:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63024090/usa_today_10680377.0.jpg)
Stanford (18-3) has beaten some of the country’s best over the course of the season, including current No. 1 Baylor. But recent losses have put a slight dent in their quest to lead the PAC-12 and secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon State (19-3) has one loss in their last 12 games. The Beavers will need to focus on Stanford, but they also face first-place Oregon twice next week in a three-day span.
For Stanford, the offense goes through Alanna Smith — the third-best scorer in the PAC-12, with 20.9 points per contest. She can sure shoot the ball, 53% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. The senior forward has scored over 20 points an impressive 10 times this season.
For Oregon State, they bring the two-pronged attack of Destiny Slocum and Mikayla Pivec. The two have led their team in scoring a combined 17 times, Slocum (11) and Pivec (6). Watch out for sophomore Aleah Goodman, also, who is sixth in the nation in three-point shooting percentage (47.2%) and has averaged 11 points in conference play, despite coming off of the bench.
Stanford is 10-0 at home while Oregon State has not lost a game on the road. The Cardinal will have their hands full with the nation’s best three-point shooting offense. But Stanford bounced back after a buzzer-beater loss to California and will look to get their season back on track.
This game has big implications in the PAC-12 race and potentially NCAA Tournament seeding as well. It is definitely one to watch.
Game information
No. 7 Oregon State Beavers (19-3, 9-1) at No. 11 Stanford Cardinal (18-3, 8-2)
When: Friday, Feb 8, at 9:00 p.m. ET
Where: Stanford Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
How to watch: PAC-12 Network