7-ft N'Diaye at the line

While the UW Varsity Marching Band was away in Pullman for the Apple Cup football game—by the way, UW beat WSU, 35-28!—the Husky Alumni Band supplied the pep band for the home basketball game in Seattle against the Texas Tech Red Raiders from Lubbock, TX. It was no contest, as the Huskies won “going away” in dominating fashion, 108-79.

Husky Alumni Pep Band

What was the prime difference between the two basketball teams? the players? the coaches? the home court? the talent? the height, size, length? the quickness, speed, leaping ability? the offense, the defense? the bench depth? the experience level? Or was it something else, perhaps–some hidden ingredient? Maybe the secret advantage was the inspiration provided to the team and the crowd by that outstanding pep band, led by those 8 great trumpet players (including me)! Well, why not? why not make the claim? why not take the credit when something everybody wants to happen turns out just right? Our politicians do that every day!

Now if you want a better description of how the game was actually played, please go to http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120410aaa.html and watch the highlights on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDUwJMwtEFM&feature=player_embedded. Man, does this Husky team look tough! I think it’s the best team Coach Lorenzo Romar has ever assembled. We’ll see.

You remember last March, when the Huskies lost to West Virginia, 69-56, in the first round of the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Basketball Tournament? That game was “the men against the boys.” Their starters were taller, heavier, stronger, and just as quick and fast. We were no match.

Well, maybe it will be a different story this year against such teams. Maybe this year we will be the men. We have a better front line, and we have more depth. As the game against Texas Tech showed, we have a better Matthew Bryan-Amaning (“MBA”), a true center (Aziz

Justin Holiday at the line

N’Diaye), and a sterling Justin Holiday. Coach Lorenzo Romar says he has a 10-man rotation right now and is hard-pressed to narrow it to 8. Plus, Romar’s teams always seem to improve throughout the season. For example, N’Diaye is foul-prone; he fouled out last Saturday. We need him to rebound, block shots, and defend well. Let’s watch him improve. The Maui Tournament exposed our weaknesses, and we have about four months to work on them.

If we peak at the right time—post-season tournament time—we could be double-trouble for anyone! Next March, we want to at least break through the “Sweet Sixteen” into the “Elite Eight.” That’s what the Husky Alumni Pep Band is playing for. Come on, guys–let’s even aim to play in “The Big Dance!”—let’s be there, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX, 2-4 April 2011. Book it!