Takeaways From Washington Huskies Exhibition Loss to Washington State Cougars

Washington’s men’s basketball team lost its final exhibition game before the regular season, falling 84-80 to the Washington State Cougars on Sunday at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Huskies led in both halves but still dropped a game that followed a heavier exhibition defeat to Boise State (109-91) on Oct. 17. Key issues included continued struggles from three-point range, after Washington finished 2025–26 14th in the Big Ten in made 3-pointers (221) and 16th in percentage (31.5%). Against Washington State, the Huskies went 6-for-23 (26.1%). Coach Danny Sprinkle acknowledged shots taken too quickly. Washington’s first small-ball lineup featured Tayshawn Comer, Wesley Yates III, Steele Venters, LeJuan Watts and Lathan Sommerville; they combined for 59 of 80 points, while Nikola Dzepina led the bench with 16 points and 12 rebounds.