Emerald City Swagger
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Washington Huskies: The Markelle Fultz Swan Song

By Ben Renner

Feb 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) shoots a three point shot over Washington Huskies guard David Crisp (1) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavili. Arizona Wildcats defeated Washington Huskies 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) shoots a three point shot over Washington Huskies guard David Crisp (1) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavili. Arizona Wildcats defeated Washington Huskies 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Huskies, fresh off a spirited defeat to the overwhelming Arizona Wildcats this weekend, make their final trip to Pullman on Sunday and prepare for their next steps without Markelle Fultz.

Throughout this disappointing season for the Washington Huskies, we’ve heard Markelle Fultz is the best college basketball player in the country. Barring wild shifts in the NBA this summer, Fultz will become the top overall pick for the Boston Celtics in the NBA Draft–another one-and-done from Montlake headed to the league.

Unlike his soon-to-be backcourt mate Isaiah Thomas, Markelle Fultz has unmistakable, can’t-miss, NBA-ready talent after only one year in college. Before he took the floor for the Huskies this year, Markelle Fultz was already projected as a top-five pick, and his entry into the NBA Draft after his one mandated season in college (eye roll) was a foregone conclusion.

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Even in a stacked Pac-12 this season, the Huskies were expected to at least contend for a low NCAA Tournament seed. That didn’t happen. Whether lackadaisical defensive efforts, poor coaching by Lorenzo Romar, injuries (most noticeably to Malik Dime), or simple lack of talent around their star is responsible for their decline, Washington suffered its worst season in years.

Now 11th in the Pac-12, ahead of only pitiful Oregon State, the Markelle Fultz legend in Montlake is nearly over. After another loss despite an unusually scrappy performance against Arizona, the Huskies have a week to prepare for their trip over the Cascades to play the Washington State Cougars on Sunday. With his 26 points in the Arizona game, Fultz now holds the Washington freshman scoring record.

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He’ll have three more chances to add to his 579 career points in the Purple and Gold.

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