Scouting Report of UW from UW fan

[ThePatton]

Hello, I'm a University of Washington fan and I wrote up a scouting report to go send around to all the Marquette fans so they can learn about us. Here's a general description of what UW likes to do: We have plenty of interchangeable parts. We run plenty of 4 guard lineups, but will just as easily go with a more conventional lineup. What is consistent is that Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas will carry most of the offensive load. We play 10 guys, like to press, and push the tempo. We struggle against teams that play zone and force us to shoot outside.As for rebounding, as an undersized team we rebound incredibly well, especially on the offensive side. This helps since we're not a good outside shooting team. We also play a very harassing defense, high pressure all the time. We switch all screens since most of our players can guard multiple positions.

We were ranked in the top 10 to start the season, but the roles on the team weren't defined and our players didn't know what to do. We've figured it out lately winning 12 of our last 14, including playing our best basketball throughout the Pac-10 tournament.

Starting Lineup:

PG: Abdul Gaddy #10 - 6'4 FR - Abdul is a year young for his grade so he just turned 18 in January. He was the high school teammate of Texas's Avery Bradley, and Abdul was the #2 rated PG in the nation behind John Wall coming into this year. However, he's a tall guard that is known for his game managing skills. He doesn't score a lot, but he's okay at defense, he knows how to use his length. Where he really contributes is passing, he has the best court vision I've ever seen out of a guard this young, too bad this leads to a lot of turnovers. I cannot tell you how many times Abdul would lay a ridiculous pass to one of our bigs only to have them not expect it and the ball go out of bounds. He's usually our first sub out, and will probably only play about 15 minutes throughout the game.

SG: Isaiah Thomas #2 - 5'8 SO - Isaiah IS in fact named after the Detroit Piston PG. I'll do a quick rundown of the story (although I'm sure you'll hear it twice during the broadcast). Isaiah's father is a diehard Lakers fan, his best friend is a diehard Pistons fan. During the 1989 NBA finals, they make a friendly wager. If the Pistons beat the Lakers Isaiah's father has to name his son to be Isaiah. The Father agrees to it, but first runs it by his pregnant wife, who only agrees if the name is spelled biblically since she wanted a biblical name anyways. The Isaiah for UW talks to the Piston great fairly regularly.

Now onto his game, he is a lefty who is in 100% attack mode all the time. He is quicker than fast, and gets to the hoop at will. Teams have tried putting athletic 6'4 guys on him, it hasn't worked, teams have tried putting 5'9 speedsters on him, it hasn't worked. The only thing that has worked is when the other team runs a 2-3 zone and packs it in. Isaiah is not afraid to shoot the outside shot, however it is definitely not his strength, in fact he's just good enough for you to have to run out on him. That is a huge improvement over last year though.

He's also a freak athlete, people say I.T. (this is what we usually call him) remind them of Nate Robinson. This is a fair comparison as they are both diminutive guards and freak athletes (I.T. dunked over 6'8 Matthew Bryan-Amaning during our Midnight Madness dunk contest, legitimately didn't use his arm to leverage himself or anything). However I.T. has a very polished offensive game. He won Pac-10 Freshman of the year and was on the NCAA Freshman First team last year. He's also been all Pac-10 both years he's been at UW. Also he was Pac-10 tournament's most valuable player.

SF: Justin Holiday #22 - 6'6 with 7'2 wingspan JR - He is the older brother of Philadelphia 76er Jrue Holiday. Justin is known for his defensive ability and being the consummate glue guy that every team needs. He has a good looking jumper but will only take it if he's wide open. He rebounds well, makes good decisions with the ball, and plays amazing defense. He has shut down the best player of every team we've played against this year.

Now, he's very very lanky (get a chance to look at his legs, they look like toothpicks), so he can't do much in the post. However, he will harass and cleanly cover the opposing teams best wing player. Although, if someone gets hot look to Holiday to switch onto them. He was on the All Defensive Pac-10 team.

SF/PF: Quincy Pondexter #20 - 6'6 SR - Quincy was considered the favorite for Pac-10 player of the year as he won Player Of The Week 5 times (first time in Pac-10 history anyone has won it that many times), however that award went to California's Jerome Randle. Quincy averages 19.8 points per game, and has a 125.0 offensive rating (one of Kenpom's advanced metrics) was 29th in the nation. However, he was #1 in the nation if set the parameters to at least 24% of possessions used. As a barometer Lazar Hayward had a 107.0 rating on 29.7% possessions used. Quincy played with Hayward over the summer on a national team, so they're familiar with what they both bring to the table.

Quincy was our best 3 point shooter statistically, but he does most of his damage from 17 feet and in. The reason NBA teams like him is because he's gotten substantially better every year, is a known gym rat, and has skills that directly translate to the NBA game (mostly his mid range game, his rebounding and his post play). The only time Quincy has been shut down this year is when he's done it to himself. I know that is a horrible cliche, but Quincy was known as an enigma for his first 3 years for showing glimpses of what he could be only to have 4 straight games of under 6 points. Oh yes, we also call Quincy Q-Pon. ESPN wrote an article about how he got where he is and his relationship with his dad. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4886339

C: Matthew Bryan-Amaning #11 - 6'8 JR - Is very similar to Quincy when he was younger, in the way that he's a total enigma. He has NBA athleticism and enough length to play in the NBA (7'4 wingspan), but he'll probably never put it together to the point where that could be a realistic goal. His last 11 games have shown us that he can play at this level and succeed as his last 11 games he's averaging 12.2 points and 7.7 boards in 25 minutes. He's got a few good post moves and makes a Sports Center caliber (dunk or block) a game. Honestly, given the way your team is built, I don't think we'll see a lot of him unless he's got it going on the offensive end.

The Bench:

PG: Venoy Overton #1 - 5'11 JR - Everyone that has ever played against UW hates Venoy Overton. Bobby Knight called him the best on the ball defender in the NCAA, as did Steve Lavin. When Gameday was here Jay Bilas talked about how much energy and how he can single handily shut down a ball handler and frustrate them to no end. Every other Pac-10 school refers to Venoy as a thug, or a dirty player when in reality we're very deep at guard and we let him be as physical as he wants. He will single handily press while clapping in the guys face and talking smack to him. He loves trying to get under the other teams skin which he's successful at 9 times out of 10. His offense is very similar to Isaiah's but he shoots far less often. He finishes around the rim with his right really well (he's also a lefty), and is shooting over 50% on 3's the last 4 games. If the refs let him play, he'll terrorize the entire Marquette team, if the refs call it tight, he'll only get to play about 10 minutes. As a 6th man he finishes games for us and usually plays more minutes than Abdul Gaddy.

SG/SF: Elston Turner #31 - 6'4 SO - Pure Shooter. Doesn't do much else. Shoots 3's better than FT's (not really, but it might as well be true, he's our worst FT shooter yet he's our best 3 point shooter). He's good at ball pressure and will sometimes shoot a shot that's not a 3. He's shot 154 shots and 97 of them are 3's. He will play about 10-15 minutes.

SG/SF: Scott Suggs #14 - 6'6 SO - Read above, but better FT shooter and worse defender. Has taken 130 shots and 98 of them were 3's. He'll play about 8-12 minutes. We like to play both Turner and Suggs and Pondexter out there together with Isaiah Thomas to stretch the D.

PF/C: Tyrese Breshers #33 - 6'7 FR - Has a body that imitates Charles Barkley but not nearly the game. He's a better athlete than his frame would make you believe, however he's strictly a low post player. Against a team that doesn't play through the post, he won't play as often. He fouls all the time (as Freshman seem to do) so he hardly logs too many minutes.

PF/C: Darnell Gant #44 - 6'8 SO - Here's another athletic bigman who will probably play more against Marquette than the others. Typically when teams play small or there biggest player is a perimeter player, Gant plays. When the team has a bruiser down low, he sits. He was a starter last year as a freshman, but has been relegated to being the 2nd or 3rd big (depending on the match up). He can guard all 5 positions, and he's somewhat competent on the offensive end. He loves the 14-17 foot jumper on the baseline. Also, he'll shoot it at the top of the key.

Clearance Trent #12 - 6'6 FR - Probably won't play. Plays bigger than 6'6.

Brendan Sherrer #42 - 6'9 Walk-on - UW held a public tryout for students and Sherrer won. He only comes in when the game is at hand and the crowd goes nuts. He was a member of the dawg pack (UW student section) before becoming part of the team. He has scored 4 points. My guess is, neither team will be up by enough for him to play.

[ThePatton]

Also, UW is known as having the best traveling fans in the Pac-10. For the Pac-10 Tournament we had more fans then the Los Angeles schools (when the tourney was held in LA), and more than California which is only a few hours away. San Jose is only a 2 hour flight from Seattle. I think we'll have plenty of people there. Although last year we had plenty of support for the Tournament in Portland and we lost to Purdue, so we'll see.

Good luck guys! I'm really enjoying reading into your team. It sure feels like a good matchup.

[Norm]

Thanks for the analysis. Should be a good game. UW will be tough to beat.

As an FYI, here's how some of their players were ranked coming out of high school by RSCI:

#27 Quincy Pondexter 6'7" WF - Senior
#50 Matthew Bryan-Armstrong 6'8" PF - Junior
#85 Isaiah Thomas 5'8" PG - Junior
#100 Darnell Gant 6'8" PF - Junior (Red Shirt Sophomore?)
#68 Elston Turner 6'4" WG - Sophomore
#69 Scott Suggs 6'5" WG - Sophomore
#11 Abdul Gaddy 6'3" PG - Freshman
#94 Clarance Trent 6'7" PF - Freshman

In comparison, Marquette has two players on the roster ranked coming out of high school, both freshman: #47 Junior Cadougan 6'0" PG (only played 46 minutes this year due to injury), and #67 Erik Williams 6'7" PF, a backup this season. (A third, #73 Jeronne Maymon, tranferred to Tennessee at the end of the first semester).

[rocky_warrior]

PG: Venoy Overton #1 - 5'11 JR - Everyone that has ever played against UW hates Venoy Overton. Bobby Knight called him the best on the ball defender in the NCAA, as did Steve Lavin. When Gameday was here Jay Bilas talked about how much energy and how he can single handily shut down a ball handler and frustrate them to no end. Every other Pac-10 school refers to Venoy as a thug, or a dirty player when in reality we're very deep at guard and we let him be as physical as he wants. He will single handily press while clapping in the guys face and talking smack to him. He loves trying to get under the other teams skin which he's successful at 9 times out of 10. His offense is very similar to Isaiah's but he shoots far less often. He finishes around the rim with his right really well (he's also a lefty), and is shooting over 50% on 3's the last 4 games. If the refs let him play, he'll terrorize the entire Marquette team, if the refs call it tight, he'll only get to play about 10 minutes. As a 6th man he finishes games for us and usually plays more minutes than Abdul Gaddy.

Wow, you guys are really proud of VO.  At this point, I'm expecting the devil incarnate on defense, anything less and I'll be disappointed. 

Based on the in the face, clapping description, I'm thinking Cubillan will be defending him just to get in his head a bit.  If a pressing team doesn't like to be pressed, then a clapping defender probably doesn't like to be clapped at.

[DCWarriors04]

Having just looked at Washington's schedule...seriously, who have these guys played outside of Georgetown, who they also lost too? Also, everyone keeps talking about how they are hot having won 7 games in a row. Having seen who their last 7 games were against, I'd hope they would have won 7 games in a row.

UCLA    W 97-68 - UCLA (14-18)
WSU    W 59-52 - Washington State (16-15)
ORE    W 86-72 - Oregon (16-16)
ORST W 82-70 - Oregon State (14-17)
ORST W 59-52 - Oregon State (14-17)
STAN W 79-64 - Stanford (14-18)
CAL   W 79-75 - California (23-10)

Outside of Cal, the next best team they beat in that stretch was Washington State.

[Aughnanure]

Thanks for the analysis. Should be a good game. UW will be tough to beat.

As an FYI, here's how some of their players were ranked coming out of high school by RSCI:

#27 Quincy Pondexter 6'7" WF - Senior
#50 Matthew Bryan-Armstrong 6'8" PF - Junior
#85 Isaiah Thomas 5'8" PG - Junior
#100 Darnell Gant 6'8" PF - Junior (Red Shirt Sophomore?)
#68 Elston Turner 6'4" WG - Sophomore
#69 Scott Suggs 6'5" WG - Sophomore
#11 Abdul Gaddy 6'3" PG - Freshman
#94 Clarance Trent 6'7" PF - Freshman

In comparison, Marquette has two players on the roster ranked coming out of high school, both freshman: #47 Junior Cadougan 6'0" PG (only played 46 minutes this year due to injury), and #67 Erik Williams 6'7" PF, a backup this season. (A third, #73 Jeronne Maymon, tranferred to Tennessee at the end of the first semester).

Did you just really forget about Lazar?

[Jay Bee]

Did you just really forget about Lazar?

I don't think he was top 100 in the final RSCI... was high 90s in summer, out for the final.

[Norm]

I don't think he was top 100 in the final RSCI... was high 90s in summer, out for the final.

Jay Bee is right - Lazar did not finish in the final 100 in the RSCI rankings after his high school days.

[New Era Warriors]

If you think Overton is bad, wait until you see Cubillan.  I'm sure cooby will match his intensity. Plays with so much passion and is an absolute "nut" on the court. He also is a big clapper in your face type of guy. Venezuelan pride!

[Aughnanure]

I don't think he was top 100 in the final RSCI... was high 90s in summer, out for the final.

#73 on Rivals
#13 SG on Scout

I don't know why he's not on RSCI, but maybe it has something to do with him being a prep school guy. I thought thats where that post messed up actually, cause he said MU has only 2 top 100 players coming out of high school.

[MU83]

Wow, you guys are really proud of VO.  At this point, I'm expecting the devil incarnate on defense, anything less and I'll be disappointed. 

Based on the in the face, clapping description, I'm thinking Cubillan will be defending him just to get in his head a bit.  If a pressing team doesn't like to be pressed, then a clapping defender probably doesn't like to be clapped at.

Great, so the team that wins will be the one that best deals with the clap(ping).

[downtown85]

Thanks Patton, great summary!!

[Hards Alumni]

Don't take this the wrong way, as it is a serious question.

With your glowing review of the Huskies, how did they manage to lose 7 games in the Pac-10 this year... including some outright blowouts?

[StillWarriors]

Don't take this the wrong way, as it is a serious question.

With your glowing review of the Huskies, how did they manage to lose 7 games in the Pac-10 this year... including some outright blowouts?

It appears UW fans are much more half full (or totally full) guys than we are generally. As I read all the UW overviews, which I do appreciate, it makes me wonder how MU isn't a 10 pt underdog in this game. That said, hopefully MU will come out and play like they can, have a normal shooting performance, and I'll take my chances with that. 

[Windyplayer]

We were ranked in the top 10 to start the season

Um, you were ranked #13 and #14 in the national polls to start the season. You were #10 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll in week 3 after beating up on cupcakes before losing to a very average Texas Tech team.

The assessment could have been a little less bias considering you made it to the dance by winning a middling conference tournament. The Huskies are no where near as good as you make them out to be. 

That said, I did enjoy reading up on the Huskies. Thanks.

[ThePatton]

Sorry, It was on Sports Illustrated where we were a top 10, I actually have the cover of SI with I.T on the front and us at #9.

We were horrible on the road, 0-6 to start the year. We had no defined roles once the heart and soul of our team left (Jon Brockman and Justin Dentmon). We have one SR (Quincy Pondexter) who took awhile to really take control of the team and make it his.

Our flaws: We have no real post game (MBA the last 7 games has been great) and we have no real outside shooting outside of the 20 combined minutes by Suggs and Turner (I was surprised Qpon led our team in 3 pt %). Against Texas Tech Elston Turner missed 2 FT's with less then 2 seconds left when we were tied.

We struggled on the road and manhandled almost everyone at home. Our two home loses came to Oregon (who was bad), a flukey type loss and USC. USC has the type of team that gives us problems, big, athletic, and can easily stop most of our penetration. USC is the only team that swept us this year and if they hadn't been suspended for the Pac-10 tournament, many thought they'd be the favorite.

UW is a good team. Should we have ever been in the top 10? No. However, I expect nothing but a close game in this one. I like our chances strictly because teams with really good big men are usually our kryptonite (and I mean 6'10 and up).  But it'd be foolish to say any team is obviously going to win or anything along those lines. When every statistical analysis says this game will be close, and it matches initial reports that it'll be close, that means it'll probably be a close good game.

I'm excited, who doesn't love March Madness?

[rocky_warrior]

I'm excited, who doesn't love March Madness?

No that, we can all agree on!