NIT 2012: Washington Huskies Fighting for Respect After NCAA Tournament Snub

As one of the bubble teams that didn't make it into the NCAA tournament, the Washington Huskies are fighting for more than a NIT 2012 championship.

They are fighting for respect.

The Huskies didn't hear their names called on Selection Sunday. When you sport players like point guard Tony Wroten and shooting guard Terrence Ross, that can be a bit much to take.

But the Huskies, led by Wroten and Ross, are making it known that they aren't going to just wither away in a tournament that goes largely unnoticed during March Madness. No, they are going to make the most of their season, and if that means doing it in the NIT tournament, then so be it.

In two NIT tournament games, Ross has averaged 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. He scored a career-high 32 points against Northwestern in the second round. Wroten has collected 15 assists in those two games.

Asked how he would stop Ross, Lorenzo Romar, Washington's head coach, said, via ESPN, "Probably low-bridge him."

But it hasn't just been Ross and Wroten. Center Aziz N'Diaye posted 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals against Northwestern. Sophomore guard C.J. Wilcox came off the bench to score 20 points in that game. And in Washington's game against Texas-Arlington, senior forward Darnell Gant posted 13 points and 10 rebounds.

This is a team playing like it was owed something...say, an NCAA tournament berth. That's a dangerous team.

One thing's for sure: Don't expect the Huskies to slow down. They are on a mission for respect.

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