SEATTLE — The University of Washington Huskies have gotten off to a strong start for their season as they head into this week 8-4. The Huskies will be getting into more tough matchups this week following a victory over the University of San Diego Toreros last week.  

“Proud of our effort and our intent tonight,” said Huskies Head Coach Danny Sprinkle in a press conference after the San Diego game. “We challenged our guys to be consistent defensively for 40 minutes.” 

During their previous matchup against San Diego the Huskies outscored their opponent by 20 points in the first half to lead 46-26. While the opposition would come closer in the second half, the Huskies would once again lead in scoring to take the 86-56 victory. 

Husky Hannes Steinbach led the team with 21 points and 14 rebounds followed closely by Zoom Diallo with 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting and Desmond Claude added 13 points to the scoreboard. 

Seven of UW’s eight victories this season have come from a double-digit point differential. The only game to be won within 10 points was in the Huskies’ 99-93 double overtime victory over Southern in November.  

The Huskies’ next opponent will be Utah, which is also sitting at 8-4. Utah gained a significant victory of its own on Dec. 20, beating Eastern Washington 101-77. 

“I know they have a couple of really good guards that can really score the basketball,” said Sparkle. “They’re starting to play better and better... We’ve just got to continue to build onto (our) defensive effort and keep improving there.” 

UW averages about 83.2 points per game while holding their opponents to 71.7 this season. Utah sits with very similar stats, averaging 82.4 points per game and holding opponents to 78.8. 

This game will come down to who has the better defense as Sprinkle said that defense has been something that the Huskies have struggled a bit with this season. 

Washington averages about seven steals per game while opponents steal about five times; Utah averages six steals with opponents stealing about six times. Utah has a positive blocking differential with about four blocks per game to the opponents, three, while the Huskies earn about four blocks per game to five for the opposition. 

Washington will host Utah on Monday with tipoff at 8 p.m. 

BOX SCORE: 

UW: 46-40: 86
USDT: 26-30: 56