Stanford wins in 4 OTs

[Olympic Fan]

I stayed up to 1:30 a.m. watching this classic ... Stanford 103, Oregon State 101 in 4 OTs.

Not a great game in terms of play, but an awesome game in terms on drama. The Cardinal almost won it in regulation ... the winning shot was first ruled good, but on replay turned out to be maybe a couple of hundredths of a second late (think it was a good call). Stanford had chances to win at the end of the first and second OT, but couldn't get a good shot off. They looked dead at the end of the third OT, but with a three-point lead and two free throws and 12 seconds left, OSU missed both free throws and Stanford hit a 3 on the break.

Sanford could have lost on a gutless call by the ref with four seconds left in the 4th OT. Up one, they came up with a loose ball under the OSU basket and John Starks' kid grabbed the Stanford kid around the waist with both hands and slung him to he floor -- bouncing his head off the hardwood. The ref closest to the play makes he signal for intentional or flagrant foul (fists crossed at the wrist over his head), but decides its just an ordinary foul. The Stanford kid makes one of two FTs ... Oreson State gets a good look at a 3 to win at the buzzer, but it bounces off.

Freshman Chas Randle, who was ordinary in regulation, was dominant in the extra period. He was the only guy left with legs. I think he had 11 in regulation and 14-15 in the extra periods.

Johnny D's team is now 3-1 in the Pac 10. Colorado is in first at 3-0, but that's not going to last.

[SilkyJ]

Thanks for the rundown, OF.

Stanford looks to be in good shape to make a tourney run if they can pull out a solid winning season in the Pac 12. They're 13-3 and 3-1 in the Pac 12 currently as you mention. Lone loss in conference is @ Oregon (a solid 11-4). No great statement OOC wins, but they did beat OKSt and NC State. Unfortunately the Pac 12 is weak, Stanford has no games versus ranked teams left on its sked, and they are receiving the most top 25 votes currently, so they'll need to finish at or near the top of the conference, methinks.

Getting to the tourney this year would be an important milestone for Johnny D.

[Bob Green]

Unfortunately the Pac 12 is weak, Stanford has no games versus ranked teams left on its sked, and they are receiving the most top 25 votes currently, so they'll need to finish at or near the top of the conference, methinks.

The sports radio buzz in Seattle is the Pac 12 could very well be a one bid conference this year. Personally, I believe they will send two teams to the tournament but either way you are correct Stanford will need to finish at or near the top of the conference to make the Big Dance.

[SilkyJ]

When we last visited this topic, Stanford was in good shape to make an NCAA tourney run. They followed-up their 4-OT win with victories over newcomers Utah and Colorado to go to 15-3 overall, 5-1 in the pac-12

The second half of January has not been kind with Stanford losing 3 straight on the road to UW, Wash St, and Cal over the weekend and now sits in the middle of the pack in the pac-12.

There are plenty of games left, but none are verse ranked opponents so Stanford will either need to win the Pac-12 tournament, or go on a run and win 7 or 8 of their remaining 9 heading into the post season to have a real shot at an at large bid. While they don't play any ranked opponents, those remaining 9 include games against Arizona, UCLA, Cal, Oregon, and Colorado all of whom are solid opponents. If they can win all or most of those, they might have a shot at an at-large bid. Such is life on the bubble...