Huskies take on Arizona State

The Huskies are looking to win their first Pac Ten game on the road this year when they take on the Arizona State Sun Devils Thursday in Tempe. The Devil's just may be the worst team in the league along with Oregon State. Washington while talented is the worst road team in the conference this year. This is a must win game for the Dawg's, they need to have at least a split on the road from here on out.

Washington starts a stretch where they play teams they have experience with. Let's hope they built on the early experience and come out on top in the next go around.

In the Seattle Times Romar say's: "Experienced teams that are good teams win on the road. Inexperienced teams have a more difficult time." To support his case, Romar cites last year's UW team that went 7-2 at home in Pac-10 play and 6-3 on the road. Romar acknowledges the Huskies might have been better off if they had scheduled at least one more nonconference road game. Washington's only nonconference road game this year was a 20-point loss at Gonzaga.

Here is a link to the Tuesday Romar Press Conference. You need to sign in to get the video, but it is free. Dawg Channel has continually improved on a weekly basis since debuting with a new interface this past Summer.

Romar Tuesday Press Conference

Washington stayed home, and played patsies for the most part when they should have been on the road getting knocked around in Alaska, or Hawaii at one of the big tournaments. Sure they would have lost some early, but they would have made up for it in conference play. Well hindsight is 20/20.

Spencer Hawes is rounding back into shape, and Romar figures he will be up to full strength by the weekend. Romar is going to keep him coming off the bench this weekend, but look for him to play around 30 minutes.

Junior guard Joel Smith, out all season with a foot stress fracture, had originally been expected back this week but had his return delayed after a meeting with the doctors last week. He will be re-evaluated next week. Romar had previously been adamant that Smith would play this season, and Smith has also said he'd like to play. But with games running out, Romar said Tuesday a redshirt season is possible. If he resdhirts I have no problem keeping a kid like Joel Smith around an extra year.

Pac Ten Conference Hoops Action

Bud Withers of the Times writes, For years, Arizona has been a paragon of the Pac-10's image, often out there by itself as a symbol of the league's strength. Now the reverse might be happening. The Wildcats' 92-64 meltdown at home against North Carolina might create a national sense that the Pac-10 is not as strong as earlier perceived. They face off against Washington state who is having it's best season in twenty years on Thursday.

Oregon faces UCLA on Thursday in what will be a premier game. The Bruin's look to avenge a loss earlier this season at home. Brook's will be back for the Duck's in this one and it should be a great game. UCLA should win this one at home. The Duck's are knocking on the door of the elite if they sweep in LA.

California and Stanford play each other on Saturday. Stanford is knocking on the door of the Top 25. They have been on a nice streak of beating ranked teams lately. I have to take Stanford in this one.

On Saturday Washington squares off with Arizona who should be a little tired, and beat up after facing physical Washington State. I am predicting the upset in this one. the Huskies finally look like they are getting it, and the WildCat's are slumping.

WSU is going to sweep this weekend. They will have no trouble with the Sun Devil's on Saturday. How long will Bennett stay at WSU? This season is his "get out of jail card" if you ask me.

Oregon has another tough assignment playing USC on Saturday. SC has been a surprise this year ever since beating UW in overtime. I think the Duck's lose two this weekend.

Oregon State won't be winning either as they fatten up the LA schools records. The Beaver's are a couple of notches below the competition. They are sort of like the Washington General's.