The Washington Huskies men's basketball team is gearing up for a crucial Big Ten tournament opener against a familiar foe, the USC Trojans, on Wednesday. This matchup is set to take place at the United Center in Chicago, with tip-off at 11:30 a.m. PT.
The Huskies started this season with a fresh roster, bringing in a mix of experienced upperclassmen and promising newcomers, including standout All-Big Ten selection Hannes Steinbach. However, injuries have been a constant hurdle, disrupting the lineup and even hindering practice sessions. This adversity has contributed to a challenging season, resulting in a 15-16 overall record and a 7-13 finish in conference play.
With the NCAA Tournament on the line, the Huskies' only path forward is a miraculous run to clinch the Big Ten championship. As the No. 12 seed, they face the 13th-seeded USC Trojans, a team they've already defeated twice this season. Their previous encounters ended in victories for Washington, with scores of 84-76 in Los Angeles and a decisive 91-72 in Seattle.
Despite their familiarity with USC, the Huskies remain shorthanded. Senior center Franck Kepnang is sidelined with a stress reaction in his leg, and sophomore forward Bryson Tucker is away due to personal reasons. This leaves Washington with potentially just eight scholarship players available, putting pressure on key players like Steinbach and sophomore guard Zoom Diallo to lead the charge.
Steinbach has been a powerhouse, averaging 18.6 points on 58.6% shooting, along with 11.6 rebounds per game. Diallo has also been impressive, contributing 15.3 points per game on 49.2% shooting, with 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds.
USC isn't without its challenges either, as they've lost their top scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara. This adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
For those eager to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
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