Washington could use some good vibes as the Huskies wrap up nonconference play by hosting the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Sunday in Seattle.
The Huskies (8-4) are coming off a 79-70 defeat to Seattle University, their first to their city rivals in 20 meetings since 1978.
“Nobody cares,” Washington coach Danny Sprinkle said when asked about the historical significance of the loss. “Obviously, Seattle U didn’t care about it, either. They came in and competed. The basketball gods gave them what they deserved. … They kicked our butt in almost every category from shooting to energy to physicality and getting to the free-throw line.
“I’m shocked the game was this close. I really am.”
The Huskies had averaged 88 points and shot 55 percent from the field in their two most-recent wins, against in-state rivals Washington State and Eastern Washington. But they struggled against the Redhawks, shooting 24 of 57 from the field (42.1 percent) and 6 of 24 from 3-point range (25 percent).
Tyler Harris led the Huskies with 20 points and Great Osobor added 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. But Washington got just seven points on 3-for-18 shooting from starters Mekhi Mason and DJ Davis, who combined to shoot 1 for 14 beyond the arc. Starter Tyree Ihenacho didn’t attempt a field goal and finished with zero points.
“For whatever reason, we weren’t ready to play with the aggressiveness and the desperation that we have to play with,” Sprinkle said. “We’re not good enough to come out like we did and play the way we did.
“We don’t shoot the ball well enough. We’re not good enough at the free-throw line and we’re not good enough defensively to not do the little things and scrap and fight like we did against Washington State.”
NJIT (2-11) will be playing for the first time since Dec. 14, a 50-43 loss at home in Newark to Wagner.
“Finals, 15 days off and then a trip to Washington,” Highlanders coach Grant Billmeier said.
The Highlanders have one of the youngest rosters in the nation — 12 of 14 players are either freshmen or sophomores. They’re led by second-year guard Tariq Francis, who is averaging 18.6 points and 3.7 assists per game. Sebastian Robinson (11.8 points per game), a sophomore guard, and forward Tim Moore Jr. (10.2) also are averaging in double-figure scoring.
Moore, one of two graduate students on the roster, is pulling down a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game.
–Field Level Media
