By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
Year One within the ACC for the Bay Space colleges didn’t find yourself going in addition to both of the applications most likely would have preferred.
However in actuality, issues have most likely gone about how they had been anticipated to, and within the case of Stanford, they’ve exceeded expectations.
Within the preseason, the Bears had been projected to complete sixteenth within the convention, whereas Stanford was projected seventeenth.
The Cardinal have had a pleasant season however can definitely look again at a number of video games that might have gone their approach however didn’t. In Cal’s case, Mark Madsen’s staff had some clear deficiencies going into the season however have held their very own for probably the most half.
Cal at present sits in fifteenth whereas the Cardinal are in seventh place. The Bears’ win over Boston School final weekend secured them a spot within the ACC event.
This weekend their common season will come to an finish at Notre Dame. The Combating Irish are a recreation forward of Cal and there may be loads to play for within the finale.
That is additionally a street recreation through which the Bears must really feel they will choose up a win, but in addition one which the Irish believes they will win as nicely.
The Bears might nonetheless end anyplace from fifteenth to twelfth within the ACC, relying on the end result of this weekend’s video games.
Stanford ends the season at 14th-ranked Louisville and can look to snap the Cardinals’ ACC-leading eight-game profitable streak.
The Cardinal adopted up an enormous win over SMU final weekend with a two-point loss at Notre Dame on Wednesday.
Once more, regardless of their success, there are some losses Stanford’s resume that the Cardinal want to get again, and that loss to the Irish is certainly one of them.
In the end, what was presupposed to be a transitional 12 months for the Cardinal might internet them their first 20-win season since 2019-20. A win immediately would get them to that threshold.
Whereas the NCAA continues to be a longshot for the Cardinal, a street win over U of L together with the extra favorable seed within the ACC Event that may include it might get Stanford into the NCAA dialog.
Particularly if they will win a few video games in Charlotte subsequent week. A win immediately, together with a Georgia Tech loss at Wake would stop a path that may contain Stanford enjoying Duke earlier than the ultimate.
Once more, the Georgia Tech loss is one other a type of ones the Cardinal most likely would really like again.
It was additionally one other one on the street. Stanford has gone simply 2-7 on the street in convention play this season, and The Yum Middle won’t be a simple place to buck that development.
writes about numerous matters for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, school sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
