by Craig Yamada
The Huskies couldn’t have asked for a better performance to rebound from Thursday’s game. UW blew out the Cal Bears 92-71 on Sunday night. The shots that did not fall for them against Stanford, suddenly started falling for them against Cal. The Huskies shot 13 for 29 from thee point land tonight. But it wasn’t all done from long range; UW got it done from all parts of the floor. The difference from Thursday night: they worked the ball inside to MBA.That soon led to easy looks from three, led by Isaiah Thomas and Justin Holiday. Isaiah Thomas just put his stamp on this game as he got to any spot on the floor he wanted, knocked down shots and found the open man. He absolutely ripped apart Cal’s zone defense as he was not shy in pulling up a quick three early in the shot clock. He finished with team highs in both points and assists (27 and 13 respectively). His 18 points scored in the first half was the highest of any Husky player this season.
MBA was just a man child in the post tonight as he finished nearly every basket he put up. MBA finished with a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Outstanding game from MBA who was very quiet on Thursday at Stanford. Justin Holiday led all Dawgs from three point land tonight with 5 for 8 shooting. Holiday could not miss and caught fire in the second half as IT set him up time and time again. Holiday finished with 23 points and 3 assists. Darnell Gant was the top performer off the bench with his 5 points and 6 rebounds. Gant was able to knock down some key jumpers in the first half to help UW stretch their lead going into halftime.
Allen Crabbe had a hot start as he took Holiday off the dribble at will. He started with 10 quick points, but started slowing down after Justin and Isaiah Thomas put the clamps on him defensively. Crabbe finished with 16 points. Harper Kamp was the star for Cal on the night as he was having his way with the UW bigs as he finished with 20 pts and 7 rebounds.
All around a great showing from the Dawgs as they earned a split down in the Bay Area. UW will need to continue this wave of momentum as they play a hot Arizona squad who is 4-1 in Pac-1o play thus far.
Positives:
- Isaiah Thomas = 27 points, 13 assists and a “push it down”. Enough said. Thomas’ play as of late has helped alleviate some of the stress caused by the loss of Abdul Gaddy. Thomas played an all around game tonight and is playing some of the best basketball I have seen out of him. He was the obvious MVP tonight as the Husky offense is responding well with him running the point.
- MBA = For those of you that were wondering when MBA would learn how to finish, he has answered your call. MBA was 10-15 shooting tonight.
- Holiday = Justin has officially returned. The shooting slump we saw over the last few games has officially left his system. Holiday showed signs on Thursday against Stanford, but shot lights out on Sunday. With Holiday playing at this high of a level, the swingmen off the bench will have to wrestle for looks. Great game for J-Holla.
- Rebounding = UW out rebounded the Bears 38-25. With 9 offensive boards, the Dawgs earned second chance points and were able to keep the game under their control.
- 3 pt Shooting = 45% from the field was more than enough to blow Cal out of the water on Sunday. Let’s hope UW can continue their hot shooting going into Thursday.
Negatives:
- Aziz N’Diaye = Fouled out with 1 pt and 3 rebounds. N’Diaye has had some issues catching the ball and holding on to the ball lately. He will need to play stronger once Zona comes into town. He will need to control his body as well as we will need big minutes from him and can ill afford foul trouble.
- Ross and Wilcox = The two swingmen for the bench were pretty quiet tonight. Ross has not played well on this road trip and Wilcox is still struggling with his shot. He made his first three in several games on Sunday. Both of these guys will need to step up their games as they welcome in the Arizona Schools
- Coach Jim Shaw caught picking his nose on camera = Enough said.