Washington's visit to Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 31 was a resounding success, as the Huskies handed Northwestern a 76-62 defeat. The victory was fueled by a balanced attack, with three players scoring over 20 points, led by Hannes Steinbach's impressive 22-point, 14-rebound performance. Steinbach's dominant outing was complemented by Zoom Diallo's 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, as well as Wesley Yates III's 21 points.
Northwestern, predicted to win by 4.5 points by CHD Scout, struggled to contain Washington's high-powered offense. The Huskies jumped out to a 12-point lead at halftime, with Steinbach and Diallo combining for 25 points in the first half. The Wildcats' Nick Martinelli tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 19 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Huskies' onslaught. Arrinten Page added 16 points and 8 rebounds for Northwestern, while Jayden Reid chipped in with 11 points and 5 assists.
The second half saw Washington maintain its lead, with the Huskies outscoring the Wildcats 37-35. Despite a solid effort from Martinelli and Page, Northwestern couldn't muster a comeback, and the Huskies cruised to a 14-point victory. The loss drops Northwestern to 10-12 on the season, while Washington improves to 12-10.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game was a significant one for both teams' tournament resumes. For Northwestern, the loss represents a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could impact their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. On the other hand, Washington's win is a Quadrant 1 victory, which will undoubtedly boost their resume. With a current net ranking of 57, the Huskies are slowly but surely making a case for themselves as a tournament contender.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction was incorrect, as Washington's margin of victory far exceeded the predicted 4.5-point win for Northwestern. The actual score of 76-62 was a far cry from the predicted 77-73 outcome, highlighting the unpredictability of college basketball.
As the season enters its final stretch, Washington's win over Northwestern serves as a significant resume-booster. The Huskies' ability to dominate a decent Northwestern team on the road will undoubtedly catch the attention of tournament selectors. With their net ranking improving to 57, Washington is slowly but surely making a case for themselves as a tournament contender. Conversely, Northwestern's loss will put a dent in their tournament hopes, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the NCAA Tournament.