Stanford Cardinal vs Cal Poly Mustangs Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Stanford Vying to Bounce Back from First Loss, Meets Cal Poly

Cardinal Aim to Rebound

Stanford (6-1) gets its first chance to recover from a defeat when it hosts Cal Poly in a nonconference matchup on Saturday night. After opening the season with six straight wins, including five at home, the Cardinal fell to Grand Canyon 78-71 on Tuesday in Palm Desert, Calif.

The loss prompted Stanford head coach Kyle Smith to assess his evolving lineup. Smith made two changes against Grand Canyon, inserting forward Aidan Cammann and guard Ryan Agarwal into the starting five alongside standouts Maxime Raynaud, Jaylen Blakes, and Oziyah Sellers.

While Cammann and Agarwal combined for just eight points, Smith remains optimistic.

“As (Raynaud and Blakes) get better, I think other guys will follow,” Smith said. “And we’ll be in good shape.”

Raynaud Leading the Charge

Maxime Raynaud has been a force for the Cardinal, recording double-doubles in all seven games this season. He’s averaging 23.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the floor.

Jaylen Blakes, a Duke transfer, has provided a spark in the backcourt. He scored a season-high 22 points in the loss to Grand Canyon and continues to adjust to his expanded role at Stanford.

Cal Poly’s Bay Area Tour

Cal Poly (4-4) is making the rounds in the Bay Area, having already faced San Francisco, Cal, and Saint Mary’s. The Mustangs have struggled on the road, posting a 1-4 record away from home, but they picked up a key win at Eastern Washington earlier this season. Their most recent outing was a narrow 82-79 home victory over Grambling on Tuesday.

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Familiar Face in Hyder

Graduate point guard Jarred Hyder brings experience to the Mustangs, particularly against Stanford. Hyder played two seasons at Cal and has competed against the Cardinal before, including a 13-point effort at Maples Pavilion in 2021.

Hyder is coming off a 27-point performance in a loss at Arizona State last week. However, he emphasized the importance of defense for Cal Poly moving forward.

“If we stick to our defensive principles, that helps us get out and run,” Hyder said. “That is a big emphasis for us.”

What’s at Stake

Stanford looks to return to its winning ways and build momentum heading into conference play. For Cal Poly, the game represents another opportunity to test its mettle against a Power Five opponent and refine its defensive identity.

Both teams will look to their standout performers—Raynaud for Stanford and Hyder for Cal Poly—to set the tone in what promises to be an engaging matchup.