Undefeated in November

The Dynamic Duo (Brink & Iriafen) with Captain Marvel (Jump)

        Going into Sunday’s game with Albany, Stanford was the only team in the country with TWO players in the Top 25 rebounders (total and per game) and Double Doubles!  Both of those players, Cam and Kiki, were also in the Top 25 in at least one other category.  Cam is in the Top Five for Blocks (total and per game) and Free Throw percentage.  For Kiki it is Top 25 in points - she has more points than Page Beckers! They are indeed a dynamic duo — they excel and have each other’s back.  The pundits who ranked Stanford 15th in the country before the start of the season had no idea how fabulous Kiki Iriafen would be this year. 

        The CARD’s Dynamic Duo are joined by their fellow team Co-Captain Hannah Jump in marvel(ous) - as in “aren’t they….  Going into Sunday’s game Hannah needed only one three pointer to hit 300 for her career (she got it.).  Already the holder of Stanford’s record for threes in a single season (100), Hannah has moved past Candice Wiggins for second on the career list. She is closing in on Kianna Williams’ record of 311 and may get there before the start of PAC-12 play.  But, Jump’s value to the Stanford team is much more than her scoring. She has become a lockdown defender. This year she is also a vocal leader on the court - taking advantage of a 5th year’s experience to be almost a coach on the floor - and she rarely fouls.  She is so valuable that Tara is reluctant to take Hannah out of the game. Hannah almost always has the most minutes per game, as she did against Albany. Jump’s 35 minutes on the floor was nine minutes more than the next highest player. 

Topping 300 Threes!

Albany Played Hard: But the Cardinal Rocked!

        The Albany team was seriously over matched, but never quit playing hard.  They went down 11 to nothing in the opening minutes but fought back to get within five at 11 to 6.  That was as close as Albany got. 

        The star of the game was Cameron Brink with 21 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and a steal.  Three other players recorded double digit points. Jump had 16 (4 of 9 from three), while Iriafen and Bosgana had 11 apiece. Kiki just missed another double double, collecting nine rebounds in her 23 minutes on the floor.  The Cardinal dominated on the glass, grabbing 52 rebounds while Albany was only able to corral 23.  Elena and Nunu Agara each had seven rebounds, with the rest spread around among the other players.  All twelve of Stanford’s players spent at least 3 minutes on the court and, as usual, all made positive contributions.

The Band Gets in on the Fun!

Up Next

        The Cardinal’s next game is at 11:00 am on Friday.  That game is only on the Mountain West Network — a hard next work to find.  Following the San Diego game, the Cardinal have a game on Sunday with Gonzaga at 1:00 pm on ESPN+.  The Cardinal don’t return to Maples until December 15 for a game against Portland.  See you there.

Questions

1.  Does Kiki have any idea how good she is and how much potential she has?

Cam has said Kiki is the most improved player in the country.  Her improved strength is evident as she battles through pounding defenders to score and pull down rebounds. During the Duke game the TV commentators suggested that Kiki reminded them of the Ogwumikes and A’ja Wilson.  We wonder when people will say that somebody reminds them of Kiki Iriafen…

2.  Will Cam pass Catlin Clark as favorite for National Player of the Year!

At this point, the only place for Cameron Brink to improve is in avoiding silly fouls.  Her play and her leadership are outstanding…when will the world notice?

3. Which will be the last undefeated PAC-12 team?

Four of the previously undefeated PAC-12 teams went down during the Thanksgiving week. Only five teams remain unbeaten….