California's John Camden stole the show at Maples Pavilion, leading his team to a convincing 78-66 win over Stanford. The Golden Bears' star forward scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, outdueling Stanford's Jeremy Dent-Smith, who finished with 20 points. The win marked a significant statement for California, who entered the game as the underdog according to CHD Scout's prediction, which had Stanford winning by 2.3 points.
The Golden Bears set the tone early, taking a 38-34 lead into halftime. They continued to build on their momentum in the second half, outscoring the Cardinal 40-32. Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames provided supporting roles, scoring 18 and 11 points, respectively, as California's offense clicked on all cylinders. The Golden Bears' ability to move the ball and create scoring opportunities was too much for Stanford's defense to handle.
Stanford, on the other hand, struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Despite Dent-Smith's strong performance, the Cardinal couldn't overcome the balanced attack of the Golden Bears. Ebuka Okorie added 14 points, and Ryan Agarwal chipped in with 12 points and 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with California.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The loss marked a missed opportunity for Stanford, who was seeking to bolster their resume with a win over a top-60 team. Instead, the Cardinal suffered a Quadrant 2 loss, which could have implications for their tournament chances. For California, the win was a significant Quadrant 1 victory, one that will undoubtedly boost their tournament profile. With a current net ranking of 60, the Golden Bears are poised to make a strong push for a tournament bid.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction was off the mark, as California's dominant performance defied expectations. The actual margin of 12 points was a far cry from the predicted score of 70-70, highlighting the Golden Bears' impressive display. As the season heats up, California's win over Stanford will be a key talking point in tournament discussions. With their strong performance, the Golden Bears have cemented their position as a team to watch in the college basketball landscape. The victory will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to their resume, one that will be closely examined by tournament selectors in the coming weeks.