The Huskies missed a golden opportunity last Saturday against Stanford. Washington could not get much going offensively and dropped their fifth game of the season. Despite the loss, the Huskies are 13-5 on the season and 3-2 in conference play.
Jerry Palm, CBS’ bracketology expert, has Washington as a 10 seed in his latest bracket. Palm has the Huskies playing No. 7 seed Arkansas in the South region.
“Well I think we got to focus on the next game,” Coach Hopkins said after the loss to Stanford on how they stack up to tournament teams.”I think if we keep getting better you know, you always go back to what you’ve proven. You go back to the equity you’ve built and I feel like we’ve beaten some really good teams. People in the west don’t know Belmont. Belmont’s a really, really good basketball team. UC Davis has a high RPI, they’re playing well. A lot of teams we’ve played, Montana’s probably going to be an NCAA tournament team or could be. Obviously Kansas, those are two really good road wins with USC and Kansas. If you look at people’s resumes I think ours is going to be as good as a lot of teams that will have an opportunity to get in the tournament.”
But despite Coach Hopkins knowing they are in good shape to make a surprising run at the NCAA tournament the focus remains on the next play.
“This is a long season, our focus has to be on the next play, next extra pass, one more and how we can just get better.” Coach Hopkins said.”That’s what I’ve learned through the great coach (Jim) Boeheim. I’ve been around the great coaches. You just got to go to the next game and you have to have a short term memory. You got to go and you have to try and learn from this. You have to get your guys, they can’t get too high, they can’t get too low. Keep your head up and you got to go out… listen to get in that tournament you have to prove it. Bottom line.”
The Huskies currently have an RPI of 54. UW’s key wins include Kansas (on a neutral floor in Kansas City) and at USC.
Washington faces Utah on Thursday night.
