Seattle U. coach Cameron Dollar said he liked what he saw from his team in second half of lopsided loss to Washington. By Bob CondottaSeattle Times staff reporterIf anybodys wondering how the Seattle University mens basketball team will react to the pounding it received Tuesday at Washington, Redhawks coach Cameron Dollar thinks the answer has already been given. Noting the game was already hugely one-sided at halftime — UW led 61-20 — Dollar points out the Redhawks (9-12) gave as strong an effort as he could have asked for in the second half, which was pretty much even as the Huskies went on to win 123-76.
"I think weve seen the character of our team in how they played in the second half," said Dollar, whose team hosts Idaho at 7:10 p. m. Saturday at KeyArena. "Our guys didnt miss a beat.
"What they did do, however, was foul a lot, committing 28 of their 45 fouls in the second half as Dollar instructed his team to press and put UW at the line in an attempt to get back in the game. The strategy earned its share of national conversation as the Redhawks played the final 1:27 with just four players on the floor, and even drew Dollar a little criticism. But Dollar said he hasnt second-guessed it at all. "No, never, not one bit," he said, saying the Redhawks had "nothing to lose.
Its not the first time Ive been questioned and it wont be the last. "But his players, he said, arent questioning anything, having simply gotten back to work after what was the largest margin of defeat this season, the first Seattle U. is playing against a complete Division I schedule since 1980. "Well be fine," Dollar said.
"Its definitely been a nice roller coaster this year, which is to be expected playing that type of schedule and the first-time experience this is for all of us. But we are fine. Our kids are anxious to get back out there for sure. "So might be the Vandals, who are coming off one of their best wins of the season, a 74-59 victory over Fresno State on Thursday night in Moscow.
That improved Idahos record to 9-10 overall and 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference. Idaho is led by a backcourt that features familiar names. The teams leading scorer is senior guard Mac Hopson, who played at Washington State in 2006-07 before transferring. He is averaging 15 points, 5.
2 rebounds and 4. 4 assists. Idahos second-leading scorer is guard Steffan Johnson, a 2005 graduate of Kent-Meridian who played three years at Pacific before transferring to Idaho. Johnson transferred after being suspended for what was termed an unspecified violation of team rules.
The Stockton (Calif. ) Record reported that Johnson had been identified as one of three players being investigated for involvement in an alleged sexual assault on campus. Johnson is averaging 11. 3 points for the Vandals.
Note• Seattle U. reserve guard Drew Harris left the team in the week before the Washington game. A junior from Yakima, he averaged 0. 4 points in 8.
1 minutes. He might transfer to Central Washington. Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or #46;com. E-mail article Print view ShareMore Seattle UniversityUPDATE - 06:54 PMSeattle U.