Washington preview capsule
By The Associated Press=
Washington
Last season: 9-22
Nickname: Huskies.
Coach: Mike Hopkins.
Conference: Pac-12.
Who’s gone: Coach Lorenzo Romar; G Markelle Fultz; F Malik Dime; F Matthew Atewe.
Who’s back: G David Crisp was the Huskies’ second-leading scorer last year at 13.8 points per game. Will need to take on an even greater scoring load this season; F Noah Dickerson averaged 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds last season. Has lost weight and should be more athletic but must stay out of foul trouble; G Matisse Thybulle is Huskies’ best defender but must improve offensively from last season’s 10.5 points per game average.
Who’s new: Almost everybody. The one prime recruit that stayed with the Huskies is Seattle native Jaylen Nowell. The swingman is expected to have a significant role immediately. Other newcomers include forward Hameir Wright, guard Michael Carter III and forward Nahziah Carter, the nephew of music mogul Jay Z.
The Skinny: It’s all new for Washington this season after the firing of Lorenzo Romar after 15 seasons. The firing of Romar cost the Huskies arguably the most talented recruiting class in school history and left Hopkins scrambling to put together a complete roster. That means expectations are muted and a 10th-place selection in the preseason conference poll is probably correct. The Huskies could surprise if maximum potential is reached but it’s unlikely this is the year Washington snaps its NCAA Tournament drought.
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For more AP college basketball coverage: http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-Top25
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