UW Women’s Basketball | Huskies limp back home just 1-4
Ask Tia Jackson about her Washington women’s basketball team’s 1-4 record, and she doesn’t hesitate.
“I am 100 percent dissatisfied,” Jackson said. “But that record is not indicative of the hard work the players are putting out. We’re finding ways to get better every day.”
Jackson and her players hope to put that work to use today and Sunday in the Husky Classic at Edmundson Pavilion.
The Huskies follow today’s noon opener between Arkansas State (2-1) and Weber State (1-2) by hosting Idaho (0-3) at 2 p.m. It will be Jackson’s first regular-season home game as Huskies coach.
While losing four of five road games, three by double-digit margins, to start the season, Jackson says her squad has replaced initial problems (sluggish starts, early foul trouble) with new shortcomings (soft defense, excessive turnovers).
Injuries to four of 12 active players doesn’t help. One of them, 6-foot-2 Andrea Plouffe (last season’s No. 2 scorer), has yet to play this season.
The most encouraging sign Jackson sees?
“Our kids are starting to jell a little better,” the former Duke assistant coach said. “We’ve been having problems getting defensive side help and blocking out on rebounds. But each day we’re steadily improving.”
Flaws that bug her the most? Turnovers and lax defense. Washington has given up 98 turnovers in five games. (Opponents have 70.) Six UW players each have 10 or more.
“We’re turning the ball over carelessly,” Jackson said. “We’re forcing passes inside when there are other looks. The coaching staff is working with players to get them to see other parts of the floor they don’t typically see on their own.”
Bright spots? Jackson cites the play of senior point guard Emily Florence (at 5-5, her 5.8 rebounds per game ranks second on the team), sophomore guard Sami Whitcomb (11.4 points per game), junior transfer Michelle Augustavo (five three-pointers in an 83-70 win over 2-3 Northern Arizona) and 6-5 freshman center Jess McCormack (17 points and 11 rebounds in a 69-58 loss to 4-0 UC Davis).
Notes
• Plouffe might remain sidelined until Pac-10 games begin in late December. Plouffe, UW’s strongest player, was hobbled by tendinitis in both knees last season. This year, Achilles tendinitis in her right leg bothered her in preseason practice and has kept her on the bench since.
“An Achilles injury is not something you want to mess with,” said Jackson, who has undergone six knee surgeries. “I don’t want her on the floor if she’s less than 100 percent.”
• This is the 21st Husky Classic, and Washington has won 13, including the past two.