With nearly four months before the 2017-18 season tips off for Washington basketball, the UW roster is set for the upcoming year. In head coach Mike Hopkins’ first year in Seattle, here’s a look at what he has assembled since taking over in March.
The Washington Basketball team is looking to turn things around this season. After a dreadfully disappointing season where the team finished 9-22, the powers that change was overdue for the program.
Despite success at recruiting, the team could not translate that incoming talent into wins. At the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season, the team faced a true dilemma: change direction and brace for the challenge of rebuilding the program on a new direction. Or the team could do nothing, hope for the best, and face the challenge of another disappointing season.
New direction
In the end, the team dismissed Lorenzo Romar, hired on new head coach Mike Hopkins away from the University of Syracuse, and changed direction of the program. That resulted in the expected attrition from some players and commitments.
But the coaching staff worked hard to fill the openings in the roster as they occurred. In the end, when the team surprised everyone by recruiting highly sought after small forward Hameir Wright to commit to the class of 2017, the class returned to full strength.
Returners
Washington loses just two starters from a year ago: Markelle Fultz and Malik Dime. Fultz, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, accounted for much of the Huskies’ offensive production. Dime was a key defender in the paint and graduated after two solid seasons at UW.
Busting Brackets
Junior forward Noah Dickerson is the strongest returning starter. Rumors swirled regarding Dickerson’s transfer options, but he ultimately chose to remain in Seattle rather than leaving for LSU and Florida.
Strong post play
Dickerson is a strong rebounder and can create offensively both in the paint and from mid-range. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.2 boards per game, and should be a double double machine during his third year with Washington.
The other post player coming returning for Washington is sophomore Sam Timmins. Timmins saw 14.6 minutes per game as a freshman, starting 18 games.
If he can improve his stamina and work on rebounding with more consistency, he’ll earn more playing time for a team that is very limited on true bigs.
Back court returners
Washington returns a handful of guards with experience. Junior David Crisp started alongside Fultz in the backcourt last year. Although Crisp struggled at times with less-than-consistent shooting and issues with turnovers, his value lies in his veteran leadership. He remains as one of UW’s better sharpshooters, sinking 77 three-point shots last year.
But perhaps his greatest play so far as a Washington Husky never happened on the basketball court:
Just a home town kid tryna put on for my city 💯 there's unfinished business so I ain't goin no where! #NewBeginnings 🐺💜 pic.twitter.com/0gMHxDChhE
— David Crisp (@David_Crisp31) March 26, 2017
Husky fans will never forget his commitment.
Junior guard Matisse Thybulle was a regular member of the starting five last year as well. The lengthy 6’5″ wing did most of his damage on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. He averaged over two steals per game in 2016-17 and was also efficient offensively, shooting 45 percent.
Johnson remains a husky
Sophomore guard Carlos Johnson became a favorite of last year’s coaching staff and saw significant time off the bench. Despite standing at just 6’3″, Johnson plays more like a power forward.
As wars come and go, my soldier stays eternal and I remain a husky! 😈 #GoDawgs
— JAKE UnKnown (@Witness_this23) March 27, 2017
He’s capable of crashing the boards and also proved his offensive ability one game versus Arizona State, scoring a career high 19 points. His intensity will be immensely helpful to Washington, but will likely come off the bench.
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Junior forward Dominic Green played in 30 games a year ago. He struggled shooting the ball, but did provide some valuable minutes defensively. His 7’1″ wingspan is by far his greatest asset–huge for defending on the perimeter.
Newcomers
A pair of incoming freshmen may find themselves in the starting five: shooting guard Jaylen Nowell and forward Hameir Wright. Nowell is the highest rated of Washington’s 2017 class at 57th in the ESPN100. Physically, he will not have a problem adjusting to college ball and for that reason he will likely see some starts.
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Wright, a four star recruit from upstate New York, is also a highly touted scorer with potential to have an immediate impact for the Huskies. Wright earned the New York Gatorade Player of the Year award in his most recent high school season and is also in the ESPN100.
More good news
Two other incoming freshmen have the potential to get some minutes. Forward Nahziah Carter, another New York native, is a three star recruit. He may not see any starts considering the number of wings and big men in front of him, but Hopkins may give the freshman a fair share of bench minutes.
The first commit secured by Hopkins was local product Michael Carter III. The O’Dea High School graduate is a 6’5” point guard
The third point guard on the roster will be incoming freshman Nate Pryor. Pryor played at West Seattle High School. He will see plenty of playing time and may even break into the starting lineup should Crisp’s play deteriorate.
Hopkins’ Strategy
A common theme among these returners pieces is lengthiness and athleticism. That combination is perfect for a team that will be playing some 2-3 zone on defense.
Hopkins spent 22 years on the coaching staff at Syracuse. Under Jim Boeheim, he helped teach several generations of Syracuse players to play the best 2-3 zone in college basketball, and has confirmed that he intends to carry this to Washington.
Huskies play big this season
Although the Washington roster features just two true bigs in Dickerson and Timmins, the Huskies have an advantage with the lengthiness of their guard/forward hybrids. Players like Thybulle, Nowell, and Wright each have the size to disrupt passing lanes and challenge shots on defense.
A 2-3 zone is also somewhat of a rarity in the Pac-12. Washington could lean on its defense if Hopkins can teach his young roster to play a disciplined zone.
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Coming off a nine-win season, the only way the Huskies can go is up. It will not be an easy rebuilding job for this new UW coaching staff, but UW fans should rest assured that Hopkins is ready to tackle it.