Friday, Oct. 12 Curtis Borchardt is as important to his team's success as any player in the country, and, if healthy, he has the skills, touch, hands and talent to be outstanding. Borchardt needs to stay on the floor to aid Stanford's straight-up, no tricks defense, block shots and limit the opposition to one shot. On the other end, Casey Jacobsen, who is always in range, can be counted upon for 20-plus points per game, and newcomer Josh Childress is every bit as good as advertised. Childress is a long, lean, athletic slasher who can drive, come off of screens, get his own shot and hit it. Watch for Chris Hernandez, a hardworking, pass-first point, to work his way into the lineup. Don't get caught up in what Stanford doesn't have, because what they do have is very good, and Mike Montgomery is great.

13
Stanford
LAST SEASON: 31-3
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 5

Why No. 13?
The Cardinal would be actually higher if Curtis Borchardt's health wasn't still a question. He has had a nagging stress fracture the past two seasons and so far is playing without pain. The Cardinal needs balance and Borchardt is key to that equation. But they'll be tougher to defend on the perimeter with Casey Jacobsen improving his ability to create off the dribble and the arrival of Josh Childress. Childress is a big guard/small forward who will take some of the heat off of Jacobsen. Teams won't be able to double on him. Julius Barnes is ready to take over for Mike McDonald but Tony Giovacchini might still start at the point. The Cardinal has depth with Chris Hernandez, too. This team and program knows how to win and won't slide too far back, maybe second at the worst in the Pac-10, without the Collins twins. They still have the talent to make an Elite Eight run if they get the right breaks in the tournament.

Will Rise If ...
The Cardinal has Curtis Borchardt healthy for the whole season. He can alter the game defensively with a block or by simply being in the lane. Justin Davis gives the Cardinal a more athletic forward, but Borchardt is the intimidating presence. A stress fracture has bothered him for nearly two years. Joe Kirchofer has to make a contribution until Teyo Johnson is back from football.

Will Fall If ...
The Cardinal can't get Casey Jacobsen untracked and don't give him help. They should get it with Julius Barnes and newcomer Josh Childress, but there will be more attention on Jacobsen without the Collins twins. He must be able to get open by someone else producing in the backcourt. Defensively, he's got to get help, too. They need to be able to pressure the ball more effectively to create more easy baskets.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Pac-10 coach's take on the Cardinal

“

The key is with Jacobsen. Everything will start with him. Got to limit his touches and make him work. He moves so well without the ball. When he does have it, you've got to jam him and make him put the ball on the floor. They're not going to beat themselves. They're well coached and you've got to take care of the ball against them. They do a good job in halfcourt defense. They're a possession-type team. They'll be more athletic in the post with Borchardt and Davis, more versatile than the Collins twins. Might try to make it an uptempo game if you can. You have to get good shots against them and must rebound the ball against them. ”

2001-02 STANFORD ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(24) Julius Barnes	Jr.	G	6-1/180	PTS: 4.4 | AST: 1.0 | 3PT%: 31.7
(14) Tyler Besecker	So.	G/F	6-6/205	PTS: 1.2 | REB: 0.6 | FG%: 50.0
(2) Curtis Borchardt	Jr.	C	7-0/230	PTS: 6.4 | REB: 4.2 | FG%: 53.4
(1) Josh Childress	Fr.	G	6-7/190	Will play plenty in Year 1 and will give Cardinal another outside option
(22) Justin Davis	So.	F	6-8/230	PTS: 3.9 | REB: 3.0 | FG%: 51.4
(25) Tony Giovacchini	Sr.	G	6-2/180	PTS: 2.0 | AST: 1.9 | FG%: 34.5
(11) Chris Hernandez	Fr.	G	6-2/185	Insurance in case Barnes and Giovacchini can't handle PG spot
(23) Casey Jacobsen	Jr.	G/F	6-6/210	PTS: 18.1 | FG%: 50.8 | 3PT%: 47.2
(5) Teyo Johnson	So.	F	6-7/256	PTS: 4.1 | REB: 2.2 | FG%: 45.5
(00) Joe Kirchofer	So.	F	6-9/240	2000-01 redshirt will provide much-needed frontcourt depth
(42) Rob Little	Fr.	C	6-10/260	All-state performer in Virginia will learn behind Borchardt
(3) Kyle Logan	Jr.	G/F	6-5/202	PTS: 1.6 | REB: 0.6 | FG%: 45.5
(33) Matt Lottich	So.	G	6-4/190	PTS: 2.7 | FG%: 48.9 | 3PT%: 40.7
(21) Nick Robinson	Fr.	F/G	6-6/195	Redshirted during 2000-01 season
Head Coach: Mike Montgomery (319-149, 15 years; Overall: 473-223, 23 years) Assistant Coaches: Tony Fuller, Eric Reveno, Russell Turner Home Court: Maples Pavilion (7,391); Palo Alto, Calif.

2001-02 STANFORD SCHEDULE

November 17: at New Mexico 20: S. Utah 24: Purdue (a)

December 1: Texas (b) 15: Long Beach St. 18: Belmont (c) 19: TBD (d) 22: BYU (e) 29: Michigan St. (f)

January 4: California 6: at California 10: at Oregon State 12: at Oregon 17: Washington St. 19: Washington 24: at UCLA 26: at USC 31: Arizona St.

February 2: Arizona 7: Oregon 9: Oregon St. 14: at Washington 16: at Washington St. 21: USC 23: UCLA 28: at Arizona

March 2: at Arizona St. 7: Pac-10 Tournament