Tag Archives: Lorenzo Romar

PacHoops Two-A-Days: The Apple Schools (UW & WSU)

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We’re finally previewing the Pac-12. This week, the last before games actually tip, I’ll post two previews of travel mates (i.e. UW and WSU will appear in the same post) and, in the interest of being fully prepared for Friday’s hoop joy, I’ll post two-a-day. Thus the title. Although it’s 4 previews-a-day. Regardless. Enjoy.

Washington Preview

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The Ringer debuted its college basketball coverage with a thorough breakdown of Lorenzo Romar’s employment. That surprised me and if it didn’t surprise you then I imagine you follow Chris Hansen’s every funding move. Alas, the Huskies bring a team to the Dawg Pound that probably isn’t going to look a lot different than last year’s. They just played an 80+ possession game and yielded 103 points to a D2 school. Two of those D2 players achieved greater than 20 points and to this I shout out to Derrick White. Husky hoops is pace.

Last season on “The Fast & The Furious: Seattle Drift”

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Week 8 PacHoops Pac-12 Power Rankings: Parity or parody?

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Without a doubt, this was the most difficult Power Rankings I’ve had to complete. Considered foregoing it. I dropped teams with noteworthy showings (Colorado, Stanford), while others made huge jumps because – yanno – last week’s second through fifth ranked teams went a combined 0-6. Standard stuff. Begging the question: Is the Pac-12 full of parity or parody? The former would suggest that good teams are losing on the road to equally challenging opponents. The latter, however, suggests we’re in for a season of laughable outcomes, an opportunity to perhaps enjoy our Western anonymity.

But before you go diving onto the season’s panic button or attempt to rip your shirt off as you’re being escorted from the final minute of a rivalry game, remember that the Pac-12 is a historically difficult road game. Last season, home teams won 67% of the games – the third highest mark amongst conferences. This – my Utah and UCLA, friends – should have a calming affect. I think we can rest pretty well assured that this conference is full of champions! Parity.

As you gander this week’s Power Rankings, I encourage you to take your criticisms directly to me. Comment on Facebook, Tweet at me, or email – let’s talk it out. 2016: the year of the discussion.

Power Rankings:

1. Arizona

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First Weekend observations at the box score level

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While Pac-12 football was cannibalizing, removing itself from CFP contention, Pac-12 hoops (the central topic of this blog) got under way! Indubitably you were paying attention. Friday’s hoops mele resulted in zero Pac-12 suspensions but ample upsets. Is that ok? I’ll just say, UCLA losing at home to Monmouth is generally not OK.

A brief overview from my perspective of this weekend’s Pac-12 ignition:

Because everyone loves Lorenzo

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THREE FOR BART: UW in China, Rankings, Hunter S. Thompson

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  1. China Diary: Amazing scene at historic Pac-12 basketball game in Shanghai –  Have you ever followed a regular season professional or collegiate competition on to Chinese soil? Neither has anyone else.  Additionally, as you flip through these photos, try your best to not recognize the exploitation of amateurs.
  2. Updated 351–1 rankings as college basketball tips off –  Prior to the season’s tip off, Hanner and Wynn updated their predictions. Take a look and see how the Pac was adjusted for as well as a general understanding into how these two take a mathematical approach to the CBB season.
  3. The (Not-So) Secret History of Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary – As we’ve been deep in the state of sports journalism – what with the shuttering of Grantland and all – I thought I would revisit some classic-if-not-unique sports writing.

2015-16 Washington Basketball: Inexperienced abroad

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Some of you might be thinking, “Isn’t it time we read about a new head coach at Washington?” And your feelings would be valid (they’re always valid here, guys). He’s coached four progressively worse teams, had character (Robert Upshaw) and transfer/departure issues (Nigel Williams-Goss, Jernard Jarreau), has seen a steady decline in attendance, and hasn’t recruited at nearly the level he once did (ya know, like NBA players). That opening question is valid. But Lorenzo Romar is still the head coach at Washington. And this season he’s bringing…optimism? We have to be future thinking but Romar has a Top-10 class on campus right now, and another lined up for next season. You can’t tell me that anyone other than Lorenzo Romar would have Markelle Fultz – a Top-10 recruit – committing to move to Washington from Maryland. He’s a summer commit to the class of 2016. That is rare. Arizona only just got their first 2016 commitment. And Romar swooped him from Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville. In a day and age when CBB rosters are fluid, when roster management is a year-in-year-out endeavor, Romar appears to have set himself up for some annualized success. Something he hasn’t had in nearly half a decade.

Why I love them

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THREE FOR BART: Magic, Klay, LoRo

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  1. 1990s Orlando Magic Oral History – You know about Lil’ Penny and the emergence of Shaq and the pinstriped unis. What you maybe don’t realize – or remember – is the heartbreaking downfall of this dynasty that never was. For me, I can’t tell if it’s a mort shattering loss than a college season. In the pros there’s always “next year” particularly when you have a nucleus like Shaq and Penny. Read how these guys talk about what they thought that team would accomplish. Conversely, as college fans, you know the size of your window. You recognize about exactly how much time you have to make some noise and it’s usually just one or two years. Is losing in the known window more upsetting than the sudden disbanding of great promise?
  2. The Other Guy: Klay Thompson on His Sensational Season – The Pride of Pullman (does anyone call him that?) is a Splash Brother and poised to make the biggest splash. There’s a line from the above linked Magic history, “… great players are made in the playoffs.” And isn’t it true? We remember the plays made on the biggest of stages. He had a great season, but great players are made in the playoffs. Can you name the owner of these career best single season numbers? 12/5/4. That’s Robert Horry’s best single season. It was in 1995-96 for the Houston Rockets, the season following his 18/10/4 NBA Finals performance against…the Orlando Magic. I’m not saying Klay Thompson is Robert Horry – he’s probably better – but we remember and forever celebrate our win-or-go-home heroes.
  3. Lorenzo Romar talks transfers, recruiting, job status, during interview with Sports Radio KJR – It’s tough to paraphrase this thing because it’s a lot of pretty honest responses from Lorenzo. I appreciate how he approaches some of the tough questions like, “Should you have a job?” or “Why did your best player leave?” As a Romar fan, I’m conflicted by the UW situation. It’s hard to give as much leash in a scenario that was seemingly so good awhile ago. How can Romar tell us that his return to greatness will be based on recruiting when he failed at recruiting for three years? Alas, if he won’t guarantee a tournament appearance (and he shouldn’t) I’m not soon to give the Dawgs a staunch vote of confidence. Time – like in all matters – will tell.

Twelve Things To Watch: Revisiting Pac-12 Play

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The season is freshly over. The moments shined and while we have a long ways until November – as well as a significant news cycle in the immediate future including: ASU coaching hunt, Ivan Rabb and the Cal(?) Five Stars, NCAA’s head of officiating change, NBA decisions.

But maybe we can take a second to reflect. In January, I noted 12 things to watch during this Pac-12 season, let’s revisit.

Reading instructions: The headlines are as written in January. The blurbs are today’s insights. 

1. The reintroduction of Jordan Loveridge

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PacHoops Power Rankings: Our Senior Day

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If this is 2015’s last PacHoops Power Rankings, is it kind of like our Senior Day? I’m coming back but this still marks the end. Let’s start the walk-ons, kiss the floor, and beat Utah.

There are six teams separated by two wins in the MIddle Amoeba of the Pac-12. And then Washington (not separated by two wins from #5) beats Utah on the season’s final day. The Power Rankings are here to help make some sense of things but why? have an idea. Let’s have a tournament where teams are seeded based on their 18-game records against an unbalanced schedule of conference foes? We can hold the event in Vegas and we can start it Wednesday. Who’s with me?

12) USC

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Washington Q&A With Jack Follman of Pacific Takes

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I’m ecstatic to be headed to HecEd for my first Washington-Arizona game. Allow me a litany of reasons: Some of my favorites are Seattlites; this is my favorite Macklemore song; I once brought a Husky (best friend) to the second row of the McKale Center (Cats by 17 if you were curious); I like coffee; the Kid’s kid catches passes for Arizona. All of which is to say that I’m bummed the Dawgs are struggling because I’d like to see HecEd (and whatever Airlines) on full tilt. The Dawg Pound is revered.

Alas, so too is Jack Follman. We’ve worked together on a multitude of AZ-UW pieces, he’s a contributor across the internets; most specifically: Pacific Takes. I had some questions for him to catch us up on all things Washington (five game losing streak), Seattle, and this rivalry.

Thanks, Jack.

I’m going to Seattle. What must I do to capture the entire University of Washington basketball experience?

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Week 7 Pac-12 Hoops Preview: The World in Flux

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Between Brian Williams’ impending job status, John Stewart stepping down, and the fact that I watched Junior Varsity basketball last night, I’d say the world is in flux. I don’t own any The North Face clothing and I’m going to Seattle on Friday. Maybe we can find clarity in a week of Pac-12 basketball?

Game of the Week

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