Washington has formally withdrawn from the last two games of the men’s basketball series against Gonzaga, as confirmed by Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford. The decision comes after an agreement between the two universities to extend their four-game set with an annual game through the 2025-26 season, following the cancellation of the Gonzaga-UW matchup in the 2021-22 season due to COVID.
According to Standiford, the contract included a clause that allowed either team to opt out in the event of a coaching change, and the Huskies decided to exercise that clause. This news comes as a disappointment to many basketball fans, as Washington was scheduled to visit Gonzaga in the Kennel for the third game of the series this season, with a return game the following year at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. Unfortunately, the Gonzaga-Washington game this season has been called off, as reported by CBS Sports.
The coaching change at Washington occurred after last season, with former Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle replacing Mike Hopkins, who had one year left on his contract. Hopkins had a record of 118-106 and led the team to one NCAA tournament appearance in seven seasons. Washington finished last season with a 17-15 overall record, going 9-11 in the Pac-12.
Standiford expressed understanding of Washington’s decision, citing the new coaching staff and the team’s transition to the Big Ten as potential reasons for the withdrawal. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about the possibility of resuming the series in the near future.
Gonzaga has historically dominated the series, winning seven straight and 14 of the last 15 games. However, Washington managed to secure a 78-73 victory in their last meeting, rallying from an 11-point second-half deficit at Alaska Airlines Arena. Gonzaga had previously won 77-60 in the matchup at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
As Gonzaga prepares for the upcoming season, they are anticipated to be a top-five team and have already secured several marquee matchups. The team is set to face off against San Diego State, Kentucky, UCLA, and UConn in high-profile games across the country. Furthermore, the Zags are also lined up to participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, competing against teams such as Arizona, Indiana, and Providence.
Standiford remains hopeful that Gonzaga will be able to find a worthy replacement for UW on their home schedule for the upcoming season. Additionally, the team is preparing for an expanded West Coast Conference schedule, with the addition of Washington State and Oregon State in 2024-25.
While it is regrettable that the remaining games of the Gonzaga-Washington series will not take place as originally planned, basketball enthusiasts can still look forward to an exciting season ahead with Gonzaga’s jam-packed schedule and the potential for future matchups between the two teams.