Stanford Cardinal Shoot for NIT Championship
The Stanford Cardinal will look to capture their second NIT championship in three years on Thursday when they face off against the University of Miami in Madison Square Garden.
The Cardinal and Hurricanes took very different routes to reach the title game in the Big Apple.
Chasson Randle had a record breaking night that helped the Cardinal hold off a late surge by number one seeded Old Dominion in the semifinals. The Hurricanes though, needed a rally in the second half to overtake Temple University in the other semifinal, setting up their match with Stanford.
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There will be one important x-factor that will help determine which team will reign supreme Thursday evening.
And that x-factor is — Who can handle the pressure?
Stanford blazed out to an early 18-2 lead versus Old Dominion before the Monarchs turned up the defensive pressure, and forced the Cardinal into costly turnovers, which led to easy transitional baskets and a narrowing of the lead.
However, in Miami’s game, the Hurricanes used pressure to their advantage. The ‘Canes fell into an early eleven point deficit, before ramping up their intensity, and getting hot from long range, finally overtaking the Owls.
“For the younger guys, they will have something to hang their hats on for next year going into the season,” Randle said
The game in the Garden will be a battle of wills. The Cardinal will look to keep the game at a controlled pace, while the Hurricanes would be happy to play at a more frenzied clip.
Stanford must be able to withstand the ‘Canes intensity and pressure, which is what caused Temple to unravel.
The Cardinal will need the leadership of their new all-time leading scorer, Randle, to be a steadying force. After the Cardinal had lost their lead, he took control of Stanford’s semifinal contest down the stretch, and played his biggest with the game tied and the outcome very much in doubt.
His two late three point daggers, and four free throws in the last three minutes of the game, sealed the victory for Stanford and punched their ticket to the Garden.
The decorated senior guard will be making his second trip to the NIT Championship, and the Cardinal will be relying on his leadership to bring the title home.
Stanford’s job may have become a lot easier with the loss of Hurricane big man Tonye Jekiri, who suffered a concussion in Miami’s 60-57 win over Temple.
The loss of Jekiri will open the lane for Randle and Anthony Brown, who combined for 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting in their semi-final victory.
"“For me to win an NIT championship , for our seniors, if we went out on top and won our last game…that would be very special for us,” Randle told reporters after the Cardinal win."
A big game from Stefan Nastic whose 13.5 points a game average has lessened the scoring burden put upon Randle and Brown, and will allow Stanford to attack Miami’s stingy defense with a balanced offensive attack.
The dynamic trio combined for 55 of the Cardinals 67 points versus Old Dominion, and will be counted on to keep Stanford’s offensive balance intact.
The eventual winner will have been able to impose their will and style of play on the other and control the pace of the game.
If Stanford can maintain their poise and not fall victim to the Hurricanes defensive pressure, they should be able to bring back their second NIT Championship, since 2012 to Palo Alto.