When it happened in a season-opening win against Texas, it was okay because it came in an exciting early victory. When it happened again a week later in a blowout win over Penn, it didn’t seem like a big deal because, well, it’s the Ivy League. But then it happened in a loss to Gonzaga, and it started to seem like it actually mattered. When, the very next day, it happened again in a loss in the rematch with the Longhorns, there was no denying the problem. And now, as the team enters the soft part of its non-conference schedule, it’s time to stage the intervention. The first step is admitting the issue, so let’s come out and say it plainly – Washington has a fouling problem.
Let’s start with the basics. As a team, the Huskies have committed 167 personal fouls through six games. Focusing specifically on the rotation (anyone playing at least 10 minutes per game), nine players are responsible for 163 of those personal fouls and when we do the math (18 fouls per rotation player and six games played), every member of the Washington rotation is essentially committing three fouls per game. As a result of all this hacking, the Huskies have allowed opponents to shoot an unacceptable amount of free throws. At this point in the season, the national average for free-throw rate (FTA/FGA) is 37.1 percent. The free throw rate for Huskies’ opponents this season has been 50.3 percent, which is 312th in the country. Only three teams in Power 5 conferences (TCU, Missouri and West Virginia) have been more generous when it comes to letting opponents camp out at the charity stripe.
Dig a little deeper, and the fouling problem only gets worse. Coach Lorenzo Romar has already watched a player foul out 14 times this season, with 11 of them coming in the three games against legitimate competition. Starting forward Marquese Chriss has fouled out in four of the six games. Malik Dime and Matisse Thybulle have each fouled out twice. Noah Dickerson has fouled out once and has picked up four fouls four other times. DeJounte Murray has fouled out once and committed four fouls in both games against Texas. Even Devenir Duruisseau, who has played just 59 minutes all season, has fouled out three times this season. Romar has had to adjust his rotation on the fly in almost every game depending on which of his players gets into early foul trouble. Chriss, Dickerson and Dime are the core of the frontcourt rotation, so when all three of them are rotating in and out and playing well, the frontcourt is an area of strength. That of course, has yet to actually happen yet.
Looking at the problem as a whole, two things immediately jump out. The first is that nearly all of these fouls are being committed by freshmen or first-time Division 1 players. The second is a positive thing. Washington clearly has some things to iron out before the team has a chance to realize its potential, but if this is the most significant issue, that potential has a chance at being reached. Part of the reason for the Husky foul bonanza may be that referees are trying extremely hard to enforce new foul rules, but the easier, more logical explanation? We are talking about a bunch of freshmen. Chances are the young Huskies will adjust to the whistle — at least somewhat — as the season goes on.
When they do, look out. Beyond the fouling difficulties, the team’s defense has actually been pretty efficient, particularly in regards to opponents’ field goal percentage. Washington is athletic and long at every position on the floor, physical attributes they have used to harass opponents into shooting just 39.9 percent from the field this season. The Huskies have also blocked an impressive 13.7 percent of field goal attempts — 33rd best in the country. The bigger picture here is clear: if Washington could stop fouling their opponents, the defense would be very difficult to score on.
Now is the time to focus on not fouling. Washington will be favored in every game before Pac 12 play, and the issue needs to be corrected before the Huskies face off against quality competition again. The team’s youth movement means there are other issues that need addressing (shot selection and ball security, most notably) but staying out of foul trouble is the clearest avenue to UW improvement. In most ways besides fouling, the Huskies have pleasantly surprised this season. If Romar can guide his youngsters to correct their hacking ways, Washington has a chance to surprise a lot of Pac 12 teams this conference season.