Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team Preparing For Lean 2017

While some players are staying, 2017 recruits are not. That will make the 2017 season for the Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team Roster Rather Lean

The University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball Team recruiting class of 2017 appeared as one of the highest ranked classes in the nation.  Surprisingly not long ago, the team enjoyed the patronage of the nations top recruit Michael Porter Jr..   As a matter of fact, the class had five recruits, each of whom was significantly talented.

But now, the class has eroded from five to two with the latest defection:

Big Loss

And so, there is no soft-shoeing this one, Diarra is a loss.  Subsequently, the Washington Huskies have few big men projected going forward. His request of release follows similar requests from 4-star point guard Blake Harris and 5-star small forward Michael Porter Jr. In fact, Diarra’s request follows on the heels of forward Matthew Atewe quitting the team as well.

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Right now, the Huskies bigs are thinning in number.  As of today, the team has Sam TImmins and Devenir Duruisseau.

Don’t Forget Coaching Counts

But before the doom and gloom hits fans between the eyes, keep things in perspective. Lorenzo Romar had a solid basketball team on paper, only to end the season at 9-22.  Similarly, USC football programs are lauded annually for the great recruiting classes the program attracts. But in the end, it’s the Washington Husky football program that develops a better team.

With the First Pick

Some have already begun to doubt the decision. But speculation must acknowledge the facts. Both Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter intended to follow their father. From the moment Cuonzo Martin was hired away from California to the University of Missouri, he offered an assistant coaching position to Michael Porter Sr. While the chronology of events makes it impossible to establish a cause and effect, it’s clear that Michael Porter Sr. had a choice to make. You see, his daughters were in Missouri.  In the end, he had a job offer to return.

More Than Talent Needed

The annual influx of talent has not had positive results with the University of Washington Huskies in recent years.  Despite the presence of top-ranked Markelle Fultz on the team, the 9-22 record was disappointing.

Lorenzo Romar is an outstanding man, and an incredible recruiter. But the team’s exhibit fundamental weaknesses which are easily exploited by opponents.  In the end, winning matters. As such, coaching counts.

One Step Back Two Steps Forward

Regardless of the outcome, the University of Washington Huskies had strong likelihood of losing the Porters.

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And so, the argument of which path SHOULD have been taken is a moot point. To improve the program, changes needed to be made. On one hand, changes take time to impact the results positive way. On the other hand, the news is decidedly one sided. In conclusing, current and incoming players are simply choosing to stay or leave the program.

Making Their Stand

Some are choosing to stay.  On March 27, both David Crisp and Carlos Johnson stepped up and reiterated their intention to stay Huskies.  Today, March 28, Dominic Green joins them.

Dominic Green joins Crisp and Johnson in reiterating their intentions to stay.  At 6-foot-6, Green suddenly becomes a key figure in tomorrow’s team.  He will likely play a pivotal role in the front court, and his 21.6 minutes per game will likely increase dramatically next year.

But who will come off the bench?

Class of 2017 May Be Barren After All

It’s a tough call at this point. As a matter of fact, the roster is changing daily. And so, it’s win some and lose some. Even now, the Washington Huskies are losing their committed players.  The University of Washington Huskies began the month with five commits and a nationally top-ranked class. Now, the team is down to Daejon Davis and Jaylen Nowell.  Or are they?

Who Remains Standing?

And so, in the mass exodus, only Jaylen Nowell remains. But that being said, even his name is appearing in rumors as seeking his release.

In the end, it could merely be speculation. It may simply be that someone is trying to jump ahead of news in the hopes of “scooping the next player to break rank”.  But the fears of losing all recruits of that lauded 2017 class is a very real possibility now.

Choose Your Rumor

Or are they? As a matter of fact,  amidst the swirling cyclone of events and partial information, it’s very difficult to say with any certainty.

Lean indeed.  On one hand, with the proximity to the 2017-2018 season, the University of Washington Huskies will likely be hard pressed to fill any vacancies.  On the other hand, if you had expectations of an instant turn around, better sit down for this.  In conclusion, the turn-around won’t happen overnight folks.

Buckle Up

But anything worth having is worth earning.  As such, wins will not be handed out. By all accounts, the University of Washington Huskies basketball program has taken one step back. It will learn to crawl. Then walk. Soon, it will be running again. Eventually it will be competing for championships.  In conclusion, fans need to be patient now.  Simply stated, celebrate the players who stay, and those who will choose to come.

Next: Washington Huskies Guard David Crisp Chooses Fight Over Flight. Ain’t Going Nowhere

And so, it’s time to circle the wagons now.  In fact, times will be lean for the near term.