Year one of Coach Mike Hopkins era proved more successful for the Washington basketball program than expected.
The Washington Basketball team had a pretty eventful season. From Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors, a winning record in Pac-12 play, an NIT appearance, and a signature buzzer-beater win highlight the Huskies’ 2017-18 season.
Just over one year ago, the University of Washington began preparations for what was supposed to be a total rebuild of its men’s basketball program. Lorenzo Romar, a Pac-12 coaching staple for 15 seasons, was fired by UW after a nine win season.
A good hire
Athletic Director Jen Cohen convinced Hopkins to vacate his “head coach in-waiting” post at Syracuse, allowing the Laguna Hills, Calif. Native to return to the west coast to build his own dynasty. That “rebuilding year” quickly evolved into a competitive season that sparked optimism in the wary Husky faithful.
The #TougherTogether was particularly clever. The very motto almost dared Husky fans, players, and prospects to hang around and find out how good this team could truly be.
One year after the hiring of Hopkins, it’s time to grade the 2017-18 Washington Huskies.