STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford will make an appearance on ESPN's Big Monday as the Cardinal heads to Dallas, Texas to face SMU at 6 p.m. PT at Moody Coliseum. Stanford (7-3) is coming off a 24-point win over Cal State East Bay in its first game after the 12-day break for finals. SMU (8-3) has won four straight.
THE 25,000-MILE SEASON-OPENING JOURNEY
Monday's game at SMU completes a 25,000-mile journey from campus and back for Stanford during its first 11 games. The 2016-17 campaign opened in Shanghai, China. Stanford then traveled to Orlando, Florida, during Thanksgiving week, followed by trips to Lawrence, Kansas and Monday's to Dallas, Texas. The four trips will total 56 hours in an airplane for the Cardinal.
TRAVIS AMONG RARE COMPANY
Reid Travis is one of five individuals in the top six conferences (Pac-12, Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, SEC and BIG EAST) to rank in the top five of his league in scoring and rebounding. He ranks second in the Pac-12 in scoring (18.3 ppg) and third in rebounding (9.8 rpg) as of Dec. 17.
TRAVIS' IMPACT
After missing the final 22 games last season, Reid Travis has made a strong impact in his return this year. He has posted five of his six career double-doubles in the first 10 games of this season. His team-leading 18.3 ppg ranks second in the Pac-12, and his team-best 9.8 rpg ranks third in the conference. He ranks 38th nationally in rebounding as of Dec. 18.
TRAVIS FROM THE LINE
Reid Travis ranks eighth in the nation in free throws attempted (93) and 20th in the country in free throws made (65) as of Dec. 18. At Kansas on Dec. 3, he set Stanford single-game records for free throws made (19) and attempted (22), while also breaking the same free throw marks by a Kansas opponent. While Travis is getting to the charity stripe much more, his free throw percentage has also improved from last year.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
In its first 11 games, Stanford (47 in RPI) will play five teams that are projected to be in the 2017 NCAA Tournament field, according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi. All five of those teams - Kansas (5), Saint Mary's (22), Miami (31), Seton Hall (35) and SMU (47) - also rank among ESPN analyst Jay Bilas list of "Top 68 Teams In The Land." Stanford will play only one of these teams, Saint Mary's, on its home floor. Stanford's strength of schedule as of Dec. 18 ranks 20th nationally.
ANOTHER STRONG START
After opening this season 7-3, Stanford has posted at least seven wins in its first 10 games in five of its last six seasons. The Cardinal opened the 2011-12 season 9-1 and 2013-14 campaign 8-2. The only time it did not record at least seven wins in its first 10 games was a 6-4 start last year.
AGAINST SMU
Stanford and SMU have faced each other three times previously, with the Cardinal earning wins in two of those contests. The Mustangs posted their first win in the series, defeating Stanford, 85-70, on the Cardinal campus last year. Stanford recorded an 86-51 victory over SMU at home during the 1998-99 season. The Cardinal also recorded an 80-70 win over the Mustangs in Dallas during the 1963-64 season.
AGAINST THE AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Stanford is 18-14 all-time against current members of the American Athletic Conference, with its matchup against SMU last season serving as the most recent contest against an AAC team.
PICKENS ON TARGET FROM BEYOND THE ARC
Junior Dorian Pickens has posted at least one three-pointer in eight of Stanford's 10 games, with multiple three-pointers in five contests. After going 0-of-2 from three-point range in the first game of the season vs. Harvard, Pickens posted multiple trifectas in five straight games. He is shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range (eighth in Pac-12), with a team-best 16 three-pointers on the year. He registered a season-high four (4-of-6) vs. Colorado State. Pickens connected on three trifectas in the win over Indiana State, including the game-winner with 2.0 seconds left.
CONVERTING FROM THE LINE
Dorian Pickens also excels from the free throw line, where he ranks third in the Pac-12 with a free throw percentage of 87.5 (28-of-32). He has converted 13 straight free throws, dating back to Indiana State game on Nov. 25.
VERHOEVEN AN IMPACT IN THE PAINT
Senior Grant Verhoeven is averaging 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game this season. Along with his stats, Verhoeven has become a force in the paint for each of Stanford's opponents, drawing several charges throughout the year. In the Cardinal's win over Seton Hall, he drew five charges and caused six turnovers by the Pirates overall. While his minutes average is relatively the same, he is averaging 3.0 more points and 1.6 more rebounds this season.
BIG PROVIDE BOOST
Stanford's group of Reid Travis, Michael Humphrey and Grant Verhoeven have provided a strong presence in the paint for the Cardinal through the season's first 10 games. The trio has combined to score 321 points (32.1 ppg) and collect 178 rebounds (17.8 rpg) this season. The Harvard game was the first time all three scored in double figures in the same game.
THE JUNIOR CLASS
Stanford's four-member junior class - Reid Travis, Dorian Pickens, Michael Humphrey and Robert Cartwright - has accounted for 64 percent (442-of-687) of the scoring this season. Travis (18.3 ppg), Pickens (12.8 ppg) and Humphrey (7.5 ppg) rank one, two and three, respectively, among Stanford's scoring leaders. Cartwright, who ranks fifth in scoring at 5.6 ppg, is listed as a sophomore after receiving a medical redshirt for the 2015-16 season. The group was part of Stanford's 2014 signing class.
VETERAN GROUP
Boasting one of the most experienced rosters in the Pac-12, four starters - Reid Travis, Michael Humphrey, Marcus Allen, and Christian Sanders - and 10 of the top 11 scorers from last season are back. Including the first 10 games of this season, Stanford's roster has combined for 707 appearances.