As Washington prepares to square off against Utah, there's more than just another game on the line - it's a gut check for a Huskies squad that’s still trying to figure out exactly who it is heading into the heart of Big Ten play.
Expectations were higher this season. After last year’s turbulent campaign, there was a sense around Montlake that things were finally trending in the right direction.
And for a moment in early December, that optimism felt justified. A narrow loss to a tough UCLA team was followed by an impressive road win over USC - the kind of bounce-back performance that suggests a team with real resolve.
Then came a blowout win over Southern Utah, and it looked like the Huskies were ready to string together a solid run with Seattle U and San Diego next on the docket.
But this is college basketball - and nothing is ever guaranteed on paper.
Seattle U once again played spoiler, just like they did last season. The Redhawks stunned the Huskies with a 70-66 win, and it wasn’t pretty.
If you’re a fan of three-point shooting, you probably didn’t make it through all 40 minutes. UW went a dismal 1-for-15 from beyond the arc, while Seattle U wasn’t much better at 3-for-22.
That’s a combined 4-of-37 from deep - a stat line that makes you wince just reading it.
Washington’s offensive issues in the half-court were on full display - and they’re not new. We saw similar stagnation earlier this season against Baylor, and it’s becoming clear that the Huskies look more comfortable when the game speeds up.
Head coach Danny Sprinkle appears to favor a more controlled pace, but with this roster, that might be playing against their strengths. This is a team with athleticism and energy - the kind that thrives when pushing the tempo, attacking in transition, and forcing opponents to keep up.
The lack of depth is a concern, no doubt. But a faster pace could help mask some of the more glaring issues - namely, the inability to consistently shoot from the perimeter.
When you’re running the floor, you don’t need to be lights-out from deep to be effective. You just need to keep pressure on the defense, and that’s something Washington can do if it leans into its athletic identity.
One player who continues to shine is Hannes Steinbach. The forward turned heads again in the Huskies’ bounce-back win over San Diego, dropping 21 points and grabbing 14 boards in a 30-point blowout.
NBA scouts are already circling, and performances like that only strengthen his case as a potential first-round pick. He’s the kind of player who can carry a team when things get tough - and Washington will need him to do just that as the Big Ten grind begins.
Another name to watch is Serbian big man Nikola Dzepina. He’s not generating the same buzz as Steinbach, but the coaching staff clearly sees something in him.
After logging just five minutes in his debut against Southern Utah, he got 20 minutes of action against San Diego. His shooting numbers - 1-for-5 from three - don’t jump off the page, but the fact that he’s getting the green light to shoot from deep says a lot.
Coaches don’t let bigs fire away from the arc unless they believe there’s potential there.
If Dzepina finds his rhythm, it could open up the floor in ways this team desperately needs. And if the Huskies can start connecting from outside - or at least create better looks in transition - they might just have enough firepower to make some noise in the Big Ten.
Of course, there’s still work to be done. The conference is stacked, and Washington’s 8-4 record (1-1 in Big Ten play) puts them right in the middle of a crowded race.
Nebraska, Michigan, and Michigan State are all undefeated in conference action. Purdue and UCLA are right there too.
Washington doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be consistent - and that starts with finding an offensive identity that fits the personnel.
The Huskies have shown flashes. Now it’s about sustaining it.
Next stop: Utah. And with it, another chance to prove this team is more than just potential.