1. No. 25 Washington Huskies (22-5, 13-1 Pac-12) LW: 1
Coming off yet another sweep in Pac-12 play and improving to 22-5 (13-1), it is easy to see why Washington is the best team in the conference.
The main source of the Huskies’ success has come from their zone defense, which is one of the best in the entire nation thanks to head coach Mike Hopkins. The Huskies did not get away from their bread and butter this weekend, as they were able to hold both Utah and Colorado to a combined 100 points.
That stifling defense was in prime form on Wednesday night, as they were able to hold the Utes to an extremely low 28 percent shooting on 14-for-50.
One of the best players in the Pac-12 is senior guard Matisse Thybulle, who won Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Against the Utes, Thybulle showed off his ability to be a Swiss Army knife for the Huskies. He finished the contest with 10 points, including two baskets from behind the arc and seven rebounds, while showing off his defensive stardom, coming away with four blocks and six steals.
A few days later, he improved on that performance against the Buffaloes as he led the team in scoring with 17 points to go with his three rebounds, five blocks, and six steals before fouling out.
The Huskies should be able to keep their winning ways this week as they hit the road to take on the Cal Golden Bears on Thursday and the Stanford Cardinal on Sunday.
– Wilkinson