Washington Huskies Basketball Alumni Game: Too Much Athleticism On Post-2009 Team
Mar 28, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Justin Dentmon (7) passes the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center. The Pacers defeated the Mavericks 103-78. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday June 23, Husky fans will be treated to quite the show, as former Huskies take the court at Alaska Airlines Arena for the first ever UW Alumni Game. The alumni event will also include a 3-point shootout, slam dunk contest and a Husky Legends game featuring some of the older UW greats.
Eight Huskies who finished the 2012-2013 season in the NBA will take the court, along with the best of the best from past UW teams. The rosters are set and head coach Lorenzo Romar has broken down the squads into two different eras, pre-2009 and post-2009.
Pre-2009
- Will Conroy
- Brandon Roy
- Tre Simmons
- Nate Robinson
- Spencer Hawes
- Bobby Jones
- Mike Jensen
- Jamaal Williams
- Hans Gasser
Post-2009
- Isaiah Thomas
- Terrence Ross
- Tony Wroten
- Jon Brockman
- Matthew Bryan-Amaning
- Justin Holiday
- Justin Dentmon
- Darnell Gant
- Quincy Pondexter
At first look, the post 2009 team has the advantage since they are younger and, due to their professional careers, could be in better shape than the pre-2009 squad. Of the nine players on the post-2009 squad, only two, Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Darnell Gant, haven’t played in the NBA, and both have continued their playing careers overseas.
The fire power of Ross, Thomas, Pondexter, and Wroten should be enough for the post-2009 squad to light up the scoreboard and show the fans that younger is better.
Although the pre-2009 squad might not have the athleticism or the NBA star power of the post-2009 squad, they do have a group of players that can give the younger Huskies matchup problems at every position.
Hawes and Jensen can stretch the floor as well as back down the smaller big men on the post-2009 squad. Roy, Simmons, and Jones can defend multiple positions as well score in many ways.
Their biggest key is Nate Robinson. Who can guard this guy? If his postseason numbers say anything, not that many people can, and his matchup with Thomas could be the key to victory. Don’t count out the older Huskies.
When it’s all said and done, I give a slight advantage to the post-2009 squad. Although the younger squad may have trouble matching up with the pre-2009 Huskies, the post-2009 team has too much fire power for anyone to handle.
I expect Thomas, Ross, and my surprise pick, Justin Dentmon, to put up big time scoring numbers for the post-2009 squad. MVP will go to Ross, Robinson will take the dunk contest crown, and Simmons will win the 3-point shootout.
Give us your predictions for the game along with your MVP pick in the comments or on Twitter, @HuskyHaul.