Huskies take on California

The Huskies start a three game stretch at home where there is very little margin for error when they take on the California Golden Bears this evening at Hec Edmundson. The Huskies play well at home, and they have a good shot to sweep the Bay Area schools, but the following week when they play WSU it is going to be a tall order for them to beat the Cougars even at home, win that game, and they are back on the bubble.

Washington is a very long shot to make the NCAA Tournament this year. According to an article by Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times 20 wins may not be enough for this team to make it because of the poor road record. The experts he talked to thinks the Huskies have to sweep on the road in Oregon, and add a win at Pittsburg to improve their chances...a very tall order. Add to that a win in the conference tournament.

The game will be on Fox tonight since the TV schedule was made out before the season. Washington St and Stanford a much bigger game on the other hand will not have TV coverage.

I am going to be watching tonight because the season is on the line, these guys are playing at home, and I really want to see what they are made of with their backs pressed firmly against the wall. Lose this one and it is all over for this season's edition.they will have to console themselves in the NIT.

California forward 6' 10" Ryan Anderson has been a force inside, and outside. He had 18 points and 14 rebounds in a win against Washington at home last month. Led by Anderson, Cal outrebounded the Huskies 47-36, becoming the first team this year the only other was Arizona last Saturday to outboard UW.

So the key to this game is Brockman, and Hawes winning the game on the inside. They should have plenty of motivation since if they lose any dreams of another NCAA Tournament appearance will be likely over.