Pac-12’s first-place Huskies take on Arizona

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, January 13, 2016 9:55pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — Three games into the Pacific-12 Conference season, the freshman-laden University of Washington men’s basketball team is the league’s surprising leader.

Of course, given that two of those victories came in overtime against UCLA and Washington State, and the third required rallying from a 22-point deficit against USC, the 3-0 Huskies are not all that far from being 0-3. Which is something that UW coach Lorenzo Romar — tickled though he is to be unbeaten in conference play — is quick to point out.

“I feel like we’ve had to constantly remind (the players) about that,” Romar said. “As we told our team (earlier this week), the league is going to get better. And if we don’t get better, these three wins are just fool’s gold.”

As the Huskies prepare for tonight’s game at Arizona, followed by a Saturday afternoon visit to Arizona State, “there are definitely areas of improvement on our end that we have to get better at,” Romar said. “I think we understand that. I think before conference started we had a little bit of a feeling that, ‘We’re playing at home and we’re going to win all these games.’ But I don’t think we have (that feeling) now.”

Moreover, Romar remembers his 2012-13 team that started the Pac-12 schedule with four straight wins, but then lost seven of its next eight games on the way to a final 9-9 league record.

“I’ve just learned from experience that it’s too early to start talking about (expectations based on a strong start),” he said, adding, “We’ve played three (Pac-12) games and we have 15 to go. Today we wouldn’t trade it to be 0-3, but there’s just so much time (left in the season).”

If the Huskies are to continue their winning ways tonight, they will have to do so in one of the league’s most forbidding venues, Tucson’s McKale Center. Certainly it has been troublesome for Washington in recent years, with the Huskies losing seven of their last eight games at Arizona (the two teams did not play in Tucson a year ago).

“The last few years Arizona has been one of the top teams in America,” Romar said. “We’ve just been outclassed. We weren’t at their level the last few years.”

Even though Washington’s freshmen — there are seven, including four in the starting lineup — have never played at the McKale Center, they are expecting a hostile reception.

“It’s a tough place to play,” acknowledged freshman guard Dejounte Murray, the team leader in assists (4.6 per game) who is also the second leading scorer (15.2) and third leading rebounder (5.9).

The game is already a sellout, added freshman center Noah Dickerson, so “it’s going to be crazy.”

As for the Huskies, they are showing continuing growth. Perhaps no player has improved more since the start of the season than Murray, the product of Seattle’s Rainier Beach High School. Though still sometimes prone to ill-advised shots and turnovers, he has become one of the team’s most dependable scorers.

“Right now I think he’s playing as well as any freshman in the conference, and playing better than most in the country,” Romar said. “He’s a very good basketball player.”

But no UW players had made more impact this season than guard Andrew Andrews, the only senior on the team and the only non-freshman starter. Despite being just 6 feet 2 inches, he leads the team in both scoring (21.6) and rebounds (6.5).

“Andrew Andrews is the player of the year, in my opinion, if we had to stop today in conference play,” Romar said. “He’s played a huge part. … He’s having quite a season so far, and I couldn’t be more proud of him, I’ll tell you that.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.