2007 Washington NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions
The Washington Huskies have lost center Spencer Hawes to the NBA as well as his hefty stat line. Will the Huskies be able to make a Tourney run without the 7-foot lottery pick? Jimmy Boyd’s 2007 Washington Huskies season preview and NCAA basketball predictions will not steer you wrong.
With four starters returning from a squad which finished 19-13, we feel the Huskies will eclipse the 20-win mark and reach the NCAA Tournament this season. Washington’s veteran leadership and its ability to get out and run makes it a tough cookie for any team, especially when visiting Seattle where the Huskies are 34-4 the past two seasons.
Head coach Lorenzo Romar likes Quincy Pondexter to be a major force this season. The sophomore only scratched the surface of his ability last season averaging 10.7ppg. He along with returning All-Pac 10 selection Jon Brockman will make a formidable forward duo. Brockman averaged 14.2ppg and was a beast on the boards at 9.6rpg. The center position has big shoes to fill with Hawes leaving and they will not be filled by any player, but we think that the wings can pick up most of the slack.
Guard play held the Huskies back last season, but that should not be the case this year. Both starting guards are back in Justin Dentmon and Ryan Appleby. Both guards averaged double digits last season and Appleby is a deadly long range shooter. The problem is that both players are scorers and not playmakers. In a fast paced tempo however, they should be good enough to run the show for coach Romar as breaking down defenses isn’t as important as outrunning them. Tim Morris, a Stanford transfer, will provide the Huskies with their best defender at the guard spot.
We shouldn’t automatically dismiss a Hawesless team, especially with the way the Huskies have performed at home the past couple seasons. Playing a faster tempo this season is a strong tactical decision by Romar to make up for the loss of Hawes. We expect more than 20-wins out of the Huskies and a return trip to the dance, but one and done is a likely scenario.
Washington should be undervalued at times this season as the loss of Hawes has many discounting them. We’ll take advantage of the Huskies in underdog spots, especially if we can catch them in the home dog role. Remember that the Huskies only have four losses at home the past two seasons.
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