Preseason buzz around Washington women’s basketball keeps building, and the latest sign is coming from the Associated Press.
The AP placed the Huskies at No. 16 in its preseason Top 25 poll, putting Washington just behind the TCU Horned Frogs at No. 15 and just ahead of the Minnesota Golden Gophers at No. 17.
That ranking also makes Washington the fifth-highest team in the Big Ten entering the season. Four conference teams landed above the Huskies: USC at No.
3, Michigan at No. 5, Iowa at No. 10 and UCLA at No.
The recognition comes after a major leap forward last season under head coach Tina Langley. Washington advanced to the Round of 32 in March Madness before losing to TCU by three points in overtime. It was the program’s first NCAA tournament win since 2017, and the first time since then that the Huskies reached back-to-back NCAA tournaments.
It also marked Langley’s first tournament victory in her three trips as a head coach, with one coming at Rice and two with Washington.
With that breakthrough behind them, the Huskies went into the offseason and upgraded the roster with the goal of pushing even further in 2025. The preseason respect reflects that work, with multiple outlets placing Washington inside their Top 25 as well.
If the Huskies hold onto that kind of standing, they should be right in the NCAA tournament mix again when the season winds down, which would give them a third straight trip to March Madness.
Washington opens the regular season against UC San Diego at 11 a.m. PT on Nov. 2 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. The Huskies will play all of their nonconference games in Washington except for two matchups at the Coconut Hoops tournament, and their only true road game in that stretch will come against Washington State on Nov. 17 at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.
In Other News...
Washingtons New-Look Roster Is Taking Shape With One Early Concern
The first public look at Washingtons revamped mens basketball roster came Tuesday, when the Huskies opened practice to the media ahead of their 2026-27 season opener against Colgate. With nine newcomers joining six returning players, the workout offered an early glimpse at how this group might come together, with the veterans expected to help set the tone as the program sorts out its rotation and identity.
There was plenty to watch even in a practice setting, especially with several new faces already making their presence felt in different ways. Still, the day also brought a small early concern, as two players were held out while continuing recovery and conditioning work, a reminder that even a roster this deep can take time to fully settle in before the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Basketball Has A New Voice As The Overhaul Continues
Washingtons mens basketball broadcast booth is getting a new sound to go with the rest of the programs offseason overhaul. The Huskies announced a change in leadership behind the mic, part of a broader reset that has already brought in new players, a new general manager and additions to the coaching staff as the program keeps reshaping itself.
Nick Koop will take over as the Director of Broadcasting and the play-by-play voice for mens basketball, bringing a long UCLA background to Seattle. The university has also separated its football and mens basketball broadcast duties, with Elise Woodward already in place for football play-by-play, another small but telling sign of how much is changing around the program. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Suddenly Has A Real QB Decision On Its Hands
Elijah Brown has turned Washingtons quarterback depth chart into a legitimate conversation after stepping in for Demond Williams Jr., who has been sidelined by a rib injury. Brown handled the offense well enough in recent games to give the Huskies more than a temporary answer, and head coach Jedd Fisch acknowledged as much while the staff works through what comes next.
Browns most convincing stretch came in the win at Purdue and carried over into the Iowa game after Williams was forced out, giving Washington a new layer of intrigue heading into the coming week. Former UW quarterback Brock Huard has also backed Brown to keep the job based on what he has shown lately, leaving the Huskies with a decision that now depends as much on health as on performance. [Read more 🡒]