Husky Hoops Means Hawes Buzz

Once upon a time, we'd spend August devouring Husky football coverage in anticipation of a run at the Pac-10 title. Now, we spend August searching for info on the Husky basketball team.

From Scout.com, photos of the Dawgs playing pickup in Hec Ed.

And Bob Condotta of the Times, in his terrific Husky hoops blog, writes up his observations during these games, including this about incoming freshman Spencer Hawes, who's maybe the Huskies' best recruit ever:

Hawes flashed his marvelous array of offensive moves, at one point making a 15-foot right-handed hook from the baseline ... then came back and hit about an 8-foot hook shot with his left hand. Then he hit a 3-pointer. Then he declared for the draft (just kidding).

We must admit, we aren't as high on Hawes as everyone else seems to be. But maybe that's because we saw him play twice last year, and they were Prep's only two losses (to O'Dea and to Rainier Beach).

The Beach game was an example of the worst-case scenario for the new Dawg. Hawes got outmuscled down low by Beach forward, Seattlest favorite, and Husky football recruit Emeka Iweka, and Beach's tall, athletic swingmen were able to deny entry passes to him. Frustrated, Hawes moved outside and started taking fallaway jumpers, which is sort of ridiculous when you are six inches taller than anyone else on the court.

Then again, maybe Hawes has improved. Coach Romar (WE LOVE YOU!) got some extra time with Hawes when he coached him and Team USA to a gold medal at this summer's FIBA under-18 tournament. Hawes posted 24 points and 10 boards in the gold medal game against Argentina.

(Note: Hawes never scored more than 21 against Rainier Beach last season. Just saying. If you want to conclude that Rainier Beach could beat Argentina, that's your deal.)

Sports Illustrated had an article about Romar's teaching of Hawes in a recent issue (you can read the lead without a subscription). Pretty cool stuff.