Washington @ Washington St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 26, 2017 ) Washington 71, Washington St. 79

Washington looks to match its conference win total from last season on Saturday as the Huskies conclude a three-game road trip against Washington State, which has stumbled following a 6-0 start. One season after finishing 9-22 with two conference wins, Washington opened Pac-12 play last week by splitting games against USC and UCLA.

Freshman guard Jaylen Nowell averages a team-high 16.4 points to lead the surprising Huskies, whose nonconference schedule was highlighted by a 74-65 win at Kansas on Dec. 6. “I think we’re confident no matter where we play,” junior forward Noah Dickerson told reporters. “Our coaches give us that confidence. Defense wins games. Defense wins championships and our defense can translate anywhere we play. The biggest takeaway is that defense wins games.” Dickerson is averaging 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and shooting 58.5 percent in four career meetings against Washington State, which allowed an average of 92.5 points in losses to UCLA and USC last week. The Cougars have lost six of their last eight games since winning the Wooden Legacy tournament but lead the Pac-12 in made 3-pointers at 12.1 per game.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT WASHINGTON (11-4, 1-1 Pac-12): One game after shooting 67.3 percent from the field in an 88-81 win over USC, the Huskies were held to 27.9 percent in last Sunday’s 74-53 loss to UCLA. Dickerson is averaging 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds while reserve forward Dominic Green made a case for more playing time after scoring 16 points in 23 minutes against USC. Sophomore forward Sam Timmons, a 6-foot-11 sophomore from New Zealand, has shot 71.0 percent from the field over his past seven games and figures to play a key role against the smaller Cougars.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (8-6, 0-2): Forward Drick Bernstine, averaging 6.3 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds, returned after missing one game due to an injury and grabbed seven rebounds in last Sunday’s 89-71 loss to USC. The backcourt includes two proven scorers in Malachi Flynn (15.6 points per game) and long-range threat Carter Skaggs, who has scored in double figures in four straight games while shooting 57.1 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch. Forward Robert Franks averages a team-high 17.6 points and 6.9 boards to lead the Cougars, whose rebounding margin of minus-3.0 ranks last in the Pac-12.

TIP-INS

1. Washington holds a 181-104 lead in the all-time series, but Washington State won both meetings last season.

2. The Cougars are averaging 42.7 points in the second half compared to 33.2 points in the opening half.

3. The Huskies lead the Pac-12 in steals at 8.9 per game.

PREDICTION: Washington 79, Washington State 72