The Huskies showed grit and determination, rallying to defeat Southern California in an overtime thriller to advance in the Big Ten Conference tournament. Playing in Chicago, the University of Washington men's basketball team overcame a tough challenge from USC, emerging victorious with an 83-79 win.
This victory marks the second time in two weeks that the No. 12 Huskies have bested the No.
13 Trojans. Washington now holds a balanced 16-16 record, while USC drops to 18-14.
Next up for Danny Sprinkle's squad is a clash with No. 5 Wisconsin.
The Badgers have yet to take the court in the tournament, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup. The Huskies will follow the opening game of the day between No.
9 Iowa and No. 8 Ohio State, tipping off 25 minutes after its conclusion.
Inside the Numbers
Freshman sensation Hannes Steinbach, recently named to the third-team All-Big Ten, delivered a solid performance with 10 points and 11 rebounds, marking his 21st double-double of the season. While his scoring was below his usual output, his presence on the boards was crucial.
Zoom Diallo led the Huskies with 22 points, showcasing his scoring ability by hitting 7-of-20 from the field. Quimari Peterson and Wesley Yates III contributed significantly, each adding 15 points, with Peterson's points all coming from beyond the arc.
Washington's long-range shooting was a key factor, as they drained 11 threes, shooting 38 percent from deep. Despite trailing by 11 in the second half, the Huskies mounted an impressive comeback.
On the other side, USC struggled without leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara. The Trojans shot 45 percent from the field and managed just 33 percent from three, connecting on seven triples. Their woes at the free-throw line, where they shot just 56 percent, also hurt their chances.
Kam Woods was a standout for USC, putting up 24 points as one of five players in double figures.
Scouting Wisconsin
The Badgers enter the matchup with a strong 20-9 record, including a 12-6 mark in Big Ten play. They previously defeated Washington 90-73 in Seattle, with Braeden Carrington lighting it up for 32 points, including nine three-pointers.
While Wisconsin has had a solid season, they've shown vulnerability with close losses to USC and Indiana. Washington can draw some confidence from Wisconsin's defeat to Oregon, a team that finished No. 16 in the Big Ten.
Coaching Carousel
In other news, former University of Washington head coach Mike Hopkins is back in the spotlight. After two seasons away from college basketball, Hopkins is reportedly a candidate for the Syracuse University job. Syracuse recently parted ways with head coach Adrian Autry following a 15-17 season and an early exit from the ACC Tournament.
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