The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is gearing up for the final stretch of a season that hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. But there's a silver lining on the horizon-sophomore forward Bryson Tucker is set to make his return just in time to bolster the squad.
In a recent post on "X," Washington shared images of Tucker back in action at practice, accompanied by the welcoming caption "welcome home." Despite sporting a noticeable wrap on his thumb, Tucker was seen confidently putting up shots, signaling his readiness to rejoin the lineup.
The Huskies are currently on the east coast, prepping for a Big Ten clash against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. This matchup holds special significance for Tucker, a Maryland native from Bowie, just a short drive from the Terrapins' home court.
There was some uncertainty about Tucker’s availability for this game after he missed the Huskies' recent victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers due to a thumb injury sustained in their narrow loss to Penn State. This was the second time Tucker has been sidelined this season, having previously missed over a month with an ankle sprain.
Tucker, a key offseason acquisition from Indiana, has been a vital part of Washington’s lineup when healthy. Starting in 13 of his 19 appearances, he’s averaged 6.2 points on 43.9% shooting, along with 4.3 rebounds per game.
With five games left in the regular season, including matchups against Rutgers, No. 24 Wisconsin, USC, and Oregon, Tucker's return is timely. Each of these contests presents an opportunity for the Huskies to finish strong before they head into the Big Ten postseason tournament at the United Center in Chicago from March 10-15.
The road ahead is challenging, but with Tucker back in the mix, the Huskies have a chance to turn things around and make a statement as the season draws to a close.