CIRCLE THAT DATE: The Seattle U-Washington game has become an annual event that many Puget Sound basketball fans look forward to. The records may be different, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, Seattle U played well against nationally-ranked schools such as Harvard and Virginia. Second, Washington did lose a home game to South Dakota State earlier this season. Both teams welcome the challenge that comes with this crosstown contest.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Seattle University
- Guard: #5 Cervante Burrell - 5-10, 170 - Sr.
- Guard: #10 Sterling Carter - 6-0, 200 - So.
- Forward: #2 Aaron Broussard - 6-5, 225 - Sr.
- Forward: #12 Clarence Trent - 6-6, 225 - So.
- Forward: #25 Eric Wallace - 6-7, 233 - Sr.
THE UTAH VALLEY GAME: Seattle University was able to come back from a double-digit deficit to take the lead in the second half, but Utah Valley made the plays it needed to down the stretch to pull out a 77-72 victory Saturday night at the UCCU Center. Eric Wallace shot 9-of-12 from the field to score 18 points along with eight rebounds, while Aaron Broussard notched his second double-double of the season with 15 points, 12 of them in the second half, and 11 rebounds. Cervante Burrell made his first start of the season and contributed nine points, three rebounds, and five assists. The Redhawks finished the night shooting 42 percent (29-of-69) from the field after hitting 17-of-33 field goal attempts in the second half. Seattle U only earned nine free throw attempts, making seven, but the Redhawks won the rebounding battle, 41-36, and committed only 13 turnovers.
EARLY BIRD CATCHES WORM: This game will be the culmination of a long day for both head coaches, as Cameron Dollar and Lorenzo Romar were the featured guests at the 2012 Seattle U Alumni Downtown Breakfast, held at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies come into Tuesday's game with a 9-6 overall record, including an 8-1 record in Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington is 3-1 in the Pac-12 after losing at Colorado and defeating Utah over the weekend. Freshman Tony Wroten leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. C.J. Wilcox is averaging 14.9 points per game, while Terrence Ross is contributing 14.3 points per contest. Abdul Gaddy is dishing out 4.9 assists per game, while Aziz N'Diaye mans the middle, earning 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest.
SEATTLE U VS. WASHINGTON: This will be the 27th meeting all-time between Seattle University and Washington, with the Huskies holding a 22-4 series advantage. Washington spoiled Seattle U's first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament with a 92-70 victory in the 1953 NCAA West Regional in Corvallis, Ore. The intracity rivals did not meet again until the 1969-70 season, when the two schools split the season series with each team winning on their own home floor. Washington won ten straight games from 1971-76 before Seattle U broke through at the start of the 1976-77 season (78-64). Seattle U's only victory at Washington came at the start of the 1978-79 campaign, an 82-78 victory. Washington has won the last six meetings, including an 87-60 victory on March 3, 2009, in the first game between the two schools in 29 years. Last season, in front of over 11,000 fans at KeyArena, Seattle U hung tough, but Washington pulled away in the second half for a 95-74 victory.
BACK AT JIMMY'S: The Cameron Dollar Coaches Show returns to Jimmy's on Broadway Monday, Jan. 9, beginning at 9 p.m. Hosted by Dave Grosby and Gary Hill, Jr., the show features interviews with Coach Dollar, a selected player, and a selected member of the basketball staff. The show will be broadcast on 710 ESPN Seattle after the conclusion of the BCS Championship Game between LSU and Alabama.
HOMESTAND: This is the first of four straight games for the Redhawks in Seattle, as they will begin a three-game homestand this Friday, Jan. 13, with the rematch against Utah Valley. Last Saturday, the Wolverines held on for a 77-72 victory over the Redhawks. On Martin Luther King Day, Seattle U welcomes Eastern Washington to KeyArena. The homestand will conclude Thursday, Jan. 19, when defending WAC champion Utah State comes to town. The Aggies defeated the Redhawks in Logan, Utah, Dec. 17, 78-53. All three games are set to tip off at 7:10 p.m., and 710 ESPN Seattle will broadcast all three games live.