Washington Huskies
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #29
Conference Rank: #2 Pac-12
Coach Mike Hopkins took Washington to the NCAA Tournament in his second season leading the program. The Huskies have been winning games with their defense and that will need to continue if Washington is going to take another step forward. With four starters gone though, it will be easier said than done. Jaylen Nowell, David Crisp and Noah Dickerson were all double-digit scorers and Matisse Thybulle was one of the best defenders in the nation. That is not an easy group to replace.
2018-19 Record: 27-9, 15-3
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mike Hopkins
Coach Record: 48-22 at Washington, 52-27 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jaylen Nowell, Guard, 16.2 ppg
Noah Dickerson, Forward, 12.3 ppg
David Crisp, Guard, 12.2 ppg
Matisse Thybulle, Guard, 9.1 ppg
Dominic Green, Forward, 6.1 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Hameir Wright, Junior, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Nahziah Carter, Junior, Forward, 8.1 ppg
Sam Timmins, Senior, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Elijah Hardy, Sophomore, Guard, 1.2 ppg
Jamal Bey, Sophomore, Guard, 1.0 ppg
Key New Players:
Raequan Battle, Freshman, Forward
Jonah Geron, RS Freshman, Guard
Quade Green, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Kentucky, eligible 2nd semester
Jaden McDaniels, Freshman, Forward
Noah Neubauer, RS Freshman, Guard
Bryan Penn-Johnson, RS Freshman, Center
Nate Roberts, RS Freshman, Forward
Riley Sorn, RS Freshman, Center
Isaiah Stewart, Freshman, Forward
Marcus Tsohonis, Freshman, Guard
J’Raan Brooks, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from USC, not eligible
Projection:
It is the group of newcomers that should keep Washington among the top teams in the Pac-12. Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels are among the top recruits in this class and are expected to form one of the best frontcourt tandems in the country. Stewart is a tough 6-9 forward who will be extremely tough on both ends of the floor. McDaniels has a very nice all-around game that should complement Stewart’s strength nicely. McDaniel can handle the ball extremely well for a 6-9, 200 pounder and he can knock down some mid-range jumpers too. Redshirt freshman Bryan Penn-Johnson is back on track after missing most of last season with an injury. The frontcourt will also look to senior Sam Timmins and junior Hameir Wright for leadership. Like the frontcourt, the backcourt will look very different this season. Quade Green comes from Kentucky where he flashed some of his vast potential. The sophomore sharp shooter will be eligible after the first semester concludes. Nahziah Carter, a 6-6 wing, is easily the team’s top returning scorer at 8.1 points per game. He should start at the shooting guard spot. The Huskies will have to get some backcourt depth from their large group of freshmen. Small forward Raequan Battle and guards Jamal Bey and Elijah Hardy will need to add depth on the perimeter. There are a lot of questions with this team, but Coach Hopkins should have enough options to find the right pieces to fill in the right spots. Once that happens, Washington will be one of the best teams in the Pac-12.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.8 (255th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.8 (30, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.1 (134, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.6 (58, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.6 (191, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.0 (141, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.5 (209, 8)
Rebound Margin: -3.3 (305, 11)
Assists Per Game: 11.6 (293, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.4 (222, 8)
Madness 2020 NBA Draft Rankings:
#6 Jaden McDaniels
#9 Isaiah Stewart
Madness 2019 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#2 Isaiah Stewart
#6 Jaden McDaniels
#77 RaeQuan Battle
