RECAPPING THE SEASON
Stanford finished 20-12 overall and remained solidly in contention for an NCAA Tournament berth throughout a season shortened by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Despite being picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll, the Cardinal completed Pac-12 play in seventh place at 9-9. Posting its first 20-win campaign since a 24-13 NIT championship finish in 2014-15 and making its first appearance in the national rankings in five years, Stanford debuted at No. 9 in the NET rankings in December and maintained a top-40 position throughout the season, fueled by signature victories over Oklahoma, Oregon and Colorado.
Boasting the nation's No. 16-ranked scoring defense (KenPom No. 7), the Cardinal also shot its highest field goal percentage (.469) since 2003-04 and was led by junior Oscar da Silva (15.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Tyrell Terry (14.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg), who emerged as one of the nation's top freshmen.
20 wins, the best scoring defense in the Pac-12 and a season full of memories. Get nostalgic with us as we rewind our 2019-20 campaign #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/LXhPQ8otT6
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) April 3, 2020
PAC-12 ACCOLADES
Stanford had three players earn All-Pac-12 recognition, led by a first team All-Pac-12 selection for junior Oscar da Silva. Stanford has had a first-team honoree in each of the last eight years, which is the longest active streak in the conference by two years (Washington, 6). Freshman Tyrell Terry was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention and to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, becoming the first Cardinal player to earn both honors since Brook Lopez in 2007. One of the most versatile defenders in the conference, sophomore Bryce Wills was chosen to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team, as Stanford's first honoree since 2017.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Succeeding in all facets of the student-athlete experience, the Cardinal had eight players recognized on the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll: Daniel Begovich, Sam Beskind, Oscar da Silva, Keenan Fitzmorris, Lukas Kisunas, Kodye Pugh, Isaac White and Bryce Wills. The group of eight gave Stanford five more athletes than any other Pac-12 program.
Often overlooked and overshadowed in his youth, @tyterry05 is now leading the charge on a resurgent @StanfordMBB squad.#GoStanford https://t.co/YpOLQGd5hk
— Stanford Athletics (@GoStanford) February 12, 2020
WINS OVER RANKED OPPONENTS
The Cardinal picked up a pair of victories this season over ranked opponents, beginning with No. 11/12 Oregon on Feb. 16 and finishing with No. 21/20 Colorado on March 1. The victory against the Ducks was the Cardinal's first over a ranked opponent since Jan. 17, 2018 (vs. No. 14/16 Arizona State, 86-77), and the highest-ranked win since Feb. 13, 2016 (vs. No. 11/12 Oregon, 76-72).
Floor Burns are a staple of our program, and this may just be the Floor Burn Play of the Year! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/iwBXd4BYpv
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) March 3, 2020
VALUING THE THREE
Excelling on both ends of the floor beyond the arc, Stanford was one of three teams nationally to rank in the top-25 in both 3-point percentage and 3-point defense, joining Nevada and Northern Colorado. The Cardinal held the 19th-best defensive mark, limiting its opponents to just 29.6 percent from 3-point range (including 29.4 percent in Pac-12 play), and the 21st-highest 3-point percentage at 37.3.
Three Stanford players shot north of 40 percent from 3-point range this season - Spencer Jones (43.1), Tyrell Terry (40.8) and Isaac White (40.8).
THE OSCAR GOES TO…
Breaking out in 2019-20, Oscar da Silva emerged as Stanford's top scorer (15.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.4 rpg). Reaching double-figure scoring 25 times, da Silva is shot 57 percent from the field and was the Cardinal's most frequent visitor to the foul line, making 101-for-131 for 77.1 percent. Against Oregon on Feb. 1, da Silva poured in a career-high 27 points after making 11-for-17 from the field.
Together as one ???? #GoStanford
A post shared by Stanford Men's Basketball (@stanfordmbb) on Feb 8, 2020 at 6:19pm PST
MAN TO MAN
The Cardinal limited the top five scorers in the league, Remy Martin (Arizona State), Payton Pritchard (Oregon), Tres Tinkle (Oregon State), CJ Elleby (Washington State) and Matt Bradley (Cal) to just 37.4 percent shooting (58-for-155) from the field. Expanding to the top 10, which includes Timmy Allen (Utah), Isaiah Stewart (Washington), Zeke Nnaji (Arizona) and Onyeka Okongwu (USC), the number rises only slightly to 40.8 percent (89-for-218). Overall, Stanford held its Pac-12 foes to 40.4 percent from the field.
MOVING ON UP
Daejon Davis is continuing his ascent through the Stanford record book, capping his junior season ranked seventh in program history in steals (134) and eighth in assists (391). His 55 steals in 2019-20 are tied for the seventh most in a single season by a Stanford student-athlete. He is on pace to finish in the top-three in both categories.
What makes @CoachJerodHaase a phenomenal coach to play for? Take a look for yourself inside our huddle and on the sidelines.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/xUqXmZz9b7
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) February 19, 2020
FRESHMAN RECORDS
Tyrell Terry and Spencer Jones put together some of the most remarkable seasons by first year players in program history. Terry finished with the second-highest scoring average (14.6), trailing only Todd Lichti's 17.2 in 1985-86. His Pac-12 leading free throw percentage (.891) was also the top mark in Stanford freshman history, and the fifth-best single season total for any player, while he moved into fourth in both steals and assists.
Jones and Terry both cracked the 3-point lists, with Jones' 81 made triples the second-most and Terry's 62 fourth-most. Doing so with high volume, Jones and Terry now rank sixth and eighth, respectively, in freshman 3-point percentage. Both players entered the top five in minutes played.
ANOTHER TOP RECRUITING CLASS
Stanford announced the signings of Ziaire Williams (Lancaster, California), Max Murrell (Omaha, Nebraska), Noah Taitz (Las Vegas, Nevada)and Brandon Angel (San Diego, California) to National Letters of Intent for the 2020-21 campaign. The Cardinal's four-member class is ranked first in the Pac-12 by 247Sports and Rivals, and No. 13 and 14, respectively, on a national level. The highly-touted recruiting classes have become a fixture since Jerod Haase arrived on The Farm in 2016.
All eyes on The Farm. ?? #GoStanford | #NextStartsNow
A post shared by Stanford Men's Basketball (@stanfordmbb) on Apr 15, 2020 at 3:57pm PDT
EUROPEAN ADVENTURE
Stanford embarked on a 10-day European tour from Aug. 18-28, visiting Italy, Germany and Switzerland as part of an educational and cultural experience that included four exhibition games. In addition to its 11 returnees, the Cardinal's four-member freshman class joined the tour. Other highlights: a team visit to Oscar da Silva's hometown of Munich and walk-ons Sam Beskind and Rodney Herenton being presented with scholarships in a surprise ceremony on Lake Como.