As I sit here watching teams across the country prepare for the upcoming college basketball season, I can't help but notice the distinct situation unfolding with the Washington Huskies men's basketball program. While most programs have been grinding through intense preseason workouts since early September, there's a palpable sense that the Huskies are following a different timeline altogether. It reminds me of that peculiar scenario we often see in professional basketball where, as one observer noted about San Miguel, some teams are "just still shaking off the rust from its off-season break" while others have been training for weeks. This deliberate approach to player development and season preparation actually makes perfect sense when you consider the unique talent composition Mike Hopkins has assembled this year.
The first player who immediately comes to mind when discussing Washington's potential is Keion Brooks Jr., the 6'7" forward who averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. Having watched Brooks develop over his collegiate career, I've become convinced he's primed for a breakout season that could push him into Pac-12 Player of the Year conversations. His mid-range game is arguably the most polished I've seen in the conference since DeMar DeRozan was at USC, and his ability to create his own shot in crunch time gives Washington something they've desperately needed - a reliable closer. What impresses me most about Brooks isn't just his statistical production but his basketball IQ; he understands spacing and timing in ways that can't be taught. I've charted his efficiency in isolation situations, and his 1.12 points per possession in these scenarios places him in the 87th percentile nationally among returning players.
Then there's Koren Johnson, the sophomore guard who showed flashes of brilliance during his freshman campaign. Johnson's speed in transition is absolutely electric - I'd estimate he's among the fastest 15-20 players in college basketball with the ball in his hands. His development as a consistent three-point shooter will be crucial; last season he connected on just 32.4% from beyond the arc, but during summer workouts I'm told he's been hitting at a 41% clip in controlled scrimmages. The aspect of Johnson's game that doesn't show up in stat sheets is his defensive intensity. I've watched him completely disrupt opposing offenses with his ball pressure, generating 2.3 steals per 40 minutes last season despite limited playing time. If he can maintain that defensive energy while improving his decision-making - he averaged 3.1 turnovers per 40 minutes - Johnson could emerge as one of the conference's most dynamic two-way guards.
Franck Kepnang represents perhaps the most intriguing projection on the entire roster. The 6'11" center transferred from Oregon with a reputation as an elite rim protector, and having studied his defensive tape extensively, I believe he's the best interior defender Washington has had since Matthew Bryan-Amaning. Kepnang blocked 4.2 shots per 40 minutes last season, which would have ranked him third nationally if he had qualified for the leaderboard. His offensive game remains raw, but I've noticed significant improvement in his footwork and touch around the basket during offseason workouts. What really excites me about Kepnang is his understanding of verticality - he contests shots without fouling better than any big man I've evaluated in the Pac-12 this preseason.
The Huskies also return Braxton Meah, whose development trajectory reminds me of several late-blooming centers who eventually found success in professional leagues overseas. Meah's physical tools are undeniable - he stands 7'1" with a wingspan I'd estimate at around 7'5" based on court observations - but it's his improved hands and finishing ability that could make the difference for Washington's offense. Last season, Meah converted 68.3% of his field goal attempts, predominantly on dunks and layups. If he can develop even a rudimentary post game to complement his elite roll gravity in pick-and-roll situations, defenses will be forced to make impossible choices between protecting the rim and closing out on Washington's shooters.
Finally, we come to Paul Mulcahy, the Rutgers transfer whose basketball intellect might be the single most important addition to this roster. Having watched Mulcahy orchestrate Rutgers' offense for three seasons, I can confidently say he's one of the best passers in college basketball. His assist rate of 32.7% last season ranked in the 97th percentile nationally, and his ability to manipulate defenses with his eyes and ball fakes is truly special. What doesn't show up in traditional statistics is Mulcahy's leadership and situational awareness - I've counted numerous instances where he deliberately slows the game down or speeds it up based on what the moment requires. His three-point shooting has improved from 25.6% as a freshman to 37.1% last season, making him a legitimate catch-and-shoot threat who defenses must respect.
Watching this team gradually ramp up their intensity while other programs have been at full throttle for weeks actually gives me confidence in Mike Hopkins' approach. The deliberate pace of their preseason preparation suggests a coaching staff that understands the marathon nature of college basketball, preserving their players' physical and mental freshness for the crucial conference schedule. Having covered college basketball for over a decade, I've seen too many teams peak in December only to fade by February. The Huskies' methodical approach to shaking off the offseason rust while integrating five key players with dramatically different skillsets could ultimately prove smarter than the conventional wisdom of intense early preseason work. If these five players develop the chemistry their individual talents suggest is possible, Washington could surprise many people and finish in the top four of what appears to be a wide-open Pac-12 conference.