Stanford has been one of the most consistent programs in women’s basketball over the last few decades. With the joining of first-year coach Kate Paye, the Cardinal headed in a new direction. But with such an impressive record left by the former coach Tara VanDerveer, things weren’t going to be easy.
Kate Paye had some big shoes to fill and with her arrival, she proved that she was here to stay. The Cardinal started their season with an impressive 7-1 record in 8 matchups and even took down LSU on the road. But with tough teams ahead, they faced their real challenge, losing to North Carolina, SMU, and Clemson in less than a month. Now with the regular season having already ended, their 36-year-old long streak is in jeopardy. With the ACC tournament starting, chances for the Cardinal to make it to the NCAA tournament are thin. Will they make it to March Madness? Let’s find out.
Stanford’s 36-Year NCAA Tournament Streak Ends
The last time Stanford failed to make it into the NCAA Tournament was in 1986-87. This was when former coach Tara had just begun her coaching career. But ever since then, the Cardinal didn’t look back, and the results were apparent in the next year itself, as the program made its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance. This streak, however, may end with the veteran’s retirement.
Since, after Tennessee (who made it to March Madness 42 times), Stanford has been the only program in women’s college basketball history to make it to the NCAA tournament 36 consecutive times. Tara led the program in 38 seasons, with 14 final four appearances and three National Championships to their name, before finally retiring ahead of this season. With the addition of Kate, as the new HC, the program was in reliable hands.
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Cameron Brink #22 and Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 87-81 in overtime in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Stanford Maples Pavilion on March 24, 2024 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Kate wasn’t particularly unknown to the program, as she played the role of point guard for the Cardinal from 1991 to 1995 under Tara. She contributed to the team’s 1992 NCAA championship success. After her time as a player, Kate came back to her alma mater in 2007. Not as a hooper, but as an assistant coach. She got promoted in 2016 and served as an associate head coach until 2024, and the following year, Kate made HC.
“Stanford University has been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember.” Kate stated upon her appointment as head coach, “And I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead its women’s basketball program.” While still being acquainted with the program for so long was meant to be a good sign for the Cardinal, what followed them afterward was unavoidable.
The team went through several changes. The changes mainly included the center Cameron Brink, who was picked as the overall No.2 by the LA Sparks in the WNBA draft 2024, while her junior Kiki Iriafen transferred to USC Trojans. Starting guard Hannah Jump also graduated. On top of all this, the Cardinal had to adjust the transition from Pac-12 to ACC. With their situation not getting any better, the Cardinal are on the outside observing right now.
final from greensboro. pic.twitter.com/tWhkeGZoc3
— Stanford WBB (@StanfordWBB) March 6, 2025
Sitting as the No. 6 team, Stanford is just outside the last at-large bid in the “next four out” group. They had their chances to boost their resume. The chances? Well, with the start of the ACC Tournament, THE Cardinal needed to win their first round against Clemson.
But that didn’t happen. Stanford lost miserably to the Clemson Tigers (46-63), which shattered all their dreams of making the NCAA Tournament this year. If they had managed to win the first round, then it would’ve been another story. Their next matchup would’ve been against Louisville. If they won against them as well, they would’ve matched up against the No.3 Duke. And a win there might just have been enough for the Cardinal to get into the field.
But all of that is just speculation now. With the Cardinal out of the ACC Tournament and their regular season already over, they have no chance of making it into the NCAA Tournament, breaking their 36-year streak. Let’s take a look at what led to this loss.
Stanford’s Momentum Crumbles
The ACC women’s basketball tournament tipped off on Wednesday with six teams hitting the court. In the first matchup, Stanford went up against Clemson in the opening round. Despite being the No. 11 seed, Stanford fell hard to No. 14 Clemson in a one-sided 63-46 loss.
This was a tough blow, especially since Stanford seemed to be gaining momentum. They had won five of their last six regular-season games after snapping a three-game losing streak, making it look like they were on the rise heading into the tournament. But that certainly did not happen.“We’re not going to let this one game define us or who we are,” said Kate Paye after the game. “We’re hopeful we get to continue to play, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be here today.”
Even if Stanford fell, it was Courtney Ogden who did her best to keep Stanford in the game. She lead the team with 13 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting. But beyond her convincing performance, the Cardinal struggled to get much from the rest of the squad. They shot just 31.5% as a team, making only 17 of their 54 attempts—their second-worst shooting night of the season. After Ogden, Chloe Clardy was the next-highest scorer with just seven points.
While this marks a disappointing chapter for the program, it also signals a turning point. With new stars on the horizon for the Cardinal, the question now isn’t about this year’s tournament, it’s about how Stanford bounces back next season and whether Kate Paye can rebuild the program to reclaim their place among the college basketball elites.
The post Will Stanford Be Thrown Out of the 2025 March Madness? Digging Deep Into the Major Threat Looming Over Cardinal’s 36-Year Streak appeared first on EssentiallySports.
