The Opponent: California (14-2) Pomeroy Rating: (21) (What is this?)
Game time: 3:00 p.m.
TV: FSN Northwest
Radio: 950 KJR
With 9 wins in a row, this Husky team is rolling. On the other side, California is also running an 8 game win-streak. Last year, California beat the Huskies in the Bank of America Arena, 79-75, but then the Huskies were able to beat California on the road 87-84 later in the season.
The two teams met for one final time in the 1st round of the Pac-10 tournament, Cal walked away with a 84-81 victory, crushing any hope UW had for the NCAA tournament at the time.
California's biggest win thus far is their victory against Arizona St. last week. They've also beaten Utah and Arizona. Their two losses have been against Florida St. ad Missouri.
The California Bears have an exceptional player in junior, Jerome Randle. Randle is averaging 18.8 points per game which is 2nd in the Pac-10. Another guard in the Cal back court that is vital to their success is Patrick Christopher. He just came off of a 22 point game in Cal's win over WSU on Thrusday.
If the Huskies win this game they'll move to 3-0 in conference play and will become the only unbeaten team in the Pac-10 besides UCLA. The top half of this conference will be a battle between UW, ASU, Cal, and UCLA. The Huskies need to at least go .500 against these teams to ensure their ticket to the tournament.
Against Stanford, UW paid the price for not closing-out on the Cardinal's 3-point shooters. Stanford went 8 for 18 from behind the arc. If the Huskies can't defend the 3-point shot, then Cal will easily win this game. The Huskies are last in 3-point FG% defense, while California is first in 3-point FG%.
The Huskies also must hit their free-throws. I'm getting sick of saying this, but in close games, free-throw shooting is that much more important. 22 for 33 is just not acceptable anymore.
Keys for the Huskies:
- Closing out on Cal's 3-point shooters
- Free-throw shooting
- Quincy Pondexter
This game should be another thriller, I'm going to go with UW because of the home-court advantage.
California's Projected Starters:
G-Jerome Randle (18.8ppg, 3.1apg)G-Patrick Christopher (15.4ppg, 3.6rpg)
G-Theo Robertson (11.8ppg, 3.4rpg)
F-Jamal Boykin (9.6ppg, 6.1rpg)
C-Jordan Wilkes (4.6ppg, 3.9rpg)
Husky Projected Starters: (Pomeroy Rating: 23)))
PG-Isaiah Thomas (15.3ppg, 3.1apg)
SG-Justin Dentmon (12.5ppg, 2.4apg)
F-Quincy Pondexter (9.6ppg, 5.8rpg)
F-Darnell Gant (3.6ppg, 4.0rpg)
F-Jon Brockman (16.2ppg, 10.3rpg)
Injuries: Elston Turner (Ankle)
Go Dawgs!
