The Washington Huskies fell to the Wisconsin Badgers in their second game of the Big Ten Tournament, but they almost pulled off a big upset of the Wisconsin Badgers. The Huskies were down 13 with eight minutes left and came back to get within one point before ultimately losing by three. Yet, the last few games it seems as if Danny Sprinkle and Washington has learned a very important lesson going forward.
In his post-game comments after the USC win, he talked about players who quit, dealing with adversity, and learning to come together as a team. He repeated this theme ahead of the Washington game, and in that late run to almost steal the game, you could see it in action. There was fight, hustle, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude.
A tight team is better than a talented team and Washington just proved it
Related: Kentucky fans have absurd transfer suggestion of Washington basketball star
Yet, the Huskies didn't learn that lesson until late in the season. Sprinkle learned with only seven healthy guys left on his team that having seven bought in guys is better than 12 talented but not-together players.
Desmond Claude's exit may have actually helped him realize this important point. Finally, in this tournament, we started to see the life that the Huskies have rarely shown all season. The roster on paper before the season stacked up alongside any in the conference, and yet injuries and lack of effort stalled this team.
Now, they beat USC and almost took down Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. It was a lesson learned a little too late, and now it appears Washington will add another wasted season to their resume. Not only a wasted season, but it was also a wasted one with an NBA talent on the roster.
Hannes Steinbach was incredible and was clearly the best player on the floor with another easy double-double (he almost had it by halftime). He scored 25 points with 16 rebounds. He also had one steal and three blocks. He almost single-handedly willed Washington back into the game. The other players were fighting around him.
This season feels like a "what could have been" season, and now the offseason will bring a ton of change.