Huskies seeded fifth
SEATTLE – It didn’t have the drama of watching Washington get a No. 1 seed, but Selection Sunday was nearly as exciting for the Huskies men’s basketball team.
Washington (25-6) enjoyed a mild surprise, receiving a No. 5 seed in the Washington D.C. region and a first-round matchup with No. 12 seed Utah State Thursday at the Cox Arena in San Diego. Game time is 6:55 p.m.
Prior to the announcement, there was speculation that, because of its quarterfinal Pacific-10 Tournament loss to Oregon, the Huskies would get a No. 6 seed and be sent away from the West. Instead, Washington will play in one of its two preferred sites, Salt Lake City being the other.
“We were hoping to be playing in San Diego or Salt Lake,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said. “We were hoping to be on the West Coast. I thought we’d be a six (but we were) hoping for a five. We were fortunate to get a five. But it doesn’t mean anything when you step out there.”
The Huskies players admitted that this year’s selection event felt different than the past two. Two years ago, there was the excitement of reaching the tournament for the first time under Romar, and last year there was the surprise No. 1 seed.
“Now that we’ve been here twice, it was more expected,” senior forward Mike Jensen said. “Last year was a big-time surprise because we got a No. 1 seed, and the year before was our first time going to the tournament. Now it’s like, ‘Man, let’s get to the tournament and try to do well.’ “
“Last year, we knew we were going to get in, we just didn’t know we’d be a one seed,” senior Bobby Jones added. “This year, we were just hoping that we could stay on the West Coast and not have to travel too far. You’re always nervous.”
Washington players did not know much about Utah State (23-8), but they know it will be no easy matchup. The Aggies lost to Nevada in the Western Athletic Conference championship game last week after finishing second to the Wolfpack during the regular season. The Aggies have won 20 games and reached the postseason seven years in a row, including the NCAA Tournament five times, in coach Stew Morrill’s eight seasons. Morrill, a former player and assistant coach at Gonzaga, is 190-62. Last season, Utah State lost to Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but as a 12th seed in 2001, the Aggies upset fifth seed Ohio State. Washington had a chance to see Utah State last season, when the Aggies and Huskies both played their first-round games in Boise.
“Utah State is one of the best-coached teams in the country,” Romar said. “Over the years, they’ve been very successful. … Utah State expects to win their first game, they expect to advance, because they’ve done it.”
Morrill has not seen tape of Washington, but said that he does know a few things about the Huskies.
“My initial thought is – Wow, they are athletic,” Morrill said in a release on the university’s web site. “They play fast-paced. They are going to probably press you. I think Roy is the MVP of that league. Lorenzo Romar has done an unbelievable job in turning that thing around so quickly. We know what we are in for with Washington.”
Utah State had a pair of wins over Oral Roberts and a win over Northwestern State, both of which made the tournament, and lost two of three against Nevada, which received the fifth seed in the Minneapolis region. The Aggies are led by 6-foot-7 senior forward Nate Harris (17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds), a three-time All-WAC pick, and 6-2 sophomore guard Jaycee Carroll (16.1 points). The Aggies entered the WAC tournament ranked third in the nation in field goal and 3-point field goal percentages.
Romar described Utah State as a very physical team that defended well and took care of the ball.
“They’re a bruising team,” freshman Jon Brockman said. “They pound it down low. They rebound hard. I’ve heard comparisons to the old Stanford teams. They’re real efficient. They’re going to come after you every time.”
A victory over Utah State could set up a second-round matchup with fourth seed Illinois, which reached the national championship game last season. The Fighting Illini play Air Force, which the Huskies defeated in the championship game of the Black Coaches Association Classic this season, in the first round. If Washington reaches the Sweet 16, it would likely meet No. 1 seed Connecticut.
The Huskies will practice today and Tuesday, then leave for San Diego Tuesday night. And it’s clear that this is no longer a team that is simply happy to be in the tournament. Washington will have had a week off between games and should be well rested for its matchup with Utah State.
“In the tournament, I don’t think there’s a big difference between a two seed, a three seed and a five seed,” said Pac-10 player of the year Brandon Roy. “It’s going to be a tough game no matter what. … We’re here to win these games. We’re no longer excited about just being in the tournament.”