2008 Washington Huskies Basketball Preview

The Washington Huskies (16-17 overall, 7-11 Pac-10) made it to the Sweet 16 in 2005 and 2006. Then in 2007 they saw no post-season action and in 2008 they went to the College Basketball Invitational, which is a step below the NIT. In that tourney, they lost to Valparaiso 72-71 in round one. The Huskies have asked senior forward Jon Brockman (31.5 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 53.6 FG%, 51.9 FT%) to carry the team for the past two years. Hopefully this season he will get some help. According to head coach Lorenzo Romar, there are some guys to backup the star forward.

Senior Brockman is simply the workhorse of this team. But the long college basketball season can certainly take its toll on even the heartiest athlete. At the end of last season, the resilient Brockman had surgery on his ankle. He looks ready to go. Junior forward Quincy Pondexter (24.4 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 45.2 FG%, 68.5 FT%) and sophomore forward/center Matthew Bryan-Amaning (14.6 MPG, 4.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 40.7 FG%, 34.8 FT%) will play alongside Brockman, hopefully giving him the support he needs. Pondexter, who played well as a frosh, had a sophomore slump last season. Bryan-Amaning offers a defensive physicality and shows fine skills.

The Huskies are hoping that freshman guard Isaiah Thomas can provide some leadership in the backcourt, taking pressure off of Brockman. Thomas has the talent and skills to contribute immediately, putting points on the board and leading the offense. Venoy Overton (20.5 MPG, 4.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, 33.8 FG%, 65.9 FT%), a sophomore point guard, will play opposite Thomas. There is also some good help from the bench.

The Huskies need to have more than one guy who can score. It may be Thomas. If he can put the ball in the basket consistently, that will take some of the heat off of Brockman. This is a club that should finish in the middle of the pack this season. The NIT looks to be in their future, which is a step above last year’s CBI appearance.