The Washington Huskies have looked like a long-shot team to make the NCAA Tournament all season. Yet, things are changing and changing fast. The Huskies now have a resume that looks like a bubble team after an impressive win over Northwestern. It was that win that did something the Huskies haven't done all season: find a huge NET jump.
Washington was listed as a NET 57 team going into the game against the Wildcats. After the win, they surged all the way up to 47. KenPom has them at 46. They also have now two quad-1 wins, and when you look at the entire resume, it's starting to look like a tournament resume.
The Huskies have jumped all the way up to NET 47.
— The Husky Haul (@HuskyHaul) February 1, 2026
KenPom: 46
2-7 in Quad1
3-3 in Quad2
7-0 in Quad3/4
As of right now, this is a bubble team resume.
Can the Huskies actually find their way into the tournament? The path ahead is clear
Related: Both coaches explain the Zoom Diallo offsetting technical in win over Northwestern
The good news for the Washington Huskies is that they are surging at the right time and in the perfect part of their schedule. Two things are important when it comes to Tournament selection. One is the total body of work, which is obvious, but the other is often, "What have you done for me lately?" In other words, how did X team finish the season?
For the Huskies, they have a clear path ahead of them. Washington's best opponent over the final nine games is NET 22 Iowa. Then it's UCLA at NET 44. The Huskies play those two quad-1 teams and then the doors open wide for a big run to end the season. The final seven games after those two are all quad 2 or 3.
That's an open door for the Huskies to make a statement, finish the season strong, and showcase how they are a tournament team. Then selection Sunday may call the name of the Washington Huskies. Right now, they have a bubble team resume; the schedule gives them a chance to leave no doubt.