Players to Watch

John Roberson: The key matchup of the game could be how Venoy Overton can hold his ground against Tech’s pure guard Roberson who is one of the most efficient players at the point in the nation. The offense will be orchestrated by Roberson, and with the Red Raiders almost certainly going to implement a zone defense against the Huskies after the success Montana had in Seattle a few days ago. If Overton can eliminate the source for the Red Raider’s offense, than the Huskies should cruise to victory in their first road game of the year. But watch out for Roberson’s deep ball shooting which allows the Red Raiders to play a more spread out offense.

Tyreese Breshers: Romar has not confirmed yet whether or not Breshers will be starting again, but no matter what the play of the redshirt freshman is vital for the Huskies to perform well in their first road game of the year. Based on the post play that the Huskies have had over the past few games, there needs to be a force to step up and take control of the post. Since it will get tiring to name Matthew Bryan-Amaning as this player every week, Breshers s the logical next guy since he, like MBA, has had a game where he shined for Washington.

Notes:

• Texas Tech has yet to leave the state of Texas for a game yet this season, so the Red Raiders will be playing in very familiar territories, while it is Huskies’s first game outside the state of Washington
• The Red Raiders return three starters off of last year’s team, although that raises the question of whether or not that is a good thing seeing as they went 14-19 last season
• Washington has never lost against Texas Tech in Lubbock

Projected Lineups

Washington: G: Venoy Overton G: Isaiah Thomas SF: Quincy Pondexter PF: Tyreese Breshers C: Matthew Bryan-Amaning

Texas Tech: G: John Roberson G: Nick Okorie F: Mike Singletary F: D’Walyn Roberts C: Darko Cohadarevic

Jon Brockman, Kings: NYK (3/6 FG, 6 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST), NJN (0/1 FG, 0 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST), NOR (2/3 FG, 5 PTS, 8 REB)

Spencer Hawes, Kings: NYK (7/8 FG, 16 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST), NJN (6/11 FG, 16 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 3 BLK), NOR (DNP, Knee)

Nate Robinson, Knicks: @ LAL (5/11 FG, 15 PTS, 5 AST, 2 REB, 2 STL), @ SAC (10/16 FG, 25 PTS, 5 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL), @ DEN (4/9 FG, 11 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB), ORL (11/17 FG, 24 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB), PHO (0/2 FG, 0 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB)

Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers: NJN (5/10 FG, 13 PTS, 5 AST, 2 REB), MEM (9/22 FG, 26 PTS, 9 AST, 8 REB, 2 STL), @ UTH (7/13 FG, 19 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL), MIA (9/25 FG, 25 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB, 1 STL)

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Seattle Players:

Aaron Brooks, Rockets: DAL (3/7 FG, 9 PTS, 5 AST), SAS (5/16 FG, 12 PTS, 4 AST, 1 REB), @ OKC (8/15 FG, 21 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB, 4 STL)

Jamal Crawford, Hawks: ORL (4/13 FG, 10 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB), @ PHI (9/14 FG, 24 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB, 1 STL), @ DET (8/12 FG, 20 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB)

Adam Morrison, Lakers: NYK (0/1 FG, 0 PTS, 0 AST, 2 REB), @ GSW (1/2 FG, 2 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB), NJN (0/3 FG, 0 PTS, 1 AST, 1 REB), NOR (2/6 FG, 6 PTS, 1 AST, 1 REB)

Luke Ridnour, Bucks: @ NOR (9/15, 23 PTS, 10 AST, 7 REB), @ OKC (4/9 FG, 13 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB, 1 STL), ORL (9/15 FG, 20 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB), CHI (1/4 FG, 2 PTS, 6 AST, 1 REB)

Rodney Stuckey, Pistons: CLE (8/16 FG, 25 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL), LAC (10/24 FG, 21 PTS, 7 AST, 1 REB), ATL (10/23 FG, 23 PTS, 8 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL)

Jason Terry, Mavericks: GSW (9/19 FG, 21 PTS, 3 AST, 4 STL), @ HOU (10/11 FG, 27 PTS, 10 AST, 2 REB), @ IND (7/14 FG, 17 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL), @ CLE (8/15 FG, 25 PTS, 3 AST), PHI (3/7 FG, 7 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL)

Martell Webster, Trail Blazers: NJN (4/8 FG, 10 PTS, 2 REB), MEM (9/14 FG, 24 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK), @ UTH (3/7 FG, 9 PTS, 5 REB), MIA (4/14 FG, 11 PTS, 5 REB)

Marvin Williams, Hawks: ORL (3/7 FG, 7 PTS, 3 AST, 1 REB), @ PHI (1/4 FG, 4 PTS, 9 AST, 9 REB, 2 STL), @ DET (3/8 FG, 9 PTS, 2 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK)

Terrence Williams, Nets: @ DEN (5/11 FG, 14 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST), @ POR (2/7 FG, 4 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL), @ SAC (2/6 FG, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST), @ LAL (2/6 FG, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST)

Seattle Player of the Weeks: Luke Ridnour

Given the Huskies schedule this week and some of the teams that the rest of the top-10 has to play, there is a good chance that Washington improves on this spot by next week so long as they take care of Texas Tech and Cal State Northridge.

The AP poll was also released, and Washington jumped two spots from their previous spot to #12.

Find the AP poll here.

Are the Huskies this good? It could be debated after the performance against Montana, but for now we should chalk that up as rust after a nine day break. Washington will get their first real test in Lubbock this week, although talent wise they should still take care of the Texas Tech.

Expect Washington to keep climbing up to polls because there just will not be many losses coming in non-conference this year. A win against Georgetown could catapult Washington to a top five spot.

Players to Watch

Anthony Johnson: Local hoop heads will remember this name as Johnson is a former student of Stadium High School and took the junior college route. Last season he was the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year and has only built off of last season’s success with a hot start. Johnson currently is leading the Big Sky in scoring at 22.0 PPG, free throw percentage, and minutes played. It should be an interesting battle between Johnson and Isaiah Thomas to see who can take over the game from the guard position. It should be noted how efficient Johnson can get his points, such as his 3/6 shooting night Oregon last week. However Johnson managed to end the night with 20 points after converting 14/15 free throws. Washington needs to keep tight defense on Johnson and make sure they rotate well to ensure there are no stupid fouls against what appears to be a machine at the line.

Matthew Bryan-Amaning: We know that Thomas and Quincy Pondexter are going to get their points, but today MBA will be going against a pretty talented Montana front line. MBA will be dealing directly with Brian Qvale, who has managed to put together a successful season so far with 11.6 PPG and 7.6 RPG. MBA holds no size advantage over Qvale as the Montana big man stands at a large 6’11, 255 pounds, so MBA will have to utilize his post moves to get his baskets as opposed to overpowering his defender.

Notes

• Montana was one of the teams that handed the Pac-10 one of its many non-conference losses, defeating Oregon 68-55
• The Grizzlies has former Husky walk-on commit Jack McGillis
• Washington should face a tougher defensive team today, Montana has allowed only 58.6 PPG so far

Projected Lineups

Washington: G: Venoy Overton G: Isaiah Thomas SF: Quincy Pondexter PF: Darnell Gant C: Matthew Bryan-Amaning

Montana: G: Anthony Johnson G: Ryan Staudacher G: Will Cherry F: Jack McGillis C: Brian Qvale

Some significant changes to this weeks ballot. Yes I know it is late, but you will have to trust me this was done up on Monday, but just pushed back as stories kept getting published and the queue time was altered. Anyway, North Carolina and Cal saw the biggest drops. The defending champs went from 5th to 13th while Cal was completely dropped from the rankings. I moved up Florida State as I like that team a lot while dropping Oklahoma some. But outside of the two big drops there was nothing of significance outside of Syracuse’s incredible jump from not ranked to #11. Also for the first time this season, Washington has cracked my top-10.

Pac-10 Picks

Monday: Oregon vs. Montana, UCLA vs. Pepperdine, Arizona vs. Wisconsin

Tuesday: Cal vs. Jacksonville, Arizona vs. Colorado, Stanford vs. Virginia

Wednesday: Stanford vs. Kentucky, Arizona vs. Vanderbilt, Arizona State vs. Duke, Washington State vs. Alaska Anchorage

Thursday: UCLA vs. Portland

Friday: UCLA vs. Butler, USC vs. Coppin State, Washington State vs. Nicholls State, Arizona State vs. LSU

Saturday: Oregon State vs. George Washington, Oregon vs. Montana State

Sunday: Washington vs. Montana, California vs. Princeton, USC vs. Nebraska, Stanford vs. Portland State

Last Week: 12-4

Season: 24-7

It appears that it may be a bit easier to track news on Pondexter’s draft status as he has captured the eyes of scouts as a possible first round draft selection. Yesterday Ford only cemented this belief when he had a new blog post on the top seniors in the country.

Guess who was #1…

1. Quincy Pondexter, F, Washington
Draft range: Lottery to late first round

Pondexter came in as a heralded freshman but went on to disappoint his first two-and-a-half years at Washington. He started to come on midway through his junior season and is off to a red-hot start as a senior. Physically, there isn’t anything Pondexter can’t do. He’s one of the top two or three athletes in the draft. His skill set, especially on the offensive end of the floor, has been much slower to develop. However, he has shown major improvement in the past year and could be one of those late bloomers who finally is starting to get it.

If he has a huge year at Washington, and improves his perimeter game, Pondexter is the one senior who has the ability to crack the lottery. If his improvements are more modest, he’s still a potential late first-round pick.

Before arriving at Washington his freshman year, the idea of Pondexter being a one-and-done player was a legitimate thought according to many. While we quickly learned that was not the case, Pondexter’s national resume fell to the point where many though he would not be drafted at all whenever he entered the draft. But like Brandon Roy, Pondexter has gained through staying four years at Washington to build a legitamite lottery type resume for NBA teams.

Following Pondexter’s season as he works to possibly achieving what Ford has laid out for him will be one of the most intriguing stories of the year.

By June, there should be another player on the Tracking Seattle list.

Jon Brockman, Kings: OKC (0 MIN Played), HOU (1/2 FG, 4 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST), CHI (0/0 FG, 0 PTS, 1 REB), @ DAL (0 MIN Played), @ HOU (0 MIN Played), @ MEM (3/3 FG, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST)

Spencer Hawes, Kings: OKC (5/10 FG, 12 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 4 BLK), HOU (2/11 FG, 6 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLCK, 1 STL), CHI (2/8 FG, 7 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL), @ DAL (3/6 FG, 6 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST), @ HOU (10/16 FG, 24 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK), @ MEM (2/5 FG, 4 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK)

Nate Robinson, Knicks: GSW (3/9 FG, 9 PTS, 4 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL), @ IND (1/4 FG, 2 PTS, 1 AST, 1 REB), @ NJ (0/1 FG, 0 PTS, 2 AST, 1 STL), BOS (7/11 FG, 19 PTS, 1 AST, 3 REB, 2 BLCK)

Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers: @ NOR (5/16 FG, 15 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST), @ CHA (9/16 FG, 25 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST), @ ATL (7/15 FG, 17 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST), DET (7/14 FG, 20 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST), @ GSW (6/17 FG, 17 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL), MIN (8/15 FG, 18 PTS, 1 REB, 5 AST), CHI (6/13 FG, 18 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST)

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Seattle Players:

Aaron Brooks, Rockets: @ DAL (7/15 FG, 22 PTS, 1 AST, 2 REB), MEM (3/10 FG, 8 PTS, 3 AST), @ SAC (4/13 FG, 10 PTS, 5 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL), @ LAL (11/23 FG, 33 PTS, 4 AST, 7 REB), PHO (5/18 FG, 16 PTS, 13 AST, 3 REB), @ MIN (5/11 FG, 13 PTS, 3 AST, 1 REB, 2 STL), @ ATL (7/16 FG, 15 PTS, 2 AST, 4 REB), SAC (3/8 FG, 8 PTS, 4 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL)

Jamal Crawford, Hawks: DEN (8/15 FG, 25 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL), @ NYK (4/9 FG, 11 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST), @ BOS (6/15 FG, 18 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST), NOR (7/14 FG, 21 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL), POR (2/10 FG, 6 PTS, 1 AST, 1 STL), MIA (3/10 FG, 10 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL), HOU (7/13 FG, 21 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL), @ NOR (8/21 FG, 20 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK)

Adam Morrison, Lakers: PHO (2/2 FG, 5 PTS, 1 REB), @ DEN (1/5 FG, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL), HOU (0/1 FG), DET (DNP), CHI (1/2 FG, 2 PTS, 3 REB), OKC (1/3 FG, 2 PTS, 1 REB)

Luke Ridnour, Bucks: DEN (2/5 FG, 4 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB), GSW (5/10 FG, 13 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK), DAL (7/14 FG, 17 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB, 4 STL), NJ (7/11 FG, 17 PTS, 3 AST, 4 REB), CHA (2/4, 8 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB), @ MEM (6/12 FG, 13 PTS, 12 AST, 4 REB, 1 STL), @ SAS (2/5 FG, 4 PTS, 2 AST)

Rodney Stuckey, Pistons: CHA (6/10 FG, 16 PTS, 5 RB 7 AST), @ WAS (5/13 FG, 17 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK), DAL (12/20 FG, 28 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST), @ LAL (3/12 FG, 11 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL), @ POR (6/21 FG, 21 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK), @ UTH (7/18 FG, 18 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL), @ PHO (4/15 FG, 8 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL)

Jason Terry, Mavericks: HOU (7/8 FG, 24 PTS, 3 AST, 1 STL), @ SAS (6/13 FG, 19 PTS, 2 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL), @ MIN (6/15 FG, 12 PTS, 4 AST, 6 REB, 3 STL), @ DET (1/7 FG, 9 PTS, 1 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL), @ MIL (6/14 FG, 19 PTS, 2 AST, 3 REB), SAS (4/19 FG, 13 PTS, 3 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL), SAC (8/15 FG, 20 PTS, 4 AST, 1 STL)

Martell Webster, Trail Blazers: @ MEM (1/6 FG, 9 PTS, 4 REB, 2 BLK), @ MIN (5/9 FG, 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST), @ NOR (1/3 FG, 4 PTS, 1 REB), @ CHA (0/3 FG, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 1 STL), @ ATL (1/3 FG, 2 PTS, 1 REB), DET (0/3 FG, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 1 STL), @ GSW (1/4 FG, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 BLK), MIN (7/13 FG, 21 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST), CHI (3/10 FG, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST)

Marvin Williams, Hawks: @ NYK (2/7 FG, 4 PTS, 4 REB), @ BOS (3/7 FG, 6 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST), NOR (2/10 FG, 7 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL), POR (2/6, 4 PTS, 2 AST, 3 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK), MIA (5/12 FG, 14 PTS, 4 REB, 1 BLK), HOU (13/19 FG, 29 PTS, 9 REB), @ NOR (8/16, 17 PTS, 6 REB, 1 STL, 2 BLK)

Terrence Williams, Nets: PHI (5/15 FG, 10 PTS, 12 REB, 2 AST), @ ORL (3/17 FG, 11 PTS, 12 REB, 1 AST), @ MIA (3/11 FG, 8 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST), IND (3/7 FG, 7 PTS, 2 REB), @ MIL (8/15 FG, 20 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL), NYK (6/15 FG, 17 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST)

Seattle Players of the Weeks:

Jamal Crawford: Helped lead the charge for a surging Atlanta team with consistent scoring

Brandon Roy: Lacked the true standout game, but was as consistent as they come in every facet of the game

It has quickly spread that the Huskies picked up a brand new commitment for the 2010 class in Turkish big man Enes Kanter, one of the top remaining players in the country. When I country, its not Turkey, but rather the United States.

Kanter suddenly committed to the Huskies this morning after forging a very strong relationship with new assistant coach Raphael Chillious. A few months back I made a comment about Chillious possibly having a big impact on international recruits because of his past at Findlay Prep and bringing in foreign players (such as our own Matthew Bryan-Amaning). Never did I expect the Huskies to reap the benefits so quickly as I rather had 2011 recruit Angelo Choi in mind.

But how good is Kanter?

Evidently we may have another Spencer Hawes on our hands in terms of being a one and done according to national scouts. Some even expect him to be a lottery pick after his freshman year.

During the U18 European Championships, Kanter was named tournament MVP by averaging 18.6 points and a mind boggling 16.4 rebounds per game. Some have asked where the rebounding is going to come from this season, looks like we have an answer for next year.

One of the first things that comes to mind with this commitment from Kanter is that the loss of Josh Smith suddenly becomes irrelevant. After Smith chose UCLA I believed it would only put more pressure on the Huskies to land Terrence Jones or go after a player such as Aziz N’Diyae for a transfer. The Huskies had to get a big man in the class, and the filled that spot with one of the top remaining players in the country.

Nobody saw this coming. Just yesterday I cam across Kanter for the first time in what now appears to be dumb luck. I had never heard of the kid and only was relevant because I saw he was transferring from Findlay Prep to a Stoneridge Prep.

Through some of the film I have found online its obvious what Kanter’s strengths are. He appears to have some polished post moves that lead to some easy baskets. His rebounding stats are off the charts and he is able to position his body well to set him up for some hard earned rebounds, ala Jon Brockman. Through some of the film, and I don’t want this to be taken 100% since I have not seen full games, but he seems to lack effort on the defensive end. But if there was anything Lorenzo Romar would be able to do, that would be to teach defensive intensity.

Although I didn’t see it in film, supposedly Kanter has some off the chart shooting ability as well from deep. His prep school coach says that he has NBA range right now.

Just to review some of the concerns about the Huskies this season. Rebounding (maybe Kanter’s strongest asset), three point shooting (a 6’10 big with NBA range), and low post threat (polished post moves and averaged 18 points in Euro championships). Did Lorenzo Romar just pull of a recruiting coup?

One fact about Kanter that should not be overlooked is the fact that he has been raised in a European setting in basketball. The training is much more intense and rigorous than early training in the United States, meaning Kanter is likely more polished than some of his American counterparts right now.

So the Huskies just picked up a five star recruit out of nowhere, evidently beating out Ben Howland and Kevin O’Neill for Kanter’s services. It should be interesting to see how this changes the recruitment of Terrence Jones, but at least we know if Jones does not choose to be a Husky everything will be okay in Montlake.

While the Huskies got the victory, it wasn’t in the same dominating fashion like last game. The Huskies delivered a solid performance by beating San Jose State 80-70, largely because of a career night from senior Quincy Pondexter.

Pondexter scored a career high 30 points and a pulled down a career high 15 rebounds in what may be his best performance ever as a Husky (thats the second time I have said that this year). So far this season Pondexter has been ridiculously good and has taken control of the leadership of the team. At the beginning of the season very few would name Pondexter as the best player in the Pac-10, now he might be making it fairly obvious.

While Pondexter had his big night, the rest of the Huskies fell behind which caused for the ten point victory.

Venoy Overton struggled shooting again and with his turnovers, although that could be an outcome of the touchy fouls the refs were calling all night. Overton never found a rhythm while freshman Abdul Gaddy put in his best night as a Husky. Gaddy struggled shooting at 1/6 from the floor, but was responsible for seven assists to no turnovers.

The biggest problem came in the two starting big men in Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Darnell Gant. MBA started the game of quickly but then fell off the map, scoring four points and pulling down two rebounds. That is not acceptable. MBA keeps talking about consistency is his main focus this season, hopefully he is able to get it right.

Gant on the other hand is a mystery. While he started the game and the second half, he only played nine minutes, which was the second least on the team. Clarence Trent even got more minutes, and he was expected to be the last man off the bench this season. Gant may be receiving his pink slip as a starter soon because of Trent’s performance (2/2 shooting, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, in 13 minutes) as well as Tyreese Breshers’ emergence.

Breshers was probably the big surprise last night when he put in 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The effort reminded many of Jon Brockman, and once he fully recovers from his injury, he is the logical guy to step in for Gant.

Isaiah Thomas struggled shooting tonight, which should be expected to happen occasionally given his playing style. But Thomas only scored 4/13 shots and had three turnovers. Its strange to talk about Thomas’ game this late in the write up, but this is likely only a game where he struggled. Its nothing to worry about.

The Spartans were led by Oliver, the former Husky, and he put up a game high 23 shots in his return to Montlake. He went for 32 and was easily the leader on his team, but it was not really efficient seeing as he only hit nine of those attempts.

Overall the Huskies  never really seemed to hit their stride. This can again be attributed to the over-the-top officiating, but they still need to hit more than 41% of their shots against a below average team like San Jose State.

Top Performer: Quincy Pondexter

Stat of the Game: 12 turnovers, the Huskies continue to protect the ball well