Washington Huskies vs Eastern Washington Eagles Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Washington Looks to Rebound Against Eastern Washington

After two tough losses to open Big Ten play, the Washington Huskies will take a break from conference competition to host Eastern Washington on Tuesday night in Seattle. Both teams enter the game searching for answers, with Washington trying to shake off its offensive struggles and Eastern Washington looking to rediscover its rhythm after a tough road stretch.

Huskies’ Struggles in Big Ten Debut

Washington (6-3) stumbled against familiar foes turned Big Ten rivals, falling 85-61 to USC on Saturday following an earlier defeat to UCLA. First-year coach Danny Sprinkle didn’t mince words about the team’s performance.

“We laid an egg, offensively and defensively,” Sprinkle said. “We have to start making shots.”

The Huskies’ offensive woes are reflected in their shooting percentages, ranking last in the Big Ten in field-goal shooting (41.7 percent) and free-throw shooting (61.5 percent). Their 3-point shooting isn’t much better, sitting near the bottom of the conference at 29.8 percent.

Sharpen your skills with our comprehensive betting resource.

USC capitalized on Washington’s struggles by clogging the paint and daring the Huskies to score from the perimeter. Great Osobor, the team’s preseason all-conference forward, was held to just nine points on 4-of-11 shooting and turned the ball over four times.

“They packed the paint, had bodies in there and basically dared us to make 3s,” Osobor said. “I know we’re not as bad as the numbers are saying. I don’t want to say I’m not worried … but I believe in our guys.”

The Huskies now have an opportunity to reset with three consecutive nonconference games against in-state rivals, including upcoming matchups with Washington State and Seattle University.

Eastern Washington’s Growing Pains

Like Washington, Eastern Washington (2-8) is navigating early-season challenges under a new head coach, Dan Monson. The Eagles are coming off a 74-53 loss to South Dakota State in the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge, their most lopsided defeat of the season.

Eastern Washington’s offense sputtered in the loss, with the team making more free throws (17) than field goals (16). Andrew Cook was the lone bright spot, scoring 13 points.

“I’m not making excuses, but we look like a team that’s been on the road the last month,” Monson said. “Offensively we are struggling, but defensively we are making strides.”

Monson, who previously coached at Gonzaga, Minnesota, and Long Beach State, emphasized the importance of digging deep against Washington before entering a five-week stretch of home games.

Don’t miss out on exclusive insights!

Sign Up Now!

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Great Osobor vs. Andrew Cook
   • Osobor will look to bounce back after USC stifled him, while Cook aims to carry Eastern Washington’s offense after leading his team in scoring in their last game.
2. Perimeter Shooting
   • Both teams are struggling to hit from deep. Washington’s ability to break out of its 3-point slump could be a decisive factor.
3. Paint Battle
   • With Washington’s offense heavily reliant on points in the paint, Eastern Washington’s defensive adjustments could determine how effectively the Huskies execute their game plan.

What’s at Stake

• Washington: A chance to rebuild confidence and refine its offensive execution before diving back into Big Ten play.
• Eastern Washington: An opportunity to gain valuable experience against a power-conference opponent and develop consistency as it prepares for the heart of its Big Sky schedule.

Outlook

Both teams are eager to use this game as a springboard. For Washington, it’s an opportunity to rediscover its offensive identity and secure a morale-boosting win. For Eastern Washington, it’s a chance to test its defense and possibly exploit the Huskies’ recent struggles.