HERE WE GO AGAIN: Seattle University and Utah Valley met six days ago in Orem, Utah, with the Wolverines coming out on top by five points. While Utah Valley had a chance to rest until making the trip to Seattle, the Redhawks played a physical, emotional game against crosstown rival Washington Tuesday night. With nine of their last 13 games of the regular season at home, the Redhawks look to start improving their record during this three-game homestand.
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 WASHINGTON GAME: In a physical battle that showed the increasing intensity of the crosstown rivalry, Seattle University nearly came out ahead, but the University of Washington held off the Redhawks every time they got close, eventually pulling out a 91-83 victory Tuesday night at Alaska Airlines Arena. Aaron Broussard notched a double-double to lead the Redhawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Sterling Carter hit four three-pointers on his way to earning 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Cervante Burrell contributed eight points and six assists, and Eric Wallace added six points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals. After committing 10 turnovers in the first half that led to 12 Washington points, Seattle U maintained its full-court press in the second half, causing the Huskies to commit 11 turnovers after halftime that led to 12 Redhawk points. The Huskies earned more second-chance points (23-12) thanks to 20 offensive rebounds, and Washington also went 37-of-59 (62.7%) from the free throw line, while Seattle U went 16-of-26 (61.5%) from the charity stripe.
SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY: The Wolverines come into Friday's game with an 8-10 overall record. They have not played since defeating Seattle U in Orem last Saturday. Utah Valley is 0-8 in road games so far this season. The Wolverines are scoring 65.2 points per game and giving up 65.3 points per contest. As a team, Utah Valley is shooting 40.9 percent from the field, including 28.4 percent from behind the three-point line, and 67.1 percent from the free throw line. Isiah Williams leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game. He is the team's main threat from behind the three-point line, hitting 48-of-135 (.356) long distance shots. Geddes Robinson is second in scoring with 10.1 points per game and first in rebounding with 9.9 points per contest. Ben Aird is contributing 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots per game. Holton Hunsaker. the son of Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker, leads the team with 46 assists and is 41-of-42 from the free throw line, but he is four made free throws short of qualifying for the official NCAA statistical leaderboard.
SEATTLE U VS. UTAH VALLEY: This is the third straight season that Seattle U and Utah Valley will meet twice during the year. The Redhawks have a 3-2 advantage over the Wolverines, including both games held at KeyArena in the series. Seattle U swept the season series from Utah Valley in 2009-10, beginning with a 66-63 victory Jan. 16, 2010, at KeyArena. In the regular season finale March 6, 2010, the Redhawks completed the season sweep with a 74-64 victory over the Wolverines. Utah Valley earned its first victory of the series exactly one year ago in Orem, defeating Seattle U, 89-73. The Redhawks gained a measure of revenge at KeyArena Feb. 9, 2011, with a 63-57 victory.
SIX DAYS AGO: 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 last Saturday night at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. 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.
IT STARTS WITH AB: After passing the 1,000-point mark Nov. 22 at Montana State, senior Aaron Broussard is working his way up the Seattle U all-time scoring list. He currently has 1,207 career points, currently 21st on the all-time list. To move into the top 20, he needs 14 points to pass Earl Spangler, the gentleman who held the all-time scoring record before Johnny O'Brien arrived from New Jersey. Broussard also has 142 career steals, passing Ryan Webb for sixth place on the career steals list. Broussard was named the Jesuit Player of the Week by the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight after his all-tournament performance in the Elgin Baylor Classic. He was also the College Sports Madness Independent Player of the Week after averaging 25.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game against Nebraska Omaha and San Jose State.
BACK AT JIMMY'S: The Cameron Dollar Coaches Show returns to Jimmy's on Broadway Monday, Jan. 30, 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 also be broadcast on 710 ESPN Seattle Monday, Jan. 23, but that will be a taped show as the team travels to California to prepare for its game at UC Irvine the next day.
COURTSIDE CLUB LUNCHEON: The Courtside Club will host its third monthly luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 18 at F.X. McRory's. Discounted parking is available at the CenturyLink Field North lot across from F.X. McRory's. Cameron Dollar will update the fans on the season, including the matchup against Utah State at KeyArena the following day. The event will be hosted by special guest Mike "The Gasman" Gastineau, a season ticket holder and host of the afternoon sports show on KJR. The event will begin at 11:30 with a reception, followed by the lunch program at 12 noon. The cost is $25 per person. Guests must RSVP at sempadig@seattleu.edu or by calling Greg Sempadian at (206) 398-4420 by Friday, Jan. 13. Reservations will not be accepted on the day of the luncheon.