The Utah Utes will clash with the Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Friday. While the Utes will enter this game with an 11-4 tally, the Cardinal have a 14-1 record going into the game.

This will be an interesting game for the fans of both teams since the Utes occupy the 19th spot in the AP women’s basketball rankings whereas the Cardinal are positioned at the eighth position.

Players to Watch

For the Utah, their alpha this season has been their forward Alissa Pili. Pili has basketed a humongous 22.5 points per game and leads the tally in terms of points scored for her team. Her season high of 31 points is a testament to what she can do on her day. Other than that, she also leads the tally in terms of blocks with 1.3 blocks per match. The Utes will try to provide her the space where she can contribute her best both in defense and offense.

Another Utes player who can trouble the Stanford is their guard Ines Vieira. Vieira has amped up her game and stepped onto the opportunities perfectly throttling 7 points per game with 4.2 rebounds per match.

She leads the team stats in terms of assists and steals with 6.7 assists per game and 2.9 steals per match. If she is not contained she can act as a connector and create crucial opportunities for her team that the Cardinal will later regret.

The Stanford have had a spectacular season due to the exploits of their forward Cameron Brink. Brink leads the team stats in terms of three departments points scored average, rebounds average, and blocks average.

She averages a double-double with a remarkable 18.5 points per match with 11.3 rebounds per outing. She has also made 3.5 blocks per match. She might not be as proactive in terms of scoring when compared to Pili on the basis of stats, yet she trumps the Utah players when speaking of rebounds and blocks average.

Head to Head

As per the Utah’s official site, Friday will mark the 34th meeting between the two sides. The Stanford have a 31-2 record against the Utah. They locked horns last in February, 2023 when the Utah decimated the Stanford by a 84-78 margin. The Utah have an abysmal 2-15 record at the Jon M. Huntsman Center and would be looking for a second back to back victory over their opponents.

Prediction

Both the teams would be looking to prove their Pac-12 dominance. The Stanford might have the advantage over Utah that already is dealing with injuries in their roster. The Utah can trump Stanford if they contain Brink.

Going by their performances in the tournament, the game can be a close one which the Stanford just edging past their opponents. Whatever might be the result, a nail biter is guaranteed.

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