Stanford basketball returns to action tonight when it faces Eastern Washington at home to begin the 2026-27 college basketball season. Falling short of reaching the NCAA tournament last season, the Cardinal hope that their new-look roster can get them back to the Madness of March. 

This season will be an interesting one, featuring a loaded freshman class that could quickly take the college basketball world by storm. Stanford still faces minimal expectations, but if everything comes together, it could be a special year on the hardwood.

Here is a season preview ahead of year three of the coach Kyle Smith era.

When: Monday, Nov. 2, 7:00 p.m. (PST)

Where: Maples Pavilion, Stanford, California

How to Watch: ACC Network Extra

Spread: Stanford (-13.5)

Moneyline: Stanford (-1299), Eastern Washington (+772)

Total: O/U 153.5

G Julius Price

A former four-star recruit out of St. Joseph-Santa Maria, Price stood out in the two exhibition games against Santa Clara and Oregon.

Price scored 26 points as a starter in an 83-78 loss to Santa Clara, and followed that up with 11 points against a strong Oregon team, proving that he could become a focal point of the offense from the jump. After Stanford lost Ebuka Okorie to the NBA, the Cardinal will be on the lookout for someone to lead the offense. Price could be that guy.

G/F Aziz Olajuwon

The son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, Aziz chose the Cardinal in the recruiting battle over schools such as Cincinnati, Houston and Vanderbilt. Olajuwon started both exhibition games, scored six points in the loss to Santa Clara but found a rhythm against Oregon and led the program in scoring with 26 points.

Olajuwon is versatile and big (6-7, 220 pounds) and capable of guarding positions one through five, making his presence vital this season. Combine that with his high ceiling on offense and you get a player who has all the tools to become a superstar.

G Christian Bliss

One of only three players that the program landed in the transfer portal, Bliss brings a veteran presence and more depth to the Cardinal backcourt. After spending two seasons at Virginia without making an appearance, Bliss earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors at Delaware last season after averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

Bliss scored 15 points in his debut game for Stanford against Santa Clara, and while he only scored five against Oregon with four turnovers, he led the team with three steals. While he may not start every game, expect him to make a major impact for the program this season.

Dec. 2 at Texas A&M (ACC-SEC Challenge)

This is the type of game that can really help Stanford gauge where they are at as a program. The Aggies have made the NCAA tournament in four consecutive seasons and face stiff competition each and every game as members of the SEC.

They are not the strongest program, but they definitely give teams trouble, and with the Cardinal facing them in an exhibition tournament, it's an opportunity to face a high-level opponent with lesser stakes. If Stanford wins, it creates a strong building block.

Jan. 13 at Duke

Duke is in the midst of a dominant run in college basketball, reaching the NCAA tournament the last five years and making it to the last three Elite Eights. Duke also is the reigning ACC champion two years running, making them the team to beat.

Stanford faces them on the road in arguably the most hostile environment in college basketball. This will be a tough one for the Cardinal to win, but if they compete, or even pull off the stunning upset, it is the type of game that can change the trajectory of a season.

Jan. 16 at North Carolina

Like Duke, North Carolina has a deep history in college basketball. But lately, the Tar Heels have disappointed, making only two Sweet Sixteen appearances this decade and failing to evolve into a true powerhouse.

Hiring longtime NBA coach and league champion Michael Malone this offseason, the program has a breath of fresh air and will surely be hungry going into this season. Stanford faces the Tar Heels on the road right after playing Duke, giving the Cardinal a two-game gauntlet.

If the Cardinal can hold their own, or win this type of game, it will be a step in the right direction.

Stanford has finished 21-14 and 20-13 in Smith's first two seasons in charge, posting back-to-back 20-win seasons and showing a lot of promise in that time. Last year's team was dominated by Ebuka Okorie, while Maxime Raynaud was the headlining player in year one.

This year's team, while lacking a proven star, is much more balanced and could be capable of pulling off some big upsets if everything falls into place. 

The Cardinal have a lot of tough games on their schedule, but their non-conference slate is favorable and gives them a chance to stack wins before ACC play begins on Dec. 30.

The Cardinal will likely need to post single-digit losses to make the NCAA tournament, but entering the season with extra motivation, the program could surprise people.