This game put two basketball truisms on full display: "Basketball is a team game" and "Big-time players play big in big games." This was a team win. Every one of the eleven players who got into the game contributed to the win -- whether it was setting a screen, hitting a key basket, getting an assist, grabbing a rebound, boxing out, a defensive play, or just giving somebody else a rest. Some of those things didn't show up on the stat sheet -- but they mattered. Yet 59 of Stanford's 77 points and 31 of the team's 53 rebounds were recorded by the three starters with National Championship experience -- Cameron Brink, Haley Jones, and Hannah Jump. Our preseason All-Americans Brink and Jones both had double-doubles.
Cameron scored 21 points, 17 rebounds, and tied her career high with six blocks. Those six blocks significantly under count the number of Tennessee shots that didn't go in because of Brink. Time and time again, Cameron's presence caused Tennessee players to change their normal shot -- and the result went awry often becoming a Stanford rebound. Haley's 19 points and 12 rebounds came while she played multiple minutes at the point -- her leadership throughout the game was obvious and important. Hannah Jump, Stanford's leading 3-point shooter, again hit the majority of the team's three-pointers while scoring eight points on baskets inside the three-point line and continuing to be perfect from the free-throw line.
Getting the rust off
Some people wondered if the Cardinal thought Tennessee would be an easy win. But it is hard to believe that a VanDerveer coached team would take Tennessee lightly! Especially a Tennessee team that despite a rough start to the season has the talented players who earned Tennessee a top five preseason ranking. Once Tennessee gets its two "draft pick" transfers Horston and Jackson fully integrated into their team, we can expect to see them playing late into March.
This was the Stanford's first game after two weeks off for Fall Quarter final exams. Stanford players are student athletes -- nobody is taking basket weaving -- and especially for the younger players finals time is stressful. Even though they practiced during that time, getting back to game focus can take a little time. That is a probable explanation for the team's slow start and regression from the free throw line. That hypothesis is supported by the free throw stats -- 50% in the first half but 71% in the second. Those second half numbers are closer to their season norm. The second half field goal percentages also improved, although they remained below Stanford's season average. However, in the 4th Quarter Stanford made nearly 53% of the shots they attempted and played dominating defense - leading to a solid win.
This week's Questions
With Finals over, it's time to go back to asking Fan Girl Questions, so here are a few.
1. Will the team that played in the second half against Tennessee show up against Creighton?
Creighton just dropped a tough game to #21 Arkansas, so they are going to come in wanting to avoid the back-to-back losses that would likely drop the Blue Jays out of the top 25. They are one of those smaller, opportunistic teams that can be difficult to contain. Hopefully the post-finals dust is gone so another comeback won't be needed.
2. Can Cameron Brink stay on the floor longer?
Although different players step up in almost every game, Haley Jones and Cameron Brink are the team's leaders. When the two of them are on the floor together, it can be magical. Cameron is doing better at avoiding silly or over-exuberant fouls, but when she is on the bench the team is just not as good. We look forward to Brink continuing her improvement in this area -- with Cam on the floor, this team National Championship aspirations are legit.
3. Will anybody show up for the CAL game?
This team deserves a good crowd for every game. Their last game before the Christmas break is at NOON on Friday, Dec. 23. That is a rough time slot -- folks are running around completing holiday preparations. Hopefully fans will show up to collect an early Christmas present from the Cardinal! The team is running a "Warm Coat Drive" at the Cal game -- so bring a contribution for the collection bin!
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