Huskies head south a day early
SEATTLE — Nate Robinson said he thought he was hurt. Will Conroy said he didn’t even notice it until Brandon Roy brought it up.
The altitude of Boise gave the Huskies problems in their first-round NCAA Tournament game against Montana last Thursday. But the challenge of Boise, which is about 2,800 feet above sea level (Seattle is about 430), is nothing compared with what Washington will face in Albuquerque.
The New Mexico city is over 5,300 feet above sea level and leaves teams that play there winded like few other cities in the country.
The top-seeded Huskies (29-5), who play a Sweet 16 game against No. 4 Louisville (31-4) at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at The Pit, left for Albuquerque Monday to get used to the elevation. They hope that practicing there for three days will help the adjustment.
“If you can get there a couple days early, it’s a non-factor,” said Washington coach Lorenzo Romar, who has never coached in Albuquerque. “That’s why we’re doing it. We’re trying to take care of the problem so that it isn’t a problem. I’ve been told that if you’re there two or three days, it doesn’t affect you.”
Washington has had trouble adjusting to high altitude in the past. In December of 2003, the Huskies played at Wyoming (7,100 feet) and trailed by as many as 30 points in a loss. Last week in Boise, Washington faltered after a fast start in a win over Montana. Two days later, the Huskies looked more comfortable and dominated Pacific in a second-round game.
Robinson said the altitude affected him so much he thought he might be injured in the Montana game.
“I came out and was like ‘Why am I so tired?’ ” Robinson said. “I knew something was wrong. Then Jamaal (Williams) said, ‘It’s the altitude.’ I knew it was something. I think getting there early will help us get used to it.”
If anyone would know about playing in Albuquerque, it is Williams. Washington’s junior forward spent two seasons playing there for the University of New Mexico. He has talked to his teammates about playing there, but says you don’t know what it’s like until you get there.
“You’re very short of breath, you’re gasping, you’re trying to keep up with guys,” Williams said. “It was difficult. After awhile, you get used to it. But when it first hits you, it’s tough.”
Teams that play a slower-paced style are less affected by the altitude. Unfortunately, that doesn’t describe either Washington or Louisville, two teams that pressure defensively and run offensively the entire game. The pace is tiring to watch, much less play.
Williams said a good indication of how the teams are holding up will be at halftime. The teams must climb a steep ramp (with a sign that reads “Mile High”) to get to the locker rooms.
“That ramp is something else,” Williams said. “I remember when I was playing there and it was halftime. My teammates and I were sprinting up the thing and the other team is walking and dragging up the rail trying to climb the ramp. It’s funny watching how that happens. That’s a tough climb. I’m definitely going to try to sprint up there like I used to.”
Conroy said he’d just as soon not know about any changes in altitude. Washington’s senior point guard said he was doing fine in Boise until Roy pointed out the difference in altitude from Seattle.
“Then I started thinking about it and that’s when it started bothering me,” Conroy said. “I think it’s all mental. If you let it bother you, it’s going to bother you. I know we’re going there early to get used to it, but I’m not even going to think about it. I don’t want it to psyche me out.”