Here’s the previous teams we ranked in this series:
49. UCF Knights
52. Clemson Tigers
53. New Mexico Lobos
58. SMU Mustangs
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Additionally, here is where each of our analysts had the Huskies ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 51 | 47 | 60 | 45 |
2022-2023: Mike Hopkins’ Tenure at Washington
Mike Hopkins took over at Washington after a long tenure as an assistant coach under Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, where he was groomed for a head coaching position. Hopkins began his head coaching journey with the Huskies in the 2017-2018 season. His early tenure was marked by success, winning 21 and 27 games in his first two seasons and earning a Pac-12 regular-season title. However, the shine faded quickly as Hopkins struggled to maintain that level of performance, with his teams failing to break the .500 mark for most of the subsequent seasons.
During the 2022-2023 season, the Huskies posted a mediocre 16-16 record and finished 8th in the Pac-12 with an 8-12 mark in conference play. The team’s performance was emblematic of Hopkins’ difficulties since his early success. Despite flashes of competence, Washington’s inconsistency prevented them from becoming a competitive force in the conference.
Over Hopkins’ tenure, he managed a combined record of 121-111, with much of his success coming in the early years. As the Pac-12 prepared for disbandment, the Huskies faced uncertainty not only regarding their conference future but also with Hopkins’ standing as head coach. His team was seen as non-competitive in a moderate-strength conference, raising questions about his ability to turn things around.
The 2022-2023 season played out much like previous ones: a bright start with a 6-1 non-conference record, but then a sharp decline. Washington only managed a three-game winning streak over their next 25 games. The season ended in disappointment, with the Huskies losing to a strong Colorado team in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.
Offensively, Hopkins relied heavily on principles learned from his time at Syracuse, particularly a slow, methodical style. The Huskies ranked a dismal 245th nationally in points per game (69.2) and 269th in field goal percentage (43.1%). The offense struggled to score efficiently, and their deliberate pace only exacerbated their inability to keep up with faster, more dynamic teams.
Defensively, the Huskies employed the 2-3 zone that Hopkins had mastered under Boeheim. However, as modern offensive systems evolve and outside shooting becomes more critical, the zone defense has become less effective. While Washington ranked 9th nationally in blocks and 126th in steals, the defense overall was shaky, finishing 190th in the nation in points allowed per game (70.3). This imbalance made it difficult for the Huskies to close out games.
One bright spot offensively was the play of Keion Brooks, a Kentucky transfer who averaged 17.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG. Freshman guard Keyon Menifield chipped in with 10.0 PPG and 3.1 APG, and junior big man Braxton Meah contributed 8.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG. However, beyond these few contributors, Washington lacked the depth to compete at a high level. As the season concluded, the future remained murky, and questions loomed about Hopkins’ job security.
2023-2024: Hopkins on the Hot Seat
The 2023-2024 season was a make-or-break year for Mike Hopkins. His seat had grown increasingly hot after several disappointing seasons, and expectations were high for him to turn things around. Hopkins bolstered the roster via the transfer portal, bringing in seasoned players such as Sahvir Wheeler, a veteran point guard who returned to Washington after stints at Georgia and Kentucky. Moses Wood, a sharpshooter from the University of Portland, also joined the squad. Keion Brooks and Braxton Meah returned, though Keyon Menifield transferred to Arkansas to play in one of the most competitive conferences in the country.
Washington’s offense saw a dramatic shift in philosophy. The Huskies embraced a faster pace and greater reliance on outside shooting, finishing the season averaging 80.6 points per game (30th nationally) and shooting 47% from the field (50th nationally). This newfound offensive explosiveness was a positive development and suggested that Hopkins had adjusted his coaching style. When firing on all cylinders, few teams could keep up with Washington’s offensive firepower.
However, the shift to a faster pace came at a cost on the defensive end. The Huskies struggled mightily, allowing 77.1 points per game, ranking 318th nationally. They particularly had trouble defending against teams with good ball movement, ranking 300th in assists allowed. Despite their offensive improvements, Washington’s inability to stop opponents in transition or in the half-court doomed them to inconsistency.
The Huskies finished the season with a 17-15 overall record and a 9-11 mark in Pac-12 play, securing 6th place in the conference. Unfortunately, they once again exited early in the Pac-12 tournament, losing in the first round to USC.
Individually, Keion Brooks continued to shine, earning All-Pac-12 First Team honors with 21.1 PPG and 6.8 RPG in his final season. Sahvir Wheeler became the playmaker Washington sorely needed, averaging 14.3 PPG and 6.1 APG, while Moses Wood added 11.9 PPG and shot 39.6% from three-point range. Additionally, sophomore guard Koren Johnson was a standout off the bench, winning Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year.
As Hopkins’ tenure at Washington came to an end, the program faced significant challenges. With Brooks and other key contributors leaving, and the team transitioning to a new head coach, the future remained uncertain.
Looking Ahead: Danny Sprinkle Brings a Change in Tides
As the Huskies prepare for the 2024-2025 season, Danny Sprinkle steps in as the new head coach, bringing a fresh perspective and a winning pedigree. Sprinkle is coming off a highly successful 28-7 season at Utah State, where his team earned an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Over his five-year head coaching career at Montana State and Utah State, Sprinkle amassed an impressive 109-50 record, including three NCAA Tournament appearances. His arrival signals a potential culture change at Washington, a program that has not experienced consistent success in nearly a decade.
The transition will not be easy. Washington will move to the Big Ten following the disbandment of the Pac-12, and a significant roster overhaul has taken place. Four players transferred out, including Braxton Meah (Nebraska), Wesley Yates (USC), Nate Calmese (Washington State), and Koren Johnson (Louisville). However, Sprinkle managed to land eight transfer players, headlined by Great Osobor from Utah State, who averaged 17.7 PPG and 9.0 RPG last season and was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.
Other key additions include DJ Davis, a combo guard from Butler who averaged 13.5 PPG, and Tyler Harris, a 6’8″ forward from Portland who averaged 12.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG. The Huskies also added 6’5″ guard Mekhi Mason from Rice (14.0 PPG), and two highly-touted 4-star recruits, Zoom Diallo and Jase Butler, who could contribute immediately.
Despite the talent influx, Washington will only return 15.2% of last season’s minutes and 18.9% of its scoring. Sprinkle’s teams at Utah State averaged 79.7 points per game (42nd nationally) and allowed 71.3 points per game (159th nationally). If he can implement his up-tempo, efficient system, Washington may surprise many in their inaugural Big Ten season.
This season will likely not be about individual accolades but rather laying the foundation for future success. Great Osobor will be a critical player to watch as he anchors the Huskies’ frontcourt, and the depth brought in via the transfer portal should provide Sprinkle with the tools to surpass the 20-win mark. Expectations are cautiously optimistic as Washington looks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons.
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