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
| 
Abdul Gaddy, Basketball, Darnell Gant, Isaiah Thomas, Lorenzo Romar, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Quincy Pondexter, Venoy Overton
@Michael Can you elaborate on your point?
Hoeveel kan ik lenen? (hypotheek). Wat worden mijn maandlasten? (hypotheek) … Hoeveel hypotheek heb ik nodig? Hoe hoog is de boete die ik nu zou moeten
@Jim I completely agree with you
Lenen zonder BKR toetsing gaat vandaag heel gemakkelijk. Binnen een paar uur geld lenen zonder BKR toetsing doet u hier, lees snel verder
I found this an informative and interesting post. I think it is very readable and knowledgeable, happy to see some people still have interest in this. I would like to thank you for the work you have made in writing this article. I am wish the same best work from you in the future as well best regards
Hoewel migraine op elke leeftijd voor het eerst kan optreden, begint dit type hoofdpijn meestal tussen de tien en veertig jaar. Bij de meeste mensen treedt
I found your blog on Yahoo and I just wanted to say that I think your writing is simply stunning!
Thanks again for providing this content for free.
Not too long ago, I did not give a lot of consideration to making feedback on site page reports and have positioned feedback even much less. Reading through through your pleasant posting, will assist me to do so sometimes.
Hi Web site owner. My partner and i truly love your post along with your current internet site all in all! That piece of writing is actually incredibly plainly created and very easily understandable. The WP design is impressive as well! Would definitely be good to learn exactly where My partner and i are able obtain that. If possible keep up the excellent work. All of us require a lot more these types of web masters such as you on the net and much less spammers. Wonderful man!
Hello mate. My partner and i truly love this writing along with the web page all in all! Your article is really plainly written and easily understandable. Your current Wordpress theme is awesome as well! Would be good to discover where I can get that. If possible keep up the good work. All of us need far more these types of website owners like you on the net and much less spammers. Fantastic friend!
Hello Website owner. My partner and i seriously love this post and also the website all in all! Your write-up is actually incredibly plainly composed as well as very easily understandable. The Wordpress theme is awesome as well! Would be great to discover where My partner and i are able obtain that. Be sure to hold up the good job. We all require a lot more such web owners like you on the net and also much less spammers. Great friend!
Recently, I didn’t give plenty of consideration to making responses on blog page reports and have placed responses even less. Reading by means of your nice post, will support me to do so sometimes.
Recently, I did not give plenty of consideration to making comments on blog page posts and have placed comments even much less. Reading through your enjoyable post, will support me to do so sometimes.
Don’t even think about investing in Forex until you’ve seen this.
I would like to thank you for the work you have made in writing this article.
segtwvmlntqhouxpbjhp, space heater, fUbdGoM.
i’m adding your blog rss feed so that i can see your new posts. keep up the good work!
After reading this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time to put this blog piece together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. What ever, it was still worth it
Hey, I just hopped over to your site via StumbleUpon. Not somthing I would normally read, but I liked your thoughts none the less. Thanks for making something worth reading.
For some reason only another 50 percent of the post is being shown, is it my net browser or the site?
We are In poor health of Obama saying that Usa isn’t a Christian location
Hello!, I am visiting your site for the second time to see more of your updates. I found this which I have thought about and simply had to comment a huge thank you for all your effort. Please keep up the great work your doing!
Great piece of data that you’ve received on this weblog article. Hope I might get some a lot more of the stuff in your weblog. I will arrive back again.
My supervisor is admittedly a Jewish carpenter
I truly really feel negative for all of the weak individuals who turn down to settle for Christ Christ