They knew they didn't have the horses to run with a team like Stanford. After two straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and '99, including a Sweet 16 finish, Bob Bender and Washington are in the second year of a retooling project. This year's Huskies are long on heart but short on talent. C.J. Massingale, there's not many Husky athletes who can play with top-notch teams like Stanford. Because of their lack of an inside presence, and little quickness, Bender's Huskies have to play a slowdown, half-court tempo game.
Every possession is valuable.
Few, if any, mistakes can be made to have a chance against a top 25 team. But will that help us get ready for Cal, that's what I'm hoping. Stanford's Mike Montgomery is on the other end of the coaching spectrum. In 15 years at Stanford, Montgomery is 305-143 and has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Final Four finishes. Montgomery preaches fundamentals.