EUGENE, Ore. – So much went wrong for the Washington Huskies on Thursday night in Eugene, it’s difficult to pinpoint a spot to focus on.
How about starting 50 minutes before the game even began?
During the early portion of pregame warm-ups, when the Huskies were supposed to be shooting around, their side of the court at Matthew Knight Arena was empty.
The Huskies were stuck in traffic. Although Eugene’s traffic issues usually pale in comparison to the Puget Sound region at rush hour, a two-car wreck on Highway 99 caused a massive backup.
“Unfortunately one person was killed in the accident, and it was just like a parking lot on the freeway,” Romar said.
And the Huskies – like everyone else – were stuck.
“We usually get to the arena about an hour and a half prior to the game,” Romar said.
Instead, the Huskies got to the gym about 50 minutes before the game. The players threw on their game shoes on the bus, hurried into the arena and began an expedited warm-up.
“We didn’t go through our normal routine,” Romar said.
Players downplayed the effect of the delay, not allowing that it might have contributed to an awful first half that saw UW fall behind 49-26 on its way to an 82-57 defeat.
“It was different, but it was definitely not the reason why we lost,” said freshman Tony Wroten. “You can’t use that as an excuse.”
Romar shrugged it off as an excuse as well.
“I do believe in excuses when it’s a legitimate excuse,” Romar said. “I don’t know if I can claim that one.”
SEARCH FOR POSITIVES
Romar was asked if there were any positives from the game, and he paused for more than a few seconds, searching for an answer.
“I thought Desmond Simmons individually bounced back a little bit,” Romar said. “That was good to see. But there wasn’t a whole lot else.”
Simmons seemed to have hit a freshman wall the past few weeks. Despite maintaining his spot in the starting lineup, Simmons didn’t play more than 16 minutes in the previous four games. Against Oregon, he got 21 minutes, scored seven points and pulled down eight rebounds.
ISAIAH’S ADVICE
The Huskies could use the scoring, toughness, leadership and swagger of Isaiah Thomas. Unfortunately for UW, the Curtis High graduate decided to forgo his senior season for the NBA.
He was drafted with the last pick by the Sacramento Kings. So far this season, Thomas is averaging 7.0 points and 2.4 assists in 17 minutes per game.
In an interview with sports talk radio’s Dave Mahler on Friday, Thomas offered some advice to Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten about leaving for the NBA after this season.
“They’re great players,” Thomas said. “But they can be so much better if they stay. Hopefully, I see them stay in college because they will be a crazy 1-2 punch next year.”
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
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