Huskies looking to rebound

The Husky women's basketball team (5-2) takes on the Michigan Wolverines (4-4) tonight looking to rebound after a trip to Texas that saw them lose two games, allowing nearly 20 more points in each loss than they had all year.

"I think there's room for improvement on defense," Kayla Burt said. "We struggled boxing out and being aggressive and physical on the boards. We've got to clean that up before the Pac-10 season starts."

A Dec. 12 contest with Eastern Washington will wrap up what has been a tough preseason that saw the UW face several tough teams on the road. The Dawgs host Cal Dec. 20.

"I think we've talked about our preseason being so difficult," she said. "We didn't go to any easy schools."

Despite the two losses, the Dawgs still enter today's game with momentum. Outside shooting actually improved in the two games, and they still boast a team with a deep bench. There are as many as 10 players who have the potential to put up big points on any given night.

The Wolverines come into the game having won their previous two games. They haven't blown anyone away, and don't score too many points, averaging about 63 per game. Ta'Shia Walker is the only real threat, scoring about 13 points per game.

A Husky problem that wasn't readily apparent in the box scores last weekend, and one that won't lead to a win no matter how few points the Wolverines put up, is with offensive execution.

"On offense, we have to execute better," Burt said. "We have second and third options that we're missing, and it's hurting us."

The uncharacteristic defensive lapse in Texas is something Burt said has been fixed with a few good days of practice.

"I think we'll be back to our old selves when we play at home tomorrow," she said on Thursday.