NIT 2012: Washington Will Earn Back Respect with Tourney Domination

The Washington Huskies will head into the NIT as a No. 1 seed, and they will leave as champions. 

It just wasn't the year for the Pac-12, and that includes the best story in the conference, but there is no time to mope as Washington has one more shot at salvation.

The NIT may be the consolation prize for a program that had their sights set on the Big Dance, and there is certainly room to question the NCAA process. 

There is, of course, the questions the program will ask about their regular-season triumph and how little that means in the eyes of the NCAA tournament selection committee. 

Even the most ardent supporter has to admit Washington had their shots and failed to capitalize on them. Consider the NIT as one last shining opportunity to make good on what was a fine season for the Huskies, and they are not about to blow it. 

The Huskies open play Tuesday against Texas-Arlington and will take their first steps to ripping back some semblance of respect. 

Backcourt Brilliance

The Huskies have two of the best guards in the NIT in Terrance Ross and Tony Wroten, and they will command a great deal of attention from defenses through the rest of March. 

Ross averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 boards per game during the regular season and can ignite for a big game at any time. In their final regular season game against USC, Ross had 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting and grabbed seven boards.

Wroten can be just as prolific and will fight for rebounds. The Huskies guard is not afraid to mix it up and get a little gritty, making him an aggressive star that will shine in the NIT. 

Defensive Stopper

On the other side of the court, the Huskies have the answer to stop all players hoping to drive the lane. 

When he is committed, there is hardly a better player at plugging the paint and changing shots than Aziz N'Diaye. 

N'Diaye makes the Huskies a tough team to get easy buckets on and is the reason they will kill a great deal of surges from the opposition. 

They are the most well-rounded team headed into the consolation dance, and will not let this brilliant opportunity pass them by. 

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