SEATTLE — The first Washington-versus-Stanford game of Tim Morris’ college career was a game of mixed emotions for the then-Stanford guard.
Morris, a redshirt freshman in 2005 when Stanford came to Hec Edmundson Pavilion, was making his first college start, and responded with 12 points.
The ending, however, left a bit to be desired for Morris after he missed what would have been a go-ahead layup in the final seconds of a three-point loss for the Cardinal.
“I remember it very well,” said Morris, now a senior for the Huskies. “It was the first game I ever started in college. I had one of the best games I ever played. I remember really liking playing here, how loud it got. I also remember missing a layup that would have won the game for us.”
After another season at Stanford, Morris decided to transfer to Washington, and after sitting out last season because of transfer rules, he will play against his former team for the first time when Stanford comes to town Thursday.
“I’m a little excited,” said Morris, who is averaging 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds as a Husky starter. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I know a lot of the guys, it’s going to be fun.”
Following his sophomore season, Morris sought a transfer, looking for a school that better fit his style of play. He ended up picking Washington for their more uptempo offense and pressure defense. It also didn’t hurt that Lorenzo Romar is his second cousin.
That game here his freshman year also played into the decision.
“I really liked the environment here,” he said. “The crowd gets into it … It’s a really lively place.”
Morris said he left Stanford on “OK” terms, and that a brief conversation here last year with Stanford coach Trent Johnson let him know there was no bad blood.
“He and I got along well,” Morris said. “He was disappointed I was leaving, but last year when they came to play here, he asked me if I was happy, and I told him I was. He said, ‘That’s all that matters.’ We had a pretty good interaction.”
This time around if he has a good game and the Huskies win, there will be no mixed emotions for Morris.
Other connections: Morris won’t be the only Husky going against familiar faces on Thursday. Sophomore Quincy Pondexter played at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, Calif., with Stanford twins Brook and Robin Lopez.
Jon Brockman also will have a friend on the opposing team. He and Stanford point guard Mitch Johnson were AAU teammates on Seattle’s Friends of Hoop team.
More Wolf?. After playing just four minutes in Washington’s first six Pac-10 games, Joe Wolfinger played 16 minutes against Arizona Saturday, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds. That could lead to more playing time for the 7-foot center, especially against Stanford and the 7-foot Lopez twins.
“What Wolfinger did is show that, ‘Hey look, I haven’t been in there for a while. I’ve sat out, I’ve learned some things. You give me an opportunity, I’m capable of doing this sort of thing.’” Romar said. “I think he made a case for (more playing time). He is definitely on our minds.”
Home-court advantage:. With their next four games being played at home, the Huskies realize these next two weeks could be crucial for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Washington is currently in sixth place in the Pac-10 with a 3-4 record, but the next three teams above the Huskies all have 4-3 records.
“These games are big,” Romar said. “It’s so difficult to win on the road. When you have opportunities, you’d better take advantage of them on your home floor, so this is a crucial stretch for us. Not only do we have four in a row, but we have our next six of eight at home. So, the next four weeks will tell a lot.”
Contact Herald Writer John Boyle at jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on University of Washington sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com /huskiesblog
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