Stanford Men’s Basketball 2024-25 Preview: What to Know About Cardinal
Overview
The Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team is coming off a disappointing season, finishing with a 16-16 record and failing to make the NCAA Tournament. However, the Cardinal are hoping to bounce back in 2024-25 with a new coach and a talented roster.
Jerod Haase was fired as head coach after seven seasons, and the Cardinal hired former Washington State coach Kyle Smith to replace him. Smith has a reputation for developing players and getting the most out of his teams, so he could be the right coach to turn things around at Stanford.
Key Players
The Cardinal have a number of key players returning in 2024-25, including:
- Harrison Ingram: The 6-foot-7 forward is one of the best young players in the country. He averaged 10.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a freshman and is expected to take on a bigger role this season.
- Spencer Jones: The 6-foot-8 forward is another talented player who is expected to make a big impact this season. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
- Michael O'Connell: The 6-foot-4 guard is a good shooter and passer who is expected to start at point guard this season.
Schedule
The Cardinal have a challenging schedule in 2024-25, including games against:
- Gonzaga
- Arizona
- UCLA
- USC
- Oregon
Expectations
The Cardinal are hoping to make the NCAA Tournament in 2024-25. They have a talented roster and a new coach who has a reputation for getting the most out of his teams. However, the Cardinal will need to play well in a tough schedule in order to reach their goals.