Romar excited for season

Romar says experience is key

By Michael Jeremiah, COM 361

The sports scene in Seattle will get a huge boost if University of Washington Men’s
Basketball coach Lorenzo Romar is able to deliver results that match the excitement he
expressed at Husky Media Day on Wednesday.

“I think that this year, in anticipation of our opening practice, I’m probably as excited as
I’ve been since I’ve been here to get going,” said Romar, who is entering his seventh season as
coach of the Huskies.

It is the experience of the roster and the fact that the team is more of a known
quantity as opposed to years past that is the most promising thing, according to
Romar.   The Huskies will not be mistaken for a veteran squad this year, but they are battle-
tested compared to the previous three seasons with five upperclassmen, including third year
contributors in senior forward Jon Brockman and senior guard Justin Dentmon.

Regardless of the improved veteran nature of the team, most in attendance were surprised
by Romar’s enthusiasm for the upcoming season.  Although he tempered his comments by
saying that he was not promising a national championship, Romar was steadfast in confidence in
 this team.

Guard play was an area that Romar also said the team has improved.  The struggles at
guard have been an Achilles heel for this team since Brandon Roy left after the 2005-2006
season. An improvement in that area is thought to be paramount for the team to improve from
their first losing season since 2002-2003.

Newcomer Isaiah Thomas figures to be a part of the Huskies improved guard play, and
the hype around the diminutive guard’s skill is warranted as Thomas is a  talent that has not been
seen in Montlake for a while, according to Romar.

“He can shoot it, he can pass it, and he can handle it.  I don’t think we have had an
overabundance of guards who that could do that in the last couple of years,” said Romar. 
“We’ve had guards who could do certain things, but to be able to perform multiple
skills on the basketball floor as a guard, I think Isaiah in capable of doing those things.”

If Thomas were to realize his potential as an outside threat in his first year as a Husky, it
would be a great compliment to Brockman’s powerful inside game.  Romar warned that the
power style Brockman is known for should be even more dominating this year due to the
offseason work Brockman has put in.

"Jon is 250 pounds and he looks like he is about 230 pounds,” said Romar.  “He’s just got
kind a doberman sleek type look about him now.  If anything he’s stronger, but yet I think he’s
quicker, and he is highly, highly motivated.”

Brockman is expected to be a fixture in the starting line-up for the Huskies this year, and
Romar said he could be joined by Quincy Pondexter at the other forward position.  Pondexter has
improved enough that it would be hard to keep him on the bench according to Romar.

Regardless of who is in the starting lineup when games begin next month, the Huskies
will need a good start against a tough non-conference schedule that includes defending NCAA
champion Kansas as well as perennial powerhouse Oklahoma State.  That early gauntlet of
quality teams could be an indicator of the team’s success through the rest of the season, and
Romar believes this team is up to the task this season.

"I expect this team to do really well. I don't know what that means," said Romar.  “I
expect this to be a team that when we look back at the end of we will say, 'That was a fun year.'"