Seniors:
Venoy Overton G 6-0 185lb
Just the Facts
Member of the Pac-10 Defensive Team. Should have been the 2010 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Last year was more successful off the bench, working the already tired guards. Season high of 9 steals last year against Texas Tech. Averaged 8.5 pts a game his junior season. Shot .789 percent from the line.
The Spin
Last year was a turning point in Overton’s career, he went from a pretty good defensive force, to one of the best on ball defenders in the nation as well as an offensive threat even from range. He greatest asset might be his speed. He went an amazing 25 for 29 from the line during the final two minutes of competition. His clutch free throws clinched several games, including a 16 for 19 free throw game against Seattle University. Though in that instance, the free throws were not necessary to win the game. He went 6 for 6 from the line against Arizona in a 6 point win. Call him the new Captain Clutch. If there is any one I want to be handling the ball in the last 5 minutes of the game, its Overton. No only can he make the clutch shots, but he has the ball handling skills to avoid late turnovers and the speed to get up and down the court in a hurry. If not for a lack of defensive effort in the final 3 seconds of the UCLA game, Overton’s cross court lay up would have won the game. He went end to end untouched, completely blowing by everyone on the court.
Halfway through last season he even made an effort to slow down his game, so as to not out run his teammates. Great presence of mind on fast breaks, knowing when to dish it out, when to fake, and when to take it all the way. If I were Romar, I would let him take over the starting point guard role until Gaddy can prove himself at the college level. He works hard, plays hard, and deserves to be rewarded in his fourth and final year at the UW. Could be a big year for Overton as he crafts himself into a more offensive threat, opening the lane for Isaiah and spreading out the defense to create more opportunities for others. I fully expect another 8 or 9 point avg, with 1 to 2 rebounds a game, 2 steals, and 4 assists. He has the talent and support to make this a reality. Candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10 and possibly the nation. Look for him to harass the enemy into a state of fury and frustration. His cocky attitude breaks out in clapping and tongue waggling that will throw off even the calmest of foes. While he doesn’t yet possess the offensive talent to go pro, he may find himself overseas or in the NBA D-League while he develops those talents.
Halfway through last season he even made an effort to slow down his game, so as to not out run his teammates. Great presence of mind on fast breaks, knowing when to dish it out, when to fake, and when to take it all the way. If I were Romar, I would let him take over the starting point guard role until Gaddy can prove himself at the college level. He works hard, plays hard, and deserves to be rewarded in his fourth and final year at the UW. Could be a big year for Overton as he crafts himself into a more offensive threat, opening the lane for Isaiah and spreading out the defense to create more opportunities for others. I fully expect another 8 or 9 point avg, with 1 to 2 rebounds a game, 2 steals, and 4 assists. He has the talent and support to make this a reality. Candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10 and possibly the nation. Look for him to harass the enemy into a state of fury and frustration. His cocky attitude breaks out in clapping and tongue waggling that will throw off even the calmest of foes. While he doesn’t yet possess the offensive talent to go pro, he may find himself overseas or in the NBA D-League while he develops those talents.
Justin Holiday F 6-6 185lb
Just the Facts
Joined Venoy Overton on the All Pac-10 Defensive team. Co-Captain along with Isaiah Thomas for the 2010-2011 season. Shot .800 from the line .422 inside the arc and .333 outside the arc (10 for 30). Had a major breakout mid way through last season after being forced to sit out two road games which resulted in close losses. It all culminated in the NCAA tournament where he averaged 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.7 steals. His best game was arguably that against West Virginia. He scored 14 points nabbed 8 rebounds, blocked two shots and grabbed 5 steals.
The Spin
Justin Holiday may be the replacement for Quincy Pondexter that the Huskies need. He possesses Go-Go-Gadget arms that snare rebounds from out of no where, contain his opponents like a strand of rope, and stretch out over the defense on his way to the hoop. He may not be the biggest or most muscular player on the court, but his speed and tenacity give him the ability to guard opponents taller and stronger. He is a quiet leader of the court, letting his actions speak for themselves. Another candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10, will almost certainly make All Pac-10 first team if his offensive takes another step up.
Each year he has tripled his points per game from .7 his freshman year to 2.1 his sophomore year and finally 5.9 points last season as a junior. Expect an offensive break out year, especially if he develops his 3 ball. Now while I would love to see him triple again to 18 points a game I’m predicting a 12 or 14pt effort along with 6 to 7 rebounds a game. He could well average 2 assists and 1 or two steals/blocks a game as well. His long lanky arms are what really allow him to be such a presence on the court. He can cover a lot of ground that way and take up more space than most players his size. Lets hope he can bring back his NCAA mindset and swagger, not to mention the pre-game dance off. A starter for sure, his competitive nature, calm state of mind, and knack for finding the opening to get off shots and clean the glass like a hobo at a highway intersection.
Isaiah and Holiday should control the offensive game, leading the team in scoring along side what we hope is a more potent MBA. Look to him to be a difference maker in close games, as well as an adept free throw shooter as guys like him will get fouled and fouled often. Hopefully this will inspire him to improve from an already good .800 free throw average into a very good .900+ average. In the end, a lot of this season’s success in the Pac-10 and post season will come down to how well he can perform.
Each year he has tripled his points per game from .7 his freshman year to 2.1 his sophomore year and finally 5.9 points last season as a junior. Expect an offensive break out year, especially if he develops his 3 ball. Now while I would love to see him triple again to 18 points a game I’m predicting a 12 or 14pt effort along with 6 to 7 rebounds a game. He could well average 2 assists and 1 or two steals/blocks a game as well. His long lanky arms are what really allow him to be such a presence on the court. He can cover a lot of ground that way and take up more space than most players his size. Lets hope he can bring back his NCAA mindset and swagger, not to mention the pre-game dance off. A starter for sure, his competitive nature, calm state of mind, and knack for finding the opening to get off shots and clean the glass like a hobo at a highway intersection.
Isaiah and Holiday should control the offensive game, leading the team in scoring along side what we hope is a more potent MBA. Look to him to be a difference maker in close games, as well as an adept free throw shooter as guys like him will get fouled and fouled often. Hopefully this will inspire him to improve from an already good .800 free throw average into a very good .900+ average. In the end, a lot of this season’s success in the Pac-10 and post season will come down to how well he can perform.
Matthew Bryan-Amaning F 6-9 240lb
Just the Facts
Season average of 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, though he scored 11.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in the last 14 games of the season in what ended up being a major turn around from semi threat, to a force in the middle. His turn around was a big reason for the success of the season and post season run that included 9 straight wins before loss to West Virginia, a game in which he blocked an impressive 5 shots tying his new career high of 5 blocks against Belmont earlier in the season. He tied a season scoring effort with 23 against Belmont in the Athletes in Action Tournament.
The Spin
This is another Husky who the season success hinges on. If he can continue his end of season performances and either maintain or improve on them, the Huskies will be a force to reckon with. Supposedly he has been working on increasing his range all the way out to the arc. If he really has developed a legitimate three point shot, there isn’t a team in the nation that will be able to contain the Husky offense. Putting Thomas, C.J, Suggs, and either Overton or Ross, alongside MBA will mean a line up off 5 guys that can drop bombs from outside. No zone can even think about stopping that kind of potency as it leaves the middle wide open for lay-ins by I.T. and others. The Huskies need MBA to have a big year and not just a good half season. If he can’t become a consistent inside presence, the Husky offense may become limited and another slump could occur as it did last year.
What MBA does best is blocking and dunking and boy can he put on a show. The Pac-10 tournament really highlighted his proficiency in both these areas, smacking balls deep into the crowd and throwing down a dunk that made grown men cry. His tea bagging finesse is a sight to behold and Stanford players seem all too often to be the poor, defenseless victims. Drew Schiller was one of the first notable victims of MBA’s ruthless thrown downs in a home game against the Cardinal. His teammate, Andrew Zimmerman, got the worst of things. This dunk was by far one of the most brutal facials of the year. The only thing stopping MBA’s balls from enveloping Zimmerman’s face was MBA’s gracious hand. What makes this even better, is an almost identical dunk occurred during the 2009 Pac-10 tournament. While his dunks and blocks are fun and exciting, I would trade them for an overall improved offensive game. We need him to become the post player he should be. If he can add 10 to 12 points and 7 or 8 rebounds a game we will be in good shape.
Post by: John
What MBA does best is blocking and dunking and boy can he put on a show. The Pac-10 tournament really highlighted his proficiency in both these areas, smacking balls deep into the crowd and throwing down a dunk that made grown men cry. His tea bagging finesse is a sight to behold and Stanford players seem all too often to be the poor, defenseless victims. Drew Schiller was one of the first notable victims of MBA’s ruthless thrown downs in a home game against the Cardinal. His teammate, Andrew Zimmerman, got the worst of things. This dunk was by far one of the most brutal facials of the year. The only thing stopping MBA’s balls from enveloping Zimmerman’s face was MBA’s gracious hand. What makes this even better, is an almost identical dunk occurred during the 2009 Pac-10 tournament. While his dunks and blocks are fun and exciting, I would trade them for an overall improved offensive game. We need him to become the post player he should be. If he can add 10 to 12 points and 7 or 8 rebounds a game we will be in good shape.
Post by: John
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