Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are the primary institutions representing Washington state in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
Washington State Cougars Men’s Basketball
The Cougars, led by head coach Kyle Smith, concluded the 2023–24 season with a 25–10 overall record and a 14–6 mark in Pac-12 play, securing second place in the conference. They advanced to the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament but fell to Colorado. Earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, WSU defeated Drake in the first round before narrowly losing to Iowa State in the second round. This marked their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.
Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball
The Huskies finished the 2023–24 season with a 17–15 overall record and a 9–11 conference record, placing them in a three-way tie for sixth in the Pac-12. They were eliminated in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament by USC. Following the season, head coach Mike Hopkins was relieved of his duties, and Danny Sprinkle was appointed as the new head coach on March 25, 2024. Additionally, UW announced plans to transition to the Big Ten Conference in 2024, ending their longstanding affiliation with the Pac-12.
Recent Developments
As of March 10, 2025, conference tournaments are underway, influencing NCAA Tournament seeding. Notably, the Washington women’s basketball team secured a victory against Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, with Elle Ladine leading the team with 21 points. They will face Michigan in the next round.