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Thoughts on UW’s Blowout of UCLA on Quincy’s Senior Night

February 20, 2010 in Uncategorized by Themod | 18 comments

Kevin P. Casey / AP

Kevin P. Casey / AP

The Huskies (8-7, 18-9 overall) defeated the UCLA Bruins (7-7, 12-14 overall), 97-68, tonight at Hec Ed.

The Least You Should Know:

On his senior night, Quincy Pondexter paced the Huskies early, scoring 10 of the Dawgs’ first 14 points, as the team built a lead over the Bruins that they’d never relinquish.

Pondexter finished with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two assists on his big night.

In front of a national TV audience on ESPN, the Huskies dominated the game in every way and looked like one of the better teams in the country. But, the ESPN broadcast team seemed to believe, as most fans now do, that the Huskies will have to win the Pac-10 Tournament to advance to the Big Dance in March.

Analysis and Observation:

Great to hear the ESPN guys talking about Quincy as a future NBA player. Q-Pon has gone from questionable as an NBA Draft prospect to projected first-round pick.

Coach has deservedly taken some heat for the Huskies falling short of expectations so far this season. But two years in a row, Romar will send guys to the NBA who were far from sure things at the start of their college careers. The team’s result is how he will (and should) be judged, but LoRo’s ability as a talent developer shouldn’t be overlooked.

Almost on cue, given that it was senior night, the Huskies’ three juniors (Justin Holiday – 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal; Matthew Bryan-Amaning – 12 points, five rebounds, three steals; Venoy Overton – seven points, two assists, two steals) all had impressive games.

The ESPN guys brought this up because it was so obvious: Isaiah Thomas’s demeanor and energy on the court got so much better after he started scoring. Along with the typical early Quincy jumper in the first minute or two of most games, I’d like to see the Dawgs try to get Isaiah going right at the outset. Thomas finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Is it possible that Matthew Bryan-Amaning is just coming out of a three-year long cold streak? The adjustments he’s made are so slight — less dribbling in the post, taking an extra second to make a decision, moving toward the basket when he shoots — but MBA looks like a completely different player.

When Tyreese Breshers can avoid picking up a foul-per-minute, he looks good. Tonight was a good omen for next year when he’ll play a more prominent role, particularly if he can get into better shape. (In truth, it’s really closer to a foul for every three-and-a-half minutes he plays — by far the worst ratio on the team.)

It’s all about winning the Pac-10 Tournament at this point, and why not UW? When the Dawgs play their best, like they did tonight, there’s no one in the conference they can’t beat.

I know he’s got to improve his shooting, but tell me it’s not possible that Justin Holiday is a 12-13 point-per-game scorer next season.

When Elston Turner and Scott Suggs are feeling it, you know it’s going well for the Dawgs.

Up about 20, there was no need for Abdul Gaddy to let the ball roll to midcourt before picking it up at the end of the first half. Not a big deal, but sometimes it looks like he’s and actor playing the part of a point guard instead of a basketball player just navigating the game. He had a couple of nice passes, but Abdul was the only Husky to have anything resembling a tough night, finishing with zero points, four assists and six turnovers.

So, now Romar has got to coach these next few games in a way that best prepares the Dawgs for the conference tournament. How about a little experimentation so we can add a little something to the toolbelt before we get down to LA? I’d like to see the Huskies zone up a bit. I’d like to see us press. And, I’d like to see how we look with two guards, Q-Pon, MBA and Tyreese on the floor together. Even if it turns out not to work, shouldn’t we try to have something to pull out that other teams haven’t seen before.

Looking ahead to seeding for the conference tournament, here’s the way the nine-team bracket looks. In order to avoid a potential matchup with Cal in the semifinals, the Dawgs are going to need to reach third place in the conference (or fall to sixth). If the tournament started today, the Dawgs would play Arizona in the 4 vs. 5 game.

Next up, a trip to Pullman next Saturday. The Dawgs get a chance to build up some road momentum against Wazzu, and then the Oregon schools, before their season-on-the-line appearance in the Pac-10 Tournament, beginning on March 10 in LA.

Thanks for coming!

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Huskies’ Season on the Brink After Tough Loss to USC

February 19, 2010 in Uncategorized by Themod | 3 comments

sad huskyThe USC Trojans (8-5, 16-9 overall) defeated the Washington Huskies (7-7, 17-9) Thursday night, 67-64, at Hec Ed.

The Least You Should Know:

This one looked to be headed for a blowout when USC built a 16-point lead with 9:05 remaining in the game, but the Huskies went into a full-court press and fought back, getting as close as a single point before falling in the game’s final moments after two clutch shots by USC guard Mike Gerrity.

Dwight Lewis owned the Huskies in the first half, scoring 16 of his 22 in the opening 20 minutes.

Other than Quincy Pondexter (18 points, seven rebounds), Matthew Bryan-Amaning was the Huskies’ best player tonight, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Analysis and observations:

Ugh. Tough, tough loss for the Dawgs who fall back to the middle of the Pac-10. There’s little doubt now that the Huskies must win the Pac-10 Tournament in order to make the NCAA Tournament.

After seeing the out-of-town scores, it turns out that this was an even more costly loss for the Huskies because of what they could’ve gained by winning. With Cal losing at Oregon State, the Huskies would’ve closed within a game of first place with a victory tonight.

The full-court press was the key decision Coach Romar made that helped the Huskies avoid a blowout loss. I can’t help but wonder whether the Huskies should’ve been playing more full-court pressure all season. By this point, the tactic would’ve been old hat, as opposed to something the Dawgs have only practiced on rare game-time occasions.

It felt like every time the Trojans needed a basket they were able to grab offensive rebounds and create two- and three-shot possessions, eventually getting the bucket they needed. The Dawgs were simply overmatched in the paint.

It’s easy to second-guess after a heartbreaking loss. But in a game the Huskies were trailing for the entire second half, why didn’t the coaches ensure we’d fouled USC into the bonus before the game’s final moments? The Dawgs wasted at least 2-3 seconds chasing USC on two intentional non-shooting fouls. In a game this close, I would’ve loved to have that time back.

Another very good game from Matthew Bryan-Amaning, who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and looks more confident and aggressive. Even if time is running out on the Dawgs’ 2009/2010 season, MBA’s play is a great sign for 2010/2011.

Some uncharacteristic play from a few Huskies tonight, both good and bad. Good: Abdul Gaddy (six points, 3-9 shooting) looked more aggressive offensively. Nice to see him play with confidence late in an up-and-down freshman year. Bad: A career-high five turnover night for Justin Holiday.

If there’s a bright side, or an understandable side, to tonight’s loss, it’s that the Trojans may be the most dangerous team in the conference. Take your Cal and your ASU, but if USC could go to a post-season tournament, my money would be on them over any of this year’s other Pac-10 squads.

Isaiah Thomas spent crunchtime planted on the bench, and finished with only five points. With Venoy Overton’s on-ball skills necessary to guard point guard Mike Gerrity, there simply wasn’t a place for I.T. and, result aside, the Husky comeback says to me that Romar was right to have Elston Turner in there during that key stretch.

Saturday’s game against UCLA is the last home game of the year, and Quincy Pondexter’s last game ever at Hec Ed. Unless…

The Huskies, now firmly outside the NCAA bubble, could wind up in the CBI Tournament, which might mean one or more games at Hec Ed. That’s obviously not the outcome anyone wants from this season, but it happened two years ago when the Huskies lost to Valpo at Hec Ed in the first-ever CBI. Just something to keep in mind during the season’s last three weeks.

Thanks for coming!

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Further Thoughts on the Huskies 81-75 Win Over Arizona

February 5, 2010 in Uncategorized by Themod | 10 comments

Ted S. Warren / AP

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?

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Cats Run Dawgs Out of the Desert, 87-70

January 10, 2010 in Uncategorized by Themod | 3 comments

The Huskies (1-3, 10-5 overall) lost to the Arizona Wildcats (2-2, 8-8 overall), 87-70, on Sunday afternoon at the McKale Center in Tucson. The loss was Washington’s third straight.

The Least You Should Know:

The Huskies were behind wire-to-wire, cutting the deficit to two early in the second half, but spending much of the game behind by 10 or more points.

Quincy Pondexter had his second straight poor performance, finishing with seven points and three rebounds.

Washington had no answers on the defensive end: Arizona shot 50% for the game, 8-17 from three-point range, and had six players in double figures.

The Narrative:

After consecutive double-digit losses, the Washington Huskies crucially needed a strong performance against Arizona to salvage anything at all from the early part of their season.

Instead, Washington heads back home with plenty of questions, as they had no answer at all for the hot-shooting Arizona Wildcats, who defeated Washington, 87-70, on Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats scored the game’s first eight points and never looked back. In building a 37-27 lead, Arizona held the Huskies’ two leading scorers, Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas, to zero points in the first half.

Elston Turner was the Huskies’ only bright spot early on, scoring 11 of his 12 points in the first half, during which the team shot only 33% from the field.

The Huskies started the second half on an 8-0 run, playing their best 90 seconds of basketball all weekend. They cut the lead to two points, 37-35, on a three-pointer by Thomas with 18:33 remaining in the game.

After that bucket by Thomas, Wildcat head coach Sean Miller called a timeout, and Arizona methodically built their lead from there. The Huskies were never within 10 points in the game’s final 12 minutes.

While point guard Venoy Overton was the favorite target of the Arizona State crowd on Friday evening, freshman Abdul Gaddy was the recipient of the fans’ enmity at the McHale Center Sunday. Gaddy originally committed to play at Arizona before changing his mind and going to UW.

Despite being booed each time he touched the ball, Gaddy scored his career-high Sunday, finishing with 13 points on 5-7 shooting.

After being held scoreless in the first half, Thomas finished strong with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Huskies return home for a visit from the Bay Area schools this weekend, with Stanford coming in on Thursday, and Cal returning for a rematch of last year’s triple-overtime thriller on Saturday.

Analysis and Observations:

The first half was the flattest I’ve seen the Huskies all season. On Friday, against the Sun Devils, at least you could blame ASU’s deliberate approach for lulling the Huskies to sleep. Tonight, I have no idea why they came out and looked like they were sleepwalking.

Abdul Gaddy scored 13 tonight and looked in control, but it felt a bit as if he was looking for his shot to quiet the crowd. He finished with only one assist and three turnovers on a night when it may have been better to get his teammates involved more.

Husky of the Game: Isaiah Thomas. 18 points, five boards, five assists. Say what you will about IT, but he doesn’t hang his head when the Huskies get behind.

I think it’s safe to say that the Huskies are vulnerable on defense after getting throttled on that end of the floor for three straight games by three very different offenses.

Tyreese Breshers has to find a way to stay on the floor. He’s picked up at least three fouls in eight games so far this season. Since he’s the only reliable scoring option the Huskies have in the post, it’d be nice to see him able to play more than 12-13 minutes a night.

I’m not sure where the Huskies go from here. They’ve played two-and-a-half straight games of ineffective and uninspired basketball (the second half against Oregon, and the two games in Arizona) proving they’re either badly slumping or not as good as advertised. It’s hard for a team to downgrade expectations on the fly, but this may be a big week of soul-searching on Montlake.

Although the effort was there in the second half, Guys on the bench looked to be hanging their heads — not a good sign.

Since there’s no way I can look at the Huskies as a favorite on Saturday (although I think Vegas might), Thursday against Stanford is clearly a must-win for the Dawgs.

Thanks for coming!

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