[M T]

I was thinking about the almost non-stop games for Stanford through the end of this month: 10 games in 24 days, including 2 road trips.  That's a WNBA-level schedule.

In 2022-2023, Stanford has 31 regular season games, and likely 3 PAC-12 tournament games, and a potential for 6 NCAA tournament games, giving a potential 40 games.  (For comparison, So. Carolina has only 29 regular season games; UConn has 31 regular season games.)

In 2021-2022, Stanford played 36 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game.  (Potential: 37)
In 2020-2021 (COVID-impacted), Stanford won the NC, playing only 33 games when 4 were cancelled.  (Potential: 37)
In 2019-2020 (COVID-shortened), Stanford played 33 games, but the potential for 6 more NCAA tournament games were cancelled. (Potential: 39)
In 2016-2017, Stanford played 38 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game. (Potential: 39)
In 2009-2010, Stanford played 38 games, losing the NC game. (Potential: 38)
In 1999-2000, Stanford played 33 games, losing after the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. (Potential: 37)
In 1989-1990, Stanford played 33 games, winning the NC game. (Potential: 33)

Playing a game gives experience but takes some toll on the body of the players, and it also takes time away from classes.  The NCAA has continued to stretch the allowed number of games in the season. 

It appears that maybe S. Carolina has chosen not to play as many games as possible.  I wonder if that will be an advantage.

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Interesting article in the SF Chron this am, about need for Stanford to do better using the bench than in the S Carolina game. 

The game in November is not the national championship game.  It is at the time of the year that a team is developing game conditioning and honing its tools.  I have no problem with pushing the players endurance now, seeing how (and having them see how) they play when tired, especially against a top team.

[M T]

I was thinking about the almost non-stop games for Stanford through the end of this month: 10 games in 24 days, including 2 road trips.  That's a WNBA-level schedule.

In 2022-2023, Stanford has 31 regular season games, and likely 3 PAC-12 tournament games, and a potential for 6 NCAA tournament games, giving a potential 40 games.  (For comparison, So. Carolina has only 29 regular season games; UConn has 31 regular season games.)

In 2021-2022, Stanford played 36 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game.  (Potential: 37)
In 2020-2021 (COVID-impacted), Stanford won the NC, playing only 33 games when 4 were cancelled.  (Potential: 37)
In 2019-2020 (COVID-shortened), Stanford played 33 games, but the potential for 6 more NCAA tournament games were cancelled. (Potential: 39)
In 2016-2017, Stanford played 38 games, one short of playing in the NCAA championship game. (Potential: 39)
In 2009-2010, Stanford played 38 games, losing the NC game. (Potential: 38)
In 1999-2000, Stanford played 33 games, losing after the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. (Potential: 37)
In 1989-1990, Stanford played 33 games, winning the NC game. (Potential: 33)

Playing a game gives experience but takes some toll on the body of the players, and it also takes time away from classes.  The NCAA has continued to stretch the allowed number of games in the season. 

It appears that maybe S. Carolina has chosen not to play as many games as possible.  I wonder if that will be an advantage.

---

Interesting article in the SF Chron this am, about need for Stanford to do better using the bench than in the S Carolina game. 

The game in November is not the national championship game.  It is at the time of the year that a team is developing game conditioning and honing its tools.  I have no problem with pushing the players endurance now, seeing how (and having them see how) they play when tired, especially against a top team.