Jan. 26, 2013

Game Notes

Stanford Cardinal (11-8, 2-4 Pac-12)
at
Utah Runnin' Utes (9-10, 1-6 Pac-12)

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 • 6 p.m. PT
Salt Lake City, UT • Huntsman Center (15,000)
Series History: Utah leads 15-8
Last Meeting: Utah 58, Stanford 57 (Feb. 25, 2012 at Salt Lake City, UT)
Radio: KNBR 1050 AM (PBP: John Platz, Analyst: Drew Shiller)
TV: P12NET (PBP: Ted Robinson, Analyst: Ernie Kent)

The Opening Tip
Stanford (11-8, 2-4 Pac-12) wraps up its road trip on Sunday against Utah (9-10, 1-6 Pac-12) in a 6 p.m. PT tip. The Cardinal, which is 3-6 away from home, will be searching for a split after dropping a 75-54 decision at Colorado on Thursday night. Stanford, which returns to Maples Pavilion next week for a homestand against the Oregon schools, last won back-to-back games in late December.

Media Memo
Sunday's game can be heard live on KNBR 1050 AM and Stanford's official athletics website, www.gostanford.com, featuring the chemistry-rich duo of John Platz (play-by-play) and Drew Shiller (analyst). The game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks, with Ted Robinson (play-by-play) and Ernie Kent (analyst) calling the action.

Scouting Utah
Utah (9-10, 1-6 Pac-12) suffered a 62-57 defeat to California on Thursday night in its most recent contest. In a closely-contested game, the Golden Bears pulled away by racking up 16 steals and forcing 17 turnovers ... One week ago, Utah notched a 74-65 upset of Washington, a team that was previously unbeaten in Pac-12 competition ... The Utes looked like a much-improved team during non-conference play, but dropped their first five Pac-12 contests before the surprise win at Washington on Jan. 19 ... The Utes, who are 7-5 at home, were picked last in the Pac-12 preseason media poll after finishing 6-25 overall last year and 3-15 in conference action ... Utah is averaging 65.9 points, 37.0 rebounds and shooting 45.7 percent overall and 75.4 percent from the foul line. Utah is allowing 37.4 percent shooting- tops in the Pac-12 ... Keep an eye on: Jordan Loveridge (12.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Jarred DuBois (12.0 ppg, 82.9 percent FT, 58 assists), Jason Washburn (11.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 59.4 percent FG, 32 blocks).

Stanford All-Time vs. Utah
Utah owns a 15-8 edge. Last year's meetings were split, with Stanford pulling away for a 68-65 home victory before Utah sneaked out a 58-57 triumph in the rematch. It's been 79 years since Stanford last defeated Utah in Salt Lake City, with the Cardinal winning 58-38 back on Dec. 21, 1934. Last season's game at Maples Pavilion was the first meeting since March 20, 1987, when Utah posted an 82-77 OT win in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

Notable Career Totals Against Utah
In his first two career appearances against Utah, Chasson Randle averaged 15.0 points while making 10-23 (43.4 percent) from the field. Seven of Randle's 10 baskets were from beyond the arc. Josh Huestis did the bulk of his damage in last year's first meeting, producing a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Huestis is 7-9 from the field against Utah.

Coaches Participating In Suits And Sneakers Weekend
Stanford will participate in the 10th annual Suits and Sneakers Weekend, taking place Jan. 25-27 throughout the nation. Suits and Sneakers weekend is an annual event coordinated by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Upcoming Schedule Notes

Stanford's Feb. 6 road game against Arizona has been shifted from ESPN2 to ESPNEWS. The start time remains at 6 p.m. PT.

Cardinal Exceptional From The Charity Stripe
Stanford is converting at a 74.3 percent clip that ranks 33rd in the country. Only once in the last six years has Stanford finished the season making at least 70.0 percent or better, and that came in 2008-09 when the Cardinal was slightly over at 70.5 percent. Several players have enjoyed lengthy free throw streaks, including Aaron Bright's current stretch of 28 consecutive makes. Bright also currently ranks fourth in the country in free throw shooting percentage.

Powell Continues To Pace The Cardinal
Fully healthy and contributing consistently, Dwight Powell is showcasing the kind of dynamic all-around game many expected when he first arrived on The Farm. In addition to averaging 14.7 points and 7.6 rebounds, Powell is shooting 47.8 percent overall and 81.1 percent from the foul line. A 2011 Pac-10 All-Freshman pick, Powell has notched four double-doubles while establishing career highs in every category, including points (29 vs. Denver on Dec. 2) and rebounds (13 vs. Seattle on Nov. 28).

Randle Producing In Last Five Games
A season of early struggles for Chasson Randle hit rock bottom against USC back on Jan. 3, as the sophomore guard was held scoreless for the first time in his career. Since that contest, Randle is averaging 15.8 points while shooting 29-71 (40.8 percent) from the field, 9-21 (42.9 percent) from beyond the arc and 12-18 (66.7 percent) from the foul line in a modest five-game stretch. For the season, Randle ranks second on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and first in assists (51) and steals (29) while excelling from the foul line (63-79, 79.7 percent).

Huestis Dominating The Glass
Josh Huestis has developed into one of the Pac-12's premier defensive performers. Huestis, who tallied 10 blocks against Seattle back on Nov. 28, leads the team in that category with 40 and his 2.1 swats per game rank 51st nationally. Huestis has registered 90 career blocks, moving into eight in school history after recently passing Jason Collins (1997-2001). Huestis now leads the Cardinal at 9.0 boards per game.