Huskies vs, Mississippi State

{4} Huskies vs. {13} Mississippi State take 3-17-09

The number {4} seed and 2009 PAC -10 champs Washington Huskies men’s basketball team have been one of the biggest surprises in college basketball this year at 25-8. Teams which seemed to be cup cakes at the time the Huskies played and beat early out the gate in there non-conference schedule like Cleveland St., Oklahoma St, Morgan St., and Portland St., are all in NCAA tournament this year. The Huskies will have there work cut out for them this Thursday against the {13} seed Mississippi St. Bulldogs. The Huskies are coming off a second round lost to Arizona State in Pac-10 tournament. In that loss the Huskies shot 7-30 fg. {23%} shooting in the first half. The Huskies where 17-34 {50%} against ASU in the second half and finished shooting 24-64 {37.5 %} from the field for the game. The Huskies cannot start the game off slow against the Bulldogs like the did against ASU. ASU stayed in there zone and forced the Huskies shoot from the perimeter throughout game. Huskies are not a great shooting team from the perimeter {Mid-range}, and three point line.

Husky 2 guard Justin Dentmon is there best 3 point shooter at 42%. Justin must have a good start against MSU for the Huskies to win. Justin shot 3-11 against ASU and {4-8 Ft}. Huskies are a slashing team thats gets to free-throw line. Husky and Pac-10 Freshman of the year guard Isaiah Thomas must attack the MSU shot blocker {Jarvis Varnado} by creating contact in the paint. Dribble penetration in a zone can also create open teammates in the low, and high {wings} post. Huskies senior forward John Brockman must show up against MSU on Thursday. Brockmans' 13 pts 6 reb. and 4 turnovers effort against ASU will not be enough against MSU on Thursday. Brockman must have a double- double like performance for the Huskies to have a chance. If Brockman gets into foul trouble then you must rely on your guards to rebound in his place.

Junior Husky Forward Quincy Pondexter could be the X-factor even though must of the time he is the fourth option. Attack, but play with rhythm {Don’t over pump fake Husky guards} in the half court against the MSU zone. Make MSU shot blocker Varnado {165 blocks this season} work instead of shooting fade away jumpers in his presents. Make your free throws Huskies, and limit MSU's second shot opportunities. If the Huskies play there game they will move on and advance to Saturday. If the Huskies play out of focus they will be back on the team bus and in Seattle Thursday night with a loss.

-Dre206 3-17-09

Griffey 's Return to Seattle

You could call it the Ken Griffey jr. stimulus effect hits the Seattle Mariners sports fans in 2009. Griffey's return has excited all Mariners fans, sporting good shops, bars etc. all around the downtown Safeco field scene. Griffeys' jerseys are selling fast off the racks everywhere at $230.00 each. Mariners season tickets and single games are selling fast all because of one man, Ken Griffey jr

..... Is his return a little to late to help the Seattle Mariners team this 09 year? How much left in the tank does Griffey(the Kid) have? It has been ten years since he's played for the Seattle Mariners, and let's not forgot he left on bad terms with the team and the fans here in Seattle. Not happy with the dementions of Safeco and (jealous) of A-Rod stealing alot of his fame were some of the rumors you heard from the media on why Griffey wanted to leave back then. Did Griffey then use his family (wanting to be closer to his family) as a escape goat to leave ten years ago? Griffey's wife is from Seattle and his off-season house back then was and still is in Orlando, FL., His regular season house back then was in Cougar Mountain Issaqqua, next door to Jay Buhner.

Will Griffey mostly play DH, outfield, or maybe rotate? I hope Mariner fans dont expect too much from Ken Griffey jr. in 2009. He's a lot older (39) and has had alot of injuries during these last ten years. Griffey will bring a lot of leadership to the clubhouse on and off the field. He can show and tell alot of the younger players what they need to do to stay up in the big leagues. 40+ homeruns, 120 rbi's and a .300 batting average is asking too much from Ken Griffey jr in 2009. The Mariners must fill the void of the loss of Raul Ibanez to the Phillies. 18-25 homeruns, 80 rbi's and a .270 to .285 batting average is numbers now Jr. can hopefully reach in 2009. Griffey should also be able to help the Mariners with runners in scoring position. I think Griffey can help in moving runners over (doing the little things) in situational hitting. Saying the Mariners now will compete for first place in the A.L. West now because of Griffey's return is asking to much. But no matter how Griffey left us Mariner fans back then, now we are happy to have "the Kid" back in town. His smile and swing are things Mariners fans have never forgotten. Jr. Crashing into walls, jumping over walls to rob homeruns, and turning on a fastball and launching it into the upper deck in the Kingdome we Mariner fans will never forget

No player was better in the 90's than Ken Griffey Jr. He put the city of Seattle on the map back then because of his amazing play. This year will probably be his last. "I thank Ken Griffey Jr. for so many magical moments in the field and at the plate as a Seattle Mariner".

dre206 3-15-09