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September 8th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Stanford
Cardinal
Overall Rank:
#65
Conference
Rank: #6 Pac-10
2005-06:
16-14, 11-7, 4th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 It is not a good
thing for Stanford when the returning leading scorer averaged
4.8 points per game last year. Yet, there is more returning
talent than meets the eye and a set of 7-0 twins heading to Palo
Alto has Cardinal fans excited about the future.
Who’s Out:
Matt
Haryasz, Chris Hernandez, Dan Grunfeld and Tim Morris were the
top four scorers on last year’s squad. Haryasz was an
underrated player in the paint, averaging a team high 16.2
points and 8.7 boards. Hernandez was a solid shooter and
Grunfeld could do a little bit of everything. Morris has opted
to transfer after averaging 5.0 points per game last season.
While it can be argued that this senior class underachieved
throughout their careers, it is still a painful list of players
to see leaving. Roleplayer Jason Haas has also run out of
eligibility after averaging 10.3 minutes per game during his
senior campaign.
Who’s In:
Brook and
Robin Lopez are the new twin towers of the Pac-10. The
7-footers are expected to contribute immediately and it wouldn’t
be surprising if one, or both, of them were starting sooner than
later. Neither has great offensive skills yet, but they will
both help out on the defensive end and in the rebounding
department right away. Brook, who can also play at the four,
has a little more polished offensive skills. Power forward Will
Paul will provide some more depth up front. Paul, at 6-9, 220
pounds, was once an oversized point guard and still possesses
those skills. Landry Fields will help fill in a gap at the
shooting guard spot. He’s a solid shooter, but will need to
strengthen up a bit in order to fight for open shots. Da’veed
Dildy will see some minutes as the backup point guard. The
former quarterback has good leadership skills and vision and,
with a little a more consistency on the jump shot, will become a
solid contributor.
Who to Watch:
Mitch
Johnson and Anthony Goods had decent freshmen campaigns during
the 2005-2006 season and they will both have to step up this
year. Johnson averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 assists in 20 starts
and will have to become more of a team leader on the floor with
the absence of Hernandez. Goods only averaged 10.0 minutes per
game last year and will see a drastic increase in playing time.
The 6-3 guard has a decent shot and can run the point as well.
Final
Projection:
Somebody has to
step up and become the go-to scorer. The Cardinal pretty much
have a team of roleplayers, and are waiting for a star to
emerge. There are options for that in the frontcourt with Taj
Finger, Lawrence Hill, Fred Washington and Peter Prowitt. All
have proven they can be big scorers, but consistency has yet to
be seen. Washington, who only played in six games as a junior
due to injuries, could have a breakout season if the knee injury
is behind him. In the end, youth and inexperience will keep
Stanford away from a big season, but at least that youth will
turn into experience next year.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Mitch Johnson,
Sophomore, Guard, 3.4 points per game
Anthony Goods,
Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 points per game
Fred Washington,
Senior, Forward, 3.5 points per game
Taj Finger,
Junior, Forward, 4.8 points per game
Peter Prowitt,
Junior, Center, 3.7 points per game
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