Ebuka Okorie is poised to maintain his impressive momentum as the Stanford Cardinal prepare to host Seattle University at Maples Pavilion on Friday. Okorie has quickly made a name for himself, currently ranking third in the nation and first among all freshmen with an average of 25.5 points per game. His remarkable streak includes a recent performance where he scored 26 points in a decisive 93-66 victory against Louisiana, making it his fourth consecutive game with over 20 points to start his collegiate career.
Stanford head coach Kyle Smith lauded Okorie’s growing impact on the team, stating, “That was probably his best floor game. Obviously, he scored, he seems to score all the time. But you’re starting to see the extra pass, starting to see the guys on a roll. … The better he gets, the better the next guy gets. It’s been fun to watch.” Joining Okorie in the scoring effort against Louisiana was Chisom Okpara, who contributed 22 points and five rebounds, while Cameron Grant added 15 points with a solid performance from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-11 from three-point range. The Cardinal currently boast a perfect record of 4-0 as they conclude a five-game homestand.
In contrast, the Seattle Redhawks, who have a record of 3-1, are entering their first road game of the season following two consecutive victories. Their most recent win was an 83-74 triumph against Idaho State, a match characterized by high scoring in the second half for both teams. Seattle’s head coach Chris Victor expressed pride in his team’s effort, especially remarking on their ability to seal the victory after leading by 19 points with just over 11 minutes remaining. Brayden Maldonado is a key player for the Redhawks, averaging 23.3 points per game, and contributed 22 points, along with six assists, against Idaho State. Jojo Murphy also made an impact from the bench with 14 points, highlighting the depth of their squad.
Last season, Seattle struggled on the road with a 4-11 record, while Stanford enjoyed significant success at home, finishing with a 17-3 record at Maples Pavilion. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams aim to build on their early season successes. As Stanford seeks to stay unbeaten, the dynamics of Okorie’s standout play will be crucial against a Redhawks team looking to prove themselves in away territory.