Saturday, March 25, 2017

NCAA MARCH MADNESS 2017: 'Fultz to Waltz?'

The Washington Huskies were more like puppies this season, finishing with a 9-22 record; not nearly good enough to earn a spot in postseason play.

Subsequently, No. 1 NBA draft prospect, Huskies guard Markelle Fultz, is missing from the NCAA tournament, marking the second consecutive year the consensus numero uno is watching March Madness on TV like the rest of us instead of playing in it (Ben Simmons last year).

Rare pic of IT sans the baldie

Ultimately, Lorenzo Romar was a dead dog, fired by Washington last week following 15 seasons as head coach.

The remarkable recruiting didn't​ equal many wins -- the Huskies haven't been to the tourney since 2012 -- so he doesn't really have a bone to pick here.

(Sidenote: a similar thing happened to Rick Barnes at Texas a few years back, with the caveat being Barnes had a Final Four appearance in 2003, thanks to Kevin Durant).

Not including Fultz, and No. 2 ranked prep recruit Michael Porter Jr., who was committed to UW prior to Romar getting the axe (his father, Michael Sr. was on the coaching staff) but was granted his release Thursday, here is a list of players who were coached by Romar during his tenure (2002-2017) in Seattle.

CURRENT NBA

Isaiah Thomas -  Boston Celtics
Marquese Chriss - Phoenix Suns
Terrence Ross - Orlando Magic
Justin Holiday - New York Knicks
Quincy Pondexter - New Orleans Pelicans
Spencer Hawes - Milwaukee Bucks
Dejounte Murray - San Antonio Spurs
C.J. Wilcox - Orlando Magic

FORMER NBA

Nate Robinson - Sprite Slam Dunk champion
Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers
Jon Brockman - Sacramento Kings
Tony Wroten - Philadelphia 76ers
Justin Dentmon - Toronto Raptors
Will Conroy - Houston Rockets
Bobby Jones - Denver Nuggets