Juniors:
Isaiah Thomas G 5-9 185lb
Just the Facts
All Pac-10 First Team, Athletes in Action MVP, Pac-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Highest returning scorer, averaging 16.9 points a game. He is 26th on the all time UW scoring list, though he leads the two year scoring list, having amassed 1,134 points since he began his freshman campaign. He is on track to take the number one spot should his offensive skills continue to grace the hardwood. He has scored 10 or more points in 59 of his 69 games, an impressive feat by any player. He is currently on the preseason list for the Wooden Award. He is Co-Captain along side Justin Holiday. Shot .732 from the free throw line last year.
The Spin
The most exciting player to be returning this year. He will be the core around which the Husky backcourt will form. He is a vocal leader, with a lot of confidence and an equally large ego. This ego hindered his performance mid season during which time he received criticism from journalists and fans alike. His return to stardom began with his increased assists stats. By getting others involved he created more opportunities for himself. He also developed into a defensive threat holding Jeremy Green and Jerome Randle to a combined total of 12 points. Jeremey and Jerome were the leagues leading scorers at the time. His signature salute and OK monocle after threes have become a fan favorite and a team feature that brings them together, increasing moral and driving the team to compete even harder. Just as Quincy Pondexter stepped up to replace the offensive and defensive eforts of Jon Brockman, expect Isaiah Thomas to increase his already impressive point per game average in order to offset the loss of Quincy.
I’m predicting 19 to 20 points a game, though the number could be much higher as he already has 18 career 20+ point games. The key to him getting 20+ points a game will be the other Husky backcourt members. If Overton, Gaddy, Holiday, and others can show themselves to be scoring threats, Isaiah will find more room to operate in as teams will not be able to afford to double team him and leave our guards and wings open on the perimeter. While he only averaged a little over 1 steal per game last year, he posted a career high 5 against Seattle University and I expect to see similar numbers from him on the defensive end. He is another player who could manage close to 2 steals a game. Rebound wise, he will most likely average around 4 a game as he did last year, a respectable number from an undersized guard. My Pac-10 Player of the Year, barring some 20+ pt, 10+ rebound effort from Derrick Williams. If Isaiah can find himself averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 or 5 assists, and 1 to 2 steals a game, the title is his. No doubt in my mind that he will have another successful year, just how good is yet to be seen, but the development of his 3 ball towards the seasons end is a good sign of things to come. He has played through a bone spur in his toe and a broken bone in his shooting hand, another tough player whose competitive nature will not let this season slip away from them.
I’m predicting 19 to 20 points a game, though the number could be much higher as he already has 18 career 20+ point games. The key to him getting 20+ points a game will be the other Husky backcourt members. If Overton, Gaddy, Holiday, and others can show themselves to be scoring threats, Isaiah will find more room to operate in as teams will not be able to afford to double team him and leave our guards and wings open on the perimeter. While he only averaged a little over 1 steal per game last year, he posted a career high 5 against Seattle University and I expect to see similar numbers from him on the defensive end. He is another player who could manage close to 2 steals a game. Rebound wise, he will most likely average around 4 a game as he did last year, a respectable number from an undersized guard. My Pac-10 Player of the Year, barring some 20+ pt, 10+ rebound effort from Derrick Williams. If Isaiah can find himself averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 or 5 assists, and 1 to 2 steals a game, the title is his. No doubt in my mind that he will have another successful year, just how good is yet to be seen, but the development of his 3 ball towards the seasons end is a good sign of things to come. He has played through a bone spur in his toe and a broken bone in his shooting hand, another tough player whose competitive nature will not let this season slip away from them.
Darnell Gant F 6-8 225lb
Just the Facts
A low scoring player whose biggest impact is on the defensive end. He averaged 3.1 points his freshman season and 2.5 points last year. His long frame allows him to guard players much taller than him. Started all but one game his freshman year and only 11 starts last year. Career high of 8 points came against Stanford in the Pac-10 tournament, 6 of which came from massive dunks on press break plays. Also had a highlight reel dunk over former California Bear, 7-3 Max Zhang.
The Spin
A possible starter again this year, due to his size and experience. He may not be an offensively minded player, but that is not a big deal as we have other scoring options we can turn to. What we really need him for is his defensive skills and space taking ability. His side line jumper can be vicious when he is open, making it almost every time in a perfect swish. He has been developing his jumper range and precision over the summer and looks to be a more competitive player on the offensive end. While I don’t expect him to post any 20 point games, I see this as the year he makes some big progress in his overall game, putting up maybe 6 or 7 points a game. What would be a better improvement is going from 2.4 rebounds a game last year up to 5 or 6 a game this year. The more rebounds we get the more opportunities we will have, ad after losing Jon Brockman we are still trying to find a rebounding replacement. It will be a team effort to replace his 10+ rebounding efforts and the 7.4 rebounding effort last year by Quincy.
He is a potential starter at the 4 position with MBA dropping down to occupy the 5. He needs to bring back the bird man hand sign after monster dunks. I see him taking a similar as he had in the 2008-2009 season. Starting the game, getting the momentum on our side using his superior defensive skills and the subbing out to a bigger offensive threat such as Scott Suggs, C.J. Wilcox, or even Terrence Ross.
He is a potential starter at the 4 position with MBA dropping down to occupy the 5. He needs to bring back the bird man hand sign after monster dunks. I see him taking a similar as he had in the 2008-2009 season. Starting the game, getting the momentum on our side using his superior defensive skills and the subbing out to a bigger offensive threat such as Scott Suggs, C.J. Wilcox, or even Terrence Ross.
Scott Suggs G 6-6 195lb
Just the Facts
Averaged 4.7 points last year as a sophomore, shooting .374 for the year behind the arc. In his last 61 attempts he has made 40 threes, approximately two thirds of his shots a definite improvement and threat from deep. Has yet to start a game, played in all but one game last year, and 18 games his freshman year. Shoots a decent .774 from the free throw line, making 24 of 31 attempts.
The Spin
Scott Suggs may find himself in a starting role this year. Romar has remarked he has really begun to develop into more than just a spot up shooter. If he is able to remain at .500 or above on his three shot, and is able to drive and dish, to score upwards of 8 points a game. It is well within his means to score 15 to 20 points given the support of his team and the development of his ball skills to create shots for himself and others. I am not sure what to expect from him as a player this year. If he becomes a force on offense I will be pleasantly surprised as it will add another layer of depth and another starting option for the Dawgs. If not, I won’t think any less of him. Putting up 5 a game is fine by me so long as he understands and fills his role on the team. Romar is known for having players step up their third year, even after sub par freshman and sophomore years.
My heart wants me to say he will put up 12 points a game, but realistically I see it being closer to 9 points a game, a rebound or two, and one assist a game. I think this pessimism comes from the terrible performance the Husky football team has been putting out and its affecting my Husky Basketball reasoning ability. He hasn’t shown himself to be dangerous on defense, which isn’t terrible so long as he does some containment and doesn’t allow the open shots. Not everyone on the team can be expected to be as proficient on D as Holiday and Overton, even Isaiah for that matter. Whether he starts or comes off the bench as the second sub, Suggs will play an integral role in this team’s tournament run and will be even more critical deep into the NCAA where bench players make and break the game. Being able to sub out and get some fresh legs that are still able to perform at that top tier is the key to winning games against tough teams.
My heart wants me to say he will put up 12 points a game, but realistically I see it being closer to 9 points a game, a rebound or two, and one assist a game. I think this pessimism comes from the terrible performance the Husky football team has been putting out and its affecting my Husky Basketball reasoning ability. He hasn’t shown himself to be dangerous on defense, which isn’t terrible so long as he does some containment and doesn’t allow the open shots. Not everyone on the team can be expected to be as proficient on D as Holiday and Overton, even Isaiah for that matter. Whether he starts or comes off the bench as the second sub, Suggs will play an integral role in this team’s tournament run and will be even more critical deep into the NCAA where bench players make and break the game. Being able to sub out and get some fresh legs that are still able to perform at that top tier is the key to winning games against tough teams.
Brendan Sherrer F 6-8 245lb
Just the Facts
Added as a walk on official a little over a year ago on November 2nd. Beofre this he was an avid member of the Dawg Pack and can be seen with full body paint supporting Jon Brockman during the upset home win over then #13 UCLA. Scored his first basket against Seattle University, the noise almost collapsed the arena and his smile was detected by Astronomers across the globe who mistook it for a super nova. He scored against 4 days later against WSU. Missed road games due to an infection mid season. Played in the NCAA tournament against New Mexico where he missed both free throw attempts. Nicknamed the “Human Victory Cigar” because he has never played in a game the Huskies have lost.
The Spin
Don’t expect Brandon to play major minutes or be a serious contributer to the Husky squad. I expect him to play in many games this year as the Huskies blow out the foolish who step out on the court with them. Has to be my favorite player on the court. He plays with a lot of heart and loves every minute he is given. Plus he loves Mario Kart 64, one of the best games of all time. Antoine Hosley should become the Victory Assistant along side Sherrer this year as the Huskies punish their way to the top of the Pac and hopefully the NCAA. As for numbers, 1 point per game, .5 rebounds and thats about it. While he is a great person, he is a walk on to a very talented team so his minutes will be few and far between and I can almost guarantee they will all be garbage time at the end of the game. Be sure to give him the love when he steps onto the court.
Post by: John
Post by: John
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