The Husky Haul
Fansided

Patience will return UW basketball to prominence

By Cody Tyo

SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 30: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a play against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center on December 30, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won 72-61. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 30: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a play against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center on December 30, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won 72-61. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Time for a cool change

When it comes to Hopkins, the patience shown for Romar is nothing but a good sign. Hopkins possesses some of the same characteristics: well-liked by players and extremely passionate for his university and fans. The difference is Hopkins’ demonstrated ability to coach great teams to great wins.

The match will not be an instant success for Hopkins and the Huskies. Growing pains are guaranteed, especially until the Hopkins-style recruits arrive on campus in the next few years, but the 2017 UW team is already showing promise. Veteran players have bought in to a new team culture and freshman players have already played meaningful minutes.

All for one…

Let’s be real. Did anyone expect freshman Jaylen Nowell to hit the floor running at a 20.4 points per game clip?  How about junior Noah Dickerson at 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game? Could you have anticipated Matisse Thybulle with 12.4 points and 4.0 steals per game? Each player on the time contributes.

Next: Washington Basketball’s Coach Hopkins is on-two something!

Washington has returned to its standard of excellence and its basketball program will, eventually, rise out of irrelevancy. Hopkins is the right man for the job. All he needs now: patience.

Home/Basketball