MEN'S BASKETBALL - Husky freshmen adapting to college

They knew that they would be roommates. They even knew they'd be immediately called upon to contribute on the hardwood. But Adrian Oliver and Quincy Pondexter had little idea what college had in store for them when they arrived on campus in June.

The two freshmen sensations both came to the UW from private schools in California. Like most first-year students, the drastic switch from small classes to vast lecture halls caught them off-guard.

With the team racing out to a 7-0 regular season start, it was easy to notice the fun-filled action on the court. Most people overlook the players' struggles with academia.

"You're a student-athlete. You don't get to pick one or the other [HTML_REMOVED] you have to do both," Pondexter said.

Imagine getting up at 8 a.m. for extra tutoring, still aching from a grueling basketball game the night before. Imagine having your toughest game to date just days before finals week.

The physical fatigue is brutal, but the mental exhaustion is worse. The cure? Nothing works better than good old-fashioned sleep.

"This is the most I've ever slept in my life," Oliver said. "You go to school, basketball, then back to sleep. The whole day is filled; you're worn out."

They attribute much of that fatigue to the conditioning of assistant coach Cameron Dollar. Each can only shake his head when asked if they've ever been worked this hard.

But it isn't all work. The kids from California claim they have the biggest television of all the guys on the team. Their apartment in Stevens Court is also a hotbed for another kind of intra-squad competition: College Hoops 2K7.

Having their likenesses already programmed into the game saved Oliver from some extra work.

"I don't have to create myself anymore," he said. "In every game I always had to create myself."

Recently, the roommates challenged Harvey Perry and Justin Dentmon to a competitive pick-up game on the joysticks. The freshmen's fun-loving natures made them an easy fit into an already close-knit team.

"Hanging out with them is like hanging out with your younger brothers," Dentmon said. "It's great knowing that these guys are cool to hang with off the court."

The family feel, however, does not mean Pondexter and Oliver don't get homesick. With the holidays coming up, the guys miss home more than ever. Since June, they have only been home once [HTML_REMOVED] for just three days.

The snowstorm that hit last month certainly did not help. Far from anything the two had experienced back home, Pondexter actually took a hard fall, slipping on the ice that claimed many victims on campus.

"I tried to make a cut and bam! I was down," he said. "It hurt bad."

As if navigating a dangerous winter campus is not enough, the two starters also have to deal with constant media requests and interviews. Despite their busy schedules, the two are never bothered. Oliver described it as "basically talking to the fans."

"It's an honor, too, that so many people pay attention to us," Pondexter said.

Oh, they have our attention, all right.

Pondexter is the team's leading scorer and Oliver claims one of the NCAA's best plays this season. His improbable tear-drop from mid-court had his cell phone ringing all night.

"I got calls from family members I didn't even know were my family," Oliver said.

The 6-foot-3 guard from Modesto, Calif., had always told his family and friends he'd be on SportsCenter. Little did he know it would be ranked No. 1 on the top-10 plays [HTML_REMOVED] that is, before the L.A. Lakers game got over.

Oliver bears no grudge to superstar Kobe Bryant, who stole his No. 1 spot later in the evening.

"If anyone was going to get No. 1, I'm glad it was Kobe," he said.

Undoubtedly, playing in the NBA is the goal for both, but for now the Huskies have to pay their dues. Learning a new system and adapting to the college game has allowed most to label the team as "young and inexperienced."

Both acknowledge their youth but downplay its importance. Pondexter explained that with every day the team is maturing and growing, and Oliver said that with four freshmen receiving ample playing time, it just comes with the territory.

"It's going to follow us the whole season, but basketball players are basketball players, no matter how old they are," Oliver said.

In case you haven't noticed, they have been doing all right so far. Their No. 8 ranking in the coaches' poll places them above Duke, Connecticut and Kansas.

But if anything stands out about these newcomers, it's their level-headedness.

"If you get caught up too much with the rankings, you're not focused enough on who you're going to play," said Oliver, providing insight on a question that could have easily been shrugged off with a "take one game at a time" response.

Pondexter and Oliver are admittedly nearing a routine in their daily lives as their first quarter comes to a close. One thing, however, that they cannot control is the affection they receive on campus.

Now that they're in the spotlight, the freshmen admit to receiving much more attention from the college community [HTML_REMOVED] included, but not limited to, the female population.

"Hey, I'm single and ready to mingle," Pondexter said.

But for now, the Huskies have their eye on Gonzaga. It will be their first road game of the season and will likely be a gauge of the team's progress to date.

With the emphasis on winning and far from personal achievements or highlights, Pondexter dismisses the idea that the team is laboring to reach their potential.

"We're not struggling; we're winning games," Pondexter said.

And with these talented freshmen helping to guide the way, more wins are sure to follow.

Reporter Joshua Mayers: joshuamayers@thedaily.washington.edu