SEATTLE (Ticker) -- No. 17 Washington will be in search of its
best start in almost 30 years Friday when it faces Houston at
the Bank of America Arena.
Washington improved to 9-1 in impressive fashion Wednesday with
a 114-53 rout of Sacred Heart. Jamaal Williams scored 22 points
to lead a school-record eight players in double figures as the
Huskies shot 55 percent (47-of-85).
Washington has made a habit of using a balanced attack, with six
players averaging double figures this season. Five players
scored at least 10 points per game last season as the Huskies
made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in five years.
One of those players is junior guard Brandon Roy, who missed
five games after injuring his right knee in the Huskies' second
game of the season. He returned for Washington's narrow triumph
over then-No. 9 North Carolina State on Sunday but sat out the
rout of Sacred Heart for precautionary reasons. He is expected
to play against Houston.
Washington has already matched its best start since the 1990-91
squad, which also started 9-1. A win over Houston would give
the school its best record through 11 games since 1975-76, when
it won its first 14 games.
Houston extended its winning streak to four games with an 81-72
victory over Louisiana State on Tuesday. Lanny Smith scored 22
points and Andre Owens added 17 to lead the Cougars, who have
not won five straight games since December 2003.
Houston has not defeated a ranked team since January 6, 1996,
when it topped third-ranked Memphis, 69-67.
The two schools are meeting for the third consecutive season
before the holiday break. The home team has won the previous
two contests, including the Cougars' 79-64 win in Houston last
season.