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Interesting how much of a difference a couple of wins can make to a team's outlook on life. Take Stanford men's basketball, please, as an prime example.

After the first six games of the Pac-12 Conference season, well, the Cardinal were sinking fast into the quagmire of the standings. Stanford won twice in those six games, and had just been decimated by Colorado, getting the cold shoulder in Boulder.

Five games later and Stanford stands a little brighter, a little taller, with a slightly better disposition on life in the Pac-12.

Thanks to a 62-59 victory over host Arizona State on Saturday, the Cardinal (6-5 in the Pac-12, 15-9 overall) hopes of a successful run up the conference ladder became a little more likely.

For the time being Stanford has fifth place to itself, just a couple of doors down from second place and three games from the penthouse. With seven games remaining, the Cardinal finds itself in good position in relation to seeding for the conference tournament and a possible berth in the NCAA tournament.

The next two games are at home, with USC coming to Maples Pavilion for an 8 p.m. contest Thursday, and UCLA following on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both are winnable games for Stanford, which has played well in winning four of its last five games.

If this is to be some kind of championship season, than the Cardinal needed some players to step up. Dwight Powell, Josh Huestis and Chasson Randle are those people.

Powell scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double. Those production levels didn't just come against anybody, they came on the road to teams who are currently a combined 38-8.

The Los Angeles schools are currently a combined 28-19, but Stanford was swept on its Southern California trip earlier in the season and really needs to grab some payback.

Randle, who did not score against the Trojans last time, acknowledged that game was the low point of the season and a game he'd love to have back. He's getting that chance Thursday.

Randle, until he sprained an ankle against the Wildcats on Wednesday night, had reached double figures in scoring and was playing with more confidence in every game since.

"A game like that will always have an impact on you," Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said earlier in the week. "He realized that there was nowhere to go but up. He's been terrific."

Huestis, who has surpassed all expectations, has risen to new heights in his development. He had 13 points and 12 rebounds against the Sun Devils, and delivered yet another outstanding defensive effort.

Huestis' presence in the offense gives Stanford a lethal combination of weapons. With Powell and Huestis banging away over every spot on the court, Randle gets time to settle things from long range, and he's capable of getting himself to the foul line.

"You've got to give Josh credit. He's bailed us out of real trouble," Dawkins said.

Stanford led most of the way, taking a 16-point advantage at one point. The Cardinal allowed Arizona State to soak up most of that advantage but when it came time for a shut down play, Andy Brown intercepted a late pass that might have gone for the tying points.

"I'm just so proud of the resiliency they showed, coming back from a tough loss," Dawkins said. "They came out and played even more inspired. The energy was great. The effort was there and they followed the game plan."

Dawkins hopes his team will continue to rise above the average Pac-12 team. He knows he has the necessary parts for just such an uprising.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

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