Pac-10 conference title is on the line. Win, and our seeding greatly improves (to maybe a 6 ?). Win, and we’re undisputed Pac-10 champ. Lose, and Washington has a claim to the title. Lose, and we will likely have to play a #1 seed in Round 2 (if we win).
Washington is a very good offensive team, having been held under 70 points just 8 of 31 times out. They’ve scored over 100 points twice on the season, and they’ve score over 80 both times against the Bears. Don’t let the stats fool you either; this team has a multi-dimensional offense. Isaiah Thomas is excellent at penetration and can pass well. He’s aided by one of the three best players in the Pac-10 in Quincy Pondexter, who can hurt you in the post, driving, or shooting from mid-range. Thomas and Pondexter are (seemingly) the Huskie offense. However, Matthew Bryan-Amaning has really come along in the post and can hurt people, Abdul Gaddy still has the talent that made him a Top-20 type recruit, Venoy Overton can get steals and take it home, and Justin Holiday is a bear to guard. This Huskie offense is lethal. They are the #1 offensive team in the conference.
On the flipside, you have their defense. Not abysmal; they are in the middle of the pack in the conference. But their defense can be exploited. Venoy Overton is a great defensive guard, able to make steals and shut down tough guards. Matthew Bryan-Amaning is good for a block a game, and can make steals. So where can they be beat? The answer: everywhere but against Overton (and to a far lesser extent Amaning). Amaning is solid, but he and the Huskie big men did give up 20 to Jamal Boykin. They still are tough on the inside though. Isaiah Thomas’ height is a definite pain, as even Randle is taller then the freshman. Randle was able to put up 33 on the sophomore. What they did do was shut down Christopher and Robertson. Look for Boykin and Randle to carry the team.
Should be an exciting game with 2 great teams. It will be televised on CBS. Go Bears!
Prediction: 85-82 Washington
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