Pac-10 Semi's vs. Stanford
by thecassino on Mar 12, 2010 8:03 PM PST
20 comments
The Huskies play again tonight, and I think we're all hoping for a little less stress in this game. My heart can't take another first half like last night.
It is said that in back-to-back games that after the first night the team with more talent gains a big edge because the coaches have less time to gameplan and watch film on their opponents. For tonight, that is a very good thing, as the Huskies' talent completely dwarfs Stanford. Aside from Landry Fields and Jeremy Green, the Cardinal might not have a single player on their roster that could make UW's team if they were trying out. It's a testament to Johnny Dawkin's coaching ability that they've put together the season that they have.
The Huskies have done a good job of not letting Green and Fields go off against them this season, with credit going largely to Isaiah Thomas' defense on Green and Justin Holiday's on Fields. The thinking of a lot of fans is that UW should do a lot of pressing tonight, which I fully support. Stanford lacks a Pac-10 quality point guard and good presses have given them fits at times this year.
With any luck, the Dawgs will be more acclimated to their surroundings tonight and won't suffer from the early woes that plagued them last night. This is a must win, and a lackadaisical start could end the season.
20 comments | 0 recs
My UW/OSU Recap For Montlake Madness
Did a piece for Montlake Madness on last night's win.
I will say this: the Pac-10's scheduling is brutal for those of us who have deadlines the next morning, especially when we're not currently on the west coast. End rant.
1 day ago
thecassino
6 comments
0 recs
Oregon update - Felonies and Misdemeanors
by John Berkowitz on Mar 12, 2010 6:45 AM PST
104 comments
Reports are coming in that Jeremiah Masoli's fingerprints were found on one of the stolen items and he will be arraigned today in court. There are also reports that Masoli has cleaned out his locker and will no longer be a member of the team. Official word on all of this is due to come out this afternoon.
If has also been rumoured that LaMichael James will not be suspended from the team even though he is expected to enter a lesser plea of harrasment today in court. If that one is true that will be a real head shaker which will be debated on a national basis.
Chip Kelly was expected to address the situation publically today but we have heard he will not talk to the media until next week and any communications today will be in the form of short written statements from the Oregon athletic department.
Kelly is in a tough spot but delaying comment on the situation only makes him look worse.
Bellotti said the distinctions would be between charges and convictions, and between misdemeanors and felonies. A felony conviction would result in dismissal from the team and loss of scholarship, he said.
That could give some indication of how coach Chip Kelly might levy punishment to his star running back and his star quarterback after Friday's hearings in Lane County Circuit Court. James' case involves misdemeanors. Masoli's involves a felony. Oregon Live Link
So let me get this straight...misdemeanors and fine and felonies are a no no?
So you can commit all the misdemeanors you want and still be on the team?
Wow!
104 comments | 0 recs
Game 3 Against OSU
by thecassino on Mar 11, 2010 6:49 PM PST
178 comments
It's a little bit weird to write a preview for the same team twice in a row. Frankly, not much has changed aside from the importance of the game. Lorenzo Romar has said that the team is focused on this one and not looking ahead to ASU (though at the moment, Stanford is beating them), and that this is a must win for the Dawgs tourney chances. He's right, of course.
It will be interesting to see how Quincy Pondexter performs. He says he doesn't hold a grudge and that he's not real upset about losing out on POY, but when you hear him speak and get to know his character, you get the feeling that he feels differently than he says he does. How's this for a grudge: after not being named a McDonalds All-American in high school, he went from eating McDonalds every day to going 3 years without eating it. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Quincy playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Though he is nursing a mild illness, so keep an eye on that: Coach may have to limit his minutes.
Aside from that it's the same stuff as Saturday: 1-3-1 zone, diagonal passes, push the tempo, IT dribble penetration, MBALive, etc.
178 comments | 0 recs
Masoli and Embry charged with second degree burglary
by John Berkowitz on Mar 10, 2010 8:15 PM PST
30 comments
No surprise from Eugene today when Jeremiah Masoli and Garrett Embry were charged with second degree burglary today. What is a surprise is that Masoli hasn't been suspended from the team yet. Same thing with LaMichael James who will enter a guilty plea of some sort on Friday.
A poll in the Oregon Live asks if Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James should play another game for Ducks? 57% are saying no, 15% are saying yes, and 29% say it is too early to tell.
STATEMENT FROM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHIP KELLY REGARDING UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOOTBALL PLAYERS
"I am carefully considering the latest news concerning Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James, and will make a decision regarding disciplinary action on Friday, March 12."
Chip Kelly needs a couple more days to figure it all out after this has been on his plate for a month?
Wow!
30 comments | 0 recs
Stadium Bill Dies
by John Berkowitz on Mar 10, 2010 3:01 PM PST
14 comments
The stadium bill for all intents and purposes is dead which means the University of washington is going to be forced to unveil Plan B in the not too distant future to get the job done. What it all comes down to is legislators can't decide how to spend the estimated $50 million dollar per year surplus the painless tax will generate once Safeco Field is paid off.
The reality of this whole thing is that there is enough money for Husky Stadium, Key Arena, The Arts, and future maintenance of Safeco field if it is structured right and the legislators actually started using their heads. The problem is none of them are viewing the issue correctly and unfortunately they don't want King County having a say in how the oney will be used in the future even thought he revenue is generated in King County.
This link to the latest article on the mess in the Seattle Times shows you just how flawed some of these people are in their thinking.
We feel like arts and heritage are being held hostage to stadiums," said Jim Kelly, executive director of 4Culture, King County's arts and culture agency.
Most legislators don't seem to have a problem with funding for the arts. But Kelly said their funding has remained tied down by its connection to the stadium fights.
"With stadiums you're damned if you do or damned if you don't," he said. "Some people, if you take the stadiums out, they won't support the bill. Other people won't vote for it if you leave the stadiums in."
Senator Murray is still working on reviving the bill in the last days of the session but chances are this bill is dead.
14 comments | 0 recs
Spring Outlook - Wide Receivers - Talented and deep
by John Berkowitz on Mar 10, 2010 12:21 PM PST
2 comments
Washington has put together a deep and talented group of wide receivers over the past three years. Jr. Jermaine Kearse, Jr. Devin Aguilar, and So. James Johnson are arguably the best trio in the Pac 10 going into the 2010 season. Jr. Cody Bruns, Sr. D'Andre Goodwin, and Jr. Jordan Polk provide solid depth.
Kearse and Aguilar had breakout seasons in 2010. With a year of experience under their belts and a competent QB to deliver the ball they flourished in Sarks pro style offense. Jermaine and Devin made clutch catch after clutch catch in 2009 and they are only going to be better this season.
Both Kearse and Aguilar have potential NFL ability. Kearse is a big play guy who concentrates very well in the red zone. He led UW with 50 receptions and 8 TD catches last season. Aguilar chimed in with 42 receptions and 5 TD's despite missing some playing time because of injury.
Newcomer James Johnson made a big impression in camp and knocked 2008's leading reciever D'Andre Goodwin out of the starting lineup. His play faded in the second half of the season after he started wearing down which is to expected from most freshman. The thinking is with a full year of strength and conditioning he should be ready to provide big things in 2010.
Goodwin suffered a pull hamstring late in spring camp and never really recaptured the form that made him UW's leading receiver in 2008. He is a kid to really keep an eye on this spring. He needs to regain the confidence he lost last season and start playing witout being tenative.
Cody Bruns hasn't played much but that really isn't his fault. He would get plenty of playing time on most teams but he has been buried behind the starters. He runs accurate routes and has good speed. All he really needs is some playing time to show what he can do.
Jordan Polk has the ability to make circus type catches but his size is a bit of a negative in this group. His playing time has been limited simply because he isn't better than the guys ahead of him and doesn't really offer a different look with his dimunitive size. He has had some looks returning the ball but he hasn't broken out doing that yet either.
The starting lineup is set in stone for Washington heading into the spring. Things to look closely at is the possible rebound of Goodwin, Bruns getting more reps, and Polk finding a niche he can fit into. I think it is make or break time also for Luther Leonard who hasn't seen the field yet. He has pretty good size but he needs to make his move this spring or be forever buried.
What Washington has been lacking has been taller go to receivers and they filled that need by recruiting Kevin Smith and DiAndre Campbell who will arrive in the fall. So. Luther Leonard who moved over from QB a year ago is also in the mix to help fill that role.
2 comments | 0 recs
It can happen here
by John Berkowitz on Mar 10, 2010 6:43 AM PST
17 comments
Winter and spring quarters are a time that makes the stewards of college football programs nervous. The players have more time on their hands and enivatably if you are going to have a breach in discipline and judgement it will likely happen this time of year.
Chip Kelly at Oregon has been dealing with it on a weekly basis this off season. I can only think of one quiet weekend for the Oregon football team law wise since classes began but even that was marred by one of the cheerleaders picking up a DUI.
As a Husky fan we look South and grin when stuff like that happens. It is a definite sign that there are problems deep within the Oregon program and that coach Kelly is struggling for control of a team that should go to the Rose Bowl again next season.
We all know Washington and every other football program in the country is not immune from bad behavior. When you put together a group of 105 18-22 year olds there will be problems no matter how vigilant you are. One of those problems happened this past weekend when Husky DE Andru Pulu alledgedly beat a 22 year old man senseless at a party. The police report says he kicked the victim repeatedly in the head while he was down on the ground. He came close to killing the victim.
While none of know anything other than what was written in the police report it is obvious that this attack was probably triggered by alcohol which seriously marred Pulu's judgement. We have all seen assorted skirmishes in this age group over the years because after all boys will be boys and boys will always be stupid when they have been drinking.
This one isn't just one of those boys will be boys type of things. This is a serious physical assault where a life was very close to being taken. There is no excuse for that type of behavior. While alcohol is likely a factor it has little bearing on this incident because of the total brutality of it. Just reading the police report sickens the average person.
Coach Steve Sarkisian did exactly what he needed to as a first step in this situation. He suspended Pulu indefinitely from the team. Due process needs to take its course but I would be very surprised if Andru Pulu is ever given a second chance. His potential loss hurts a program thin at the DE position but immediate boundaries with immediate repercussions is what Sark needs to do for the good of the overall program if the charges filed are accurate.
We watched the Oregon football program turn into a zoo this off season. It has become pretty obvious that the coaching staff has lost control of the behavior of their players. One reason for that has been inconsistent punishment for offenses. Washington needs to avoid going down road again because you don't have to have a very short memory to remember the days of Jeremy Stevens driving through retirement homes.
Sark needs to act firmly and decisively once he has all the correct information to make the proper decision. Something tells me he won't have a problem doing that.
17 comments | 0 recs |
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
SBNation.com Recent Stories
Next Game
Washington Huskies
@
California Golden Bears
Saturday, Mar 13, 2010, 3:10 PM PST
Pac-10 Tournament - Championship - Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA
Pacific-10 Conference Standings
(updated 3.13.2010 at 12:39 AM PST)
| Conf | Overall | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
California Golden Bears
|
13 | 5 | 23 | 9 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
12 | 6 | 22 | 10 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
11 | 7 | 23 | 9 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
10 | 8 | 16 | 15 |
|
USC Trojans
|
8 | 10 | 16 | 14 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
8 | 10 | 14 | 17 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
8 | 10 | 14 | 18 |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
7 | 11 | 16 | 16 |
| Stanford Cardinal | 7 | 11 | 14 | 18 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
6 | 12 | 16 | 15 |
Huskies Basketball Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
California
|
Sat 03/13 | 3:10 PM PST |
|
@
California
|
Sat 03/13 | 3:10 PM PST |
Last 5 Games
| Stanford | Fri 03/12 | W 79 - 64 |
| Stanford | Fri 03/12 | W 79 - 64 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Thu 03/11 | W 59 - 52 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Thu 03/11 | W 59 - 52 |
|
@
Oregon St.
|
Sat 03/06 | W 82 - 70 |
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
