Stanford @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 14, 2017 ) Washington 69, Stanford 76

Two surprise teams near the top of the Pac-12 standings meet Saturday as Stanford visits a Washington team that has already surpassed last season’s conference win total. Stanford has won three in a row following a loss to California but will be tested by a Washington team that continues to impress under first-year coach Mike Hopkins.

Stanford struggled offensively when Dorian Pickens missed 11 games with a left foot injury, but the senior wing has been a key contributor during the team’s win streak, highlighted by a career-high 28 points in Thursday’s 79-70 win over Washington State. Pickens made seven 3-pointers while freshman forward Kezie Okpala added a career-best 21 points to lead the Cardinal, which won despite a quiet game from preseason All-American forward Reid Travis (season-low six points). Travis will look to bounce back against a Washington team that sits in a three-way tie for second place after being picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 preseason poll. "I would probably say the biggest thing is we’re just proving to ourselves what we’re capable of," guard Matisse Thybulle told reporters. “We knew we were going to do more than what people expected of us.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT STANFORD (9-8, 3-1 Pac-12): Travis averages 20.4 points and 7.5 rebounds to lead the Cardinal, who have come from behind to win their last three games, including last Sunday's 77-76 win over USC. Freshman guard Daejon Davis hit a 50-foot shot at the buzzer to seal the victory over the Trojans and scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting in Thursday’s win over Washington State. Senior forward Michael Humphrey averages 11.5 points and 8.1 boards but was limited to 20 minutes due to foul trouble and held scoreless against the Cougars.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (13-4, 3-1): The Huskies have four players averaging at least 10.9 points per game, led by freshman guard Jaylen Nowell (16.5), who had 20 points and five rebounds in Thursday’s 66-56 win over Cal. Freshman point guard Michael Carter III played his second game since returning from a wrist injury and tallied 16 minutes off the bench in relief of junior David Crisp, who averages 12.2 points and 3.4 assists. Junior forward Noah Dickerson averages 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds and will be a key factor against Stanford’s formidable frontline.

TIP-INS

1. Stanford holds a 75-71 lead in the all-time series but owns a 20-49 record at Washington.

2. Washington is 9-1 in games decided by fewer than 10 points.

3. Stanford is 4-15 on the road in Pac-12 play over the last two seasons.

PREDICTION: Stanford 74, Washington 70