Washington Huskies Enter Pac-12 Play Once Again Relevant
The Washington Huskies appear primed for a return to national relevance.
I hope you get as much enjoyment out of reading that sentence as I got from writing that.
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But what makes it so shocking is how quickly the turnaround happened. In 2013-14, UW was 17-15, finished 9th in the Pac-12, was bounced in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament, was left out of both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT, and lost their best player – C.J. Wilcox – to the NBA.
But here they are, getting ready for conference play at 12-1, ranked #21 in the country, and with two wins over ranked teams. So what gives?
The biggest contributor to the turnaround, literally and figuratively, is seven-footer Robert Upshaw. The Fresno State transfer leads the country in blocks with 4.6 per game. If he continues at that pace, he would have the most blocks in a season since Kentucky’s Anthony Davis in 2011-12. Of the 351 Division-1 teams, 281 have fewer blocks than Upshaw.
But with Upshaw being the only major addition to the team, the rest of the improvement comes from the returning players.
Dec 20, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies guard
Mike Anderson(11) shoots against the defense of Oklahoma Sooners forward
TaShawn Thomas(35) during a game at Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews lead the Dawgs in scoring and steals, but the emergence of Mike Anderson has made the difference for Lorenzo Romar‘s squad. Anderson has been the “x-factor”, the “glue guy” and all those cliches with his play this year.
He is shooting 50% from the field, 41% from three, and is 2nd on the team in assists and rebounds and among the top four in every major statistic. He also was the best player on the court for the Dawgs in UW’s one-point win against Oklahoma in a game where Andrews and Williams-Goss both struggled with OU’s size and length.
Shawn Kemp Jr. has earned a mention as well. He has transformed from an alley-oop specialist to a complete player and offensive star in his time playing for Romar. It’s a shame he isn’t a few inches taller, or he would be a lottery pick. His repertoire of post moves and fantastic body-control makes him impossible to guard. You can do your best to contest the release, but he will get up a high percentage shot.
The return of Jernard Jarreau also has been huge. Jarreau is pretty much a more coordinated Darnell Gant. He has the verstality to guard any position 1-5 in a pinch and makes enough offensive plays to keep the defense honest.
Dec 7, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies forward
Shawn Kemp, Jr. (40) dunks against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The rest of the eight-man rotation is made up of newcomers Quevyn Winters (transfer) and Donaven Dorsey (freshman), who project to be three-point specialists off the bench, and Darin Johnson.
Johnson is the kind of player that every team needs. He’s not going to give you much offensively other than the occasional open jumper, but he is a hard-nosed defender and plays his tail off in rebound and loose-ball situations.
Throw in the experienced backcourt and coach, and you have one of the most well-rounded teams in America.
This season should be fun, and this group looks like they can compete with Arizona and Utah, as well as run away from everyone else in this improved Pac-12.