California (7-9, 1-2) at Washington (12-4, 2-1)
Tonight, 8 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Ed)
Line: Washington -9
TV: Pac-12 Network Radio: KOMO
The surprising 12-4 Huskies are coming off a comeback win at Washington State over the weekend. Washington has played all three conference games on the road and are off to a 2-1 start. Most are extremely surprised by the very good start under first year head coach Mike Hopkins but Matisse Thybulle somewhat saw this coming.
“I mean I would probably say the biggest thing is we’re just proving to ourselves what we’re capable of,” junior Matisse Thybulle said about being 12-4 on the season.”We knew the whole time that we were going to do more than what people expected of us. But now that we’re actually proving it I think it’s just reassuring for us as a team just to know what we’re doing works and just keep it going.”
The Huskies have a chance tonight against a struggling California team to eclipse last year’s conference win total of two games. With the surprising start, excitement is starting to grow on campus.
“I say that they’re starting to get more excitement about our team again like it used to be,” Thybulle said about noticing more excitement around campus.”I think that we can still get some more and hoping with these next few home games coming up that we can bring some more of the Dawg Pack out to bring some support.”
The California Golden Bears come limping into tonight’s matchup with Washington. California is 7-9 on the season and have lost three of their last four games. Cal’s most recent losses came to Portland State, USC, and UCLA. All three losses were by at least 18 points.
The Golden Bears are in rebuilding mode after former head coach Cuonzo Martin left for the Missouri job. Ivan Rabb left for the NBA and many key players decided to transfer after Martin left.
California is led by 6-foot-3 junior guard Don Coleman. The former Lawson State Community College transfer is averaging 18.9 points per game.
Senior forward Marcus Lee has also been impressive this season. The 6-foot-11 senior is averaging 12.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 block per game.
The big reason UW has already won more games than last year (9-22), is their ability to win close games. Washington is 9-1 in games decided by 10 points or less this season. Their ability to win close games this season has been in large part to making free throws down the stretch. UW is shooting 68.8% from the free throw line this season. But that number jumps to 79.3% in the final five minutes and 81.6% in the final two minutes of games.
Washington and California tip-off at 8 p.m. tonight on the Pac-12 Network.
