$5 Early Predictions for Stanford Basketball\'s 2014-15 Season$

5 Early Predictions for Stanford Basketball's 2014-15 Season

By Matt Johnson

Stanford Basketball: 5 Early Predictions For 2014-15 Season

Stanford Cardinal — Stanford returned to the NCAA Tournament last season under coach Johnny Dawkins, defeating New Mexico and Kansas before bowing out to Dayton in the Sweet 16. In order to replicate that feat in 2014-15, the Cardinal will need to replace a pair of proven performers: Dwight Powell and Josh Huestis. Fortunately, Stanford is well-stocked with talent heading into the season. Here are five predictions for the Cardinal heading into 2014-15.

5. Chasson Randle will be in the conversation for All-American honors

Chasson Randle

5. Chasson Randle will be in the conversation for All-American honors

Chasson Randle — The senior guard returns to run the show for Dawkins and the Cardinal after averaging a team-leading of 18.8 points per game as a junior. A good shooter and ball-handler, Randle should increase his scoring average with the departures of Powell and Huestis during the offseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if Randle is a prominent candidate for All-American honors before the end of the year.

4. Reid Travis will start from day one

Reid Travis

4. Reid Travis will start from day one

Reid Travis — The most-heralded of Stanford’s incoming recruits, Reid Travis was considered a consensus top-50 recruit by various scouting services. A highly energetic and skilled forward, Travis figures to step into the void left by Huestis and become the Cardinal’s leading rebounder as the season progresses.

3. Anthony Brown will drastically improve his offensive numbers from last season

Anthony Brown

3. Anthony Brown will drastically improve his offensive numbers from last season

Anthony Brown — One of the Cardinal’s three returning starters from last season, Brown often deferred to the likes of Randle, Powell and Huestis while still managing to average 12.3 points per game in 2013-2014. With Stanford needing to replace a combined 35.2 points per game from Powell and Huestis, Powell should step forward to become the team’s second offensive option.

2. Stanford will finish in the top 5 of the Pac-12 Conference standings

Stanford Cardinal

2. Stanford will finish in the top 5 of the Pac-12 Conference standings

Stanford Cardinal — The Cardinal won ten conference games a season ago while finishing tied for third in the Pac-12 standings. With the return of three starters from last year’s team to go along with a talented group of newcomers, Stanford figures to be right in the thick of the conference race again in 2014-15.

1. Stanford will return to the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15

NCAA Tournament basketballs

1. Stanford will return to the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15

NCAA Tournament basketballs — If the Cardinal can adequately fill the void left by two departed starters from last year, there is no reason Stanford shouldn’t make another appearance in the Big Dance. There is more than enough talent on hand for Dawkins and the Cardinal to be sitting pretty once Selection Sunday rolls around.

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Stanford Cardinal

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