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posted 03/25/10 09:10 AM | updated 03/25/10 09:10 AM
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Big Sports Day Today: Husky Tourney Time, Sounders Opener

By Seth Kolloen
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A couple of friends are working on "Chicago Time" today--starting at 7 and leaving at 4, as mandated by a munificent employer who wants everyone to be able to catch today's Husky game. They may regret being given that chance, because from everything I'm reading about West Virginia, the Husky game could end up looking like a scene from Deliverance.

The Huskies struggled against taller teams this year, and West Virginia is the tallest they've played yet.The Mountaineers may start a lineup of players all above 6'7". That would make their shortest starter taller than all but one Husky. ("I'll bet you can squeal like a pig. Weeeeeee!")

At 5'8", Husky star Isaiah Thomas is used to guarding taller players. But a foot taller? ("What we, uh,  're-quire' is for you to get your asses away from the basket.")

The hope is that UW will outquick the Mountaineers. In an excellent game preview in today's P-I, Todd Dybas notes that against the all-forward lineup, Cleveland State's 6'2" Norris Cole scored 29 points. This being college basketball, anything can happen. But oddsmakers have West Virginia as a 4.5-point favorite for a reason. Still, I think the Huskies will keep it close, and the game will be quite the .... DUEL! Cue the music!

A few minutes after the Huskies finish, Sounders FC will begin their second season in Qwest Field against the brand new Philadelphia Union. The Sounders return every main player from last year's stellar inaugural team, and will benefit from a full season from Costa Rican defender Leo Gonzalez.

And after the World Cup, the Sounders will get the services of Swiss international Blaise Nkufo.

For now, however, the talented but underproducing front line of Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua will try to avoid the long midseason scoring slump that hurt the Sounders last season.

Huskies: 4:27 p.m. vs. West Virginia at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. TV: KIRO 7. Radio: 950 KJR

Sounders: 6:30 p.m. vs. Philadelphia Union at Qwest Field. TV: ESPN2. Radio: 97.3 FM

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Tags: sounders fc, university of washington basketball, washington v. west virginia, blaise nkufo, leo gonzalez, isaiah thomas, fredy montero, freddie ljungberg, nate jaqua + add tags
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March Madness et al
We'll be watching both games at The BottleNeck. We open at 4 and will extend Happy Hour (3.50 drafts and 3.50 wells) through the UW final buzzer (which will find the Huskies victorious). Forgive the promotion - The BottleNeck is normally not-so-sports focused but we do love March Madness and avidly follow The Sounders. Thought those nearby might want to know....
Comment by bneck
1 week ago
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