Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal take on UCLA tonight; Stanford looking to sweep the homestand

Stanford guard Indya Nivar, front left, blocks a shot by Southern California guard Kayla Williams, front right, during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (26-3) No.3 are coming off that big win against the USC Trojans (19-8) 50-47 a close game against an unranked school.

#2 Once again Stanford got offensive help from Cameron Brink who led with 12 points.

#3 Michael, talk about guard Kiki Irafen and her contribution to this offense she got nine points on Friday night at Stanford.

#4 Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer says that confidence down the stretch in a game against USC and it was close with Stanford winning by three points.

#5 The Cardinal match up tonight against UCLA No.16 (21-6 at Maples Pavilion. how do you see this match up tonight?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big night for Ellis lifts Trojans past Stanford 85-75

The USC Trojans forward (3) Vincent Iwuchukwu congratulates teammate guard Kobe Johnson (0) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles after defeating the Stanford Cardinal (@USC_Hoops photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 18, 2023

Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

The Trojans (19-8 overall, 11-5 Pac-12) won their 14th straight home game and remains in third place in the conference standings, Ellis had six of USC’s 13 3-pointers.

Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. Michael Jones was next with 14 points, while Spencer Jones and Brandon Angel added 11 points apiece. Michael O’Connell had nine points and a game-high seven assists.

Stanford (11-16 overall, 5-11 Pac-12) jumped to a 9-2 lead early, before the Trojans took control of the game with a 16-2 run. After the Cardinal pulled to within two points, Ellis hit a pair of 3s, sparking an 11-0 run that gave USC a 41-30 halftime lead.

While Stanford outscored the Trojans 45-44 in the second half, USC led by no less than seven points while connecting on 53.8 percent of its field goal attempts in the last 20 minutes.

There were a couple of pluses for Stanford – the Cardinal outscored USC 38-22 in the paint with 13 of those points coming on second chances. Stanford shot 46 percent from the field, including 40 percent (8 of 20) behind the arc.

The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

No. 3 Cardinal women survive late scare from USC in 50-47 win

Southern California guard Kayla Williams, left, tries to drive to the basket while defended by Stanford guard Indya Nivar during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, February 17, 2023

No. 3 Stanford held off a late challenge from visiting Southern California Friday, as the Cardinal emerged with a 50-47 Pac-12 women’s basketball win over the No. 25 Trojans at Maples Pavilion.

Cameron Brink paced the Cardinal (25-3 overall, 13-2 Pac-12) with 12 points, ten rebounds and six blocked shots, Indya Nivar and Kiki Iriafen each scored nine points, and Haley Jones had eight points, ten rebounds and five assists.

USC (19-7 overall, 9-6 Pac-12) was led by Destiny Littleton with 15 points, followed by Okako Adika with 13 points and nine rebounds. Clarice Akunwafo finished with 12 rebounds.

Stanford led by one point after the first quarter and built a 32-26 halftime lead. The Cardinal led 40-29 at 7:55 of the third quarter on Hannah Jump’s 3-pointer. After Brink hit a pair of free throws at 8:05 of the fourth, the Trojans went on an 10-2 run capped by Okako Adika’s two free throws at 2:42, and her 20-foot jumper pulled USC to within 48-45 with 1:43 remaining.

Brink’s layup at 1:09 of the fourth quarter put the Cardinal up 50-45. Stanford’s Talana Lepolo committed a shooting foul with 37 seconds left, sending Littleton to the line. Littleton made both free throws, cutting the Stanford lead to 50-47.

USC had one more possession with three seconds remaining. Littleton missed a 23-foot 3-point attempt with one second left, and Nivar grabbed the defensive rebound to secure the win.

Attendance for this Top 25 matchup was 6,343. The Cardinal host UCLA on Monday.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal try to come away from road trip with a win at USC Saturday

UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark (0) spends a little hang time on the rim after throwing down against the Stanford Cardinal at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Thu Feb 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for the UCLA Bruins (23-4) Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated the Stanford Cardinal (11-16) 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

#2 Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

#3 Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. 

#4 The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45.

#5 Stanford prepares for USC (19-8) on Saturday night another tough customer coming off the tough loss to UCLA how much of a push will the Cardinal need to get past USC tomorrow night?

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 4 Bruins hold off stubborn Stanford 73-64

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram dunks next to UCLA guard Jaylen Clark, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 73-64. (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 12, 2023

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for UCLA Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated Stanford 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. Adem Bona and David Singleton each added eight points for UCLA (22-4 overall, 13-2 Pac-12).

Michael Jones led the Cardinal (11-15 overall, 5-10 Pac-12) with 15 points, followed by Harrison Ingram with 13 points and Maxime Raynaud with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Michael O’Connell had five assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Ingram finished with six rebounds and five assists.

Spencer Jones, the Cardinal’s top scorer at 13.7 points per game, was held to six.

Stanford hit six of their first seven shots to start the game. UCLA took its first lead at 16-15 at 11:35 of the first half, but the Cardinal responded with a 9-0 run and led 31-27 at halftime.

The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45. A dunk by Clark put UCLA ahead to stay at 58-57, but after a three-minute scoring drought, ingram hit a jumper to make it a one-point game with 4:59 remaining,

Will McClendon hit a 3-pointer with 3:39 remaining, extending the Bruins’ lead to 63-59. A parade to the free throw line, sinking eight foul shots, allowed the Bruins to build their permanent lead.

Stanford travels to Southern California on Saturday.

Stanford Cardinal WBB podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal two road wins get them back in #3 spot in AP Poll

Stanford Cardinal center Lauren Betts (51) had her best game going 12-15 from the field against Arizona State Sun Devils on Sun Feb 12, 2023 in Tempe AZ (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

On the Stanford Cardinal WBB podcast with Michael:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal WBB (24-3) are coming off a two game road sweep over the Arizona Wildcats (19-6) on Thursday and the Arizona State Sun Devils (7-16) on Sunday and both were convincing wins.

#2 The Cardinal occupied the #6 spot on the AP Poll but moved up to #3 after the last two road wins. They did at one time occupy #2 on the poll.

#3 South Carolina is #1 in the poll and has held that spot for 37 straight weeks tying UConn’s record for third place for the longest #1 spot held in the AP Poll list.

#4 The Cardinal have not lost often but have lost to USC and Washington in their last two defeats in Pac 12 play. That really speaks to the success of head coach Tara VanDerveer and the job she’s done with this team this season.

#5 Michael speaking of coach VanDerveer, she and the Cardinal get another run against the USC Trojans at Maple Pavilion this Friday night. The Cardinal badly want this game after losing to the Trojans in Los Angeles their last meeting.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal trying to prevent their 22nd loss tonight against Arizona; Team reportedly flying commercial not charter

Cal Bears guard Joel Brown shoes in hand heads for the tarmac and boards a plane at Salt Lake City after playing the Utah Utes on Sun Feb 5, 2023 (@CalMBBall photo)

On Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Sitting on 19 losses and inevitably headed toward an undesired historical 20th loss, the Cal Bears started Sunday needing to fess up to one fair conclusion. Is a big part of the reason Cal is not focusing is because they’ve been flying commercial rather charter as reported?

#2 Cal Bears currently not talented enough to compete in the Pac 12 with or without injuries, with or without USC and UCLA or any number of other considerations.

#3 It’s not a good look, and a trip to Utah’s Huntsman Center certainly didn’t change that. The Bears fared no better in a dreary 61-46 loss to the Utes that leaves them as the only program to suffer three consecutive 20-loss seasons in Pac-12 history.

#4 Cal trailed at halftime and then went the first six-plus minutes of the second half without a made basket. That allowed the hosts to extend their lead to as many as 20 points and cruise in beating the Bears for a fifth, consecutive time dating back to 2021.

#5 Cal (3-20, 2-10) fell to 0-8 in true road games and are fortunate to have their next two games at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley with Arizona up first on Thursday evening.

Join Michael Duca for the Cal Bears basketball podcasts Thursdays and Morris Phillips does all game recaps at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal dropping to No.4 is not that big of deal after being No.2

Stanford guard Talana Lepolo, right, drives toward the basket as Southern California guard Kayla Williams defends during the first half at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel in the loss to the USC Trojans (13-4) 55-46 last Sunday in the Southland it was the Stanford Cardinal (17-2) first loss after wining 12 straight games their last loss coming in overtime to South Carolina back on Nov 20th at Maples Pavilion.

#2 The loss drops Stanford who had been in the No.2 seeded spot for weeks to No.4 the consequence of that loss was that USC was an unranked school coming into that game.

#3 Daniel, defense on behalf of the Trojans in the first quarter of last Sunday’s game made all the difference and the Trojans had a game plan on double teaming and shutting down the Cardinal’s Cameron Brink who did lead Stanford in scoring with 11 points. The Cardinal would only get 4 points in the first quarter.

#4 Daniel, was the loss to USC just taking the Trojans for granted after the Cardinal had that huge win to UCLA on the Friday before or the Trojans just had a game plan and executed.

#5 You can best bet that the Cardinal will review what went wrong against USC regroup and be prepared for their next opponent at Maples Pavilion tonight the No.8 ranked Utah Utes (15-1). The Utes last Friday were supposed to host the ASU Sun Devils but that game was forfeited due to medical issues with the Sun Devils and they couldn’t travel. The Utes in their next game took on Arizona Wildcats and defeated them 80-79 last Sunday. Daniel how do you see this match up for tonight between the Utes and Cardinal?

Join Daniel Dullum for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal WBB podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal try to get over shock of losing to USC; Open 4 game homestand against Utah on Friday night

Stanford guard Haley Jones (30) and forward Brooke Demetre (21) grapple for a loose ball with Southern California guard Okako Adika (24) during the first half at USC in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal WBB podcast with Michael:

#1 Southern California pulled off a major upset in women’s basketball Sunday, as the Trojans defeated No. 2 Stanford 55-46 in Los Angeles, snapping the Cardinal’s 12-game winning streak in the process.

#2 Destiny Littleton led USC with 18 points and six assists, Okako Adika scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Taylor Bigby and Kayla Williams scored nine points apiece as the Trojans (13-4 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) snapped a 14-game losing streak to Stanford.

#3 It was Southern California’s first win over the Cardinal (17-2 overall, 5-1 Pac-12) since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament.

#4 Though the Cardinal held USC to 27 percent shooting from the field, the Trojans compensated by hitting 8 of 19 behind the arc and sinking 17 of 26 free throws. Stanford hit only 4 of 21 3-point attempts.

#5 The Cardinal return home on Friday to host No. 10 Utah, opening a four-game homestand at Maples Pavilion.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

USC women stun No. 2 Cardinal 55-46

Southern California guard Kayla Williams, left, and guard Okako Adika celebrates after USC upset Stanford 55-46 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sunday, January 15, 2023

Southern California pulled off a major upset in women’s basketball Sunday, as the Trojans defeated No. 2 Stanford 55-46 in Los Angeles, snapping the Cardinal’s 12-game winning streak in the process.

Destiny Littleton led USC with 18 points and six assists, Okako Adika scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Taylor Bigby and Kayla Williams scored nine points apiece as the Trojans (13-4 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) snapped a 14-game losing streak to Stanford.

It was Southern California’s first win over the Cardinal (17-2 overall, 5-1 Pac-12) since the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament.

USC had it going defensively, holding the Cardinal to four points in the first quarter, and leading by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Trojans forced six turnovers while holding Stanford to 2 of 10 shooting in the opening 10 minutes, building an 11-4 lead.

The Cardinal tied the game at 19-19 with 1:09 left in the first half, but USC’s 5-0 run gave the Trojans a 24-19 halftime lead.

Clarice Akunwafo put the exclamation point on USC’s day at the end of the third quarter. With three seconds remaining in the period, Akunwafo blocked a shot by the Cardinals’ Lauren Betts, then hustled upcourt to sink a 24-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer, giving the Trojans a 43-33 lead.

Cameron Brink scored 11 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for the Cardinal, which also saw its streak of 39 straight conference wins come to an end. Haley Jones had 12 rebounds for Stanford, but was held to eight points.

Though the Cardinal held USC to 27 percent shooting from the field, the Trojans compensated by hitting 8 of 19 behind the arc and sinking 17 of 26 free throws. Stanford hit only 4 of 21 3-point attempts.

The Cardinal return home on Friday to host No. 10 Utah, opening a four-game homestand at Maples Pavilion.