The Washington Huskies are set to host the Denver Pioneers in what should be an interesting college basketball matchup. The Huskies just blew out the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 94-50, and they’ll want to keep that momentum rolling.
The Pioneers, meanwhile, are coming off a rough 11-21 season and are pretty eager to turn things around. Both teams have something to prove early in the year, so there’s a bit of extra energy in the air for this one.
Let’s take a quick look at what’s going on with both squads and what fans might see on the court.
Washington Huskies: Building on Early Success
Washington kicked off their season strong, thanks to a convincing win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Hannes Steinbach really stood out in that game, dropping 21 points.
They’re hoping to ride that wave as they get ready for Denver. The Huskies have a few players who can step up, but Steinbach’s impact can’t be ignored.
Key Players to Watch
Washington’s chances hinge a lot on their top guys. Steinbach’s scoring is a big piece, but he’s not alone out there.
- Hannes Steinbach: He put up 21 points last game, and his versatility makes him tough to defend.
- Team Shooting: Last year, the Huskies shot 44.5% from the field and 34.4% from deep. If they can keep that up, they’ll be in good shape.
Home Court Advantage
Playing at home in Seattle definitely helps. The Huskies went 9-9 at home last season, so they know how to feed off their own crowd.
Denver Pioneers: Seeking Redemption
Denver’s coming off a tough season. They finished 11-21, and their road record—just three wins away from home—wasn’t great.
They’ll need to fix those road issues if they want to hang with Washington. It’s not easy, but hey, that’s what early-season games are for, right?
Areas for Improvement
Denver’s got some things to work on, especially when they’re away from home. They averaged 72.4 points per game last year, so the offense is there, but it’s the consistency that’s missing.
- Points in the Paint: The Pioneers got 28.8 points per game inside last season. If they can control the paint, it could make things interesting.
- Turnovers: They averaged 14.1 points off turnovers. Turning mistakes into points is something they’ll need to keep doing.
- Fast Breaks: With 9.2 points per game on the break, Denver needs to push the pace when they get the chance.
Challenges on the Road
Denver’s road woes are well-known. They went 3-12 last year away from home, so it’s a real hurdle.
Sticking to their game plan and not letting the crowd get to them will be huge if they want to pull off an upset.
Betting Insights
If you’re looking at this from a betting angle, the BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE has the Huskies favored by 27.5 points. The over/under is set at 154.5, which is pretty high.
Factors to Consider
Thinking about putting some money down? There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Team Form: Washington is hot right now, and playing at home only helps.
- Player Performances: Guys like Steinbach can really swing the outcome.
- Historical Data: Last year’s numbers give you a sense of each team’s strengths and where they might slip up.
Game Predictions
Looking at the stats and how things are shaping up, it feels like Washington should win this one comfortably. Then again, basketball has a way of throwing curveballs, so you never really know—maybe Denver finds a spark and keeps it close.
Final Thoughts
This early-season matchup between the Washington Huskies and Denver Pioneers? It’s not just another game. Both teams have something to prove right out of the gate.
Washington’s hoping to keep their momentum going. Denver, on the other hand, is hungry for a comeback after last season didn’t go their way.
If you’re a fan, you can probably expect some bold plays and a few surprises. Honestly, it just feels like one of those games where anything could happen.
For more details and updates, check out the original article on Fox Sports.
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