Tag: Stanford Cardinal

Cardinal Blinded by the Golden Flashes 77-75; Raynaud’s Final Double-Double

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) takes aim at the basket against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Mar 23, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (21-14) were unable to control the Kent State Golden Flashes (24-11) 77-75, and ended their run in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament.

Stanford took the lead early in the contest on a three by Oziyah Sellers. That three point advantage turned out to be their largest of the entire game. Kent State also posted their largest lead (13) of the game in the first half.

The Golden Flashes used a 12-0 run to get their double-digit lead, the Cardinal had an 11-0 run to try to stay close by halftime.. Kent State shot 46% from the field in the initial 20-minute stanza, while Stanford was held to 40%. Both squads shot approximately 39% from beyond the arc.

The Cardinal managed to trim their deficit to single figures (9) by halftime, 43-34 and actively made another run at the lead in the second half. There were three lead changes and one tie before recess.

Jaylen Blakes led the Cardinal in scoring (10) at the midway point of the tourney battle. Jalen Sullinger topped the Golden Flashes with 20 points.

Oziyah Sellers started the second half as he did in the first, with an immediate basket. His layup cut the margin to seven, and the Maples’ faithful were getting excited. Less than five minutes into the final half, Stanford had regained the lead on a left-handed hook by Raynaud The second half produced four more lead changes and an additional tie.

The home team unknowingly was in a prime position to have an upper hand in advancing in the NIT. During the scuffle on the Farm, the #1 seeded San Francisco Dons were losing on the top of the peninsula. That loss put the second ranked Cardinal as the top seed, and guaranteed another home game at Maples. That was contingent on taking care of the task at hand, beating their opponent from Ohio.

Try as they would, with multiple comeback attempts, the Golden Flashes were able to sustain their advantage and knock down the mighty Maples tree and end the home court heroics of the Cardinal. When the final buzzer sounded, after 40 minutes of intense basketball action, Stanford’s season came to an abrupt halt, while Kent State would advance to the third round.

The Golden Flashes won by two, 77-75, and ended two great careers who proudly wore the Cardinal uniform. Although Jaylen Blakes only played one year on the Farm, he cherished his brief time at the university. He finished his last game with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Maxime Raynaud ended his career high on multiple historic lists, including double-doubles, in which he appropriately did on his final game in the pavilion (22 points and 10 rebounds) and blocked 4 shots for good measure

Chisom Okpara offered 13 points and 5 rebounds, while the heir-apparent, Oziyah Sellers delivered 11 points and 6 rebounds. Two players who should have larger roles in 2025-26.

Returning walk-on, Jalen Sullinger led all players with 34 points, but he also added to his impressive stat line, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Teammate Delrecco Gilespe also produced his own double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds), and VonCameron Davis chipped in 12 points.

The Cardinal will begin their offseason, gearing up for 25-26, while Kent State will be heading to Chicago to take on Loyola – Chicago in Third Round NIT action next week. Gametime will be announce at a later date

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal get after it in round 2 of NIT vs. Kent State at Maples Sunday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) converses with forward Aidan Cammann (52) during their game against the Northridge Cal State Matadors on Tue Mar 18, 2025 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 What a way for the Stanford Cardinal to start the post season with a 87-70 win over the Cal State Northridge Matadors. It was a fitting a great win for the Cardinal to get this NIT Tournament started.

#2 With the win the Cardinal improve their record to 21-13 which advances them to the second round for Cardinal head coach Kyle Smith it’s got to be pretty exciting to advance to that next round.

#3 The Cardinal are now 12-2 at Maple Pavilion and have won ten straight games at home which advanced them to the second round for the sixth consecutive time.

#4 Michael in that last win for Stanford on Tue Mar 18 against the Matadors the Cardinal Maxime Raynaud once again led with 22 points and Oziyah Sellers with 20 points.

#5 Stanford takes on the Kent State Golden Flashes here in second game of the NIT at Maples Pavilion. Kent State having a good season 23-11 and are 9-5 on the road. The Flashers are in third place. The Cardinal come in seventh in the ACC at 21-13. Tip off on Sunday 6:00pm PDT at Maples. Michael how do you see this one?

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

#2 Cardinal Charged the Matadors 87-70, in NIT Opener, Tuesday Night on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud led in scoring against the Northridge Matadors at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Mar 18, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Second ranked (NIT SF Regional) Stanford Cardinal (21-13) utilized their Maples Magic to handle instate opponent California State University – Northridge Matadors (22-11) 87-70, inside their Maples Pavilion.

Stanford led from wire to wire and had an advantage in the first 20 minutes The Cardinal was in control from the first shot made by redshirt-sophomore guard Ryan Agarwal from beyond the arc. They never looked back after that bucket.

The home team also produced a 9-0 run, while playing stellar defense against the Matadors. Stanford forced CSUN to shoot 37% from the field and 22% from three in the first half.

Senior forward Maxime Raynaud led all players in scoring at recess. He compiled 15 points, 5 rebounds and an intimidating 4 blocks in the initial half of the contest. Raynaud was not only the leading scorer for both squads, he was the only Cardinal player in double figures.

Although Benny Gealer was in single digits at the midway point of the game, his second three-pointer was at the halftime buzzer, which gave them their then largest lead (17). Also during the beginning frame, Raynaud placed himself in Stanford’s Top 10 scoring list.

Senior forward Keonte Jones was the Matadors’ lone double-digit scorer (11) and was the key player attempting to keep Stanford in reasonable reach.

After the Stanford mid-game buzzer beater, Stanford led by 17 points, 46-29. All the momentum seemed to be in Stanford’s favor and the sting of that heart-wrenching loss in the ACC Tournament appeared to be a distant memory

The second half had a similar start as the first half did 20 minutes prior. This time it was freshman forward Donavin Young launching a trey, putting his Cardinal up by 20 immediately. They would add another point to that impressive scoring margin during the final half.

CSUN tried to make it competitive, as more players contributed from the scoring aspect. However, Stanford was able to hold on to their large lead and win by 17 points, 87-70. Out of the Cardinal’s 21 wins, 17 have been in the friendly confines of Maples Pavilion.

Raynaud posted another double-double, 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. Oziya Sellers also scored 20 points, while Benny Gealer dropped 13 points and Jaylin Blakes chipped in 11 points and offered four assists.

The Matadors had four players scoring at least 10 points. Keonte Jones led CSUN with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Scotty Washington tied Jones in rebounds while producing and tallied 17 points. Grady Lewis led his team in rebounds (7), while while producing 12 points, and Tyler Beard mustered up 10 points and team high four assists.

The Cardinal will play Round 2 of the NIT at Maples hosting Kent State, Saturday March 22 or Sunday March 23, time and date TBA at a later date,.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson Tue Mar 18, 2025: Stanford holds lead over Matadors in 87-70 win

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) led with 22 points against the Cal State Northridge Matadors at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Mar 18, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 First half Michael the Cardinal were just scoring like it was going out of style. The Cardinal finished the first half with a 46-29 lead against the Cal State Northridge Matadors.

#2 Once again Maxime Raynaud led Stanford in scoring with 22 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Raynaud has come through all season long.

#3 Oziyah Sellers finished second in scoring with 20 points and three rebounds. Sellers has come through for the Stanford offense all season long.

#4 In the second half after a rough first half the Matadors ended up tying the Cardinal in second half scoring 41-41 but Stanford would come away with a 87-70 win at Maple Pavilion.

#5 The Cardinal take on Kent State Golden Flashes this Sunday at Maples. The Flashes have had a good season at 23-11. This could turn out to be as rather contested game coming up?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal can’t get over the buzzer beater shock to Louisville

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Oziyah Sellers guard (4) for the Stanford Cardinal goes up for the high percentage shot against the Louisville Cardinals guard Chucky Hepburn (24) at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte NC on Thu Mar 13, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal were up for the Louisville Cardinals on Thursday night only to lose it on a Chucky Hepburn buzzer beater at the Spectrum Center on Thursday night 75-73. The Cardinal record falls to 20-13.

#2 For Stanford leading scorer Oziyah Seller with 22 points and made seven of 12 field goal attempts and four out six 3 pointers. Oziyah also had four rebounds, three assists had three steals which is a career high.

#3 The Stanford effort was all there in this heartbreaker, Maxime Raynaud scored 17 points, Ryan Agarwal had 11 points and Chisom Okpara had ten points.

#4 This is the first time the Cardinal had lost on a buzzer beater since Feb 27, 2010. The Arizona Wildcats LaMont Jones shot was the game winner as time run out.

#5 One of the amazing parts about this game Stanford who had lost previously to Louisville by 20 points was a prepared team and battling team that kept it close all game long and even had a 15 point lead at 14:36 only to see it melt away with 5:40 left in the game by just one point.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson Wed Mar 12, 2025: Raynaud and Blakes lead Cardinal to 78-73 win over Cal; Stanford faces Louisville tonight in round 3

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Stanford Cardinal Chisom (10) pins the Stanford decal on the NCAA bracket after defeating the Cal Bears at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro NC after the second round of the ACC Tournament on Wed Mar 12, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (20-12) defeated the Cal Bears (14-19) in five point win 78-73. Both teams were dealing but Stanford was able to be the last team standing as the Cardinal advance in the ACC Tournament,.

#2 The Cardinal had a six point edge on Cal in the first half 38-32 In the second half the Bears had the edge with a 41-40 lead but couldn’t catch the Cardinal in the end.

#3 Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points and Jaylen Blakes had 21 points to supply the offense for Stanford.

#4 Cal’s Mady Sissoko was hit for a blocking foul when he tried to set up a screen with Addrei Stojakovic with 6.9 seconds left in the game. Raynaud was fouled by Cal and Raynaud went to the free throw line with five seconds left to give Stanford the lead for keeps.

#5 With the win Stanford now advances to face the Louisville Cardinals. at 4:00pm PDT in Charlotte NC at the Dale F Halton Arena. Stanford last faced Louisville last Sat Mar 8 where they were defeated by 20 points 68-48. How do you see this match up on Thursday night.

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinals take out Cardinal 68-48 to close out regular season in Louisville

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Louisville Cardinals guard Chucky Hepburn (24) takes a shot over Stanford Cardinal forward Aidan Cammann (52) in the second half at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville on Sat Mar 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Louisville Cardinals (25-6) basketball are a force to reckon with after winning their ninth straight game against the Stanford Cardinal (19-12) by a whopping 20 points 68-48 earlier today in Louisville.

#2 Louisville’s Terrence Edwards Jr and Chucky Hepburn had 16 points each they were two that the Cardinal defense had trouble stopping.

#3 One of the struggles for the Cardinal was that they went without a basket for eight minutes and missed 11 shots in a row. The Cardinals went on a 14-1 run and took a 29-11 lead.

#4 Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud was the only Cardinal to finish in double figures with 17 points. The Cardinal needed offense from Jaylen Blakes with five points, Oziyah Sellers eight points, Chisim Okpara eight points, and Ryan Agawal with seven points.

#5 Michael from what you have seen from today’s game the 20 point loss, the struggles from the defense, Raynaud being the only player in double figures. Going forward what adjustments will the Cardinal need when facing these Goliath teams.

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson Sat Mar 1, 2025: Cardinal open up road trip with 2 games left; Tip off against Notre Dame Wednesday night

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All SMU Mustangs guard Chuck Harris (3) and forward Matt Cross (33) can do is just look as the Stanford Cardinal forward Donavin Young (3) goes for the throw down at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Mar 1, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson

#1 Big win for the Stanford Cardinal (19-10) they pick up their fourth win in their last six games defeating the SMU Mustangs (21-8) this win coming at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto earlier today.

#2 Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud played hero again with a game winning slam dunk with 8.7 second left in the ball game as the Cardinal just got by the Mustangs in a tag team game 73-68.

#3 The Mustang ran off a 13-0 score after they were down ten points and took the lead 60-57 in the middle of the second half. Chuck Harris with 3:35 left in the game hit a jump shot and it was the last of the Mustang’s 68-67 for the rest of the contest.

#4 With the Mustangs missing their last four shots and turning over the ball over in a critical situation the Cardinal turned the game around. Ryan Agarwal shot a desperation shot that hit the rim and Raynaud came in without being defended from behind the 3 point line got the ball and slammed it in for the game winner.

#5 Two more regular season games left on the Stanford Cardinal (20-9) schedule both are on the road. The Cardinal take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-17) Wed Mar 5th for a 6:00pm tip. The Irish have lost their last two games and are 9-5 at home. The Cardinal are seventh and have now won three straight games.

Michael Roberson podcasts Stanford Cardinal basketball Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Corralled the Mustangs 73-68, on Senior Day inside Maples Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) takes a jump shot against the SMU Mustangs at Maple Pavilion on Sat Mar 1, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Senior forward Maxime Raynaud’s points and four blocks helped his Stanford Cardinal (19-10, 11-7 ACC) close out their home schedule with a bang, by taming the Southern Methodist Mustangs (21-8, 12-6 ACC) 73-68, on the Farm. The Cardinal come away with a nail biter 73-68 on Saturday night at Maples Pavilion.

The Stanford Senior Trio (Maxime Raynaud, Jaylin Blakes & Cole Kastner) were determined to end their playing careers on the Tara VanDerveer Court at Maples with a bang. Raynaud tallied his obligatory double-figure (11) scoring during the initial 20 minutes of game action. Blakes on the other hand, had a tough first half with 3 fouls midway through the half, including a technical foul. Kastner did not play a minute in half number one.

SMU scored the first points of the game with a three pointer. That margin was the ,ost they led by in the first half They also had runs of 6-0 and 8-0. Stanford had a lead as high as 13, with runs of 7-0 and 9-0.

Even with Stanford’s big lead at one point, it was a very competitive first half. There were 7 lead changes and 6 ties. After all the smoke settled, the home team had a six point lead at recess, 45-39.

Raynaud’s 11 points led the Cardinal, while Matt Cross’ 10 points and Chuck Harris’ 11 paced the Mustangs.

The second half was just as competitive, as the Mustangs overcame the 6-point halftime deficit and turned it into another three points lead midway through the second half. Minutes later they extended their advantage to five.

Stanford was not going to be denied, and they forged their own comeback. There were an additional 4 more lead changes and two more ties to the conference tussle. A total of 11 lead changes and 8 ties was the tally after 40 minutes of action. The Cardinal parlayed that into a five point win, 73-68.

The Cardinal held the Mustangs to a miniscule 39% shooting in the second half, which helped them avoid the stampede from the Dallas horses. Stanford’s 20:7 assist ratio versus SMU was a huge reason they were the victors.

Raynaud finished off his last game at Maples with campus shaking thunderous tip-dunk that sealed the contest. He finished the game with 26 points, and an underwhelming 4 rebounds. However, showed a great defensive front, with 4 blocked shots. Benny Gealer contributed with 17 points and some clutch 3-pointers. Oziyah Sellers chipped in 10 points, and Jaylin Blakes had a disappointing finale with 2 points, but a quality win.

The Mustangs had four players in double-figures. Chuck Harris led the way with 17 points, while Kario Oquendo put up 15, and Matt Cross offered 13, in addition to Yohan Traore offering 10

Stanford will next be in action in South Bend, IN, Wednesday March 5, as they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, on ESPNU. SMU heads back to Dallas to host the Syracuse Orange, on Tuesday, March 4 at 8:00 PM CT, also on ESPNU

Cardinal Grounded the Eagles 78-60 inside Maples; Raynaud School’s Double-Double King

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Stanford Cardinal forward Chisom Okpara (10) takes a jump shot against the Boston College Eagles at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Feb 26, 2025 (Stanford X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD. Calif. — Maxime Raynaud’s record breaking 21st Double-Double helped his Stanford Cardinal (18-10, 10-7 ACC) preserve Palo Alto as a NO-FLY Zone for the visiting Boston College Eagles (12-16, 4-13 ACC) 78-60, while maintaining their home-court conference dominance (8-1) on the Farm..

Raynaud was on a mission right away from the scoring side of his game.  He not only converted the first bucket of the game, but the initial seven points for the Cardinal.  He was on fire from beyond the Arc, and making hook shots from either hand.

Stanford’s defense was also steller and sturdy as their mascot (Tree).  They held their Massachusetts opponent to a putrid 27% from the field, and 18% from threeland, in the first 20 minutes of gameplay.  The Cardinal, on the other hand, shot 54% & 46% respectively for the home squad.

When the recess horn went off, the Cardinal held their largest lead of 18 points, 37-19.  This was assisted with an 8-0 run and controlling the clock, by leading for more than 18 minutes (90%) of the first stanza,

Raynaud led all players with 16 points, and was the lone player in double figures.  However, he had a low count of rebounds (3), possibly interrupting his chance to eclipse school history.  Junior guard Dion Brown led the Eagles in scoring with a mild five points.

In the second half, Stanford scratched first again with a Jaylin Blakes bucket.  That immediately put the Cardinal up by 20 points.  By the end of the conference battle, Stanford increased their advantage to as high as 27 points, but settled for an 18-point victory (78-60), after 40 minutes of regulation action.  This was also the same margin at halftime.

Boston College shot an impressive 50% from the field in the second half, while hitting a sizzling 56% from behind the 3-point line.  They equaled the Cardinal in points production (41) in the last half; however, being down by 18 midway through the contest, that effort will keep you in the same hole, down by 18 after 20 minutes.

Several players joined Raynaud in the double-figures stratosphere, including three of his teammates.  Maxime totaled 23 points, and grabbed 10 rebounds (7 in 2nd Half), placing him on top of the Cardinal’s list of double-doubles in a single season. Twenty-One D-D’s surpasses Stanford legend Adam Keefe, with several games still left in the season’

Oziyah Sellers (18), Chisom Okpara (15) and Jaylin Blakes all joined their Senior record-breaker in double-digit scoring.  As for Boston College, two players reached that plateau.  Senior Chad Venning led the Eagles with 13 points, while his fellow senior teammate Roger McFarlane chipped in 11 points of his own efforts.

The Cardinal will next be in action, Saturday, March 1, as they host the Southern Methodist Mustangs at 2:00 P M PT on the ACC Network.  Boston College heads across the Bay on the same date to take on Cal at 7:00 PM PT on ESPN2/U.