As the Washington men's basketball team gears up for their first-ever Big Ten Tournament, all eyes are on their matchup against USC at the United Center. Set to tip off at 11:30 a.m.
PT, fans can catch the action streaming on Peacock and NBCSN, with Tony Castricone and Jason Hamilton providing the play-by-play on 93.3 KJR-FM. For those looking to dive deeper into the game, GoHuskies.com has all the live coverage links you need.
Opening Tips
Washington enters this tournament with some momentum, having secured a first-round bye as the No. 12 seed. Historically, the Huskies hold a 21-23 record in conference tournament play, with USC being a familiar postseason foe, having knocked them out in two of their last three appearances. This season, however, Washington has had USC's number, sweeping the regular season series.
Their last outing saw Washington fall short in a nail-biter against Oregon, 85-79. Despite a valiant comeback from a 21-point deficit, the Huskies couldn't hold off Oregon's late surge.
Hannes Steinbach was a standout, dropping 26 points and grabbing 13 boards, marking his fourth consecutive game with a 20+ point double-double. Freshmen Zoom Diallo and Wesley Yates III also contributed 14 points each, while Courtland Muldrew impressed off the bench with career highs in points and assists.
Washington's perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line tied a program record.
About USC
USC, in their second season under head coach Eric Musselman, is looking to break a seven-game losing streak. Musselman, known for his successful stints at Arkansas, brings a wealth of tournament experience.
The Trojans, with an 18-13 overall record, share a 7-13 Big Ten record with Washington. Their recent defeat to UCLA highlighted some struggles, but USC's ability to get to the line-leading the Big Ten in free throw attempts-is a strength.
Defensively, they're formidable, ranking second in the conference in blocks, thanks in part to sophomore forward Jacob Cofie, a Seattle native. Senior forward Ezra Ausar is another key player, leading the league in free throw attempts.
Series History
USC holds an 85-77 edge in the all-time series with Washington. In conference tournaments, the Trojans have had the upper hand in three of four meetings. However, Washington's regular-season sweep of USC this year was their first since 2019, showcasing their ability to dominate late in games, outscoring USC by 48 points in the second half across both encounters.
It's How You Finish
Hannes Steinbach has been a revelation, averaging 23.5 points and 16 rebounds over the last four games. His rebounding prowess is unmatched in this stretch, and he's been efficient, shooting over 65% from the field. Steinbach's performance against USC earlier this season, with 22 points and 24 rebounds, was one for the record books-just the fifth 20-20 game in program history.
Stepping Up
Freshmen Courtland Muldrew and Nikola Dzepina have emerged as vital contributors for the Huskies. Muldrew has been logging significant minutes recently, scoring 75% of his season points in the last six games. Dzepina, seeing more court time, has become a consistent threat from beyond the arc.
Like Clockwork
Steinbach's dominance is further highlighted by his 20 double-doubles in 28 career games, leading the Power 5 conferences. He's the only player nationally with 11 or more games of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds against Power Five opponents this season. His achievements are reminiscent of past Husky greats, and if he maintains his current pace, he'll become the first freshman in program history to average a double-double for a season.
As Washington takes the court against USC, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting chapter in their burgeoning Big Ten journey. With standout performances and emerging talent, the Huskies are poised to make some noise.