Stanford's women's basketball team capped off a magical season with a dramatic 54-53 win over Pac-12 rival Arizona in the national championship game. One of the most resilient squads in school history rose to every challenge, including winning their final two games by a combined two points.
- Hunter Armor
FanSided Video Producer
Why we needed this fandom this year
No team had a longer journey to a national championship last year than Stanford women's basketball. Santa Clara County COVID-19 regulations forced the team on the road for over two months. In spite of the adversity, Tara VanDerveer and the team stayed focused, winning their first national championship since 1992, proving that patience and resilience can overcome all obstacles.
What is this fandom’s best tradition?
The best tradition of Stanford women's basketball is head coach Tara VanDerveer at the end of the bench, and in 2021 she further cemented her status as an all-time great. Not only did she lead the team to a national championship, she also passed the late great Pat Summit in all-time wins, putting VanDerveer atop the record books. Entering the 2021-22 season, she is 1125-255, with three national championships in 42 seasons as a head coach.