Huskies Open Season With 90-76 Win Over Colgate
Nikola Dzepina led Washington with 27 points as the Huskies rallied from a halftime deficit in their opener at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
The University of Washington men's basketball team defeated Colgate 90-76 on Monday, November 2, 2026, in its season opener at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. Colgate led 43-38 at halftime before Washington pulled ahead.
Why it matters
The win gives the Huskies a strong start to a new season under Coach Danny Sprinkle. It also gives Seattle-area fans an early look at the team's scoring options in the home opener.
Dzepina scored 27 points on 10 of 17 shooting, and Watts made 14 of 16 free throws for 22 points in the 90-76 win over Colgate. Yates III added 10 points on 3 of 6 shooting from the field, while the Huskies outscored Colgate by 14 in the second half after trailing 43-38 at halftime.
The players
Danny Sprinkle
Sprinkle is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Washington who started Lathan Sommerville, LeJuan Watts, Nikola Dzepina, Ryan Beasley, and Steele Venters in the opener.
Nikola Dzepina
Dzepina is a forward for the University of Washington who led the Huskies with 27 points in the season opener.
LeJuan Watts
Watts is a Washington guard who scored 22 points and went 14 of 16 from the free-throw line against Colgate.
The details
Dzepina scored 17 of the Huskies' first 23 points to open the second half and finished with a game-high 27 points. Ryan Beasley returned to action after missing two exhibition games in concussion protocol, while Mady Traore dressed but did not play due to knee issues and Tristan Devers was sidelined by a foot injury.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: Washington defeats Colgate 90-76 in its season opener.
Following week: Washington hosts Mississippi Valley State at home on Monday after a week off.
Season Trajectory
The Huskies opened their season with a home-court win that sets the tone for a schedule that includes a home game against Mississippi Valley State, which went 3-30 last season. Early results against lower-tier opponents will shape how the team is measured as the season progresses.
Dzepina's 27-point opener and Watts's 14-of-16 free-throw night are the early numbers to track for fantasy and betting purposes. The Huskies' game against Mississippi Valley State is the next chance to see whether those scoring patterns hold.
The takeaway
Early production from a deep scoring group suggests Washington can win with multiple options rather than one star. Fans should watch whether that balance continues when injured players return.
What happens next
The Huskies host Mississippi Valley State at Alaska Airlines Arena on Monday after a week off.
Further reading
For more on the team's early schedule, see Basketball coverage of Seattle-area teams.
