Previewing the Stanford Matchup: What to Expect from UAlbany Women’s Basketball

The University at Albany women’s basketball team will face off against No. 4 ranked Stanford, with the game set to take place at 4​ p.m. on Sunday. UAlbany currently holds a 4-1 record, while Stanford boasts a perfect 6-0 record. Fans can watch the game on Pac-12 Networks. To get you ready for the matchup, ⁣here are five things you should know:

THE ​FIRST MEETING BETWEEN TEAMS

This will⁣ also ​mark the third ever ⁤matchup between UAlbany and a Pac-12 team. The Great Danes previously‍ faced off against California in 2008 (resulting in a 63-39 loss) and USC in​ 2015​ (a close 68-67 loss).

This is the second consecutive season that UAlbany is facing a nationally ranked opponent, ​after previously losing to then-No.‌ 3 Ohio State, 82-57, on December 16, ‌2022.

At coach Colleen Mullen’s request, Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer made a motivational speech for UAlbany before their 2022 NCAA Tournament game against Louisville. VanDerveer also has a personal connection to the area, having spent part of her childhood in Schenectady and playing ⁢one season at UAlbany before transferring to Indiana.

VanDerveer, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball​ Hall of​ Fame in 2011, has a ‌remarkable career record of 1,191-265‍ (pre-Friday) and has won three NCAA national championships, in 1990, 1992 and 2021.

STANFORD IS A POWERHOUSE

The Cardinal have been putting up impressive numbers this season, averaging 87.5 points per game and allowing just ‌59.7 ‍points per game. In comparison, ⁣UAlbany has been averaging 72.4 points⁣ per game (61 against Division I‌ competition) and allowing 49.8 points per game (55.5, Div. I).

One of the most notable stats for Stanford is their rebounding ability, with⁣ the⁢ team⁤ ranking‌ fifth in the country in team rebounds per game with an average of 51.7.

STANFORD HAS SOME SUPERSTAR PLAYERS

Two players ​- Cameron Brink and Hannah Jump – for⁢ Stanford have already ⁤made the John R. Wooden Award Women’s ⁢Preseason Top 50 Watch List. Brink, a⁣ 6-foot-4 senior forward, ⁤is averaging 18.5 points,‌ 11.0 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game. Jump, a 6-0 graduate student guard,‌ is averaging 10.7 points and 2.8 assists per game.

In addition to Brink and Jump, 6-3⁣ junior forward Kiki Iriafen is⁤ also a major contributor ‍for Stanford, averaging 21.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

UAlbany IS‍ USED TO PLAYING⁣ ON THE ROAD

Due to the ongoing renovations at the⁣ Broadview Center, the Great Danes​ have been playing all of ⁢their games away from their campus gymnasium. They last played on their own court on March 8, 2022 against Vermont in ‌the America East Tournament, making ​them used to playing in hostile environments.