Venoy Overton started on Senior Night, but was one of the few Huskies to have a good first half against USC. / Drew Sellers, Sportspress Northwest

USC 62, Washington 60

Date: March 5, 2011

Venue: Hec Edmundson Pavilion

City: Seattle

Attendance: 10,000

Washington found itself in another grinding affair, this time with USC. The Trojans were able to slow the game and control rebounding for a 62-60 win. On Senior Night, Washington shot just 2-for-16 from behind the 3-point line and closed the year losing two of the three final home games.

Star of the game
Jio Fontan Washington defenders had trouble all night keeping Fontan in front of them. His ability to drive and score or pass allowed the Trojans to build a quick nine-point lead. Whenever he came out, which was just for three minutes, USC struggled.

Play of the game
Down 56-50 with 3:13 remaining, Washington allowed three USC offensive rebounds. The Trojans ran almost a full two minutes off the clock during the stretch.

Lowlights

  • Washington shot just 2-for-16 from behind the three-point line.

Notable

  • Aziz N’Diaye Did not score and did not collect a rebound in just 12 minutes.
  • Terrence Ross Did not get onto the floor for the first time this season.
  • C.J. Wilcox Was just 1-for-7 from the field a game after scoring 24 in a half.
  • Darnell Gant Grabbed two rebounds in 15 minutes.
  • Venoy Overton Started on Senior Night and scored 15 points to go with five rebounds and four assists.
  • Scott Suggs Scored 14 points on efficient 6-of-8 shooting.
  • Justin Holiday Was 0-for-6 from the field. Did not score in his final home game.
  • Matthew Bryan-Amaning Scored 11 points and pulled in six rebounds in his final home game.
  • Isaiah Thomas Finished with a team-high 16 points.

Said

  • “We haven’t been as consistent as we’d like and that cost us seven games.” Isaiah Thomas, Washington guard
  • “Our guys understand our backs are really, really against the wall right now.” Lorenzo Romar, Washington head coach
  • “If I knew, we wouldn’t be starting so slow.” Isaiah Thomas, Washington guard, on the Huskies’ recent slow starts
  • “We got to regroup.” Lorenzo Romar, Washington head coach

Numbers

  • 12.5 Percentage Washington shot from behind the three-point line.
  • 8. Number of assists for Washington Saturday night against USC.
  • 7. Number of turnovers for Washington Saturday night against USC.
  • 3. Washington players who were scoreless, two of which, Aziz N’Diaye and Justin Holiday, started the game.

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9 Comments

  1. These Dawgs are definitely in a slump of sorts. Isaiah, Holiday and MBA are still playing below their potential – especially Holiday who’s nickname should be “rally killer.”
    Romar decided not to start Wilcox because of senior night – or some such nonsense. So, once again the starting five looked confused on offense and dug themselves a nice little hole to climb out of. By the time Wilcox got in he looked to be out of rhythm and pressing.
    Too bad Romar didn’t see fit to reward Wilcox and to possilbly build the kid’s confidence by starting him on this seaon’s final regular season game.

  2. Now about the $700k Holt is earning. Sounds like he was a REAL good coach when he was at 5 star-loaded USC, but so far I’d say he merits a “C” at best.

    He may need to meet with Sark about getting his pay in line with his skill set.

  3. the dawgs are young & inexperienced & apparently can’t get up for the last opener in Husky staduim after not playing a game for 9 months. They will lose Saturday unless they execute & play w an edge!

  4. Opponent 3rd down coversions: 21 of 30.
    Passing yards the 1st 2 games: 806 (a Husky record for ineptness)

    So tell me, why is Holt getting paid $700K? It appears the guy should either tell Sark to reduce his salary, dramatically, or Sark should show Holt the door.

    As to the offense I was impressed with the routes run and the passing accuracy of Price. The UW is obviously loaded with sure-handed receivers and stretching the field as they did will help Polk. Passes to sure-handed, strong TE’s on seam routes are always solid gainers.
    The O-line seems to be jelling and appears to be a strong part of the team.

  5. Ty Willingham and his staff positively destroyed the Husky defensive squad.  I never understood why defense was so overlooked and neglected by them.  I mean, his coaching philosophy, recruiting abilities, personality and game time acumen sucked — but that was due to his own short comings and incompetence.  His disdain for defense, however, seemed nearly diabolical —  as if he was told to do so by a voice that only he heard in his tightly guarded, paranoid, little world.  But enough of him.  
    This will be Holt’s 3rd crack at turning the mess left him around, and it looks like he’s finally acquired enough of the talent to so.  But he still needs time.  He has till the end of November.

  6. Steve says, “Given the threat he is to run, I can see that if Price remains healthy, Nick Montana may leave the UW in three years as an unfounded rumor.”

    What makes you think Nick Montana will stick around UW — if Price remains healthy, Montana will transfer.