Pac-10 Basketball Preview – Washington Huskies
State of the Program
The Huskies are coming off of their first outright Pac-10 title since 1953, and I don’t think it will take another 56 years before they win their next one. Pac-10 Coach of the Year Lorenzo Romar has assembled another tremendous squad this season, and there is no question that the Dawgs are capable of repeating as conference champions.
Having said that, two key members of the 26-9 (14-4 in Pac-10) title team are gone, and neither will be easy to replace. F Jon Brockman and G Justin Dentmon were two of the biggest reasons the Dawgs won the Pac-10 last season. Not only was Brockman a double-double machine (averaged 14.9 points, 11.5 rebounds last season) during his celebrated career, but he was also the heart and soul of the program. As for Dentmon, he was the Pac-10’s Most Improved Player last year, and his scoring ability (14.4 PPG), leadership, and penchant for hitting clutch shots will be sorely missed.
I credit Lorenzo Romar for being able to reload every season even as the program loses one “irreplaceable” player after another (Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy, Jon Brockman etc.). As long as Romar is at the helm, the state of this program will always be strong.
Impact Superstar: G Isaiah Thomas
Speaking of irreplaceable players, I expect this sensational sophomore to join the likes of Robinson, Roy, and Brockman soon enough. Thomas is a truly phenomenal talent, capable of breaking down any defense in America like its nothing. Last season, he led the Huskies with 15.5 PPG on his way to being named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.
Thomas is generously listed at 5-8, and he uses his small frame and lightning-quick feet to get to the basket whenever he desires. The Tacoma (WA) native will almost certainly lead the team in scoring again this season, but he must improve his free throw shooting (68% last season).
Thomas is one of the conference’s most exciting stars, and I expect even more out of the sophomore this season. When I watch him play, I almost feel like I’m watching OSU RB Jacquizz Rodgers playing basketball. Thomas can get to the basket so easily that only three outcomes are possible, 1.) He scores 2.) He draws a foul 3.) He does both (which is usually the case). Look for all-conference honors to be a certainty in 2009-10.
Needs To Have A Big Year: F Quincy Pondexter
We know that guard play will be exceptional for Washington this season, but if the Huskies want to repeat as conference champions they must get consistent frontcourt production. Few forwards in the country are as gifted as Quincy Pondexter, and he will be a key contributor for UW again this season. The 6-6 senior from Fresno (CA) is a natural fit for the three spot, but he will likely see time at power forward as well.
Last season, Pondexter finished fourth on the team with 12.1 PPG and second with 5.9 RPG. Jon Brockman and his 11.5 rebounds per game are gone, and it will probably take a group effort on the boards this year. Nevertheless, Pondexter is capable of producing double-doubles on a regular basis, and I expect to see his rebounding numbers increase this season. Quite simply, I believe if Pondexter has a huge year, so will the Huskies.
Potential Impact Newcomer: PG Abdul Gaddy
If you are a fan of Pac-10 basketball, familiarize yourself with Abdul Gaddy as soon as possible. Gaddy is one of the nation’s most talented incoming freshmen, and he will probably be in a starting role for U-Dub sooner rather than later. While Isaiah Thomas is capable of playing point guard, he is probably best suited to play shooting guard in the UW offense. Gaddy, on the other hand, is a natural PG and already looks like the best option on the roster at the one spot.
The 6-3 freshman from Tacoma (WA) plays with a pass-first mentality, but he is more than capable of scoring in a variety of ways. He has an incredible feel for the game, and he uses his long frame to his advantage against smaller point guards. Some experts have compared Gaddy to a young Mike Bibby, and Rivals, Scout and ESPN all ranked him as either the first or second best PG in the 2009 class.
Like many, I am eagerly anticipating Gaddy’s debut season at Washington.
My Take
Is there a team in the country that is deeper in the backcourt than the Huskies? Thomas and Gaddy will be a lethal one-two punch, while the pesky and defensive-minded Venoy Overton will rotate in as well. If some of the secondary guards can play well (Turner, Wilcox, Suggs), this UW backcourt will overwhelm opponents in 2009-10.
But the key to another special season in Seattle is the frontcourt. Pondexter must have a monster year, and players like F Darnell Gant and F Matthew Bryan-Amaning also need to be strong on the boards.
Something tells me everything is going to come together for UW again this season. I believe the Huskies have more quality depth than any other team in the conference, and in a long season, that depth can be the difference between first and second in the Pac-10. Washington only has one marquee non-conference game on the schedule (Georgetown) so their focus will be squarely on the conference slate. Ultimately, I think Coach Romar’s team will be celebrating their second straight Pac-10 title.
Projected Pac-10 Finish: 1st Place
Washington Huskies
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Abdul Gaddy, Basketball, Darnell Gant, Isaiah Thomas, Lorenzo Romar, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Quincy Pondexter, Venoy Overton
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