Washington (6-3, 1-1 Big Ten) notched its most impressive victory of the young season so far, toppling No. 24 USC 84-76, its first defeat of the season. How you view this Husky team depends on which half of the game your opinion first formed.
The first half was ugly. There was hope that Washington could go into the Galen Center and pick up an upset victory, but it quickly dwindled. USC was giving UW far more than it could handle and jumped out to a 48-30 lead. Offensively, Washington was uncomfortable and couldn’t get going from beyond the arc, nor could it generate open looks. Through 20 minutes of play, UW was 1-of-2 from three-point land. Defensively, the headaches were even bigger with the volume at which USC was scoring.
First half opinion: This is the team we thought would quench Husky Nation’s thirst by ending the NCAA Tournament drought?
This season felt doomed. Until it didn’t, after all, what are sports even for if we aren’t overreacting?
It’s worth mentioning that even if UW hadn’t rallied, it is far too early to cast judgment on what this team can accomplish until the roster is healthier. But piling up losses early could be devastating if UW is on the bubble come selection Sunday.
The best way to avoid that scenario is to win games. So the Huskies went and did that.
Despite trailing by 18 at halftime, Washington ended up dominating the Trojans. UW would go on a run, then USC would counter, and UW would inch closer, then USC would counter again. Then the Huskies unleashed a flurry of haymakers, going on a 13-0 run to take the lead and stun the Trojans.
Hannes Steinbach was the star of the show, and Desmond Claude was the hot hand. It was Claude’s first bout with the Trojans after donning USC across his chest a season ago. UW needed every bit of his 22 points, especially down the stretch when he began to take the game over. Wesley Yates III, fellow former Trojan, added 16 points and was the only other Dawg in double-figures. Meanwhile, Steinbach’s 24 led the way; he also went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc and snagged 16 rebounds. Wesley Yates III, a fellow former Trojan. Washington outscored USC 54-28 en route to the come-from-behind victory.
Second half opinion: Just wait until this team is healthy.
After two clashes with former Pac-12, now Big Ten foes, Washington’s schedule cools off a bit. It hosts Southern Utah on Dec. 12, then battles Seattle U at Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 19. After that, San Diego comes to town on Dec. 22. The lone non-conference bout after that stretch is against another former Pac-12 member as the Utes come to town.