I have not seen the Cardinal perform so far this season. I analyzed everything and noticed that Stanford has had some inexplicable happenings going on. My question simply is which version of Stanford will Cal see tomorrow afternoon in Palo Alto.
2025-26 Stanford Women's Basketball Combined Stats.pdf - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
Stanford opened the season undefeated (7-0), outscoring opponents by approximately twenty points. As a matter of fact, none of those opponents even reached sixty points vs the Cardinal defense. Then, something*changed.* Stanford has had three consecutive tight games in which they have only been able to score 62 points. At a Las Vegas Tournament, they lost 66-62 to Florida Gulf Coast. Stanford rebounded the 2nd day and outlasted Colorado State, 62-60. The final game was a heartbreaking loss at home against SEC power, Tennessee. The Vols squeaked out a 65-62 victory in front of 4499 in Palo Alto.
The 7-0 version of the team had a relatively easy schedule, and the Cardinal took care of business. If Stanford returns to form and outscores their opposition by 19.7 ppg (72.9-53.2), Cal will likely lose. The Cardinal has not played for 11 days due to finals. They have had time to think about things and attempt to regroup for tomorrow against Cal. If the Cardinal continues to perform in a malaise like they did recently, the Bears have a shot at an upset. Cal lost two in row to SEC teams but played well in their last two wins.
Women's Basketball 2025-26 - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
I will quickly review HC Kate Paye's eight player rotation and her team's strengths and weaknesses. I will predict an outcome and point out what Charmin Smith's charges will have to accomplish to come out on top.
The starting lineup is led by 6-2 junior PF Nunu Agara (#3). She is a physical warrior. Agara is both tops in scoring (15.8) & rebounding (8.8). She is very dangerous on the offensive boards with 3.4 per game. Courtney Ogden is a 6-1 junior SF/wing that typically registers 7.3 points per contest. Their starting center is 6-3 frosh, Lara Somfai, rated the #12 prep nationally (ESPN). She is 3rd in scoring (10.7 points) + 2nd in rebounding with 8.6. The Aussie is tops in blocked shots w/9. Another highly regarded freshman, 5-10 SG Hailee Swain (#2), is fourth in offensive production (9.2). She is rated by ESPN as the #8 prospect in the country. The job of point guard is once again filled by 5-7 junior Talana Lepolo. She missed last season due to injury. The former Carondolet star adds 4.9 points to the cause and averages 2.9 assists per game. Lepolo is 2nd in treys (9) and 3rd in steals (14) on the team.
The crucial sixth "man" is 5-9 junior combo guard, Chloe Clardy (#13), who averages 30 minutes on the floor. She is a catalyst that makes positive things happen for the Cardinal. She is the team's 2nd offensive threat with 11.9 points and generates 2.8 assists/g. Clardy is clutch. She is 2nd in three-pointers made w/14. On defense, Chloe averages 2 steals as well. These six players all play 21 to 30.5 minutes. Two others play spot minutes to complete the rotation. Mary Ashley Stevenson is a 6-2 junior PF who averages 4.3 points & 4.5 boards. Frosh 6-5 center, Alex Eschmeyer, is rated #21 nationally and puts up 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. She's second in blocked shots w/8.
I noticed some changes on this 2025-26 team as compared to recent Stanford squads. The one strength that they still possess is height and rebounding prowess. The Cardinal usually has two inside post players in the game at the same time in Agara & Somfai. This a big reason why they out-board their opposition 41.8 to 28.5 or by a margin of 13.3. Cal must counter is some fashion to stay close. The changes in the character of the Stanford team seems to be in ball-handling and outside shooting. Under Tara van Derveer, they used to generate between 15-20 assists. Now-it's closer to 15. The Cardinal used to be a volume three-point shooting team and often make double-digit treys. This year the team is making only 5.3. The two freshmen that are in the starting lineup have horrific shooting percentages from long distance. If Cal can double up the Stanford threes tomorrow and out-assist the home team, the Bears have a shot.
Since Cal swept Stanford last season, I have a feeling that the teams will split this year. My prediction is the home team emerges on top, 67-65, in the ACC opener. Hopefully-I'll be wrong, but I should be more accurate in the next "Battle of the Bay" in Berkeley
2025-26 Stanford Women's Basketball Combined Stats.pdf - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
Stanford opened the season undefeated (7-0), outscoring opponents by approximately twenty points. As a matter of fact, none of those opponents even reached sixty points vs the Cardinal defense. Then, something*changed.* Stanford has had three consecutive tight games in which they have only been able to score 62 points. At a Las Vegas Tournament, they lost 66-62 to Florida Gulf Coast. Stanford rebounded the 2nd day and outlasted Colorado State, 62-60. The final game was a heartbreaking loss at home against SEC power, Tennessee. The Vols squeaked out a 65-62 victory in front of 4499 in Palo Alto.
The 7-0 version of the team had a relatively easy schedule, and the Cardinal took care of business. If Stanford returns to form and outscores their opposition by 19.7 ppg (72.9-53.2), Cal will likely lose. The Cardinal has not played for 11 days due to finals. They have had time to think about things and attempt to regroup for tomorrow against Cal. If the Cardinal continues to perform in a malaise like they did recently, the Bears have a shot at an upset. Cal lost two in row to SEC teams but played well in their last two wins.
Women's Basketball 2025-26 - Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website
I will quickly review HC Kate Paye's eight player rotation and her team's strengths and weaknesses. I will predict an outcome and point out what Charmin Smith's charges will have to accomplish to come out on top.
The starting lineup is led by 6-2 junior PF Nunu Agara (#3). She is a physical warrior. Agara is both tops in scoring (15.8) & rebounding (8.8). She is very dangerous on the offensive boards with 3.4 per game. Courtney Ogden is a 6-1 junior SF/wing that typically registers 7.3 points per contest. Their starting center is 6-3 frosh, Lara Somfai, rated the #12 prep nationally (ESPN). She is 3rd in scoring (10.7 points) + 2nd in rebounding with 8.6. The Aussie is tops in blocked shots w/9. Another highly regarded freshman, 5-10 SG Hailee Swain (#2), is fourth in offensive production (9.2). She is rated by ESPN as the #8 prospect in the country. The job of point guard is once again filled by 5-7 junior Talana Lepolo. She missed last season due to injury. The former Carondolet star adds 4.9 points to the cause and averages 2.9 assists per game. Lepolo is 2nd in treys (9) and 3rd in steals (14) on the team.
The crucial sixth "man" is 5-9 junior combo guard, Chloe Clardy (#13), who averages 30 minutes on the floor. She is a catalyst that makes positive things happen for the Cardinal. She is the team's 2nd offensive threat with 11.9 points and generates 2.8 assists/g. Clardy is clutch. She is 2nd in three-pointers made w/14. On defense, Chloe averages 2 steals as well. These six players all play 21 to 30.5 minutes. Two others play spot minutes to complete the rotation. Mary Ashley Stevenson is a 6-2 junior PF who averages 4.3 points & 4.5 boards. Frosh 6-5 center, Alex Eschmeyer, is rated #21 nationally and puts up 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. She's second in blocked shots w/8.
I noticed some changes on this 2025-26 team as compared to recent Stanford squads. The one strength that they still possess is height and rebounding prowess. The Cardinal usually has two inside post players in the game at the same time in Agara & Somfai. This a big reason why they out-board their opposition 41.8 to 28.5 or by a margin of 13.3. Cal must counter is some fashion to stay close. The changes in the character of the Stanford team seems to be in ball-handling and outside shooting. Under Tara van Derveer, they used to generate between 15-20 assists. Now-it's closer to 15. The Cardinal used to be a volume three-point shooting team and often make double-digit treys. This year the team is making only 5.3. The two freshmen that are in the starting lineup have horrific shooting percentages from long distance. If Cal can double up the Stanford threes tomorrow and out-assist the home team, the Bears have a shot.
Since Cal swept Stanford last season, I have a feeling that the teams will split this year. My prediction is the home team emerges on top, 67-65, in the ACC opener. Hopefully-I'll be wrong, but I should be more accurate in the next "Battle of the Bay" in Berkeley
