A down year for the Dawgs?
With the departures of Tony Wroten, and Terrence Ross, the Washington Huskies will need to have some players step up big time if they are going to repeat as Pac-12 champs this season.
Head Coach Lorenzo Romar has his work cut out for him.
With the Huskies already looking forward to next seasons recruiting class, and foregoing one scholarship this year for four star point guard prospect Nigel Williams-Gross, who chose the Dawgs over Harvard, who will step into the starting role next season, this year may be a wash.
But who knows, stranger things have happened right? I have complete faith in the fact that coach Romar has the ability to turn anybody into a top flight NCAA basketball player.
The returners
The Huskies are returning a few vital starters from last years squad, namely C.J. Wilcox, Abdul Gaddy, and Aziz N’Diaye. I expect forward Wilcox to carry the teams scoring load this year.
Gaddy was good for the Huskies last year, but I’m not so sure he has the floor general mentality that Wroten had, plus his ability to turn the ball over more than a few times a game will be something that he needs to fix if he is going to be the teams shot caller.
Look for Desmond Simmons to be a key player moving forward in the year, and hopefully the emergence of Shawn Kemp Jr., and Austin Seferian-Jenkins will help on the defensive and low post duties.
That is if ASJ will be there for the full season. If so, he has a great shot at cracking the starting lineup for the Huskies this year. He was one of the biggest hustler’s on the team last season.
There are a handful of other returners from last years squad that didn’t see too many minutes, but with the absence of Wroten, a couple of the guards may be getting the call more ofter, Andrew Andrews (red shirt), and Hikeem Stewart.
Can Adbul Gaddy be the floor general coach Romar needs? (photo montlakemadness.com)
Incoming Players
The Huskies haven’t been as active on the recruiting trail as in years past, so far they have only signed two players to this years team. And I’m not sure as of yet if they plan to red shirt either one of them.
Jernard Jarreau (red shirt) a 6-10 SF out of McDonogh 35 High School in New Orleans, LA. will bring size to this team, but I expect them to use him more at the four position than the 3.
The Huskies have plenty of depth at swing man, especially since coach Romar likes to use a three guard set over the traditional 2-2-1 formation.
Mark Mclaughlin a 6-6 shooting guard out of Tacoma Community College will bring more versatility to the guard spot for coach Romar. As a JUCO signee, he at least has some college experience, but this is really only a step above 5 A high school basketball.
2013
Per the Seattle Times Percy Allen yesterday we’ve also learned Washington picked up a commitment for 2013 when four-star prospect Nigel Williams-Goss chose them over Harvard.
Predictions
With a lot of the targeted players Romar hoped to sign heading to other Pac-12 schools, and with the emergence of non traditional power schools like OSU, and Washington State, I expect the Huskies to finish in the middle of the pack this year.
I just don’t see them winning this conference again.
Jernard Jarreau highlights from The Come Up documentary
Mark Mclaughlin battles Tony Wroten in high school
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