Nicholls State. Sacramento State. Last night: Idaho.

I think I’ve had enough salad. I’m ready for the meat of the college basketball season.

Don’t get me wrong; with the Pac-10 looking as strong as ever, and a handful of powerhouse opponents waiting on the non-conference slate, I know there is substance waiting to keep my belly full.

I speak out of hunger, not disappointment. The preseason has just teased my appetite.

Fortunately, unlike the athletes and coaches, I can admit to looking ahead on the schedule. I know what’s waiting just around the corner and the games can’t come fast enough.

I want to see Spencer Hawes versus Josh Heytvelt. Jon Brockman versus Big Baby. Quincy Pondexter versus Chase Budinger.

Sure, the Huskies have been struggling with small schools at home despite an overwhelming advantage in talent. Sure, the young Dawgs could use every tune-up to iron out the wrinkles of inconsistent play.

But so far the team hasn’t suffered the consequences of poor play. Earlier in the year, players said that against tougher opponents those 10-point deficits would be 30.

We haven’t seen the 40 minutes of urgency. We haven’t seen the fervent commitment to defense. We haven’t seen a complete game of Husky basketball.

Maybe that’s what too much salad does to you.

“It’s a mentally tough thing when you’re playing teams who most expect you to beat,” said Brockman, who used his old-man strength to collect a career-high 14 rebounds.

Night after night, it seems we’re seeing the same game. The Huskies struggle early and then subdue the overmatched team.

It’s got to be hard to avoid falling into the routine.

That said, Washington is on the doorstep of being ranked in the top 10.

Sophomore Justin Dentmon has shown the grit of a leader. Pondexter has been nothing short of amazing. Hard to imagine that both coach Lorenzo Romar and Brockman each said we ain’t seen nothing yet from the No. 24.

The Huskies have shown flashes of brilliance that warrant recognition. It’s time to see it on display.

“Everyone loves to play in the big game on the big night,” Brockman said. “But we got to get our work done here, keep going at it, keep perfecting what we do, so when we get in the big game we’re not playing like we did earlier this year.”

These games have their place, without question. I don’t doubt Romar’s ability to assess our strengths and weaknesses from each contest, and the team is clearly improving. Pondexter says the team is getting better, and I believe him too.

But that does little for my growling stomach.

Last night we saw the complete effort. As close to complete as we’ll get, so tell Southern Utah to not even bother making the trip.

No more steps back. It’s time for a step forward.

So yes, I’m guilty. I’m not taking it one game at a time. I can almost smell the upcoming match-up with Gonzaga on Dec. 8.

I want to see how our boys react to an unfriendly crowd, an unfamiliar gym and a championship contender. Rankings be damned.

I want my appetite spoiled.

Columnist Joshua Mayers: joshuamayers@thedaily.washington.edu