UW prepares for Big Ten Tourney run

MOSES LAKE — The University of Washington Huskies (15-16) are heading for the Big Ten tournament in Chicago where they will compete against the University of Southern California in the second round. The Huskies are coming off a close loss last weekend against the Oregon Ducks in the regular season finale. 

“I’m proud of these guys,” said Huskies Head Coach Danny Sprinkle in Monday’s press conference. “A lot of teams would shut it down, especially the way Oregon played, making their first seven threes. To come back like that in a rivalry game and be able to take the lead, I was impressed with their ability to fight through adversity, and it showed character.” 

The Ducks took control of the opening half with a 16-0 run that stretched the lead to 29-8 with 9:29 remaining before halftime. The Huskies cut into the 21-point deficit within that time to end the half, 30-44.  

Returning from halftime, the Huskies maintained their new pace to make it a much more competitive game and eventually gained the lead for the first time at 75-74. UW extended that lead to 79-76 through Hannes Steinbach who sunk four shots from the free throw line.  

Oregon soon responded with 24 seconds left in the game as Kwame Evans Jr. sunk a three-pointer and six free throws to claim victory over the Huskies 85-79.  

“You’ve got to be able to finish off games like that where there were some things that we controlled that we let slip,” said Sprinkle during Monday’s press conference.  

Steinbach was the offensive leader for the huskies recording his fourth straight double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Wesley Yates III and Zoom Diallo both scored 14 points, Quimari Peterson finished with 11 and Courtland Muldrew provided 26 minutes off the bench to record nine points, five rebounds and four assists. 

The Ducks’ Evans Jr led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds with Nate Bittle adding 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Takai Simpkins contributed 19 points, Drew Carter scored 11 and Drew Carter scored 10. 

Following this matchup was the start of the NCAA Big Ten tournament where Oregon entered as the 16th seed and UW entered as the 12th seed. The Ducks faced the 17th seed Maryland in the first round where they fell 60-70.

The Huskies prepare for their first matchup in the tourney Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago as they face the 13th seed USC. UW has won both prior matchups against USC this season, with the most recent matchup happening last week where the Huskies won 91-72.  

“Our guys, they have great respect for USC and their players,” said Sprinkle in the press conference. “They know what they’re capable of and it’s been one of those games where it’s been a tale of both halves in the first meeting and the second meeting and the one thing is we just played better in the second half.” 

USC leads the all-time series with Washington 85-77 and the Trojans have defeated the Huskies in three of the last four conference tournament meetings. According to the UW athletic site, this will also be UW’s first time competing in the Big Ten Tournament.  

The winner of the UW vs USC matchup will move on to face the number five seed Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon.