Husky Ben Coffee is rejected by Torero Kevin Hanson during Saturday's 72-54 blowout loss. The UW had difficulty establishing itself in the post throughout the game.
Most teams gear up for the conference season by dominating overmatched opponents.
San Diego, the West Coast Conference preseason favorite, efficiently outplayed the Huskies at both ends of the floor during a 72-54 victory. Only senior Will Perkins, the Husky leader in scoring and rebounds, could establish himself down low, finishing with a game high 15 points on a variety of post moves. However, foul trouble in the first half cut into Perkins' minutes. Against Irvine, the 56-55 loss came down to a trio of Bryan Brown free throws, with the senior missing the last two with 2.4 seconds left in regulation. After dribbling the length of the floor, Brown failed to take advantage after guard Malachi Edmond bailed him out with a foul on a desperation three-pointer.