The #22-ranked Washington Huskies (9-1) go on the road to historic Maples Pavilion to face the perennially elite Stanford Cardinal program (9-2) on Friday, December 19th at 7pm PST.
Both teams boast strong early season starts that should result in a compelling road clash of disciplined defense and efficient scoring.
The game promises to be a meaningful measuring stick for a 2025-26 Huskies program with its eyes on an upcoming March Madness tournament run.
Washington Huskies Preview
After a close home victory over Green Bay on Saturday, Washington’s offense currently averages 72.3 points per game (ranked #102 nationally); while Washington’s defense holds opponents to 51.9 points per game (currently ranked #11 in the nation).
The Huskies are highly efficient scoring at the rim (within 4.5 feet) making 63.6% (124 of 195) of their shots.
However, Washington is now shooting 32% from three-point range, which needs improvement to meet the Huskies expected standard for a season average (37% last season).
Junior point guard Sayvia Sellers, leads the Huskies offense with a team-leading 20.3 points per game; a team-leading 3.5 assists per game; as well as a second-leading 1.6 steals per game.
Sayvia is shooting a red-hot 41.5% (27 for 65) from three-point range; while making 56% (47 for 84) of her two-point attempts; including, converting 73.8% (31 for 42) at the rim within 4.5 feet, as well as 41.4% farther away in the lane.
The Huskies now have only two Husky players averaging double figures in points.
6’0″ guard Avery Howell, is the Huskies second leading scorer with 12.4 points per game; leads the Huskies in rebounding with 8.0 rebounds per game; and is third in steals with 1.4 per game.
Howell is the Huskies second-leading sharp-shooter from three-point range, making 38.6% (17 for 43) from deep.
Freshman forward Brynn McGaughy is now the Huskies third leading scorer at 8.5 points per game; third-leading rebounder at 4.4 per game; and has a team-leading 16 blocks this season (1.6 per game).
Finally, senior guard Elle Ladine is currently the Huskies fourth-leading scorer at 7.0 points per game but is certainly working hard to increase her offensive contribution — Ladine averaged 17.1 points for the 2024-25 season.
If Ladine can make a significant offensive contribution, it could tip the balance of the game.
Stanford Cardinal Preview
The Stanford Cardinal are coming off a home victory over California, 78-69 (after wins vs. UNC Greensboro, Santa Clara, Cal Poly, Washington State, Gonzaga, UC Davis and Lehigh; and losses to Florida Gulf Coast and Tennessee).
On offense, Stanford averages 73.4 points per game (ranks #88 nationally); while the Trojans defense holds opponents to 54.6 points per game (ranked #29 in the nation).
The Cardinal are most efficient scoring at the rim (within 4.5 feet) making 63.9% (122 of 191) of their shots; while making 49.7% (83 for 167) from farther away in the lane.
Stanford shoots a respectable 33.7% from three-point range (61 for 181); as well as 51.8% on all two-point attempts.
The Stanford Cardinal will challenge Washington with tough rebounding on both ends of the court — averaging 30.2 defensive rebounds plus 11.6 rebounds per game.
The Stanford Cardinal feature three players averaging double figures in scoring.
The Trojans are led by Nunu Agara, a 6’2″ junior forward, who is averaging a team-leading 16.0 points per game; as well as a team-leading 6.4 rebounds per game; a team-leading 4.3 assists; and a team-leading 2.4 blocks per game; and a team-leading 1.9 steals.
Agara is most effective scoring at-the-rim, converting an extremely efficient 78.7% of her shots (37 for 42); but only 29.7% from farther away in the lane.
Nunu Agara is a competent three-point shooter at 30%, but is really only effective from deep in the right-side corner (57.1%).
Nunu Agara is a competent three-point shooter at 30%, but is really only effective from deep in the right-side corner (57.1%).Chloe Clardy a 5’9″ junior guard, scores a second-leading 12.0 points per game; as well as contributing a second-leading 2.6 assists per game; and a team-leading 2.0 steals.
Clardy is an inside-outside scorer, with the majority of her shot attempts from three-point range (37.8% from deep) and inside the lane (making 60% of her shots at-the-rim and 40% from farther out in the lane).
Lara Somfai, a 6’3″ freshman forward from Australia, is Stanford’s third-leading scorer at 10.8 points per game; as well as the team-leading rebounder at 9.0 boards; and team-leading shot-blocker at 1.1 blocks per game.
Somfai is most effective scoring in the lane — shooting 66.7% on her attempts within 4.5 feet of the rim and 59.1% on shots farther out in the lane.
The matchup between freshman frontcourt phenoms Lara Somfai and Brynn McGaughy could be epic, especially if they are pitted against each other in head-to-head competition.
The matchup between freshman frontcourt phenoms Lara Somfai and Brynn McGaughy could be epic, especially if they are pitted against each other in head-to-head competition.Finally, another notable player is Stanford’s 5’7″ senior point point guard Talana Lepolo.
Lepolo contributes a team-leading 3.0 assists per game; and a second-leading 1.3 steals — but only 5.3 points per game.
