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2007 Washington Huskies Basketball Preview & 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 predictions and season preview will not
steer you wrong.
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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.
December 3rd, 2007
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