College basketball is in full swing, and teams have played over a month's worth of games. This gives us a clearer picture of which teams to watch and which ones will face struggles. For a long time, the Stanford Cardinal have struggled to make a mark. Last year, they finished 14 - 18 and missed the NCAA tournament for the eighth year in a row under Jerod Haase. But this year, something has changed. Kyle Smith, who led Washington State to their first NCAA tournament berth in 16 years, was hired as the new head coach. His more analytical approach, relying on numbers to make decisions, has brought in a new era for the Cardinal.

How Smith Transformed the Program

When Smith took over, many players left the program, but he quickly got others to buy in. Star Maxime Raynaud withdrew his name from the portal and stayed, and they also lured in talent like graduate transfer Jaylen Blakes from Duke. With the roster he assembled, the team is playing its best basketball in years. Currently, they have an 8 - 2 record, their best start since 2019 - 20.

Blakes' Remarkable Season

At Duke, Blakes played a minimal role and never averaged more than 3.4 points per game. But this year, he is having the best season of his career. He has evolved into an everyday starter and is averaging a career - high 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. His improvement is truly remarkable.

Raynaud's Dominance

Raynaud was already an intriguing player going into this season. So far, he has been one of the best players in the country, averaging 22.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Both his points per game and rebounds per game totals are in the top five in the nation. His performance is a key factor in the team's success.

Other Players Thriving

Players like Oziyah Sellers, Ryan Agarwal, and Benny Gealer have also thrived in Smith's system. They are all making important contributions to the team and adding to its success.

Favorable Slate of Games

The Cardinal's strong start can be partly attributed to the favorable slate of games they have played so far. They have only faced one Power Five opponent (Cal), and their two losses came against lower - tier opponents. But they have also had multiple statement wins, like their road win against Cal to open ACC play. This shows their growth.

Challenges Ahead in the ACC

The ACC features tough teams like Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Miami. This will be a challenging year for the Cardinal, with many games being playoff - caliber matchups. But taking care of business like they did against Cal is a positive step towards being competitive in their new conference.There is still a lot of season left, and ACC play will be the focus. But so far, it looks like Smith has instilled new life into the program and has the tools to promote a consistent winning culture and earn a March Madness berth.