#9 Indiana University (1-0) will battle the #15 Stanford Cardinal (1-0) at the Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto at 5pm on Sunday afternoon. This battle between two top programs in the nation will air on ESPN. This will be the first ranked test of the season for either team.
The Cardinal are 2-1 all-time against IU, with their most recent match-up taking place in at the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championships in Nassau in 2021, when Cameron Brink exploded with a double, double to lead then #7 Stanford over then #4 Indiana to a 69-66 victory.
Indiana is coming off of a 96-43 win over Eastern Illinois, in which the Hoosiers shot 65% from the field, including break away performances from All-American Graduate Forward Mackenzie Holmes (19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks), Sophomore Guard Yarden Garzon (15 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists), and Sophomore Guard Lexus Bargesser (15 points)
Stanford kicked of the season at home last week with a 47-point win over Hawaii. Junior Forward Kiki Irifen topped all with 23 points, while All-American Senior Forward Cameron Brink put up 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
What to Expect . . .
- A battle in the paint could be the key to this game’s outcome. Two All-American Forwards will be challenging each other for points and rebounds. Holmes’ footwork and ability to score with ease from both hands might tip the advantage toward IU.
- Look for IU to play tight perimeter defense, with the success of the Cardinal 3-point game. Stanford Guard Hannah Jump (42%) is 3rd in the nation among active players for 3-point percentage.
- Both teams will try to control the tempo of this game. Stanford will look to implement a zone defense with some full court pressure from time to time, to keep this a lower scoring game, which could favor the Cardinal.
Notable:
- Stanford Head Coach Tara VanDerveer is 16 wins away from overtaking Mike Krzyzewski’s record of 1202 career wins, to become the winningest Coach, all-time in NCAA basketball history
- Indiana Head Coach Teri Moren just obtained her 400th career win last week in IU’s season opener
- The Cardinal has the second longest active streak of consecutive weeks (98) of being ranked in NCAA Women’s Basketball (UConn – 354)
Up next, Indiana returns home to face Murray State on Friday, November 17th for a 7pm tip-off. Stanford will remain in Palo Alto to face Cal Poly at 7pm on Thursday, November 16th.