Stanford (19-10, 11-7 ACC) fought through 8 ties and 11 lead changes to pull out an emotional 73-68 win over SMU (21-8, 12-6) on Senior Day.
With Stanford clinging to a three point lead and the clock ticking toward ten seconds, Ryan Agarwal fired a difficult three at the shot clock buzzer.
When the ball left Ryan’s hands, Maxime Raynaud was some 25 feet away from the basket. A split second later, the blur of a seven-footer was on the ball and above the rim to slam home a game-sealing tip dunk with his final field goal attempt in Maples Pavilion.
“I saw there was no one in the paint, so I thought, might as well crash, because otherwise Coach is going to be mad,” said Maxime. “I jumped, and it felt like a movie, it was in slo-mo.”
“I can’t believe that rebound,” said Benny Gealer. “That’s one of my best memories at Stanford.”
This win was a microcosm of Kyle Smith’s first season on The Farm. When he took over in the spring, there were only six players on campus. The ‘hexanal’, as assistant coach Eric Reveno dubbed them.
“We did a great job setting a new culture,” said Maxime. “During the spring it was just six of us working out, and everybody bought in very fast.”
Thanks to their leadership, this team that features five true freshmen and five transfers quickly became a cohesive unit. When their backs have been against the wall, they have come together and consistently pulled out close games. By all the efficiency metrics, this team is not all that different from recent Stanford teams. But they find ways to win.
“It’s the fourth time I’ve taken over a program,” said Kyle Smith. “Your seniors are always going to set the foundation. These guys are incredible, the best I've ever been around that way.”
Stanford found themselves down five points with under 7 minutes to go. Point guards Jaylen Blakes and Benny Gealer had both already picked up their fourth fouls with more than 10 minutes on the clock. After leading by as many as 13 and controlling much of the game, the Senior Day seemed to be slipping away.
They found their senior All-American, Maxime Raynaud, for a hook shot inside. After an ensuing SMU turnover, Benny Gealer pulled up from deep to tie the game. On the very next possession, Benny hit his fifth three of the game from even deeper to give the Cardinal back the lead. SMU responded, so this time Benny made it all the way into the paint and got the ball up on the glass for two and the final lead change of the game.
“Benny bailed us out in a big way,” said Kyle Smith.
For Gealer, his five threes and 17 points were the most he’s had since the early season. His play was all the more important with senior Jaylen Blakes saddled with foul trouble after an early two personals and a technical gave him three total fouls midway through the first. Benny fed off the crowd, and the crowd fed off him.
“Maples was loud, that helps a lot,” said Benny.
“You made it loud,” responded Maxime.
With a one point lead, Kyle Smith called for an effective play that he’s run all year. Maxime Raynaud posted up on the left block. Oziyah Sellers received a flare screen on the opposite block and found his way into the corner, where he drained a long two. That put the Cardinal up three, and a stop later, the stage was set for Maxime’s final heroics.
After the clock hit zero, Maxime Raynaud’s mother rushed the court, and Maxime himself ended up in the student section.
“The only thing I was a little bit scared of coming into the game was getting too emotional, and not managing my emotions very well,” said Maxime. “But that’s who I am, an emotional person, and that’s what drives this performance tonight.”
The Cardinal Sixth Man continued to grow in numbers this year as the team consistently won its home games. They went 9-1 at Maples in ACC play, with the one loss coming by just 6 points when both Jaylen Blakes and Benny Gealer were unavailable.
Maxime Raynaud, Jaylen Blakes, and Cole Kastner were all honored before the game. Their parents were presented cardboard cutouts of their son's faces, and hugs abounded at center court with Kyle Smith.
Stanford was led by Maxime Raynaud’s 26 points and 4 blocked shots. Benny Gealer had 17 on 5-6 shooting from three. Oziyah Sellers scored 10, and had a career-high 4 assists. The Cardinal had 20 assists as a team, which also included a career-high 4 from Aidan Cammann. SMU had just 7 team assists, and were without starting point guard Boopie Miller.
Stanford shot 55% from the field and 46% from three. SMU had 22 free throw attempts to Stanford’s 2. ACC teams were 3-90 in the last 23 years entering this game when they had a -20 or worse free throw differential, making this win all the more remarkable.
The Cardinal now stand at 11-7 in ACC play. During the previous 16 seasons, Stanford had only achieved 11 conference wins once.
“Whether it was the Sixth Man, whether it was the parents, whether it was the people from the outside, whether it was our team, it felt like one heartbeat, everyone together,” said Maxime.