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| Isaiah Thomas (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) |
After Washington's heartbreaking loss to North Carolina in the round of 32 on Sunday, it was apparent that UW would be moving in a different direction. Freshman guard Terrence Ross dropped a team high 19 pts and also raked in six rebounds for the Huskies over 24 minutes. During these past five games, Ross has really become an integral part of the Husky offense, netting 65 points over their past five games, despite a zero point effort in ten minutes against Georgia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It has become apparent that Ross, one of the Huskies talented freshman, will inherit the starting role next year as the Huskies transition to what is anticipated to be a three guard system. If that is the case, there are a couple situations that the Huskies will have to find out quickly.
First, is Isaiah Thomas going to stay or leave for the NBA Draft? Many anticipate that he will stay, based on his own words that he will return. But who knows, money changes people. If that isn't the case, and Thomas leaves, then incoming Freshman Tony Wroten is likely to start along with Abdul Gaddy and Ross. This combo of young, athletic guards is a great combination for the Huskies. Before Gaddy injured his ACL, he was playing fairly well for the Huskies, and an even better junior year is anticipated for the #2 ranked point guard prospect out of high school.
In this new three guard system, the Huskies will feature one of the best offensive lineups in all of college basketball, and definitely the best in the Pac-10. The anticipated starting rotation + bench for the Huskies in 2011-12:
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| Terrence Ross came on strong down the stretch for the Huskies (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) |
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| Husky recruit Tony Wroten |
G Abdul Gaddy
G Isaiah Thomas
G Terrence Ross
F Darnell Gant
C Aziz N'Diaye
6 CJ Wilcox
<7 Tony Wroten
8 Scott Suggs 9 Desmond Simmons
10 Hikeem Stewart
11 Jarnell Jarreau (RS*)12 Antoine Hoisley
13 Brendan Sherrer
(RS*) - Projected Red Shirt
The biggest impact freshman for the Huskies is obviously going to be Garfield High School guard Tony Wroten. Wroten, the #30 ranked prospect on Rivals.com, is a long, 6'4" guard who can handle and shoot the ball. Wroten has drawn comparisons to Peyton Siva, a former high school rival, now point guard at the University of Louisville. Wroten has the ability to drive, and brings even more athleticism to an already overloaded backcourt at UW.
With such an overloaded backcourt at Washington, coach Lorenzo Romar has a lot of in-game decisions that are going to be tough. Wroten brings an athletic, hybrid guard style play, while CJ Wilcox and Terrence Ross and very much shooters in their own right. Romar is going to have to find that perfect mix of shooting and defense to get the Huskies in sync. With too much offense, the Huskies are not going to have good enough chemistry, due to people wanting to score.
Where the Huskies excel in backcourt, they need more depth in the front court. The only really efficient and quality post players for Washington are their starters Gant and N'Diaye. Desmond Simmons, a red-shirt in 2010-11, will have to come on to the Huskies squad and provide an immediate impact in the front court for the Huskies. He is their only viable backup that projects to make a significant impact in the post from off the bench.
Overall, the Huskies look poised for a third straight Pac-10 championship run, it all just lies in what becomes of Isaiah Thomas and how they manage their overloaded backcourt. A strong, athletic, offensive minded Husky squad is sure to make a splash next year, and Washington fans can't wait to raise the roof again in 2012.
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