Ted S. Warren / AP
Caught last night’s game from the stands with Gant’s Moustache.
I’ve been lucky enough to sit in the press box and attend post-game press conferences this year, but I’m glad I got to experience one game this year as a fan.
Getting to scream your head off and act like a maniac is one of the best things about the game experience, and, even if just for a night, I’m glad I got to do it. And, I’m glad I got to go with GM, my favorite dude to watch a Husky game with.
Here’s some thoughts on the squeaker:
What’s up with Isaiah? This wasn’t just an off night. Something’s up, and I hope it’s just the residual effects of the flu. Tonight, he was nothing like the sparkplug we’ve come to expect and looked downright slow out there.
This is me not taking Quincy Pondexter’s awesomeness for granted. This is me not taking Quincy Pondexter’s awesomeness for granted. This is me not taking Quincy Pondexter’s awesomeness for granted. . .
And speaking of guys we need to remember not to take for granted: Justin Holiday (five points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks) has been the catalyst for everything good that’s happened to the Huskies during the Pac-10 portion of their schedule. If the Dawgs go on to salvage this season and make the Tournament, we’ll all look back to the decision to start Holiday as the turning point.
Looks like the coaches have given Scott Suggs the green light and it’s paying off. He had 13 points, and looks more confident every day. He also forced the turnover that led to Quincy’s big breakaway dunk — a key turning point as the Huskies were grabbing control of the game.
Gant’s Moustache is a proponent of the Dawgs sometimes going with a lineup that includes I.T. at the point, with one of the shooters (Suggs or Turner), Holiday, Quincy and one of the bigs. I used to call him crazy, but when Venoy goes to the bench, I’m starting to come around to the idea that it shouldn’t automatically mean Romar goes back to Abdul Gaddy.
Easily the best interior defensive effort of the season — dare I say that the Huskies looked semi-intimidating down low last night? Fantastic effort Thursday, given that Arizona has some tough competitors, including Ivan Drago, on its front line.
More on the Huskies interior D: their nine blocks are the most for them in a Pac-10 game this year.
Again, MBA + Tyreese = a decent performance from a post player (12 points, nine rebounds, six blocks, eight fouls, in 29 minutes).
Nic Wise isn’t half the player Quincy Pondexter is.
Call me crazy, but I was a lot more worried about this game than I am for Saturday against ASU. I feel like we can own the Sun Devils a second time around, and predict a slow grind of a game, but feel ultra confident the Dawgs will come out on top . What do you think?
-
Definitely feel better about the ASU game than the AZ game. AZ was coming in HOT, their young guys were growing up fast, and they were just clicking. Being at home is a huge advantage for UW, but I was still nervous about AZ. They have the length, size and athleticism to match up with UW, they just lack the veterans to hold things down. AZ will be a beast next year and the coming years, even with Wise gone, this team will be a monster. Momo will fill in nicely. By the way, why in the hell do other teams’ scrubs always, always end up blowing up when they play UW. I swear we’re the one team that ignites the bench players to huge games.
-
Another thing, what the hell happened to IT?! That’s the IT we DON’T need on the court. Selfish, out of control, dribbling around way too much, not passing enough, trying to fill up his own stat sheet. There’s a reason Romar benched him in the 2nd half and it doesn’t take a basketball expert to see that. When IT plays under control and passes the ball, he ends up actually scoring more and the team (as a whole) plays much better. His poor showing in the 1st half was a major reason why UW was down at halftime. I love the kid and I’m definitely on his wagon, but he’s got to play smarter and more consistently. I’m not one of thsoe people who feels that UW is better without IT, not at all. But I am wholeheartedly in belief that he’s got a lot to improve on *ahem* free throws in tight games, 3 point shooting, ball handling, sharing the ball consistently.
-
Agree with your assessment of the ASU game. Even if we struggle with the zone again, our defensive should keep us in the game this time.
I was surprised that you said nothing about Gant. He played for only 6 minutes and took three shots, missing all three of course. This is only one fewer than MBA (17 minutes) and 2 fewer than Venoy (22). I know our options aren’t great in the post when MBA and Tyreese are in foul trouble, but we can’t afford Gant wasting offensive possessions by chucking up 18-footers.
-
I agree w/ you on ASU…but then THAT makes me nervous…can’t taken any game for granted in the Pac-10.
Agree with all of your comments but feel more credit needs to be given to Suggs beyond his three three’s…loved his defense, played with confidence on offense, I just kind of thought is best all-around game he’s ever had.
Dare we think that we saw for the first time what Breshers can be/become down low?
I’m hoping someone can provide some insight on Thomas…more than bizarre…
-
Good win…
We just about handed them the game there at the end. Romar needs to continue to stress that this is a team! Overton had no business dribbling the ball around there at the end like no one else was on the floor with him, give the ball to Qunicy! Yes, he converted on the free throws to close the game but that could have cost them the game. They play so much better and are very exciting to watch when they pass the ball around.
I won’t even start on I.T.
Let’s go we have to beat ASU!!!
-
As a long time Suggs promoter I will agree and add that imo Turner will no longer get substantial minutes for the remainder of the season. Scott has proved to be, with Quincy, our real outside threat. Every jumper I’ve seen this year has been on balance, unforced and taken in the flow. Not so for others. Suggs was on the floor in the final minutes which is noteworthy. He is really gaining confidence as he not only takes the three but will dribble in for a pull up jumper as well. Had 4 rebounds for the preceding two games.
He also is the best we have at the entry pass into the low post. His height and long arms are a big advantage over IT and Venoy. If MBA or Brashears could finish he would have a few more assists as well . I continue to look for a 20+ point game from him before the season finishes.
-
i agree with howitzer about suggs. he is very sound with the basketball and rarely turns it over. turner on the other hand seems to force more shots and make riskier passes (one that comes to mind is the one stolen by reggie moore in the WSU game). suggs also seems to be more versatile on defense, able to guard taller guys.
one thing i would like the stress is that is that suggs shoots 81% from the free throw line whereas turner is only 47%, which should be a big factor in giving suggs more minutes than turner.
i can only wonder what will become of turner next year when we bring in CJ wilcox along side scott suggs
as for isaiah, his defense at the very end was worrisome, letting his man get to the basket in crucial minutes. i hope he turns it around next game
-
I am actually going to have to respectfully disagree with you here. I was actually fearing the ASU game more than the UA game. UA plays similar to our style and our tempo during a game: Quick shots and fast breaks. ASU is more of a slow down offense, much like UCLA and OSU plays. They work for a good shot and burn clock down to take us out of our rhythm. The match up zone they play has proven to give the entire Pac 10 issues thus far. I think we should give Scotty Suggs some decent burn this go round. I am officially calling him Zone buster with his range. We will also need to play Q-pon in the high post so the defense collapses and kick out to our shooters. IT hopefully wakes up from the lull of existence he showed yesterday and knocks down some treys for us.
I do agree with you in that our defense will be able to keep us in the game no matter what. I can foresee us forcing 23 turnovers and scoring 15-20 off the fastbreak. Glasser will be rattled this whole game with Venoy and the dawg pack in his hear the whole game. And Mr. Kouskis…. welcome to Shackletown. Your straight jacket goes by the name of Justin Holiday.
-
Suggs and Holiday were the spark plugs for this game. Q-Pon took care of business and led this team, and Venoy iced the game down the stretch. Even our bigs looked like contributors last night. The only blemish was IT’s lackluster performance. If he plays like he is capable of playing, we blow AZ out. He needs to figure it out quickly, because if Q has an off game or if one of the bench players doesn’t step up, we could blow our chance to sneak into the tourney.
-
Blocks are overrated! Listen to me people, blocks are way overrated. How many times do I have to see MBA throw a ball out of bounds on a block when he could have just caught it, or at least kept it in play.
My biggest problem with going for blocks is that it takes you out of position for a rebound. MBA will have games with 3 blocks and 2 rebounds??? He swings for every block, even when he’s not close, then watches his guy get an easy put back. I’d like to see him go straight up, box out and get the rebound.
Going for the block all the time also increases fouls, which we’ve committed plenty of lately.
Watch Q play D. He slides his feet, stays in front of his guy, makes them take a tough shot over him, then gets the rebound. That’s why he leads our squad in boards and is rarely in foul trouble.
Further, MBA is too worried about getting blocked on offense. If I were coach I’d tell him to go up strong, ignore the defense, and try to get blocked once a game. With his height and quickness, and the Pac-10 refs, MBA would never get blocked without getting fouled. Instead he shy’s away and throws up crazy lay-up attempts.
Reply
Awesome Products and Services
10 comments
Comments feed for this article
Trackback link: http://www.montlakemadness.com/further-thoughts-on-the-huskies-81-75-win-over-arizona/trackback/