Renewed Rivalry Ignites Tensions

Bassyonni

ago 46 minutes

In a significant matchup, Stanford (8-1) is poised to continue its rivalry with No. 19 Tennessee (5-2) as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The game will take place on December 3 at 6:15 p.m. in Maples Pavilion, where Krista Blunk and Stephanie White will provide commentary on ESPN2, while Tim Swartz covers the radio broadcast.

Renewed Rivalry Ignites Tensions

The history between Stanford and Tennessee stretches back to December 1988, marking a competitive rivalry that has included numerous intense encounters. Historically, Stanford has faced Tennessee 39 times, with the Lady Vols leading the series 25-14. Recently, however, Stanford has found success, winning a program-record four consecutive games against the Vols.

Current Performance

As of December 1, Stanford ranks No. 22 in the NET rankings, significantly better than last year when they peaked at No. 30. The Cardinal leads the ACC in scoring defense, allowing an average of only 51.9 points per game—12th best in the nation. Their free throw percentage of .826 also ranks them as the best in the ACC and eighth nationally.

Stanford’s defense has successfully held all opponents to under 70 points this season.
In a standout performance, Stanford shot 66.7 percent from the floor during a recent 98-43 victory over Lehigh.

Key Athletes

Nunu Agara, Stanford’s leading scorer with 16.0 points per game, has also averaged 8.6 rebounds. She is among the few players nationally achieving that scoring and rebounding average. Additionally, Lara Somfai’s impressive start includes rankings as one of two Power 4 freshmen recording 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Chloe Clardy, another vital player, averages 11.9 points, contributing significantly off the bench, alongside Agara and Somfai’s stellar performances this season.

Defensive Strategy

Stanford has emphasized defensive strategy, currently ranked 12th in the nation for scoring defense. The Cardinal’s ability to limit opponents’ shooting percentages to just 34.5 contributes to their success. The team has imposed a strong presence on the boards, notably collecting 56 rebounds in a game against UC Davis.

Recruitment and Roster Continuity

Stanford has the unique distinction of having only one transfer on their roster, making them the team with the fewest transfers among Power 4 programs—a testament to their recruiting strategy. The current lineup features a mix of returning players and promising newcomers from an impressive 2025 recruiting class.

Upcoming Challenges

As both teams gear up for this rivalry clash, Stanford will aim to leverage its recent form to maintain its winning streak against Tennessee. The historical context of their encounters adds another layer of intensity to this fixture, turning this long-standing rivalry into a notable highlight of the season.

Fans will be closely watching to see if Stanford can extend its dominance and further ignite tensions in this remarkable rivalry.