Stanford @ Washington St. preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2017 ) Washington St. 54, Stanford 84

Having survived a challenging non-conference slate that included losses to North Carolina, Florida and Kansas, Stanford has emerged as a possible contender in the competitive Pac-12. The Cardinal look to build on back-to-back wins Thursday against host Washington State, which has opened league play with three straight losses.

Stanford is riding a wave of momentum following last Sunday’s 77-76 win over USC, which ended when freshman guard Daejon Davis hit a 50-foot shot at the buzzer. One of four freshmen in the Cardinal rotation, Davis has cut down on his turnovers from the point-guard spot and has averaged 10.9 points over his last nine games. “A lot of people could obviously see the struggles he had at the start of the season,” forward Reid Travis told reporters. “But for me, he just needed more game reps. It’s a tough position to be in, to basically take over a team at the college level. He deserves moments like (Sunday’s game-winning shot).” After playing eight straight games in the state of California, Stanford hits the road to face the Cougars, who began the season with six straight wins but started league play by averaging 16 turnovers in losses to UCLA, USC and Washington.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT STANFORD (8-8, 2-1 Pac-12): The future is now for Stanford, which had Davis on the court with fellow freshmen Kezie Okpala, Isaac White and Oscar da Silva at the same time during several key stretches against USC. Okpala, a 6-8 forward from Los Angeles, has moved into the starting lineup and is averaging 31 minutes and 10.3 points since making his season debut four games ago. Coach Jerod Haase continues to rely heavily on his veteran frontcourt of Travis and Michael Humphrey, who average a combined 33.5 points and 16.0 rebounds per game.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (8-7, 0-3): Forward Robert Franks averages 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds to lead the Cougars, who have lost seven of their last nine games and rank last in the Pac-12 with a minus-1.8 average rebounding margin. Coach Ernie Kent has been pleased by the leadership of graduate transfer Drick Bernstine, who averages a team-most 7.5 rebounds and recorded 10 points and seven boards in last Saturday’s 70-65 loss to Washington. Guard Malachi Flynn, the team's second-leading scorer at 14.9 points per game, looks to bounce back after being held to five points on 1-of-9 shooting against the Huskies.

TIP-INS

1. Stanford has won nine of the last 12 meetings and holds a 76-60 lead in the series.

2. Washington State G Carter Skaggs is 22-for-42 from 3-point range over his last five games.

3. Stanford is 3-15 on the road in Pac-12 play over the last two seasons.

PREDICTION: Stanford 77, Washington State 72