The Huskies beat Seattle Pacific University lastnight at Hec-Ed, but there are still some wrinkles and knots they need to work out before going forward beyond just exhibition play. Here’s a look at some take-aways from last night’s game.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] This UW team can’t sleep walk their way through games
Against an inferior opponent, UW looked disinterested and almost got beat because of it. Little offense production in the half court and slow reactions on the defensive side were apparent all game. After jumping out to an 11-0 lead early UW trailed SPU at half and was tied well into the second half before the athleticism of the Huskies finally took over. SPU never quit or looked intimidated and made UW earn everything they got with great game planning.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Timmons’ minutes might be limited
He is a big body but is prone to foul trouble and doesn’t offer much on the offensive side for a team that needs to get out on the break. He moved away from the rim after catching the ball down low early and seemed to be right in front of his teammates trying to drive to the hoop. Unfortunately right now there isn’t another big body option ready to play so the Huskies would have to play small without him using Green or Carter.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Thybulle can change games on the defensive side of the floor
Reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Matisse Thybulle is a ball hawk. He anticipates passes and knows where the opponent wants to go. The length and quickness he possesses is going to make teams change the way the attack this Husky zone.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] David Crisp still struggles from the line
As a guard that slashes to the hoop; shooting 66% from the free throw line just isn’t good enough. That was the season total for Crisp last year and he didn’t show any improvement in this one.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Noah Dickerson isn’t in game shape
This was the first exhibition Noah Dickerson played in and even though he looks physically in great shape, he doesn’t have game conditioning yet. At times he looked short of breath and didn’t give the work we are accustomed to seeing him down low.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Jaylen Nowell is the ultimate competitor
If there was one guy who never looked like he didn’t want to be on the court it was Jaylen. Early on he tried to do too much with the basketball getting stuck in the air and turning it over a couple of times. He was the only person who was trying to create on offense however. While his teammates stood around and waited for something to happen (10 points in the paint in the first half) Nowell created shots, attacked the rim and got put backs crashing the offensive boards.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] SPU gave UW great tape to learn from before the season opener
SPU put on a clinic of zone offense. If they had more consistent shooters, UW would have been in a big hole. They got to the middle of the zone and worked the high low early. When UW took that away they started to pass out to the corners from the high post. The Huskies need to iron out their rotations or concentrate more than they did tonight when competition gets tougher. The Falcons were able to get out in transition off Husky turnovers and it constantly led to easy buckets or bad fouls. On defense they played soft man to man and begged UW to shoot 3s, we didn’t make them and they crashed the boards. Other teams will see this and force the Huskies to prove they can make perimeter jumpers. It’s better to get this on tape early than after the season starts.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Freshmen didn’t provide much spark
Hopkins went to his bench early and often; giving the freshman a chance to impact this game. Unfortunately none of them ran with this opportunity. They looked engaged on the defensive side of the floor but over rotated and committed to shot fakes leading to easier looks for SPU. On offense they took notice of their teammates and stood around without creating many scoring chances.
[icon name=”caret-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Exhibition games don’t matter and this team can’t be content
A win is a win but UW worked way harder than anyone expected in order to close out this game. This should serve as a wakeup call for the players and give the coaches plenty of material to make the next week of practice productive. This team needs an identity on the offensive side of the court because playing one on five and dribbling at the top of the key won’t get them where they want to go.
The Huskies went long stretches without making shots, if it wasn’t for generating steals and getting out on the break this could have easily been a loss. The Huskies won a lot of games last year but they also put plenty of their defense on tape and if a team like SPU can exploit the weaknesses this easy it could be a long season.
Ultimately I think players didn’t approach this game with much intent and it showed for the whole first half. They let SPU stick around and play their game and the lack of offensive execution never let the Dawgs pull away. Let’s hope these young men turn it up when the season kicks off vs Western Kentucky next week and Noah Dickerson being pulled early in the second half was only precautionary.
