Washington Huskies
Pac-12 (26-8, 15-3)
Washington was a team that was expected to finish in the middle of the Pac-12 and be in the mix for an NCAA Tournament berth, but they certainly exceeded those expectations. The Huskies took advantage of a down year in the conference, but UW still managed to go 15-3 in conference play and that is impressive no matter how bad of year the Pac-12 is having.
Big Wins: 1/12 at Colorado (77-70), 1/24 at Oregon (61-56), 1/26 at Oregon State (79-69)
Bad Losses: 2/9 at Arizona State (63-75), 2/28 at California (73-76), 3/9 Oregon (47-55)
Coach: Mike Hopkins
Why They Can Surprise:
The Huskies have won the Pac-12 title with their defense. And most of the impressive defensive play comes from 6-5 guard Matisse Thybulle. He is averaging an impressive 3.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. Thybulle also averages 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Jaylen Nowell and David Crisp are also guards who can grab a few steals and score plenty of points. Nowell is the team’s top scorer at 16.2 points per game and adds 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Why They Can Disappoint:
UW has some talented scorers, but this offense can struggle for long periods of time. They do not share the ball particularly well and they will turn the ball over. The Huskies will usually win the turnover battle, but they will lose possessions on the glass. It is extremely important for this team to avoid turnovers in the NCAA Tournament since they lack the offensive firepower to make up for it.
Probable Starters:
David Crisp, Senior, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 2.8 apg
Jaylen Nowell, Sophomore, Guard, 16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
Matisse Thybulle, Senior, Guard, 9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.4 spg, 2.3 bpg
Dominic Green, Senior, Forward, 6.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Noah Dickerson, Senior, Forward, 12.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Nahziah Carter, Sophomore, Forward, 7.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Sam Timmins, Junior, Forward, 2.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Jamal Bey, Freshman, Guard, 0.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.4 (240th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.0 (26, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (100, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.4 (58, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.4 (212, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.7 (157, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.1 (190, 8)
Rebound Margin: -1.7 (254, 9)
Assists Per Game: 11.5 (298, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (227, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NIT | First Round win over Boise State |
| 2018 | NIT | Second Round loss to Saint Mary's |
| 2016 | NIT | First Round win over Long Beach State |
| 2016 | NIT | Second Round loss to San Diego State |
| 2013 | NIT | First Round loss to BYU |
| 2012 | NIT | First Round win over Texas-Arlington |
| 2012 | NIT | Second Round win over Northwestern |
| 2012 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Oregon |
| 2012 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Minnesota |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Georgia |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to North Carolina |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Marquette |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over New Mexico |
| 2010 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to West Virginia |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Mississippi State |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Purdue |
| 2008 | CBI | First Round loss to Valparaiso |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Utah State |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Illinois |
| 2006 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut |
*all team stats through 3/10
