While most were not laboring under any delusions of Stanford winning the Pac-12 Tournament this season, it would have at least been nice if the Cardinal were competitive. Sadly this game was over after the first few minutes. The Washington Huskies bludgeoned Stanford.
The Cardinal fell behind and the Huskies never looked back. Washington went into the halftime break up 50-22. After the first 20 minutes Stanford was trailing by more points than they had managed to score. As bad as the Cardinal played against Arizona, this performance was worse. Stanford would need a miracle in the second half to win this game. In the second half that miracle did not happen.
Stanford could not make shots, turned the ball over far too often, and failed to win on the glass. The Huskies meanwhile shot much better and won the rebound battle. The Cardinal could not hit a three while Washington shot the ball very well from behind the arc. Stanford fought hard, and never gave up, but it just was not enough.
Certainly, injuries and suspensions played a part, but this Stanford team just could not compete in their final two games against Arizona and Washington. In fact, with a few notable exceptions Stanford underperformed for most of the second half of the year. Headed into this game Stanford was expected to struggle to even find a spot in the NIT. After the way the Cardinal performed in their last two games it seems unlikely they will have the opportunity to defend their NIT title.
Washington wins 91-68 and will move on to play Oregon Thursday at noon. Meanwhile Stanford will wait to see if they are invited to the NIT or perhaps another tournament.
Comments
Another banner for Maples?
Will Stanford add a CBI championship to the NCAA and NIT ones? They could perform the basketball version of the EGOT!
By JYTLM on 03.09.16 2:31pm
Embarrassing really!
We can question motivation all we want but still you are putting on those card colors with atleast an ounce of pride. Especially after the arizona debacle, I thought they will atleast come out firing in the tournament win or lose. Well hope this leads to the firing of dawkins
By layman on 03.09.16 2:46pm
Time for a new direction
I think eight years is more than enough time to know that Johnny Dawkins and Stanford MBB are not a good fit. I think the world of Dawkins as a person and an off-court representative of Stanford. But he’s a mediocre head coach who would probably do better as an assistant coach who focuses on teaching guards.
We know this program can be MUCH better than this. Why? Because it was, and not too long ago. But this program is on life support. Can’t even sell out for Low APR U or any other home game. At this point they need to rename the student section the Six Man Club because that’s about how many show up, and I can’t blame them one bit.
By winflop on 03.10.16 5:42am
How much things have changed
At the beginning of this millennium, I was a rabid Cardinal men’s basketball fan and enjoyed the great success of the teams, while suffering through the inglorious football seasons (Teevens, Harris). Now, the football team gets my full focus, while basketball season is just something to muddle through. I don’t want to get too immodest, but since we have shown we can win at both sports (while maintaining elite academic standards), why are Muir and Co. content to continue on in this mediocre trajectory? Dawkins is a wonderful fellow, but he is simply not a top-tier basketball coach. Some basketball version of Jim Harbaugh needs to take over and make over the entire program. I just don’t see the basketball team ever competing for the Pac-12 title under Dawkins.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 03.10.16 1:22pm
Who are the coaching candidates?
What Tarnungas said. All in.
So, Amaker at Harvard?
How about stealing McCaffry from Iowa?
Or Miller from Dayton? They’re in the Tourney. Spoiler text here
By ADPATERSON on 03.10.16 5:38pm
Russell Turner
I think he’s the obvious candidate. Former Stanford assistant. NBA experience. Familiar with the west coast. Has turned UC Irvine into a Big West power. He’s a young up-and-comer who’s proven he can coach.
By JYTLM on 03.10.16 6:45pm
Russell Turner is the only name I’ve seen other fans on this site suggest that made any real sense, not because those other coaches aren’t good, but because there’s no reason to think they’d be interested in the Stanford job.
(Side note: UCI lost to St. Mary’s and Oregon this season — just like Stanford did!)
Two good candidates in prior years were Wayne Tinkle (Montana) and Dave Paulsen (Bucknell), but they got grabbed up by Oregon State and George Mason, respectively.
By Cardinal&Orange on 03.10.16 10:25pm