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Stadium:
Maples Pavilion
Maples Pavilion is a 7,392-seat multi-purpose arena in Stanford, California. It was built in 1968. Maples underwent a $30 million renovation in March 2004, which wrapped up in time for conference play in December of that year. It is home to multiple Stanford University Cardinal athletics teams, including men and women's basketball and women's volleyball. The raucous student section that roots for the men's basketball team is called "6th Man" and it is located in several rows along courtside. The 6th Man, alongside the Stanford Band forms one of the loudest, most creative crowds in college sports. Because of its spirited fans and the intimate size of the venue, Maples is widely considered to be the loudest and most intimidating arena in the Pac-10, and one of the loudest in the country. Stanford has an all time .874 winning percentage there.

Team History:
Following its win over Cal in the first-ever Big Game in 1892, the color cardinal was picked as the primary color of Stanford's athletic teams. White was adopted as a secondary color in the 1940s. In 1930, the athletic department adopted the mascot "Indians." The Indian symbol and name were later dropped by President Richard Lyman in 1972, after objections from Native American students and a vote by the student senate. From 1972 to 1981, the official nickname was the Cardinals. Despite the plural form of the name, the name was intended to refer to the color, not the bird. During the 1970s, a number of suggestions were put forth as possible nicknames: Robber Barons (a sly reference to Leland Stanford's history), Barrons, Sequoias, Trees, Railroaders, Spikes, Huns, Steaming Manhole Covers, and Griffins. The last suggestion gained enough momentum to prompt the university to move two griffin statues to be near the athletic facilities.

Season Preview:
Stanford forward Brook Lopez won't be entering the NBA draft and will return to the play for the Cardinal next season. "It is with great excitement and peace of mind that I plan to return to continue my education and be a member of the Stanford team next season," Lopez said. "I greatly enjoy my experience here as both a student and athlete and feel that it is important to continue to focus on maturing as a person, student and player with the assistance of my coaches, the Stanford faculty and my teammates." According to ESPN.com's Andy Katz, the 7-foot, 240-pound Lopez would have been a likely lottery pick. Lopez, whose twin brother Robin also plays for the Cardinal, averaged 12.6 points, six rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game for the Cardinal this season. Stanford's season ended with a loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Louisville.

Official Site:
gostanford.cstv.com