Huskies Ready to Jump into Pac-12 Play at Oregon State

The UW has size and youth, but still doesn't have Noah Williams available.

Dan Raley | Dec 1, 2022

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Washington Huskies

The University of Washington basketball team is different than most Husky offerings because it depends on a pair of big men in Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang, one standing taller than seven feet and another just a little shorter, to disrupt things on the floor.

It has another Kentucky transfer in Keion Brooks, following point guard Quade Green to Montlake, to utilize as a go-to player, which is why he came to the Montlake, though he's still trying to get comfortable as a No. 1 option.

Add to that, the UW frequently uses a pair of freshmen guards in Keyon Menifield and Koren Johnson to shake things up, young guys who sometimes make as many exciting things happen as mistakes.

As the Huskies (6-1) head into their Pac-12 opener on Thursday night at Oregon State (3-4), they still could use one more proven scorer to really do some damage — and they had him in shooting guard Noah Williams, before he got injured in the season opener — but for now they'll have to do what they can without. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, with the game broadcast by ESPNU.

In the accompanying photo gallery provided by the immensely talented Skylar Lin, this UW student and our photographer for as long as he wants, breaks down the lineup with his close-up shots from the recent 77-66 victory over Seattle University. He was able to fit this shooting assignment in among two school projects he scrambling to finish before the quarter ends.

The Kentucky transfer and the Huskies' leading scorer at 16.2 points per game also averages 7 rebounds a contest. He's appeared in five of the UW's seven outings, sitting out briefly with an undetermined injury.

The 6-foot-7 senior from Lynden, Washington, has started six of seven games and averages 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. A one-time Michigan transfer, he should have the option of returning for yet another season with a pandemic allowance.

The 7-foot-1 junior and Fresno State transfer was a somewhat surprising choice to start in the post over fellow newcomer Franck Kepnang, but he seems to be getting better every game. He's averaging 8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

With Noah Williams sidelined, Fuller, a Seattle native and one-time TCU transfer, has had to assume more of a leadership role on the floor. He averages 8.9 points and 3.1 assists per outing, and is working on lowering his 3.7 turnovers each time out.

Back for a sixth UW season, the 6-foot-6 swingman has started every game and averages 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds each outing. He shoots 45 percent from the floor.

The 6-foot-11 Oregon transfer either comes in for Meah or they play together, giving the Huskies a physical front line. Kepnang averages 9.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks per game.

After having offseason shoulder surgery, the 6-foot-2 freshman point guard was supposed to redshirt. The Seattle product didn't want that and has appeared in six games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 assists per game. He's just getting started.

The flashy 6-foot-1 freshman guard from Flint, Michigan, has had his moments, starting two of the first seven games. He came up with 26 and 21 points against Utah Tech and North Florida. He averages 10.4 and nearly 2 assists per game. He's the UW's top 3-point shooter at 43.5 percent (10 for 23).

The 6-foot-5 guard and Washington State transfer was supposed to carry a big scoring load, but he played only a half of the opener against Weber State before suffering what looked like a knee injury. He's expected back, but maybe no sooner than the new year.

Husky coach Mike Hopkins assures us the 6-foot-5 Williams, who has some sort of leg or knee injury, will play again this season, but it doesn't seem like that will happen any time soon.

All is not lost without Williams available, but the UW could be so much better with him with the ball in his hands as it navigates through the Pac-12 schedule.

For now, Hopkins turns his sixth Husky team over to a starting lineup of the 6-foot-7 Brooks (16.2 ppg), the 7-foot-1 Meah (8 ppg and 6.3 rpg) and returning players in 6-foot-4 PJ Fuller (8.9), 6-foot-7 Cole Bajema (9.1 and 5.1) and 6-foot-6 Jamal Bey (8.9) as his starters. Usually first off the bench is 6-foot-11 Franck Kepnang (9.1 and 6.6), followed fairly quickly by rookies Menifield (10.4) and Johnson (3.7).

Last season, the Huskies (17-15) twice beat a 3-28 and since rejuvenated Oregon State team, 82-72 in Corvallis and 78-67 at home.

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Published Dec 1, 2022

DAN RALEY

Dan Raley has worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, as well as for MSN.com and Boeing, the latter as a global aerospace writer. His sportswriting career spans four decades and he's covered University of Washington football and basketball during much of that time. In a working capacity, he's been to the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the MLB playoffs, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and countless Final Fours and bowl games.