Washington gave everything they had to Michigan in the late night west coast game yesterday, ultimately losing 82-72. However, many Husky fans, alumni, and radio personalities are calling out the integrity of the game officiated by the refs. It was very lopsided, even just on paper. If you didn't watch the game, you can see that UW had 20 fouls called on them while Michigan only had 13.
However, it was much worse than that when you watch the game. There were phantom calls and a game-changing potential goaltending call overturned in favor of Michigan. It was a mess, and one Husky hoops legend, Spencer Hawes, goes so far as to ask the FBI to investigate the refs.
.@FBI these zebras are point shaving in Seattle. Please investigate pic.twitter.com/joKEn1SGJA
— Spence Needle (@spencerhawes00) January 15, 2026
Washington felt like they were playing Michigan and the refs in Alaska Airlines Arena
Related: Jedd Fisch’s strong stance on contracts will prompt a serious double-take
Hawes wasn't the only one who was shocked by how one-sided the game felt. He was joined by a chorus of people who couldn't believe some of the atrocious calls. For example, the Aday Mara "non" goal-tending.
Refs miss the most egregious goaltending call on Michigan enabling the fast break. Quick 4 point swing in crunch time
— InsideSlant (@InslideSlantPod) January 15, 2026
I rarely talk about the officiating but this is criminal. One person is changing the whole complexion of this game. #UW #Michigan
— Jason Hamilton (@jasondhamilton) January 15, 2026
The Huskies may have still lost since it was a 10-point game, but it's hard not to imagine what it would have been like if they weren't giving phantom fouls to star players like Hannes Steinbach or Zoom Diallo. Even coach Danny Sprinkle was actively seen shouting and yelling at the refs during the game.
BIG10 needs to look into the officiating crew tonight in Seattle vs Michigan. This is an incredible disservice to the sport.
— Zachary Hatch (@zach_hatch23) January 15, 2026
The above social media posts are just a few examples of hundreds on the X platform. There is a general consensus among Husky fans that Washington was screwed in a game that mattered a lot. Michigan was a game that could have single-handedly boosted its tournament resume. Going from a team that is projected to miss right now to being inside the field.
However, they will now need to earn one of their quad-1 wins in the next two when the Dawgs play Michigan State at home and then the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the road. Both are top-15 NET games for the Huskies.