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Rebuilding Washington Doesn’t Lack for Talent

Noah Dickerson

PREVIEWING WASHINGTON: Thursday night’s game pitting Providence against Washington (9:30PM, ESPN2) was very nearly must-watch television for not only Friar and Husky fans, but hoops heads across the country.

Michael Porter Jr., perhaps the nation’s top freshman this season, had committed to Washington last year, but de-committed in the spring after head coach Lorenzo Romar was fired after winning just two conference games.

For Friar fans feeling any sort of disappointment over missing the opportunity to see their team take on the potential first pick in next June’s NBA Draft, there is still plenty of intrigue here — and a good amount of talent awaiting PC.

For starters, long-time Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins has taken over at Washington. Hopkins was slated to replaced Jim Boeheim after the 2017-18 season, but it became increasingly apparent that Boeheim wasn’t going anywhere, and Hopkins headed West last spring.

Hopkins has a rebuilding job in front of him, but the cupboard is hardly bare.

Four starters return from last season, including power forward Noah Dickerson and guard David Crisp. Crisp was a borderline top 100 prospect who local prep fans may remember from his prep year at Brewster Academy. He’s a physical guard who isn’t shy from beyond the 3-point arc.

Dickerson flirted with transferring in the spring, but ultimately returned to Washington. If the early season returns are any indication, he looks primed for a big junior year. Dickerson scored 28 points and ripped down 22 rebounds (an NCAA high this season) in a 79-69 win over Eastern Washington earlier this week.

Dickerson and Crisp were both part of a tremendous 2015 recruiting haul for the Huskies, one that included Marquese Chriss (Phoenix Suns) and Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs).

Getting talent hasn’t been the problem in recent years, and Hopkins figures to continue that trend. His biggest recruiting win to date may have been keeping Jaylen Nowell in the fold. Nowell originally committed to Romar, and decided to stick with Washington in the spring.

The freshman broke a school record by scoring 32 points in his college debut — in a 86-82 win over perennial NCAA Tournament contender Belmont. 25 of those points came in the second half.  The 32 point debut broke the previous high of 30 scored by Markelle Fultz and Isaiah Thomas in their Husky openers.

This isn’t a group short on talent, as both Nowell and Dickerson were top 50 prospects coming out of high school.

The Friars can expect to see a lot of zone on Thursday night against a lengthy, athletic group.

LIGHT READING:

Three Takeaways from Washington’s 3-0 Start

Will Mike Hopkins maniacal, tough-as-nails approach turn around Washington? 

Dickerson Dominates in Win Over Eastern Washington

Jaylen Nowell explains how he led UW Huskies in a comeback victory

Up and Coming Star: Jaylen Nowell

VIDEO:

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Friar Starting Five: Thursday Edition - Friar Basketball

  2. Derec

    November 16, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Providence College Men’s Basketball IS All Redey And Geting Redey For Tonight Game We Need Jalen Linsdey Tonight We Won’t Jalen Linsdey Back In The Starting Line UP And Becuase He IS Senior Year And Providence College Men’s Basketball Needs Makai Ashton Langford In The Staring Line UP TO All So We Need Makai Ashton Lnfgord In The Staring Line UP And Becuase Makai Ashton Langford Needs TO Be On The Cort Long Time This Season And We Are Hear Geting Redey Mkai Ashton IS My Point Gard

  3. Bob K

    November 17, 2017 at 1:42 am

    Coach Mike Hopkins has the luxury of low expectations for the Huskies. People expect them to lose by a large margin on the road against a tough Big East team like Providence.

    Hopkins is a good coach. The team will be rough and sloppy the first couple of months as they get used to their new coach, but don’t be surprised if the Huskies get to .500 this year.

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