Will New-Look Washington Huskies Breathe Life into Seattle Sports Fans?

After three years of Husky basketball bliss, we sat through two years of high expectations and mediocre results.  Along with most fans, I expect this year to be different than the last two—at least ONE of our sports teams has to be decent, right?  Right. 

There is more to base expected success on other than just hope, though. This is a much different team than the one we have seen the last two years, and one that I believe will return to the top of the Pac-10 and make a run in the NCAA Tournament.

From where I sit, the success of the season will be dependent on five factors and five games/series. Sure, it’s a long season, but these will define whether this version of the Huskies can get back to the tourney...and perhaps make a Romarific run deep into March.

Key Factors

1) Free Throws

Does this even need to be stated?  UW has to hit 65-70 percent of its free throws minimum.  Against Western we hit 69 percent—not great, but not terrible.

2) Perimeter Defense

This team must create constant perimeter pressure in order to force turnovers and fast breaks.  We did not have the athletes the last two years.  We do now.

3) Quincy Pondexter

The last two years we have waited for Quincy to show us why he was a top 50 recruit.  He has to show us this year.  Having a wing who can take the pressure off Brockman is essential for success.

4) Hec Ed and the Dawg Pack

Three years ago playing at Hec Ed was difficult for opposing teams—the last two years, not so much.  Everyone in the arena must make sure that when opposing teams come to Seattle, they know they will not be leaving with a win.

5) Pac-10 Strength

The Pac-10 was the best conference in the country last year, but it is not this year.  Stanford lost the Lopez twins, WSU lost Lowe, Weaver, and Cowgill, and Arizona is, well, a mess.  USC, UCLA, and ASU will all be very tough, but beyond those three, the Pac-10 is not what it was last year.

Key Games/Series

1) CBE Tournament: Nov. 24 & 25

UW needs a signature out of conference win.  A win over Kansas or Florida/Syracuse will let us, and the country, know if we are ready to compete with the big boys.

2) At WSU: Jan. 3

We have not beaten them since Nate Robinson donned the Purple & Gold.  A win on the road, where we have struggled the last two years, would do a lot for the confidence of this team.

3) At home against USC & UCLA: Jan. 22 & 24

If we expect to be in the top three in the Pac-10, we must hold serve at home. 

4) At Arizona, ASU, Cal, and Stanford: Jan. 29 & 31 and Feb. 5 & 8

UW must win at least two and should win three of these.

5) At UCLA & USC: Feb. 19 & 21

A win on the road against who I think are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Pac-10 will dramatically help our RPI.

After last night’s loss to Portland, we are still waiting to see if we can hit free throws and Quincy can somehow manage to become an offensive threat.  I think we can, but until we do, we can only hope.