In an interview this morning with KJR's Dave Mahler, Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said he's anxious to see the progress Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas made in the offseason during tonight's exhibition against Central Washington.

Romar also singled out Tyreese Breshers.

"It seems like maybe he's the Wizard of Oz, maybe he doesn't really exist and no one has really seen him, but we've seen him in the last few weeks and he's quite a load," Romar said in the interview. "When he gets out there in practices, our guys know that he's out there. The guys that play with him know it and definitely the guys who play against him know it."

Romar estimated Breshers is 85 percent recovered from the leg injuries that forced him to redshirt last season. It's not the injuries that's holding Breshers back, it's his lack of conditioning. During a 2 1/2 practice, he'll work out for about 90 minutes.

Romar said he expects Pondexter to assume the leadership role on and off the court that Jon Brockman has held for the past several years.

Romar gave a little insight into why he's choosing to start junior Venoy Overton at point guard instead of prized recruit Abdul Gaddy. He also said the starting lineup could change.

Said Romar: "Venoy is going to decide that. And the rest of the guys are going to decide that. At this point right now, he's just so far ahead defensively and does so much. And he's a veteran. Right now at this point, that's what we're going with. Down the stretch, you don't know what's going to happen. But the players decide that. If we're playing in games and we decide to make a change, we'll make a change. If not and we play this way, that will be the case. But the players always decide. The coaches make decisions based on what the players are giving you everyday in practice."

And Romar said Justin Holiday has made an immediate impact in practice since returning Monday from offseason hernia surgery.

"You felt it in terms of even his leadership," Romar told KJR. "You felt it defensively. He knows what's going on. He's a very, very smart basketball player. He really should be an X-factor with this team. I think him and Tyreese Breshers are the two guys that can make a difference with our team aside from the usual suspects."