2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule
27-9, 1st in Pac-12
NBA draft profile: Matisse Thybulle (0:33)

This Just In  

Jaden McDaniels, the ESPN.com No. 7 recruit in 2019, has committed to Washington. He would be tied for the 2nd-highest-ranked recruit Washington has gotten in the ESPN 100 era. Isaiah Stewart (Class of 2019) is No. 3 while Markelle Fultz (Class of 2016) was No. 7.

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

North Carolina's biggest takeaway from the first NCAA tournament weekend: The need to defend more effectively early in games. "It showed tonight again," senior forward Luke Maye said. "We struggled a little bit guarding them in the first half, came out the second half a lot better. We can really score the ball in many different ways. We've just got to be better defensively and hopefully have a shot at winning the whole thing."

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

North Carolina seniors Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye have made sure their final NCAA tournament run will last until the second week. After Washington cut UNC's lead to 41-36, Johnson and Maye combined to score the team's next 12 points as part of a 13-0 run to put this game away. Nassir Little has continued his efficient offense with 18 points (7-of-10 shooting) in 20 minutes, to go with six rebounds.

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Catching up on Washington-North Carolina at halftime, as the Tar Heels lead 41-33. Despite 10 turnovers, the Heels have shot well (51.6 percent) against Washington's zone, and freshman point guard Coby White has made four of five 3-point attempts. Washington's defense has generated offense (16 of 33 points scored off of turnovers), and freshman forward Naz Carter has continued his tournament success with 10 points. The Huskies likely will need more from Matisse Thybulle (0-of-4) to make a comeback.

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Starting lineups and officials for Washington-North Carolina. Washington: G David Crisp, G Jaylen Nowell, F Matisse Thybulle, F Hameir White, F Noah Dickerson UNC: G Coby White, G Kenny Williams, G Cameron Johnson, F Luke Maye, F Garrison Brooks Officials: John Higgins, Ron Groover, Michael Irving, Darron George (standby)

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Washington coach Mike Hopkins on what he wants to establish in Seattle: "The Carolinas and the Dukes and the Syracuses and the great programs, that's what you strive to be. ... What they represent, playing for something bigger than yourself, the Carolina way, the Husky way. That's what you're trying to be."

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Washington's Jaylen Nowell on what it would mean if the Huskies' celebrated defense stymies North Carolina on Sunday: "It will mean everything. It will just prove we can stop anybody. They're one of the best teams in the country. If we do that and contain them, that's going to show everybody that we're a force to be reckoned with."

Thybulle: Washington's 'scary' when defense is clicking (1:46)

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Washington's Matisse Thybulle on what happens to opposing players when the Huskies defense is clicking: "It's a combination of being fearful and lost. They're scared to throw a pass because we're tipping everything, and they're lost because it seems like there's nowhere to go. We see that on their face like a shark smelling blood, it's exciting. We saw a little bit of that tonight."

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Washington used its trademark defense (21 turnovers forced), strong perimeter shooting, Noah Dickerson (20 points) down low and a second-half boost from Naz Carter (13 points) to surge past Utah State and into the second round. Led by Matisse Thybulle, the Huskies defense flustered Utah State's Sam Merrill (6 turnovers) and Neemias Queta (4-of-12 shooting). After the Aggies closed to within a point, Washington finished the game on a 24-8 run. The Pac-12 regular-season champs are moving on

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Led by Pac-12 defensive player of the year Matisse Thybulle, Washington smothered Utah State in the first half, forcing 11 turnovers and holding Sam Merrill scoreless. Merrill, the Mountain West player of the year, came in averaging 21.2 points per game but has missed all three of his shot attempts. Washington has been good both on the perimeter (four 3-pointers) and inside (14 points from Noah Dickerson on 6-of-8 shooting).

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Not surprisingly, defense will be a theme in this game, as Utah State and Washington already have combined for 13 turnovers. Washington already had a stretch featuring three blocks -- Matisse Thybulle nearly put Abel Porter into the Huskies bench -- and a steal. Utah State is rebounding well against Washington's zone with five offensive boards already.

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

Starting lineups and officials for Utah State-Washington. Utah State: G Sam Merrill, G Abel Porter, G Brock Miller, F Quinn Taylor, C Neemias Queta Washington: G David Crisp, G Jaylen Nowell, F Matisse Thybulle, F Hameir Wright, F Noah Dickerson. Officials: John Higgins, Michael Irving, Justin Porterfield, Greg Evans (standby)

Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer 

A ton of football references in describing Washington's Matisse Thybulle, the two-time Pac-12 defensive player of the year. Utah State coach Craig Smith compared him to Deion Sanders. Washington's Noah Dickerson said "Tisse Island" is a thing. "You can't throw his way," Dickerson said. Thybulle didn't play football but always studied off-the-ball defenders to figure out passing patterns and ultimately pick them off. "It's always been my thing," he said.

Team Stats

Points Per Game69.8
Rebounds Per Game31.3
Assists Per Game11.6
Points Allowed64.830th

Tournament History

Final Fours1
Tournament Record18-17
Championship SeasonsNone
Tournament Appearances16