Huskies look for third consecutive upset in Sweet 16
The No. 11 Washington Huskies haven’t looked like a double-digit seed on their way to advancing to the Sweet 16. The No. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers hope to change that tonight.
Led by senior Quincy Pondexter and sophomore Isaiah Thomas, the Huskies stunned higher-seeded Marquette and New Mexico, the latter in dominating fashion. It took a game-winning shot at the buzzer by Pondexter to get out of the first round, but the Lobos were no match for them in the second round in what might have been the best performance of the season by Lorenzo Romar’s group.
To win tonight, though, Washington will have to get easy buckets in transition and keep scoring. West Virginia is without starting point guard Truck Bryant, who broke his foot in practice and is out for the season, but the Mountaineers are still a terror defensively and on the glass, where they punish opponents. They rebound over 40 percent of their missed shots, an incredible rate that more than makes up for their lack of shooting prowess.
The Mountaineers also feature Da’Sean Butler, possibly the most clutch performer in the country. He’s hit four game-winning shots this season, using his combination of size and athleticism to get his shot off whenever and however he wants. Pondexter will have to match him basket for basket tonight.
The Huskies have also been getting unlikely contributions from their bench. If that continues, they could find itself playing for a Final Four bid on Saturday.
