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Stanford vs Minnesota: A Rising Program Showdown in the ACRISURE Series

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 11:23 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Stanford Takes on Minnesota in the ACRISURE Series – A Preview of Two Rising Programs

The 2024–25 college basketball season is set to ignite at the ACRISURE Series, a four‑team, high‑stakes preseason tournament that brings together some of the country’s most promising squads. On the first night of the event, the Stanford Cardinal will square off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a clash that offers both programs a stern test of early‑season chemistry, coaching philosophy, and the raw talent that will drive their campaigns.

The ACRISURE Series: Where the Early‑Season Drama Begins

The ACRISURE Series, a new addition to the college basketball preseason landscape, is staged at the iconic McCulloch Arena in Boise, Idaho. With its compact, single‑venue format, the tournament forces teams to play multiple games over a weekend, replicating the intensity of a conference schedule while allowing coaches to fine‑tune rotations and strategies against non‑conference opposition. The 2024 lineup features Stanford, Minnesota, Texas A&M, and the University of Oregon – all four programs boasting fresh coaching staffs and a cohort of underclassmen eager to prove themselves.

The series is named for the ACRISURE Foundation, a charitable partnership that supports youth development in the Pacific Northwest. According to the event’s organizers, the aim is to provide a “real‑world” test for both players and coaches, allowing them to experience the grind of consecutive games and the pressure that comes with tournament play. The games are broadcast on ESPN+ and the Pac‑12 Network, ensuring that fans can follow the action from home.

Stanford: A Team on the Rise

Head coach Jerod Haase enters his sixth season at Stanford after a breakout 2022–23 campaign that saw the Cardinal finish 21–12 overall, 12–8 in Pac‑12 play, and earn a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Haase has cultivated a reputation for disciplined defense and a balanced offensive attack that leans heavily on perimeter shooting and fast‑break transition.

Key Players:
- Jalen D'Angelo (SFG) – The sophomore guard emerged as a scoring threat, averaging 12.5 points per game last season. D'Angelo is known for his slick shooting off the dribble and his ability to draw fouls on the perimeter.
- Malik Jones (PF) – A 6’7” forward who leads the team in rebounding (8.2 per game) and shot‑blocking (1.4 per game). Jones’ inside presence provides a counterbalance to the Cardinal’s perimeter focus.
- Zion Jones (PG) – The freshman point guard, a product of the University of Louisville’s system, adds energy to the backcourt with a 4.7 assists per game average.

Coaching Philosophy: Haase emphasizes “structured flexibility,” a system where players are given space to make decisions but within a well‑defined defensive framework. He has also highlighted the importance of mental toughness, citing a recent practice drill where the team was forced to play with one player off the floor to simulate injury scenarios.

According to Haase, the ACRISURE Series will serve as a litmus test for the team's early‑season rhythm: “We’ve worked on our shot clock pressure and our back‑court communication. Playing Minnesota will let us see where we stand against a team that’s known for its athleticism and pace.”

Minnesota: A New Era Under Coach Chris Finch

The Golden Gophers, under the direction of first‑year head coach Chris Finch, are looking to reverse a 12‑17 finish from the 2022–23 season. Finch, who previously led Temple to a record 21‑10 season, brings a fast‑break ethos that he plans to blend with Minnesota’s traditionally rebounding‑heavy approach.

Key Players:
- Zaire Smith (SG) – A 6’6” shooting guard who, as a freshman, averages 14.3 points per game and brings a high‑energy presence to the offense. Smith’s three‑point shooting efficiency (38%) has drawn praise from the coaching staff.
- Marcus Johnson (PF) – A 6’10” forward with a rebounding average of 9.7 per game, Johnson’s defensive presence is expected to anchor the team’s interior.
- Talon Hurd (PG) – A 6’1” guard who averages 5.4 assists per game and is known for his ability to create space for teammates.

Finch’s coaching focus revolves around “accelerated tempo and aggressive rebounding.” In a recent interview, he noted that the ACRISURE Series will help his roster gauge the physicality of early‑season play: “The players need to get comfortable moving at the fast pace we’ll be running, and these games will show where we’re strong and where we need to step up.”

The Matchup: What Makes This Game Exciting?

The contest between Stanford and Minnesota boils down to a classic defense‑vs‑offense duel, tempered by a strategic clash between a disciplined, slow‑build system and an up‑tempo, aggressive approach. Here are a few key points that highlight the intrigue:

In addition to the in‑game dynamics, this game also has a larger significance for both programs. For Stanford, it is a chance to validate the new leadership and to showcase the talent of their first‑year players. For Minnesota, it is an opportunity to test the grit of their freshman core against a nationally respected Pac‑12 program.

Contextual Links: Additional Reading

1. Stanford’s 2023–24 Season Overview – A detailed breakdown of the Cardinal’s schedule, player development, and expectations for the season.
2. Minnesota’s Coaching Transition – A profile on Chris Finch’s coaching journey, highlighting his strategies and past achievements.
3. ACRISURE Series Format and History – An exploration of the tournament’s structure, past editions, and its growing reputation as a springboard for early‑season success.

These articles provide deeper insight into the underlying narratives that shape the upcoming game.

Why This Game Matters

While the ACRISURE Series may appear as a pre‑season friendly on the surface, it is, in reality, a microcosm of the challenges both Stanford and Minnesota will face over the next several months. It forces them to confront the reality of playing in a pressurized environment, executing against unfamiliar opponents, and relying on the full depth of their rosters.

Furthermore, the tournament’s format—consecutive games with limited rest—mirrors the rigors of conference play, giving each team a realistic sense of how they handle fatigue, injury risk, and strategic adjustments. In a season where coaching hires and player development are the primary variables, the ACRISURE Series serves as an early barometer for future success.

Final Thoughts

On November 14th, as the ACRISURE Series kicks off, the Stanford Cardinal and Minnesota Golden Gophers will not only vie for the first win of their season but also for a narrative that could define their entire campaign. The game promises to showcase Jalen D'Angelo’s scoring prowess against Zaire Smith’s athleticism, highlight the disciplined defense of the Cardinal against the Gophers’ aggressive pace, and test the coaching acumen of both Haase and Finch under tournament conditions.

Whether you’re a Stanford fan eager to see the team execute on a disciplined system, a Minnesota supporter hoping to witness his new coach’s philosophy take shape, or simply a basketball enthusiast craving high‑intensity early‑season play, the ACRISURE Series offers a compelling platform. In the end, this matchup is more than a preseason fixture; it’s an early indicator of how each team will adapt, grow, and ultimately thrive in the seasons to come.