Category: Stanford Cardinal

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Comeback Cardinal overcame multiple double-digit deficits to defeat Tar Heels 95-90, Wednesday Evening, on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal forward Aidan Cammann (52) dunks against the North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jaydon Young (4) in the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Jan 15, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Ebuka Okorie’s 36 points and nine assists led his Stanford Cardinal (14-4, 3-2 ACC) to a dramatic 95-90 come from behind victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels (14-3, 2-2 ACC) inside a raucous Maples Pavilion, with large fan participation for both schools.

UNC started the conference clash with the first four points of the game. However, Stanford followed that with a 5-0 run, to put them up by one. That would be their only lead in the entire first half.

The Tar Heels performed another significant run (7-0), eventually leading by as many as 12 points during the initial 20 minutes of play. Although the Cardinal continued to claw at the lead. They kept the game competitive by the halftime whistle.

Despite trailing for nearly 19 of the 20 minutes of the first half, Stanford only trailed by two at recess, 47-45.

The aforementioned Okorie led both teams at the half, with 17 points and 7 assists. Ryan Agarwal joined him with 11 points of his own. UNC center Henri Veesaar was the lone Tar Heel to be in double-figures scoring, with his 16 points at mid game.

The second half had the visitors from the Old North State more than doubling (10-0) their first half start to the second 20-minute stanza. UNC eventually parlayed that 2-point halftime lead to the game-high 12 points again.

As they did in the first half, Stanford fought back to erase the large deficit. They kept the score within reach, but just could not get over the hump for most of the second half. However, that was a different story with approximately one minute left in regulation.

Jeremy Dent-Smith stroked a dagger 3-pointer, which put the Cardinal up 88-87 at 1:01, and only their second lead (5-4) of the entire game. Ryan Agarwal followed that clutch shot with his own trey. Stanford established their largest margin of five.

As the seconds ticked off the scoreboard, the majority of the crowd was happy, and some gathered on the court in celebration. The Cardinal finished off a sweep of the Tar Heels over their first two years of ACC play.

Okorie led all players with 36 points, establishing another Stanford freshman record. Both Ryan Agarwal and Jeremy Dent-Smith added 20 points apiece , UNC’s leaders were Caleb Williams (26), Henri Veesaar (26), Seth Timble (13) and Luka Bogavac (13).

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, January 17, as they host the Duke Blue Devils.at 3 PM PT on the ACC Network. The Tar Heels head across the Bay to Berkeley, on the same date to take on Cal at 1 PM PT, on the ACC Network.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Okorie leads the way with 36 to take out Tar Heels 95-90

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Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) drives on the North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (left) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Jan 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 How did Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie’s scoring and playmaking influence the outcome Wednesday night, especially in clutch moments, and what adjustments did North Carolina fail to make on him?

#2 Stanford’s ball movement and shooting seemed effective — how crucial were contributions from guards and in spacing the floor and keeping UNC’s defense honest?

#3 What impact did the Stanford frontcourt — including players like Okorie, Ryan Agarwal and Jeremy Dent Smith have on rebounding and interior defense against North Carolina’s size?

#4 Did role players such as Okorie, Agarwal and Dent Smith, make notable plays that shifted momentum, and how might that depth influence Stanford’s upcoming games?

#5 How did Stanford’s defensive effort in the second half evolve — particularly against North Carolina’s leading scorers — and what adjustments did coach Kyle Smith make to secure the 95-90 victory?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Stanford gets crushed by Virginia 70-55

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Virginia Cavaliers guard Sam Lewis (5) guards Stanford Cardinal guard Benny Gealer (5) at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville on Sat Jan 10, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Ebuka Okorie came into Saturday night averaging over 20 points but was held scoreless in the second half — can you talk about what defenses he faced and how he tried to counter that?

#2 Benny Gealer scored 15 points, most in the first half — what adjustments did he try to make after halftime to sustain that scoring against Virginia’s defense?

#3 Eight players scored for Stanford Saturday night — how do you evaluate the bench contributions and what can be taken from Saturday night’s rotations moving forward?

#4 Stanford shot much lower in the second half compared to the first — what was the message at halftime and how did they try to get more efficient looks after the break?

#5 With this being Stanford’s first road loss of the season, what lessons will the team take from this performance as they head into ACC play back at Maples Pavilion?

Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Stanford opens two game road trip at Virginia Tech Wednesday

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Benny Gealer guard (5) and the Stanford Cardinal get ready for the Virginia Tech Hokies on Wed Jan 7, 2026 at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg VA (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (12-3) freshman guard Ebuka Okorie leads the Cardinal in scoring (over 21 points per game) and will be a key offensive focal point against Virginia Tech Hokies (12-3) defense.

#2 With his size and rebounding ability, Chisom Okpara presence in the paint could be crucial in deciding whether Stanford controls the boards.

#3 Which backcourt combo — Okorie and Ryan Agarwal — will have more success penetrating Virginia Tech’s defense?

#4 Can Okpara’s experience help Stanford sustain consistency across four quarters?

#5 Will Stanford’s perimeter shooting under pressure be enough to offset Virginia Tech’s athletic defenders?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: How Stanford sizes up against Virginia Tech Wednesday

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Stanford Cardinal bench erupts as the Cardinal defeated the visiting Louisville Cardinals at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Jan 2, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (12-3) freshman guard Ebuka Okorie leads the Cardinal in scoring (over 21 points per game) and will be a key offensive focal point against Virginia Tech Hokies (12-3) defense.

#2 With his size and rebounding ability, Chisom Okpara presence in the paint could be crucial in deciding whether Stanford controls the boards.

#3 Which backcourt combo — Okorie and Ryan Agarwal — will have more success penetrating Virginia Tech’s defense?

#4 Can Okpara’s experience help Stanford sustain consistency across four quarters?

#5 Will Stanford’s perimeter shooting under pressure be enough to offset Virginia Tech’s athletic defenders?

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

Cardinal clipped the wings of the Cardinals 80-76, Friday  Evening inside Maples

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Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) dribbles against Stanford Cardinal guard Benny Gealer (5) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images | Justine Willard-Imagn Images

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (12-3, 1-1 ACC) garnered their first conference win, after an 80-76 victory over the Louisville Cardinals (11-3, 1-1 ACC) in a pleasant atmosphere on the Farm.

Stanford started the game off with a 4-0 run.  Louisville followed that with a 5-0 run of their own.  The Cardinal equaled that amount on their second points burst..  They were in the lead for 16:23 of the first 20 minutes of the game and half, while the Cardinals were on top for 1:48, while they were tied twice for 1:49.

The Cardinal shot a whole lot better in the first half, compared to their previous conference game.  They managed to shoot 46% from both the field and beyond the arc.  Although they shot a mediocre 56% from the charity stripe.  Stanford’s defense forced Louisville into an abysmal 38% from 2, and 19% from 3.  Their 78% from the free throw line helped keep them close at recess.

Another different scenario for the Cardinal was from their leading scorer Ebuke Okorie,  The freshman sensation had a total of two points at the half in the previous game.  In his second conference game, he garnered  14 points in the initial 20-minute half.  That doubled his total amount in the other game.

After all of that action, Stanford was ahead by one at halftime, 35-34.  Stanford had one player in double-figures, and that was the aforementioned Okorie (14).  Louisville’s Sananda Fru was close, with 9 points and 5 rebounds at the midway point of the competitive game.

The second half had an immediate lead change, as Louisville entered the second half down one, but went up two on a 3-point shot by senior guard Isaac McKneely, 16 seconds into the second stanza.  That would be the fifth of 18 lead changes in the back and forth conference clash.

Both teams shot better in the second half, and made significant runs to race in front of each other.  Although there were nearly 20 lead changes, Stanford held the advantage for more than three times as many minutes of gameplay.

The game was a “nail-biter” in the final minutes, as it could have gone either way.  However, the Cardinal made the correct plays and converted the free throws to seal the deal at the end of 40 regulation minutes of action.  Stanford prevailed, and won the game by four, 80-76.

Two Cardinal teammates joined Okorie (28) in double-digit scoring.  Chisom Okpara tallied 17 points and 8 rebounds and Ryan Agarwal contributed 12 points to the team’s total.

Four Louisville hoopers reached that plateau for the visitors from the Blue Grass State.  Ryan Conwell led them with 18 points and7 rebounds, Isaac McKneely (17) Sananda Fru chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds, and J’Vonne Hadley offered 14 points and 7 rebounds.

The Cardinal will next be in action Wednesday, January 7, as they travel across  the Continental US to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies at 4 PM PT local time on the ACC NETWORK.  The Cardinals head back to Kentucky Tuesday, January 6, to host the Duke Blue Devils at 7 PM ET on ESPN.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal need to regroup on offensive strategy; Stanford faces Louisville Friday

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Stanford Cardinal Chisom Okpara was the only player on Stanford in double figures as the Cardinal strugggled to get any offense going against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Tue Dec 30, 2025 (Sports Illustrated file photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Chisom Okpara finished with 13 points and was one of Stanford’s leading scorers Tueday night — what adjustments do you think the team needs to make offensively after a tough shooting night.

#2 Ebuka Okorie came into the game as one of the nation’s top scorers but was held to seven points — what credit do you give Notre Dame’s defense?

#3 Oskar Giltay led Stanford with 11 rebounds — can you talk about his presence on the boards and how he might build a better transition offense off those rebounds next time?

#4 The team struggled with shooting efficiency overall — what specific areas (shot selection, ball movement, or spacing) do you feel most need improvement before your next ACC game?

#5 After playing a tough defensive battle on the road, how does Stanford keep the team’s confidence up and reset for the next game, especially after a frustrating offensive performance like this?

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

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal suffered Bad Luck (Play) versus the Fighting Irish, 47-40, on ACC Opening Night on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal forward Chisom Okpara (10) throws down on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Carson Towt (33) at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Dec 30, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (11-3, 0-1 ACC) allowed good fortune for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-4, 1-0 ACC) by losing to the visitors from the Midwest 47-40, on Opening Night of the 2025-26 Atlantic Coast Conference league play, inside the confines of Maples Pavilion.

Notre Dame opened the conference contest with a tip-in layup. However, the Cardinal followed that with an 8-0 run to go up by six…The Fighting Irish topped that with a 10-0 run of their own, to lead by four. They eventually extended the margin to six. The guests from South Bend settled for a five point advantage at recess, 22-17.

The shooting in all three aspects was poor, at best. Both squads shot a putrid 27% from the floor. Stanford was 27% from beyond the arc, and 50% from the charity stripe, within the initial 20-minute half. Notre Dame was awful from threeland (0%) and 67% from the free throw line.

Cardinal top scorer Ebuke Okorie was scoreless for nearly the first 14 minutes of the game. He finally scored on a layup at the 6:02 mark of the half. That was his only tally in the first half. Okorie was working on a 30+ points consecutive streak, which was in dire jeopardy. Two points at the half would have required a 28-point explosion. That seemed to be very unlikely at the midway point of the battle.

Neither team produced a double-digit scorer in the very low scoring half of regulation play.

The second half had the Fighting Irish scoring first, as they did in the first half, on a basket by senior forward Carson Towt. They later extended their lead to as much as 16 points midway through the final half. Although they reached that wide of a margin, Stanford was still battling the Fighting Irish.

The Cardinal indeed fought back enough to get into striking range, cutting the deficit to single digits down the stretch. They were as close as five points behind at just under three minutes left in the game. Unfortunately for the home team, that was as close as they got in the second half, thanks to a couple of dagger threes by sophomore forward Garrett Sundra.

After 40 minutes of abysmal shooting on both sides, the Hoosier State hoopers prevailed and held on to victory by seven points, 47-40. The game could also be viewed as a defensive struggle, but the average fan on either side would have preferred an offensive masterpiece.

Stanford presented one player with more than ten points. Chisom Okpara contributed 13 points, while the high scoring freshman sensation Ebuke Okorie managed to chip in seven points and six rebounds.

Notre Dame also had a lone player reach that standard plateau. the aforementioned Jalen Haralson put up 13 points too, while his teammate Carson Towt grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, January 2, as they host the Louisville Cardinals at 5 PM PT on the ACC Network. The Fighting Irish head across the Bay to take on the California Golden Bears, on the same date at 8 PM PT on ESPN2.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Cardinal keep it going with 11th win 88-80 over CSUN

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Ebuka Okorie of the Stanford Cardinal takes the ball down the floor against the Cal State Northridge Matadors at Maples Pavilion on Sat Dec 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal picked up a key win improving their record to 11-2 and got the consistent offense that they’ve for most of this season staying on top of their visitors the Cal State Northridge Matadors (8-6).

#2 Daniel the Matadors started the first half going back into the dressing room at the half taking a 38-33 lead and maybe a shot at beating the Cardinal at home did they get too over confident or was Stanford just laying in wait to put this one away in the second half?

#3 Cardinal Ebuka Okorie led with 30 points. He was key in the Cardinal’s last game and he once again came through with another successful outing taking out the legs of the Matodors defense.

#4 The other Cardinal Chisom Okpara scored ten points less than Okorie with 20 and was second in scoring it was enough to help beat the Matadors by eight points to come away with a 88-80 win.

#5 Next up for the Cardinal the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame had snapped a four game losing streak with a win on Sun Dec 21 over Purdue 72-69. The Cardinal are rolling, Daniel how do you see this match up Tue Dec 30th at Maples Pavilion.

Join Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal charged the Matadors 88-80, inside the Maples Pavilion ring

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Ebuka Okorie Stanford Cardinal guard takes the ball up the floor against the Northridge Matadors in NCAA action at Maples Pavilion on Sat Dec 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (11-2, 0-0 ACC) ended their non-conference schedule with a convincing 88-80 victory over the California State University – Northridge Matadors (8-6, 1-1 Big West), Saturday Evening on the Farm.

CSUN got the scoring going in the Golden State battle with a single free throw conversion.  That slight lead was a theme for the first half and the Southern Californian guests.  The first 20 minutes was competitive, with six lead changes and three ties.

However, the Matadors dominated the time of leadership (17:20), despite the early back and forth scuffle.  CSUN shot 50% from both the floor and beyond the arc..  Stanford, on the other hand, was a putrid 36% from 2, and 17% from Threeland.  They also led by a high of 9 points, and had two significant runs (6-0 & 7-0).  While the Cardinal led by two for their highest  lead, but kept themself at a single-digit deficit (5) by recess, 38-33.

During the initial 20-minute block, only two players eclipsed the 10+ points plateau.  Chisom Okpara scored 14 points for the Cardinal, and senior guard Larry Hughes II put up an impressive 19 points, with five 3-pointers on a scintillating shooting clip.  Hughes is the son of former NBA player Larry Hughes.

After the intermission, the Cardinal went on a 13-0 run to start the second half in under two minutes of gametime play.  They went from trailing by five, to being up by eight in the blink of an eye.  Freshman sensation Ebuka Okorie was the key hooper to spearhead that TREEmendous push.  He more than doubled his first half output and made school history again in his brief tenure on the Farm.

Okorie’s 30 points marked the second straight game (32) for him amassing at least that amount of point production.  Last time it was done in 2010 by Landry Fields.  However, Fields was a senior, so Okorie is the only freshman to do the unprecedented Cardinal deed.

CSUN did not give up the fight, as they managed to be tied twice, and lost the lead change permanently.  Hughes II added a modest seven points to his total, but they needed a little more to take down the Tree.  Four other teammates contributed double-figure scoring, but it was not enough after the 40-minute time limit elapsed.  Stanford parlayed that second half explosion into an eight  points victory, 88-80.

Okorie led all players with 30 points, while Okpara aided his teammate with 20 points of his own,  Benny Gealer chipped in 13 points and five assists.  Ryan Agarwal delivered 10 points and eight rebounds to the Cardinal.

Hughes II topped the Matadors with his 26 points, while Joshua O’Garro (15), Davius Lowery (11), Mahmoud Fofana (11) and Josiah Davis (10) all did their part for CSUN.

The Cardinal will next be in action Tuesday, December 30 here at Maples hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and opening ACC play at 6 PM PT on ESPN2.  CSUN will next play in 2026 as they travel to UC – Davis to take on the Aggies on New Year’s Day at 2 PM PT on ESPN+