Washington @ Stanford preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 3, 2019 ) Washington 62, Stanford 61

Off to its best start since 2011-12, Stanford looks to take another step forward Thursday against visiting Washington. The Cardinal opened Pac-12 play with a convincing 68-52 win over California last Thursday but face a tough matchup against the Huskies, who bounced back from a loss to UCLA with a dominant 72-40 victory over USC.

Stanford’s primary task will be to contain Washington star Isaiah Stewart, who was named the Pac-12 freshman of the week for the fourth time this season after averaging 21 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field against the Los Angeles schools. The 6-9, 250-pound forward leads all freshmen nationally at 19.5 points per game but will be tested by Stanford, which leads the conference in scoring defense at 58.3 points per game. The Cardinal boast an impressive backcourt that includes a pair of defensive standouts in sophomore Bryce Wills and junior Daejon Davis. “They’re as good of a tandem as there is in college basketball defensively,” Stanford coach Jerod Haase told reporters. “They have the ability to make things happen on the defensive end because of their ability, athleticism, savvy and knowledge. They’re really, really good and the other guys are starting to get involved, as well.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET. TV: Fox Sports 1

ABOUT WASHINGTON (11-4, 1-1 Pac-12): Freshman forward Jaden McDaniels fouled out after 13 minutes in the Pac-12 opener against UCLA but recorded 11 points, seven rebounds and six blocks in the win over USC. The Huskies also received a spark off the bench from 6-10 forward Nate Roberts, who had seven points and seven rebounds in a season-high 22 minutes while struggling starter Hameir Wright played a season-low 13 minutes. Coach Mike Hopkins is exercising patience with the 6-9 Wright, who is averaging five points while shooting 29 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from 3-point range.

ABOUT STANFORD (12-2, 1-0): Forward Oscar da Silva is averaging 17 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 60.4 percent from the field to lead the Cardinal, who have held 13 of their first 14 opponents below 70 points. Davis recorded 20 points with six rebounds and five assists in the win over Cal while freshman point guard Tyrell Terry added 14 points and five rebounds. Terry is averaging 15.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point range for a Stanford team whose only losses have been to Butler and Kansas.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Stanford has won four of the past five meetings against Washington at Maples Pavilion, with the lone defeat coming by one point last season, 62-61.

2. Washington is committing 14.9 turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the conference.

3. Stanford is 44-14 at home under Haase – including 9-1 this season.

PREDICTION: Stanford 71, Washington 68