Washington Huskies vs Washington State Cougars Picks and Predictions December 18th 2024

A Historic Rivalry Renewed

When Washington State Cougars (9-2) visit the Washington Huskies (7-3) on Wednesday night in Seattle, it will mark the 300th meeting between these two rivals, a milestone that ranks ninth in NCAA Division I history. While the matchup has historically carried Pac-12 implications, this year, it’s a unique nonconference meeting as Washington embarks on its first season in the Big Ten and Washington State competes in the West Coast Conference.

The Cougars are riding a three-game winning streak, while the Huskies aim to build momentum after snapping a two-game skid. Both teams have shown flashes of promise this season but face challenges as they prepare to face their oldest foe.

Washington State: Battling Through Injuries

The Cougars arrive in Seattle with a strong record but significant injury setbacks.

• Cedric Coward, the team’s leading scorer at 17.7 points per game, and Marcus Wilson are both out for the season following shoulder surgeries.
• Forward Rihards Vavers is also expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after breaking bones in both hands.

Despite these losses, the Cougars continue to thrive thanks to standout performances from Nate Calmese and LeJuan Watts.

• Calmese: The Washington transfer has been a revelation, averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
• Watts: A key contributor in the frontcourt, Watts is averaging 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Washington State head coach David Riley praised his team’s resilience amid adversity: “They’ve rallied around each other and really started to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which has allowed them to play a little more confident.”

Washington: Aiming for Consistency

The Huskies bounced back from a pair of conference losses with an 87-69 win over Eastern Washington on Dec. 10. The victory showcased a potent offensive performance, led by Mekhi Mason, who scored a season-high 23 points and knocked down 5-of-7 three-pointers.

• Mason’s resurgence: After struggling early in the season, Mason responded to challenges from head coach Danny Sprinkle, regaining his starting role and proving instrumental in the team’s recent success. Sprinkle noted, “I’m really proud of Mekhi… he’s coming out of the other side of that now.”
• Team effort: The Huskies shot a season-best 60.7 percent from the field in the win over Eastern Washington, with Mason’s perimeter shooting opening up the offense.

While the Huskies are still finding consistency, their strong shooting performance suggests they’re capable of posing a challenge to the Cougars’ depleted roster.

Keys to the Game

For Washington State:

1. Calmese’s Leadership: With several key players sidelined, Calmese must continue to drive the offense.
2. Defensive Grit: The Cougars need to slow down Mason and limit Washington’s three-point opportunities.
3. Depth Contribution: Role players must step up to fill the void left by injured starters.

For Washington:

1. Sustaining Offensive Flow: Building on their season-best shooting performance will be critical.
2. Defensive Pressure: Force turnovers and exploit Washington State’s thin rotation.
3. Mekhi Mason’s Consistency: Another big game from Mason could tip the scales in Washington’s favor.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Prediction and Outlook

This historic rivalry promises to deliver a competitive clash, even with the injury challenges facing Washington State. While the Cougars have shown resilience, the Huskies’ balanced offense and home-court advantage could prove decisive.

Prediction: Washington 74, Washington State 68. Expect a hard-fought game with the Huskies pulling away late.