Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#30 Stanford Cardinal

Pac 10

2003-04: 30-2, 17-1, 1^st

2003-04 postseason: NCAA Second Round

By Joel Welser

Losing the team’s top three scorers and a head coach would normally leave a team in rebuilding mode.  Instead, former Stanford assistant coach and Nevada head coach Trent Johnson steps into a situation with a very talented core of players who will look ahead to 2004-2005 expecting the same success they had last season. 

Who’s Out: Josh Childress averaged 15.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists last year before heading to the NBA with the 6^th overall pick.  It’s not just Childress who will be missed though.  Matt Lottich averaged 12.3 points and 3.5 assists his senior year in Palo Alto.  A couple guys up front in Justin Davis and Joe Kirchofer are also not returning this year.  Davis scored 10.9 points and 6.6 rebounds last year.  Kirchofer didn’t see too many minutes, but was a good option off the bench scoring 3.8 points and grabbing 3.3 boards per contest.

Who’s In: The frontcourt has depth problems behind projected starters Rob Little and Matt Haryasz.  Freshmen Taj Finger and Peter Prowitt need to step in and play a big role off the bench.  Finger, a 6-8 power forward, is a bit of a question mark.  He has some flashes of brilliance, but will have to make those flashes more consistent to see a lot of minutes as a freshman.  It is hoped that Prowitt can give Little some rest or fill in when Little gets in foul trouble.  The 6-10, 245 pound center has the potential to become a major player at Stanford before his days in Palo Alto are done.  Guard Tim Morris redshirted last year and should be ready to step in and add some depth to the backcourt.

Who to Watch: Stanford could run an offense with two guards, two wings and Rob Little under the basket at times.  Dan Grunfeld and Nick Robinson would be on the wings with Chris Hernandez running the point.  Hernandez was one of the best point guards in the conference last year.  He should be even better as a senior, but might have to create some more offense on his own without Josh Childress on the floor.  Last year the 6-2, Fresno product averaged 10.0 points and 4.3 assists per outing.  Hernandez is a smart player and keeps the turnovers down.  He is an outstanding shooter and won’t hesitate to shoot if given the opportunity. 

Projected Conference Rank: It won’t be a 30-2 season again for the Cardinal, but they have the talent to hang around the top of the Pac 10.  A 3^rd place finish would be a good follow-up to last years incredible run.  With senior experience at the point and center spots, Stanford can hold off younger teams like UCLA and Oregon in the long run.  Third in the Pac 10 is plenty good enough for Trent Johnson to take his squad to the NCAAs.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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