The University of Washington and Rutgers University will face off on February 24 at Jersey Mike's Arena, a matchup that holds significant implications in the Big Ten conference standings. With both teams sitting near the bottom of the conference table, this game is crucial in determining their seeding for the upcoming conference tournament. Washington, with a 5-11 record in the Big Ten, is looking to bounce back from a recent slump, while Rutgers, at 4-12, is seeking to build momentum after a mixed run of results.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the margins between teams in the conference are razor-thin, and this game is a prime example. The model predicts a narrow Washington victory, 76-71, but the actual outcome is far from certain. With neither team in contention for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, the conference tournament auto-bid is their only path to postseason play. As a result, every game, including this one, takes on added importance, and the winner will gain a crucial advantage in the pursuit of a tournament berth.
Averaging 17.8 points per game, has been the team's leading scorer, while his 10.9 rebounds per game have made him a dominant force on the glass. The team's recent form has been inconsistent, with losses in four of their last five games, including a 60-64 defeat at Maryland and a 74-84 loss to Iowa. With a record of 13-14, Washington is looking to turn their season around, and 's 4.4 assists per game will be crucial in facilitating the team's offense.
His 45% three-point shooting has been a notable aspect of Desmond Claude's game, and he has been a key contributor to the team's scoring efforts, averaging 13.3 points per game. 's 13.1 points per game have also been important, and 's 2.1 assists per game have provided additional support to the team's backcourt. As Washington looks to bounce back from their recent losses, including a 60-63 defeat to Penn State and a 73-77 loss to UCLA, the performances of these key players will be vital in determining the team's success against Rutgers.
With a record of 11-16, including 4-12 in the Big Ten, Rutgers is looking to bounce back from a loss at Minnesota in their last outing. Averaging 16.6 points per game, is the team's leading scorer, and his ability to create for himself and others will be crucial in this matchup. His 2.7 assists per game are also a key factor in the team's offense, which has shown flashes of brilliance in recent wins over Penn State and Maryland. In those victories, the team's supporting cast, including , who averages 10.9 points per game, has stepped up to provide necessary scoring depth.
The team's recent form has been marked by inconsistency, with losses to Nebraska and UCLA in their last five games. However, with contributing 7.9 points per game and adding 7.1 points per game, Rutgers has a balanced attack that can pose problems for opponents. , who averages 6.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, has also been a key contributor, and his 2.5 assists per game have helped to facilitate the team's offense. As Rutgers looks to regain its footing, the play of these key contributors will be essential in determining the outcome of the game against Washington.
Key Matchups
The matchup between Hannes Steinbach and Dylan Grant will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. Steinbach's dominance in the paint, where he averages 10.9 rebounds per game, will be tested by Grant's physicality and rebounding ability. Grant's 4.6 rebounds per game may not seem like a significant threat, but his presence in the paint could limit Steinbach's opportunities for easy baskets and second-chance points. If Grant can contain Steinbach and limit his scoring opportunities, it could significantly impact Washington's overall offense.
Steinbach's ability to outmuscle Grant and secure rebounds will be crucial, as it would allow Washington to control the tempo of the game and create scoring opportunities in transition. Conversely, if Grant can hold his own against Steinbach, Rutgers may be able to dictate the pace of the game and force Washington into difficult shots. The outcome of this individual battle will have a significant impact on the team's overall performance, making it the key matchup to watch in this game.
CHD Scout Prediction
Washington
76
Rutgers
71
The model predicts a Washington victory, 76-71, with a 67.6% win probability, and I agree with this assessment. While the numbers suggest a relatively close game, I believe Washington's superior overall performance, as evidenced by their NET ranking of 56 compared to Rutgers' 157, will be the decisive factor. Specifically, the significant disparity in NET rankings suggests that Washington has consistently performed at a higher level than Rutgers throughout the season, which leads me to believe that they will ultimately emerge victorious in this matchup.
Tournament Stakes
As the season enters its final stretch, both Washington and Rutgers find themselves on the outside looking in, with their only hope for postseason play hinging on a conference tournament title. In the Big Ten standings, a win for either team would be a crucial step in positioning themselves for a favorable draw in the tournament. For Washington, a victory would help solidify their middle-of-the-pack position, while Rutgers desperately needs a win to climb out of the basement and gain momentum heading into the tournament. With neither team boasting an impressive resume, including Washington's 1-9 mark in Quad 1 games and Rutgers' winless record against top-tier opponents, the trajectory of their respective programs will be shaped by their ability to perform under pressure in the conference tournament. The outcome of this game will have significant implications for both teams' chances of making a deep run, and ultimately, it's clear that only one can capitalize on this opportunity to alter their program's narrative, and it's Rutgers that needs this win more, as their season is on the precipice of irrelevance.