Venoy Overton: "I'd rather start"

Published Feb. 22, 2011 at 5:04 a.m.

Don't tell Venoy Overton (near right) he's better coming off the bench.

The senior guard will remind you he started 26 games as a freshman in the 2007-08 season.

Overton recorded his best year as a Husky last season when he averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds as a backup. Despite being a reserve, he often finished games for UW and was selected to the five-man Pac-10 All-Defensive team after the season.

His stellar performance last season caused many to believe Overton is more valuable as a reserve. But not everyone is convinced.

"I don't believe that at all," he said before today's practice. "That's just what happened. That's how it's been because I was coming off the bench. I haven't really got the chance to start. Right now, I'm healthy and I feel like starting or come off the bench, I'm going to play the same way.

"I'd rather start."

Overton started last Saturday at Arizona in place of injured Scott Suggs, but coach Lorenzo Romar was unsure if Overton would remain in the lineup when Washington plays Seattle University at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Romar said he wanted to evaluate the matchups and would make a decision after today's practice.

The other candidates include a pair of first-year guards and a junior forward.

--- Redshirt freshman guard C.J. Wilcox is averaging 14.8 points in the last four games.

--- Freshman guard Terrence Ross has tailed in the past three games after scoring in double figures in three of the previous four contests.

--- Junior Darnell Gant collected a seaon-high seven rebounds last Saturday at Arizona.

Here's a look a their statistics:

WHO SHOULD START FOR THE HUSKIES?

Player	GP-S	MPG	PPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	TOPG
Darnell Gant	26-10	18.6	5.1	40.5	37.1	81.8	3.4	0.7	1.0
Venoy Overton	25-4	21.2	5.7	40.5	27.3	63.6	2.5	3.6	1.6
Terrence Ross	26-0	16.7	7.5	43.5	34.7	69.6	2.8	1.0	0.6
C.J. Wilcox	24-0	13.4	7.3	43.3	41.9	71.4	1.9	1.0	0.5
Scott Suggs	24-9	17.8	7.2	48.1	45.5	72.7	2.0	1.1	1.2

Photo credit: AP Photo - Jon Eilts

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