Fansided

College basketball week 5: 5 biggest takeaways

By Chris Stone

Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) congratulates guard Luke Kennard (5) during a game against the UNLV Runnin
Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) congratulates guard Luke Kennard (5) during a game against the UNLV Runnin /
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Nov 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles on TCU Horned Frogs guard Desmond Bane (1) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles on TCU Horned Frogs guard Desmond Bane (1) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

4. It’s tough watching Markelle Fultz at Washington

Washington hadn’t played since Nov. 30, but the Huskies got a chance to make a statement this week with a matchup against in-state rival Gonzaga. An unlikely win might have pushed them back into the NCAA Tournament conversation despite already having three losses. Instead, the result we got was the expected one.

The Huskies got walloped by 27 points as they struggled to deal with the Bulldogs’ crisp ball movement and outside shotmaking. Washington’s defense has been the subject of much discussion this week and rightfully so. It’s dreadful in the strongest sense of the word, which is disappointing since the Huskies may have the nation’s best freshman.

For the second year in a row, it seems like the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft won’t play in the NCAA Tournament. Markelle Fultz has been nothing short of fantastic for Washington this season, but his team’s overall shortcomings will likely prevent the rest of the nation from enjoying him on the sport’s biggest stage.

Even worse, Fultz will have few opportunities to shine in primetime because he plays on the west coast unlike Ben Simmons, who featured prominently in several SEC clashes. That’s disappointing for college basketball fans who will likely only get one season to enjoy the captivating point guard before he moves on to the NBA.