HOME OPENER . . . The season may be five games old for the Stanford men's basketball team, but the No. 21-ranked Cardinal will be playing only its first game at home when Alaska-Anchorage visits Maples Pavilion on Wednesday in a nonconference test at 7:30 p.m. This will be the second meeting between the teams this season. They met in the third-place game of the Great Alaska Shootout last month, with Stanford shooting 55 percent from the field while rolling to a 91-69 victory. The Cardinal hasn't lost since that tourney, coming into this game with a 4-1 record. Stanford's starters will be senior forward Rich Jackson, sophomore forward Pete Sauer, sophomore guard Kris Weems, senior guard Brevin Knight and sophomore center Tim Young. In the Cardinal's last outing, a 72-70 nonconference win at University of San Diego last Saturday, Young struggled to just a two-point, three-rebound performance before fouling out after playing just 12 minutes. Knight also was saddled with foul trouble, playing only 20 minutes. Knight sat out 14 minutes of the second half after picking up his third and fourth fouls in the first 2:45. Stanford was up, 47-41, when Knight left and led 67-58 when he returned with 3:14 to play. Stanford led 70-60 with 1:48 to go, but made only three of eight free-throw attempts in the final 1:48 as the Toreros closed the gap. Stanford came into the game leading the nation with an 82.8 free-throw percentage. After San Diego closed to within 72-70, Stanford broke the Toreros' press and Knight dribbled away the final seconds. Weems paced Stanford with a season-high 18 points, connecting on five of six three-point attempts. Wednesday's game against Alaska-Anchorage has been designated as Holiday Food Drive Night." For those who bring a can of food to be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank, they'll receive a $3 discount on a general admission ticket (regularly priced $6).
A NEW STATION . . . The Stanford men's basketball team now can be heard on radio station KDIA (1310 AM), which will serve as the exclusive home of the Cardinal this season. Longtime radio voice Bob Murphy will serve as the play-by-play announcer and former Stanford basketball player John Platz once again will handle the color commentary.
HOOP SIGNUPS . . . The East Palo Alto YMCA is currently holding signups for its youth basketball league, which begins in January. Registration forms may be picked up at the YMCA at 2220 University Ave., or information can be obtained by calling 328-9622 Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. The registration fees are $20 (grades K-2) and $30 (grades 3-8). Practice begins Jan. 5.
BASKETBALL SPLIT . . . The Menlo College basketball team got a split out of its weekend in Walla Walla, Wash., where the Oaks finished second in the Whitman College tournament. Menlo toppled Walla Walla, 79-59, in the first round behind Dave Barton's 18 points. In the title game, Menlo shot just .282 for the game (22 of 78) and fell to host Whitman, 88-60.
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