Washington Cruises 95-64 in Exhibition Win Over Alaska Fairbanks

Washington did not have quite a bit they may show in opposition to D-II Alaska-Fairbanks in an exhibition on Montlake. However the Dawgs took care of enterprise anyhow main by double digits practically your complete approach in a 95-64 victory.

In out first likelihood to see this new roster, Keion Brooks Jr. backed his man down and hit a hook shot to start out it off. PJ Fuller nailed a 3 on the following possession and the Huskies took a fast 5-0 lead.

True freshman Keyon Menifield Jr. was one of many first off the bench and made an on the spot affect. He stole an inbounds move and shortly laid it in. Just a few seconds later Noah Williams stole it and located Menifield streaking deep with a full-court bounce move for one more layup. Williams shortly did it himself with a steal and layup leaping the passing lane. It was a 6-0 run in lower than 30 seconds to place UW up 15-2 as Fairbanks known as timeout.

On each steal or Fairbanks missed shot the Huskies tried to push the ball for a dunk or layup. That led to a number of turnovers on bold performs and Fairbanks lastly hit a couple of contested soar photographs to make issues barely extra aggressive. Nonetheless, Franck Kepnang and Keion Brooks Jr. have been capable of get a dunk any time they caught the ball close to the basket with their measurement benefits.

Issues moved shortly with no free throws granted till greater than 10 minutes into the sport. Any Fairbanks drive resulted in a steal or blocked shot whereas UW’s drives have been typically uncontested dunks.

Ultimately although Fairbanks lastly realized to not problem UW’s size inside after which began relying extra on their soar shot. That strategy labored as a few 3’s and no Husky quick break factors closed the hole slightly. Washington went to halftime up 43-27 led by Keion Brooks’ 12 factors.

Washington’s lengthy vary capturing bought off to a greater begin within the 2nd half with early 3’s by Jamal Bey and PJ Fuller. Braxton Meah cut up a pair of free throws after having a possible and-1 layup rim out to push UW’s lead as much as 20 at 50-30.

Washington went again to being overly sloppy for a couple of minutes after that. First Keyon Menifield overthrew a lob to a not open Franck Kepnang for a turnover which was an and-1 layup for Fairbanks. Then Noah Williams bought caught within the air and Fairbanks intercepted an tried wrap round to Kepnang for one more fastbreak and-1 layup. Mike Hopkins unsurprisingly known as a timeout. Fairbanks answered with a fadeaway baseline jumper and an open 3-pointer over Jamal Bey to chop it to 58-42. Hop known as one other timeout very annoyed with the defensive depth lapsing.

Keion Brooks helped finish the run by hitting a tricky step again nook 3-pointer. However after an airballed Brooks nook 3 try the Nanooks have been capable of reply with a 3 of their very own. UW bought again to fundamentals at that time and Braxton Meah transformed a pair of alley-oops pushing the lead again to twenty and prompting a Fairbanks timeout. PJ Fuller confirmed this recreation mattered to him diving on the ground twice in the identical possession to finally drive a turnover which led to a Noah Williams layup.

Langston Wilson bought within the recreation for the primary time within the 2nd half with about 8 minutes remaining and immediately had a thunderous put again slam to place UW up 25. Washington finally prolonged the lead previous 30 earlier than Fairbanks hit a couple of 3’s and pulled again the margin slightly bit. With simply over 4 minutes left there was a short scare as Franck Kepnang rolled his ankle and limped again to the locker room. He returned to the bench although a couple of minutes later.

Koren Johnson missed a pair of FTs however hit a 3-pointer within the closing minute to make up for it. Stroll-on Kyle Luttinen bought within the recreation late and likewise hit a 3 plus assisted on a Johnson layup following a steal to shut the sport on an 8-0 run within the closing seconds.

Keion Brooks Jr. completed with a team-high 19 factors whereas Noah Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 12 factors, 10 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds. Keyon Menifield Jr. had 12 factors off the bench. Alaska-Fairbanks shot 44% from 3 to maintain it as shut as they did and have been led by Seattle Prep alum Tyler Mrus’ 20 factors. Washington completed with 16 steals.

Essentially the most attention-grabbing issues to be taught from an exhibition like this are the rotations and common defensive philosophy. The primary shock got here proper off the bat with Fresno State switch Braxton Meah beginning at middle moderately than Oregon switch Franck Kepnang. Each performed extensively and we might find yourself seeing one thing near a 50/50 cut up at that place no matter who begins.

Cole Bajema wasn’t in attendance and clearly subsequently did not play. He and Sam Ariyibi have been the one scholarship gamers to not get within the recreation. Ariyibi had already been introduced as out for the season with an harm however we’ll have to attend and see what the scenario is with Cole. (EDIT: Apparently the published stated he was out with an sickness so hopefully he ought to be again for the opener subsequent week).

The primary two gamers off the bench have been Kepnang and true freshman guard Keyon Menifield Jr. Menifield was marketed as a dynamic scorer and really skinny and each look true. If his protection is ready to maintain up he appears to be like like he might carve out some house within the rotation because the third guard. Langston Wilson was subsequent off the bench adopted by the opposite true freshman guard Koren Johnson. Lastly, we noticed Jackson Grant and true freshman ahead Tyler Linhardt because the final ones within the recreation within the first half. Wilson performed with both Kepnang or Meah however Grant bought most of his minutes at middle.

It was additionally attention-grabbing that we noticed none of UW’s typical zone protection. Feedback at Media Day prompt gamers have been slightly gradual to select up the zone. I assumed that will imply working by means of it within the exhibition however as a substitute they went 100% man. We’ll see how that carries over to the common season subsequent week in the event that they select to start out taking part in principally man and blend in zone or do the reverse.

Washington begins off the common season on Monday night time internet hosting Weber State.