UW

With help on the way Huskies weather the storm

Dec 2, 2012, 9:04 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2012, 10:36 am

By Shannon Drayer

It wasn’t pretty, but the Huskies erased a 14-point deficit and managed to pull off a 72-74 victory over Cal-State Fullerton in the most unconventional fashion of hitting, free throws in the final minute. A win is a win and they will take it, but Lorenzo Romar takes it one step further.

“This may have been the biggest win for us of our preseason,” he said, “because we’re starting to get our team back.”

It has been about survival with forward Shawn Kemp and senior guard Scott Suggs out with injuries. There is no denying we have seen some ugly play that has little to do with the loss of two players, but it is also hard to deny that Kemp’s rebounds, Suggs’ sharp-shooting and the relief in minutes they could provide has also contributed to what has been a very shaky start for the Huskies.

Partly because of the absence of these two players and partly because of the team’s struggles at time to get comfortable with the newly installed high-post offense, Romar’s best laid plans for the season at times have had to take a back seat to going with what works best for his limited group at the time. We have seen him go to the motion offense the past two games and on Sunday he went zone just two points into the game. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do with what you have got and that flexibility has come into play in the last two games for the Huskies.

The good news for Romar is that he could get a lot back soon. After the win over CSFU he announced that Suggs and Kemp would attempt to practice this week. He wouldn’t comment on when we could see them in games but I would think it wouldn’t be a stretch that at least one of them could get minutes Saturday against Nevada.

The one silver lining in playing shorthanded is others have a chance to step up and we saw that Sunday with Desmond Simmons putting up a career night with 14 points and 18 rebounds. With Aziz N’Diaye stymied by the smaller, quicker, guard-heavy Titans (he grabbed all of four boards), Simmons was able to take over under the basket. Without his rebounds or deflections the Huskies would have suffered an ugly, costly loss.

Instead they come away with a 74-72 win and the promise of help soon.

UW

Pac-12...

The Associated Press

Pac-12 Commissioner Kliavkoff jabs Big 12, touts future after USC, UCLA

Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff said his conference is far from finished, despite the defections of Southern California and UCLA.

2 years ago

UW Huskies...

Brandon Gustafson

Huard breaks down what he was told was ‘worst day’ in Pac-12 history

Former UW QB and current college football analyst Brock Huard shared his thoughts on the departure of USC and UCLA from the Pac-12.

2 years ago

WSU Jahad Woods...

Brandon Gustafson

Bumpus: WSU, other small schools ‘going to suffer’ after Pac-12 shakeup

In his latest video for Seattle Sports 710 AM, Michael Bumpus discusses the fallout of USC and UCLA leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.

2 years ago

Pac-12...

Brandon Gustafson

What report of USC and UCLA leaving Pac-12 means for UW and WSU

With reports of shakeup to the Pac-12 conference, Michael Bumpus explains what that means for UW and WSU going forward.

2 years ago

Hugh McElhenny...

The Associated Press

Hall of Fame NFL RB, UW standout Hugh McElhenny dies at 93

NFL Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny, an elusive running back from the 1950s who starred for the Washington Huskies, has died. He was 93.

2 years ago

UW Huskies Lindsay Meggs...

The Associated Press

UW Huskies baseball coach Lindsay Meggs retires after 13 seasons

UW Huskies baseball coach Lindsay Meggs announced his retirement Monday after 317 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons.

2 years ago

With help on the way Huskies weather the storm