Arizona has a 1.5 game lead on the Huskies and an Arizona win would decrease Washington's chances significantly. In contrast, if Washington is able to go into a hostile environment like the McKale Center, the Huskies would be right back in the race for the Pac 10 Regular season title.
If the Huskies find away to win the Pac 10 Regular Season Title they will face some adversity. In the Huskies 79-62 win over Arizona State, shooting guard Scott Suggs sprained his MCL. His injury will likely ignite Vernoy Overton into the starting lineup. Overton is averaging 5.7 points per game and is a great lock down defender.
Arizona comes into the game 22-4 and 11-2 in the Pac 10. The Wildcats are currently on a seven game winning streak and are fresh off a 79-70 win over Washington State. In that game Arizona's Derrick Williams scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out two assists. If Washington wants to pull off the upset, they will have to keep Williams in check.
Today's game will also go a long way to determine this years Pac 10 player of the year. The two most deserving candidates are Isaiah Thomas of Washington and Derrick Williams of Arizona. If I had to pick a winner right now it would be Isaiah Thomas. When I look at these types of awards I ask myself what team would suffer more without that player? The answer has to be Isaiah Thomas. The Huskies faced a lot of adversity when Abdul Gaddy went down with a season ending injury.
Here is another good reason why Thomas is a better choice then Williams: Stats from Pac 10 play.
Isaiah Thomas Stats: Matthew Bryan Amaning Stats Derrick Williams Stats
18.1 PPG 17.7 PPG 19 PPG
7.1 Assists 9.1 Rebounds per game 9.1 Rebounds
1.3 Steals 1.7 Blocks per game 0.4 blocks per game
The chart clearly shows that all three players are very even. However, if Derrick Williams is in the race for Pac 10 player of the year then why isn't Matthew Bryan Amaning in the race. Derrick Williams is a great player but can't be compared to Isaiah Thomas. Thomas makes his teammates on the floor better and finds them for open jumpers at a consistent rate.
Washington has not beat Arizona on the road since March 4th, 2006. If the Huskies are going to win today they will have to keep their composer at all times and stay out of foul trouble. Arizona is undefeated at home and this will be the Huskies toughest road game of the year. In the end I see the Huskies coming up short toady. They will play really well but lose 90-86 in Overtime.
The game is on ESPN at 3:00pm
If the Huskies find away to win the Pac 10 Regular Season Title they will face some adversity. In the Huskies 79-62 win over Arizona State, shooting guard Scott Suggs sprained his MCL. His injury will likely ignite Vernoy Overton into the starting lineup. Overton is averaging 5.7 points per game and is a great lock down defender.
Arizona comes into the game 22-4 and 11-2 in the Pac 10. The Wildcats are currently on a seven game winning streak and are fresh off a 79-70 win over Washington State. In that game Arizona's Derrick Williams scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out two assists. If Washington wants to pull off the upset, they will have to keep Williams in check.
Today's game will also go a long way to determine this years Pac 10 player of the year. The two most deserving candidates are Isaiah Thomas of Washington and Derrick Williams of Arizona. If I had to pick a winner right now it would be Isaiah Thomas. When I look at these types of awards I ask myself what team would suffer more without that player? The answer has to be Isaiah Thomas. The Huskies faced a lot of adversity when Abdul Gaddy went down with a season ending injury.
Here is another good reason why Thomas is a better choice then Williams: Stats from Pac 10 play.
Isaiah Thomas Stats: Matthew Bryan Amaning Stats Derrick Williams Stats
18.1 PPG 17.7 PPG 19 PPG
7.1 Assists 9.1 Rebounds per game 9.1 Rebounds
1.3 Steals 1.7 Blocks per game 0.4 blocks per game
The chart clearly shows that all three players are very even. However, if Derrick Williams is in the race for Pac 10 player of the year then why isn't Matthew Bryan Amaning in the race. Derrick Williams is a great player but can't be compared to Isaiah Thomas. Thomas makes his teammates on the floor better and finds them for open jumpers at a consistent rate.
Washington has not beat Arizona on the road since March 4th, 2006. If the Huskies are going to win today they will have to keep their composer at all times and stay out of foul trouble. Arizona is undefeated at home and this will be the Huskies toughest road game of the year. In the end I see the Huskies coming up short toady. They will play really well but lose 90-86 in Overtime.
The game is on ESPN at 3:00pm
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