SETTING THE SCENE
Kicking off the new year in Eugene, Stanford men’s basketball is set to face No. 21/17 Oregon on Jan. 2 at Matthew Knight Arena. The 7 p.m. tip-off will be broadcast on ESPNU.
THE OPENING TIP
• Stanford is off to a 5-2 start, including four consecutive wins after a fourth-place finish in the Maui Invitational (Asheville, N.C.). The Cardinal defeated Alabama in the opening round of the tournament, 82-64, which stands as the only Pac-12 win to this point over a ranked opponent, as the Crimson Tide was slotted at No. 25 in the week one USA Today Coaches’ Poll.
• The Cardinal outlasted Arizona, 78-75, in its conference opener, as four players scored in double figures. Oscar da Silva scored 20 or more for the third straight outing, as Stanford stopped a 20-game win streak in the series by the Wildcats.
• Through seven games, Stanford ranks eighth nationally in defensive efficiency (as of Dec. 31) while playing the nation’s 62nd-toughest schedule, per KenPom. Stanford ranked seventh nationally in defensive efficiency a year ago, while boasting the nation’s 16th-ranked scoring defense.
• Stanford is one of two power conference programs yet to play at its home facility this season, joining South Carolina. The Gamecocks are set to open at home on Jan. 2 against Florida A&M.
• The Cardinal is also one of two power conference teams to boast multiple road wins in non-conference play, joining Oklahoma State. Stanford is 2-0 on the road, winning by an average of 21.5 points per game.
• Stanford’s first game on the road trip, at Oregon State (Dec. 31), was postponed due to COVID issues at OSU.
CONFERENCE OF CHAMPIONS
In the Pac-12 opener for both teams, Stanford led for all but 83 seconds in a 78-75 win over Arizona. Oscar da Silva led the team with 21 points, while Ziaire Williams (16) and Spencer Jones (9) added three triples apiece. Bryce Wills (13) and Daejon Davis (11) also finished in double figures, as Stanford won against Arizona for the first time since 2009.