Stanford Basketball Kicks Off New Season Against Denver Pioneers

The Stanford Cardinal men’s and women’s basketball teams are set to begin their 2024-25 seasons on Monday, November 4, 2024, with matches against the Denver Pioneers. For the men’s team, the game will be held at Maples Pavilion, marking the start of a new era under Coach Kyle Smith. Stanford is looking to rebound from a 14-18 record last season, with only one starter, Maxime Raymond, returning. Raymond averaged 15.5 points per game last year and will be a key player in the team’s rebuilding efforts. The Cardinal have also brought in three transfers to bolster their roster, a departure from their usual approach of not using the transfer portal.

The women’s team, meanwhile, is also starting a new chapter. They face Le Moyne on Monday, aiming to continue their strong record in season openers. Stanford has won six consecutive season openers and holds a 38-12 all-time record in these games. Sophomore forward Nunu Agara is expected to play a significant role this season, building on her freshman year performance.

The men’s game against Denver is scheduled for 4:00 PM PT at Maples Pavilion and will be broadcast on ACCNX. The betting odds favor Stanford, with a spread of -17.5 and an over/under of 149.5. Analysts predict a lower-scoring game, with Stanford’s defense likely to be the deciding factor in their anticipated victory.

Denver, despite losing significant talent from last year, is optimistic about their defensive capabilities and the addition of quality freshmen. However, they face a challenging task in replacing the scoring prowess of Tommy Bruner, who averaged 24 points per game before graduating.