Category: NCAA

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal host Wake Forest Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal Oziyah Sellers (4) led Stanford in scoring against the SMU Mustangs on Sat Feb 1, 2025 in Dallas (Stanford-Rival photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, talk about that tough loss for the Stanford (15-7) last game to the SMU Mustangs (17-5) 85-61 in a game that was not even a contest last Sat Feb 1st.

#2 For the Mustangs four players in double digits SMU center Samet Yigitoglu led with 17 points and was a challenge for the Cardinal to keep him contained.

#3 Stanford guard Oziyah Sellers led with 19 points and the way he was shooting he was able to read the Mustangs defense but it wasn’t enough to get the Cardinal back from a 24 point deficit.

#4 Following up Sellers was Stanford number two shooter forward Maxime Raynaud who finished second in scoring with 18 points. Despite the loss Raynaud has been lights out all season.

#5 The Cardinal try it all over again against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto for an 8:00pm PST tip. Wake Forest is fifth in the ACC at 16-6 and have won three of their last seven games.

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Carinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Women Empty The Bench in Blowout Win Over Pitt, 84-53

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Back in character, the Cal women blew past Pittsburgh, 84-53 and matched their win total for all of last season with eight games remaining.

The Golden Bears (19-4, 7-3) took off early, outscoring Pitt by nine in the first quarter, and 19 in the second. Their 46-20 halftime lead allowed Coach Charmin Smith to play her reserves extensively in the second half.

“We started off rough with the turnovers, but once we settled in, it looked like Cal basketball,” Smith said.

Lulu Twidale led Cal with 17 points, Ioanna Krimili added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. With the outcome no longer in doubt, 12 Bears played and found their way into the scoring column. The performance was nice bounce back from Wednesday’s loss to North Carolina, the Bears first at home this season, and one in which they scored just 52 points, and seven in the decisive fourth quarter.

“Just make sure that our next game is the most important game of our lives. We always talk about that,” Marta Suarez said. “We knew we wanted to come out and execute. It was an opportunity for everyone to get minutes, and that’s important in a team game. We care about each other, we have team chemistry. I think that helps.”

Cal needed a win, in advance of their biggest road trip of the ACC schedule with games at Louisville and Notre Dame this week.

Marley Washenitz led Pitt with a career-best 20 points. Khadija Faye added 16 points, five rebounds for the Panthers, who are in trouble of missing the ACC Tournament with a 1-8 start conference play.

The Bears celebrated the memory of Kay Yow, the longtime N.C. State head coach in the Play4Kay Game. Cal wore pink uniforms and auctioned off custom-made t-shirts for the occassion.

Syracuse uses big first half to upend Cal 75-66

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Cal Bears guard Javon Blackshear (10) points to his teammates as Cal battles the Syracuse Orange at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 1, 2025 (Cal Bears MBB X photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Lucas Taylor scored 19 points and J.J. Starling bagged 18 for Syracuse Saturday, leading the Orange past California 75-66 in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball at Haas Pavilion.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Orange (10-12 overall, 4-7 ACC).

The Golden Bears (11-11 overall, 4-7 ACC) were led by Jeremiah Wilkinson and Jovan Blacksher, who each scored a game-high 20 points. Rylis Petraitis was Cal’s leading rebounder with eight, to go with two assists, two steals and 13 points.

Syracuse opened the game with back-to-back layups by Starling, followed by a Taylor jumper and Elijah Moore’s 3-pointer, giving the Orange a 9-0 lead. The Orange never trailed.

Chris Bell hit a short jumper and a 3 to cap a 10-1 Syracuse run that put the Orange up by 13 with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Taking advantage of poor shooting by Cal (17 percent on 4 of 23 shots), the Orange build a 40-23 at the break.

The Golden Bears battled back with two 11-0 runs to pull within seven in the second half. Petraitis scored seven points during a 9-3 Cal run, pulling the Bears to within 67-61 on Blacksher’s layup with 1:14 remaining. The Golden Bears got no closer.

The Golden Bears were without Andrej Stojakovic, their leading scorer. Stojakovic averages 18.9 points per game – third in the ACC.

Cal hosts N.C. State on Wednesday. Game time is 8 p.m PST.

Tar Heels Leave Cal Women Stuck, Win 65-52 at Haas

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–North Carolina’s ACC-leading defense, as advertised, gave the Cal Bears fits on Thursday night.

The Tar Heels forced Cal into catch-up mode from the start and kept the hosts out of step until the conclusion of the third quarter, which ended with the Bears trailing by just two points. But the fourth quarter saw the visitors’ pressure intensify, holding Cal to just seven points the rest of the way in a disappointing 65-52 loss.

The Bears squandered an opportunity to move closer to the top 16 teams nationally, who hold aspirations of hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Cal remains entrenched in the post-season picture, but their opportunities to move up in the rankings could be limited to their upcoming road trip to Louisville and Notre Dame.

In the absence of a win, the highlight of the evening for Cal was leading scorer Ioanna Krimili’s 400th career 3-pointer. The 6th year guard moved into a select group of 16 women that have achieved the feat.

Krimili led Cal with 20 points, and Michelle Onyiah added 14 despite being limited to 18 minutes of playing time due to foul trouble and cramping. Marta Suarez and Lulu Twidale suffered rough nights shooting with a combined 5 of 23 accuracy.

UNC’s Alyssa Ustby, in her 132nd start, was again the key to the visitor’s defensive effort, limiting Suarez and Twidale individually while helping the Heels control the glass with a 38-28 edge.

“Their defensive pressure, their intensity gave us some trouble,” coach Charmin Smith said. “They kind of bullied us off our lines in trying to set screens, let alone use screens.”

Cal played without Natalia Ackerman and Giselle Maul which limited their bench production, and made the fourth quarter especially rough as fatigue and missed shots allowed UNC to increase their lead to as many as 14 points. The Bears lost at Haas Pavilion for the first time this season after rattling off 11 consecutive wins.

Cal’s weekend at home concludes with a contest against the Pitt Panthers, who have won just one of their nine conference games and are in danger of being one of the three teams that don’t qualify for the ACC Tournament. That game is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears battle UNC in Berkeley tonight; Cal still perfect 11-0 at home

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Stanford Tree (left) not happy, Cal Bears players (right) happy after sweeping the two game season series against the Stanford Cardinal on Thu Jan 25, 2025 at Maples Pavilion (Cal Bears X photo)

On Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal Bears (18-3) Kayla Williams scored 18 points and Ioanna Krimlli had 17 point and the Cal defeated the Stanford Cardinal (10-9) 75-72 last Thursday night.

 #2 The win was historic it was the Bears first sweep of the Cardinal in 39 years.

#3 The win on Thursday was Cal’s first win at Stanford since the 2014-15 and Stanford suffered it’s second home loss of the season.

#4 Marta Suarez who scored 13 points. The Bears had lost 12 in a row against the Cardinal. The win on Thursday was Cal’s first win by 20 points after having a successful evening of hitting 18 three pointers.

#5 The North Carolina Tar Heels (18-5) come calling Thursday night against Cal for a 7:00pm PST tip. NC has not lost a road game yet this season at 4-0.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal get big win over Orange 70-61; Raynaud leads the way with 21 points

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Syracuse Orange Jaquan Carlos (left) drives on the Stanford Cardinal Benny Gealer (right) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Jan 29, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:.

#1 Stanford Cardinal (15-6) Maxime Raynaud scored 21 points and had 15 rebounds with his national leading 17th double double. Stanford had a 17-0 run to open the game on Wednesday night against the Syracuse Orange (9-12) 70-61.

#2 Syracuse failed to convert it’s first seven shots. Raynaud hit two 3 pointers and scored eight points. As Stanford had the 17-0 lead. The Cardinal were up 25-2 but the Orange came right back with a 12-1 run and also closed the gap by seven points twice with a 33-24 Stanford lead at the half.

#3 Midway in the first half the Cardinal scored four three pointers more than Syracuse had two baskets. The Orange shot 8 for 15 in the last ten minutes of the first half. The Cardinal went three for 13.

#4 Raynaud had a double double before the first half was over. Raynaud had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.

#5 The Cardinal visit the SMU Mustangs in Dallas on Sat Feb 1 for a 3:00pm PST tip. SMU are in fourth place and are 12-3 at home. Stanford is 3-3 on the road so far this season. How do you see this match up.

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

Cardinal Squeezed the Orange 70-61, on a late Wednesday Night inside Maples

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Stanford Cardinal guard Ryan Agarwal (center) is all smiles as the Cardinal defeated guard Lucas Taylor (3) and the Syracuse Orange at Maples Pavilion on Wed Jan 29, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (15-6, 7-3 ACC) Peeled the Syracuse Orange (9-12, 3-7 ACC) 70-61 all around the Farm, and remained unbeaten at home (Maples) and the Bay (Haas) in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

ACC Player of the Week, Maxime Raynaud started the bi-coastal contest with his own personal 5-0 run. He hit a shot clock buzzer-beating 3-pointer, then scored another bucket shortly thereafter. The Cardinal added 12 consecutive more points, to perform a 17-0 run, before Syracuse could even affect the scoreboard.

After a 7:35 scoring drought by the visitors from the Empire State, they finally got into the scoring column on a layup by senior guard Jaquan Carlos. Even after getting off the “Goose Egg,” they trailed by as much as 23 points midway through the first half.

From that point on, Syracuse went on a 22-8 run by intermission. During that push, the Orange cut the deficit to seven twice, and trailed by nine after 20 minutes of action, 33-24.

Raynaud was the only player in double-figures at the half. He compiled a double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

In the second half, the Cardinal put the lead pack in double-digits right away, on an Oziyah Sellers Trey. However, Syracuse relentlessly showed they still had juice inside of them and continued to cut into the Cardinal’s impressive lead.

Syracuse was able to get within six , but no closer than that because Stanford turned up the defense and recovered crucial and timely rebounds. The Oranged ended the game with five more turnovers than their counterpart, and gave up 10 more points than they were able to score off of Stanford’s miscues.

All other statistics were close, but the 10 point difference in turnover was the difference, as the extra 5 were converted to two points each. Winning by nine, 70-61, was a direct result of that margin of victory.

Raynaud improved on his halftime double-double, by garnering a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds. Jaylen Blakes joined him with 14 points and 6 rebounds, while both Oziyah Sellers and Benny Gealer offered 10 points apiece.

Jaquan Carlos led the way for the Orange with 16 points, and his teammate Eddie Lampkin chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Stanford will next be in action in Dallas, TX, Saturday, February 1, as they take on the Southern Methodist Mustangs 5:00 PM CT, on the ACC Network. Syracuse crosses the Bay on the same date to take on the California Golden Bears 7:00 PM PT, on ESPN2. The aforementioned Carlos led the Orange with 7 points and 3 assists.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal host the Orange Wednesday night at Maples

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Stanford Cardinal guard Oziyah Sellers (4) takes a jump shot over the Florida State Seminoles guard Bostyn Holt (3) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Jan 25, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 It was a hard fought effort by the Stanford Cardinal (14-6) against the Florida State Seminoles (13-7) as the Cardinal came away with a seven point win over the Seminoles 78-71.

# 2 The Cardinal have now won 11 of their last 12 games at home and this season is the first time the Cardinal have gone 11-1 in their first 12 games since the 2020 season. Against the ACC teams the Cardinal are 4-0 for a perfect home record.

#3 Stanford’s Oziyah Sellers led with 27 points and shot 10-16 from the field and was four for six outside the three point line. Benny Gealer and Jaylen Blakes both in double figures and scored 13 points each. Maxime Raynaud had eight point and grabbed a season high of 14 rebounds.

#4 Stanford’s Ryan Agarwal scored the first five points of Saturday. Stanford led early in the game 18-10 and Agarwal had a 7-0 run from Sellers in the middle of the first quarter. Sellers also was hitting the three pointers with three 3 pointers in the first 20 minutes. Chisom Okpara hit a shot from behind the arc with 20 seconds half heading into the half.

#5 The Cardinal face the Syracuse Orange (9-11) on Wed Jan 29th. The Orange lost their last game 77-73 to Pittsburgh Panthers (13-6) 77-73. The Orange are 12th in the ACC. The Orange have lost their last two games. The Cardinal have the home floor and a three game win streak going into this game against the Orange on Wed Jan 29 at 8:00pm.

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sellers & Cardinal made Seminoles’ adventure on the Farm unpleasant, 78-71; Still Perfect at home (ACC)

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Stanford Cardinal guard Oziyah Sellers (4) is the post game guest on the ESPN ACC Network after leading the Cardinal with 27 points defeating the Florida State Seminoles at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Jan 25, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Led by Oziyah Sellers’ career high 27-point performance, Stanford Cardinal (12-6, 6-3 ACC) remain unbeaten at home (Maples) and the Bay (Haas) in Atlantic Coast Conference play, after they defeated the Florida State Seminoles (13-7, 4-5 ACC) 78-71, on an overcast afternoon in Palo Alto.

Stanford scored the first points of the game, on a Ryan Agarwal layup. FSU tied it up at two, but trailed until a little more than six minutes into the contest.

Florida State took their first and only lead (10-9) on a dunk by redshirt-senior Jamir Watkins. Stafford went on a 9-0 run directly after that, with Oziyah Sellers providing seven and Maxime Raynaud chipping in the other two. The Cardinal held on to the advantage on the scoreboard all the way to recess.

Standord’s lead reached as high as 10 points, but settled at eight after 20 minutes of gametime play, 33-25.

Sellers was the only player with 10+ points (13), and he converted three treys for his beloved Cardinal. Watkins led the Seminoles with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Sellers got the second half started off right for the Cardinal, as he made a layup less than 30 seconds into the second stanza. Stanford also increased the lead back into double-digits (13), and managed to hold on for the rest of the game, despite FSU’s efforts.

The Seminoles did lessen the deficit below ten points several times, but the home team was not as hospitable enough to give up the entire lead for their Sunshine State guests. The tree bent, but was not broken. They finished the conference battle with 7-point advantage, 78-71.

Sellers led all scorers with his 27, while Jaylen Blakes and Benny Gealer both offered 13 points to the equation. Although the double-double French King (Raynaud) was a little below stellar, he tallied eight points and and 14 rebounds.

The Seminoles also had three players with double-figure scoring. Jamir Watkins (20) and 8 rebounds, Malique Ewin (16) and 7 rebounds, in addition to Daquon Davis’ (14) contribution to their cause.

The Cardinal will next be in action, Wednesday, January 29, as they host the Syracuse Orange at 8:00 PM PT. on ESPNU. The Seminoles go back to Tallahassee to host the Virginia Tech Hokies on the same date, at 7:00 PM ET, also on the ACC Network.

Golden Bears work overtime to beat Hurricanes 98-94

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Cal Bears guard Christian Tucker (22) lets everyone know that guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (0) scored 30 points in their win over the Miami Hurricanes at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Jan 25, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Thanks to big nights from Jeremiah Wilkinson and DJ Campbell, California held off Miami (Fla.) 98-94 in overtime Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball at Haas Pavilion.

Wilkinson bagged a career-high 30 points and Campbell scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Golden Bears (11-9 overall, 4-5 ACC). Wilkinson was 10 of 22 – including one 3 – from the field and 9 of 10 at the line. Campbell hit 5 of 12 shooting with 9 of 11 free throws.

Javan Blacksher Jr. Scored 11 points and Mady Sissoko grabbed 10 of the Golden Bears’ 41 rebounds in a game had 11 lead changes and was tied 10 times.

The Hurricanes (4-16 overall, 0-9 ACC) forced overtime when Matthew Cleveland took an inbounds pass and hit a 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 79-79.

In overtime, Campbell tallied six points during a 9-2 Cal run that gave the Golden Bears an 88-81 lead. Cal stretched its lead to 94-86 with 24 seconds left in the extra period. Miami wasn’t finished, however, as A.J. Staton-McCray sank back-to-back 3-pointers, pulling the Hurricanes to within 95-92 before Cal put the game away at the foul line.

Cleveland led the Hurricanes with 30 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Brandon Johnson added 16 points and eight boards. Paul Djobet scored 12 points and Jalil Bethea had 11 points and six rebounds.

Cal travels to Dallas Wednesday to face Southern Methodist for a