Stanford Stanford (February 18, 2004)is 21-0 and No. 1

Cardinal take over nation's top spot after Duke is upset by North Carolina State

by Rick Eymer

Life has to be pretty good these days on the Stanford campus, especially after Duke was defeated by North Carolina State on Sunday afternoon, 78-74. Wonder how many members of the Stanford men's basketball team watched that ACC showdown?

Some time early Monday afternoon, the Cardinal learned they were the No. 1 team in the nation. Being undefeated merely adds to the pomp and circumstance surrounding this year's team, which has accomplished something no other team in Stanford history had ever achieved and that's winning 21 games in a row.

"It definitely means something to be No. 1, but we still have a lot of work to do," said senior Joe Kirchofer, who played on the 2001 squad that was ranked No. 1 on March 5, 2001, the last time Stanford held that lofty position. "It's a distraction, but it's fun. I think we have earned it." Stanford (12-0 in the Pac-10, 21-0 overall) reached that milestone in one of the toughest venues in the Pac-10, beating Bay Area rival California, 69-58, in front of a packed and boisterous crowd in Haas Pavilion.

"It's the best we've ever done at the school," said Stanford coach Mike Montgomery. "I had to change my tune with the guys. We're not afraid of winning every game. I think some of that was starting to creep in, that it would be bad if we won every game. We're trying to win every game, but it's ludicrous for us to act and think like we're going to win every game and we're the greatest."

They may not act or think like they're going to win every game; all they do is play like it.

The Bears had to feeling good about themselves entering Saturday night's showdown as they mirrored Stanford's accomplishment of the previous week with a sweep of the Arizona schools. Cal was on a roll, and playing well. The game featured the top two teams in the Pac-10.

Stanford now has a five-game lead with six conference games remaining - the Pac-10 regular season title looks like a lock - and the only remaining mystery is how long the Cardinal can stay unbeaten.

Until Duke laid claim to the No. 1 ranking several weeks ago, it wasn't good to be in the top spot. Teams were getting knocked off every week. Stanford beat then No. 1 Kansas back on Dec. 6. The Jayhawks spent all of a week as the top dog. The Cardinal should be fully aware of the pitfalls which come with being one of two unbeaten teams in the nation (with St. Joseph's) and ranked No. 1.

"If somebody asked me if I thought we had a chance of going into the tournament undefeated, I'd say we have the best chance aside from one other team (Saint Joseph's)," said Montgomery.

USC (5-8, 10-12) or UCLA (6-7, 10-11) could both spoil the party when Stanford travels to Los Angeles for games on Thursday against the Trojans and Saturday against the Bruins. Montgomery will likely keep his troops on the edge as the Cardinal look to continue their greatest start ever.

It seems like Stanford has added motivation every time it takes the court. On Thursday, the Cardinal will be looking at a team that has knocked them out of the Pac-10 tournament in each of the last two years.

Stanford has been able to respond to incentives like that all season. The California game was just another example.

"We've lost here the last two years," said Stanford center Rob Little, who contributed another solid effort with 16 points. "That was a big issue for us. Winning here, winning at Oregon, beating Arizona at home: those are statement games. We wanted to win and shut people up."

After beating the Wildcats on Nick Robinson's last-second shot, Montgomery said pretty much the same thing. "There would always be a question of what we're not," he said. "I didn't want to answer those any more."

People have probably stopped asking by now, especially with Stanford being associated with the top spot in the nation. The Cardinal earned their time, however long they stay, at the top. Josh Childress added 15 points and nine rebounds in the win over Cal, and he's playing like he never had a stress reaction in his left foot and missed nine games. Matt Lottich added 12 points and five assists.

"I think Stanford has a good chance of winning each game they play," Cal coach Ben Braun said. "Those guys made the adjustments."

Stanford seemingly finds a way to shut down its opponents big guns. Cal freshman Leon Powe did not make a basket in five attempts and played just 18 minutes because of foul trouble.

"They're a very good defensive team," Powe said. "They're a good team period. I didn't play most of the game, and I couldn't get in a flow. I'll give it up to them. It's frustrating. If you beat one person, they have another right there to help."

Not even an appearance from Jason Kidd, who had his No. 5 jersey retired in a pregame ceremony, could help deter Stanford from its mission.

Matt Haryasz, a backup power forward, returned after missing two games with an ankle injury. Stanford is still without starting forward Justin Davis, sidelined with a bruised bone and partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He remained on crutches.

Another factor in Stanford's success: the Cardinal made 23 free throws, one more than Cal attempted.
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