Washington Set to Host Oregon in Historic Rivalry Clash Amidst Midseason Turning Point
SEATTLE - One of college basketball’s most storied rivalries writes its next chapter on Sunday when Washington hosts Oregon at Alaska Airlines Arena. Tip-off is set for noon PT, and fans can catch the action streaming on Peacock or tune in via 1090 KPTR-AM with Tony Castricone and Jason Hamilton on the call.
This will mark the 318th meeting between the Huskies and Ducks - a rivalry that dates back over a century and remains the second most-played in Division I men’s basketball. And while Washington holds a commanding 192-125 edge in the all-time series, Oregon has owned recent bragging rights, winning four straight, including the last two in Seattle.
But Sunday’s showdown comes at a pivotal moment for both programs - and especially for Washington.
Huskies Looking to Snap Skid, Regain Momentum
Washington enters the matchup riding a three-game losing streak, though it’s worth noting that all three defeats came against top-12 ranked opponents. Most recently, the Huskies fell 76-66 on the road to undefeated No. 7 Nebraska - a game that started slow but showed signs of life late.
Washington’s 28-point first half tied its season low, but the Huskies bounced back after the break, outscoring the Cornhuskers by three in the second half. That late push was fueled by two standout performances from a pair of young stars.
Hannes Steinbach continues to look like a cornerstone in the making. The freshman forward poured in 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, knocking down both of his three-point attempts. That marked his fourth 20-point double-double against Big Ten competition this season - a stat that puts him in rare air nationally.
Zoom Diallo also impressed, hitting 8-of-14 from the floor en route to 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds. The freshman guard has now tallied at least five assists in five of his last seven games, showing a growing command of the offense.
Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs. Washington outscored Nebraska 40-26 in the paint and won the rebounding battle - something they hadn’t done in their previous six games. If the Huskies can carry that interior dominance into Sunday, they’ll have a real shot at snapping Oregon’s recent run in the rivalry.
Oregon Struggling, Short-Handed Entering Seattle
The Ducks come into Sunday’s game facing some challenges of their own. Oregon has dropped five straight and sits at 8-11 overall, with a 1-7 mark in Big Ten play. Three of those losses came against top-10 opponents, and they’ve struggled to find consistency - especially on the road, where they’re just 1-3 this season.
To make matters tougher, Oregon will be without its top two scorers: Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad. Bittle, who averages 16.3 points per game and leads the team in blocks, and Shelstad, who adds 15.6 points and is second on the team in made threes, are both sidelined.
That puts added pressure on junior forward Kwame Evans Jr., who’s averaging 12.8 points and ranks seventh in the Big Ten in rebounding at 7.3 boards per game. If Oregon is going to pull off a road win, Evans will need to play a major role on both ends of the floor.
Series Snapshot: Huskies Still Hold the Upper Hand
While Oregon has had the upper hand lately, Washington still leads the all-time series by a wide margin and boasts a dominant 116-41 record against the Ducks in Seattle. But make no mistake - this is a rivalry where momentum matters, and right now, the Huskies are looking to flip the script.
Player Watch: Huskies Finding New Contributors
Beyond the stars, Washington is starting to see contributions from deeper in the rotation.
- Franck Kepnang has quietly become one of the most efficient scorers in the conference. Over his last six games, the big man is shooting a blistering 69% from the field, hitting at least 60% in each of those contests. He’s scored in double figures in three of the last five after doing so just once in the season’s first 14 games.
- Jacob Ognacevic made his long-awaited debut against Michigan after recovering from a foot injury and surgery in October. The 2025 ASUN Player of the Year didn’t waste time making an impact, hitting his first two shots and finishing with 10 points and three rebounds in just 16 minutes.
- JJ Mandaquit, another freshman, had a breakout night against Michigan. After scoring just five total points in his first four Big Ten games, Mandaquit led the Huskies with a career-high 15 points, connecting on 3-of-4 from deep - a welcome sight after missing his previous eight attempts. He’s also dished out 13 assists to just four turnovers since the start of January, showing poise beyond his years.
Steinbach’s Historic Start Turning Heads
It’s hard to overstate what Hannes Steinbach is doing right now. The freshman forward leads the Big Ten with 11 double-doubles in just 16 career games - one of only 12 players nationally to reach that mark this season, and one of just five at a Power Five school.
He’s tied with Texas Tech’s JT Toppin for the most 20-point, 10-rebound games against Power Five opponents this season (five), and he’s the first Husky to record five straight double-doubles since Jon Brockman did it in 2007-08. He’s also the first Washington freshman to post a double-double since Isaiah Stewart in 2019-20.
Simply put, Steinbach is putting together one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in recent Husky memory - and he’s doing it against elite competition.
What’s at Stake
For Washington, Sunday’s game is about more than just rivalry bragging rights. It’s a chance to stop a skid, reclaim momentum, and get back on track in Big Ten play. For Oregon, it’s an opportunity to snap a losing streak of their own - but they’ll have to do it short-handed and in hostile territory.
Expect intensity. Expect physicality. And expect another memorable chapter in one of college basketball’s most enduring rivalries.
Tip-off is at noon PT. The stage is set. Let’s see who rises.