A History of Basketball Rivalry: Washington Huskies vs. UCLA Bruins
The rivalry between the Washington Huskies and the UCLA Bruins in basketball represents a compelling chapter in the history of college sports. This article delves into various aspects of this rivalry, including historical context, key players, memorable games, and the overall significance of their matchups.
Hec Edmundson Pavilion: A Historic Home Court
The setting for many Washington Huskies basketball games is the Hec Edmundson Pavilion. This multi-purpose facility has been the home for the Huskies men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the volleyball and gymnastics squads, for many years. The 2020-21 season marked the 94th season of service for this facility, which was originally completed in December 1927.
In a significant upgrade, the interior of Hec Edmundson Pavilion underwent a $40 million renovation by Wilson James Commissioning. This renovation spanned 19 months, from March 1999 to November 2000, modernizing the facility. As part of a naming rights deal, the pavilion was initially slated to be named "Seafirst Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion." However, due to Bank of America retiring the Seafirst brand in 1999, the venue reopened as "Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion."
All-Time Series Records
Analyzing the all-time series records between the Washington Huskies and their opponents provides a historical perspective on their performance. These records reflect the outcomes of numerous games played over the years, showcasing the competitive landscape in which the Huskies operate.
Washington's All-Century Basketball Team
In 2002, Husky fans selected Washington's All-Century basketball team via ballots at Bank of America Arena and the school's website.
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Notable Players
Several Washington Huskies basketball players have achieved prominence both during their college careers and in professional leagues:
- Jon Brockman (2005-2009): Drafted 38th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Marquese Chriss (2015-2016): Drafted 8th overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings and traded to the Phoenix Suns.
- Will Conroy (2001-2005): Played professionally from 2005 to 2014.
- Spencer Hawes (2006-2007): Drafted 10th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft and played 10 seasons in the NBA (2007-2017).
- Steve Hawes (1969-1972): Drafted 24th in the 1972 NBA Draft.
- Bob Houbregs (1950-1953): Houbregs had a career scoring average of 9.3 points per game and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Eldridge Recasner (1987-1990): Played professionally from 1990 to 2002.
- Lorenzo Romar (1978-1980): Played five years in the NBA with Golden State, Milwaukee, and Detroit.
- Terrence Ross (2010-2012): Drafted 8th overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors.
- Brandon Roy (2002-2006): Named 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year and a 3x NBA All-Star. His NBA career ended in 2012 due to knee injuries.
- Mark Sanford (1994-1997): Selected as the 31st pick by the Miami Heat in the 1997 NBA Draft, playing 3 years in the NBA.
- Tre Simmons (2003-2005): Played professionally from 2005 until 2018.
- Isaiah Thomas (2008-2011): Drafted 60th Overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas was an All-Star in 2016 and 2017.
- C.J. Tony Wroten (2011-2012): Drafted 25th overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Cultural Impact
The Huskies men's basketball team made an appearance in the 1997 film The 6th Man, featuring a fictional roster including brothers Kenny (Marlon Wayans) and Antoine Tyler (Kadeem Hardison).
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tags: #washington #vs #ucla #basketball #history
