Stanford Faces Early WCC Test Against Rising Seattle Program
STANFORD, CA – Stanford men’s basketball will face a significant early-season challenge this Friday against Seattle University, a program quickly gaining traction in its inaugural year within the West Coast Conference. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
Despite being projected to finish eighth in the WCC according to the conference preview, Seattle has demonstrated impressive early-season performance, currently holding a KenPom rating of No. 121 – sixth best in the conference. this places them ahead of Stanford, currently ranked No.81 by kenpom. The game presents an prospect for Stanford to assert its dominance within the conference and for Seattle to prove its potential for upward mobility.
Seattle’s offensive attack is spearheaded by guard Brayden Maldonado, averaging 23.3 points,4 rebounds,and 3 assists. Supporting Maldonado are sophomore center Will Heimbrodt, who contributes 17.3 points and 5 rebounds, and point guard Maleek Arington, averaging 5.8 assists.
Stanford will counter with a roster featuring standout freshman Ebuka Okorie,who has garnered attention as a potential top NBA draft pick. The Cardinal also boast size with multiple players over seven feet tall, presenting a potential challenge for Seattle’s Heimbrodt.
Analysts predict a high-scoring affair, forecasting a 94-86 victory for Stanford. The outcome will likely hinge on the performance of the teams’ respective guards, with the matchup between Maldonado and Okorie expected to be pivotal. the game is anticipated to be a competitive contest on Stanford’s home court, “The farm.”
