Washington Huskies vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Picks and Predictions February 19th 2025

Washington, Rutgers Contending for Last Berth in Big Ten Tourney

Judging by their records, one wouldn’t think the game between Rutgers and Washington on Wednesday night in Seattle has tournament implications.

But it does.

Battle for the Final Spot

The visiting Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-14, 5-10 Big Ten) and the Washington Huskies (13-12, 4-10) are battling for the 15th and final berth into the conference tournament next month in Indianapolis.

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The Huskies are coming off a 75-73 victory Saturday at Penn State as Mekhi Mason scored 20 points, making a season-high six 3-pointers. DJ Davis and Franck Kepnang scored 14 apiece. Leading scorer Great Osobor (14.9 ppg), despite missing practice with flu-like symptoms, nearly had the first triple-double in school history with six points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

“All this does is make the next game bigger,” said first-year Huskies coach Danny Sprinkle. “But this was our best win of the year.”

Rutgers’ Struggles Despite Talent

Rutgers has a pair of possible NBA lottery picks in freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper and opened the season in the Top 25, but little has gone right in Big Ten play.

Bailey (18.6 points per game) and Harper (18.5) combined for just 21 on Sunday at Oregon in a 75-57 loss—the Scarlet Knights’ third in a row.

“Obviously, we’ve got to play better on both ends of the floor,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. “Our offense didn’t help our defense, and our defense didn’t help our offense. We’ve got to share the ball better, too. … I’ve got to get us playing better, that’s for sure.”

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Adjustments Needed for a Rutgers Turnaround

As for Bailey and Harper?

“They’re just a little bit out of sync,” Pikiell said. “Teams get real physical with Ace. With Dylan, they’re in the gaps. I’m trying to explain to the guys they’re just coming in the gaps (defensively), they’re not even double-teaming. You’ve got to make the extra pass and they’ve got to make some of those opportunities. We got some decent looks (against Oregon) and didn’t capitalize on them.”

What’s at Stake?

With both teams fighting for their postseason lives, Wednesday’s game could be the deciding factor in their Big Ten Tournament hopes. Expect a high-intensity battle as Rutgers looks to end its losing streak and Washington aims to build momentum.