Game Information: #7/#7 Arizona Wildcats (16-2, 4-1 in Pac-12) @ #25 Stanford Cardinal (13-4, 4-1 in Pac-12)
Date/Time: Thursday January 22, 2015 @ 7:00 p.m (MST)
Arizona: 16-2, 4-1 in Pac-12 (2-2 away)
Opponent: Stanford Cardinal (9-0 at home)
All-Time Series: Arizona leads 57-29
TV: ESPN2 (Dave Pasch and Bill Walton)
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network (Jefferies and Hansen)
Audio Stream: arizonawildcats.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius 91, XM 91
Live Stats: arizonalivestats.com
Twitter: @APlayersProgram
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Arizona Probable Starters
Stanford Probable Starters
G: Marcus Allen
F: Rosco Allen
* Lineups based on last game and could change
The Wildcats hit the road for their second road trip of conference play this week. Up first, a date with the talented Stanford Cardinal.
Last Time Out:
The Wildcats welcomed the #8/#8 Utah Utes to McKale Center and blew them out, winning 69-51. T.J. McConnell had an energetic 16 point, six assist game, as he was just one of the players who provided a spark in this one. Stanley Johnson had a game high 18 points and nine rebounds, and Brandon Ashley chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. It was a statement game for the Wildcats and they will look to ride that momentum into this one.
The Cardinal welcomed the defending champ UCONN Huskies, to Palo Alto, and came away with a nice 72-59 victory. Chasson Randle finished with 23 points and five assists to lead the Cardinal. Anthony Brown also chipped in 18 points and Stefan Nastic had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Scouting the Wildcats:
The Wildcats return to the road for the first time since being upset by Oregon State on January 11. Freshman Stanley Johnson leads the Wildcats with 14.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg and is third on the team in assists, averaging 1.7. Brandon Ashley is second on the team with 11.2 ppg and is third on the team in rebounds, averaging 5.6 per game. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is third on the team with 10.9 ppg and he also chips in 6.6 rpg. The Wildcats play a nine-man rotation with seven players averaging at least 14 minutes per game.
The Wildcats average 74.3 ppg (third in the conference) and give up only 58.8 ppg (third in the conference) for a +15.6 scoring margin (second in the conference). The Wildcats are shooting 48.9% from the field (second in the conference) and hold opponents to 39.5% shooting (sixth in the conference).
Scouting the Cardinal:
The Pac-12’s leading scorer is Chasson Randle, who averages 19.8 ppg, and is a definite game changer for the Cardinal. Randle is also in the top 10 in steals per game-he’s seventh-averaging 1.53 per game. Stanford also has two big guys who are capable of getting a double-double every game. Anthony Brown averages 15.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg, while Stefan Nastic comes into this game averaging 13.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg. The Cardinal play a nine-man rotation with all nine players averaging at least 10 minutes per game. Stanford will be without talented freshman Reid Travis for the seventh consecutive game.
Stanford averages 73.1 ppg (fifth in the conference) and give up 63.6 ppg (seventh in the conference) for a +9.4 scoring margin (third in the conference). The Cardinal shoot 43.9% (seventh in the conference) and hold opponents to 40.7% from the field (ninth in the conference).
Prediction
Stanford is a talented team who is undefeated at home, but I think the Wildcats are going to ride the momentum from their win against Utah and narrowly defeat the Cardinal in this one.
Arizona: 75
Stanford: 68
A Look Ahead
The Wildcats will stay in the Bay Area for a Saturday night showdown with the Cal Bears.