Texas vs. Stanford: College Basketball Game Preview, Prediction, TV Schedule

By Taylor Sturm
Texas Longhorns Basketball Head Coach
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

TV Schedule: Saturday, Dec. 19, 11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Arena: Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA

Line: Texas (-2)

The Texas Longhorns lost three of their opening five games, and many people jumped ship on the Longhorns’ chances at making the 2016 NCAA tournament. Shaka Smart, however, had other ideas, as his Longhorns have won five straight, including a victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Next up for Texas is a tricky road game against the 5-3 Stanford Cardinal, who are in the midst of a winning streak themselves.

Stanford came into the season expecting a down year, and that’s what we saw in their losses to the SMU Mustangs, St. Mary’s Gaels and Villanova Wildcats. Since then, however, the Cardinal have reeled off three straight solid wins an believe they have a legitimate opportunity to get back into the 2016 NCAA tournament discussion.

That being said, Texas has looked like a much better team over the last five games and should not have much trouble with Stanford. Neither of these teams are flashy in any of the key statistics, but the Longhorns definitely have the advantage in terms of on-paper talent. Isaiah Taylor is more than capable of taking control of the game, whereas Stanford has yet to have a player really step up and prove the same. Cameron Ridley should feast on the weak inside game of the Cardinal, as well.

Despite this one being on the road, the Longhorns being favored by just over two points seems a little generous to Stanford, and Texas gets a solid road win in California on Saturday night.

Prediction: Texas 78, Stanford 68

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like