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The Washington men's basketball program has made a remarkable comeback to notoriety by getting a share of the regular season conference title.
From nine wins two years ago as a World Conference Champion, the Huskies have returned to the top of the Pac-12 with one of the most remarkable rebirths in the history of this program.
This season is full of potential ends and no matter how it ends, these Huskies and their four eldest will be remembered as the team that has given Washington back its place of choice.
Higher prices may be on the horizon, but Washington achieved one of its pre-season goals and won a share of the Pac-12 regular season title, Saturday night.
And yet, to stay true to their personality in the next game, the Huskies treated their victory from 64 to 55 Saturday against Colorado like any other competition.
They did not cut the nets, or unveil the championship commemorative t-shirts, or attend a post-game party to celebrate the 23rd conference title and the fifth since the league adopted an 18-game schedule in 1978-1979.
"We managed to win the Pac-12 championship, but that does not mean anything to us," said senior guard Matisse Thybulle. "We want to win everything. We are grateful for the opportunity we have before us. We are grateful for our position, but we are just watching the next game. "
Nevertheless, the crowd of 10,000 spectators at the Alaska Airlines Arena serenaded the Huskies under a thunderous applause a good part of the night.
"Every time you win a title, it's great," said coach Mike Hopkins this week. "Obviously, that's what you're looking for. I think if you always do the right things off the court, that's the result. The score takes care of itself. Our guys have been very successful at staying focused, adopting good practices, caring for their bodies, and most of the time running game plans, a few times at the beginning of games.
"The championships, you play for that. There is a lot of pride in that. We want to have and try to build a consistent program at the championship level. Bottom line. If we can do it, it's great for guys. Perfect for school and for alumni. "
It took the Huskies only two years to perfect Hopkins' staggering zone defense and put together the pieces of the puzzle of his first championship since 2012.
On Saturday, it was a team trying to be what it was and recovering from its legendary past when UW's defense was feared and the former Hec Edmundson Pavilion was an intimidating place for his opponents.
All night, the Huskies smothered the Buffalos and forced 19 turnovers – a high point for the CU season – which earned them 18 points.
Washington limited Colorado to four three-pointers and recorded a rebound gap of 39-28.
"There are two reasons why we lost this game," said Buffaloes coach Tad Boyle. "No. We gave them 13 offensive boards, which we knew we could not do, because Washington is not a good offensive rebound team … We have to be tougher on the boards.
"Then the second thing is that you can not enter this building, especially when it's noisy and sold as it was tonight, and you throw the ball 19 times. So, a combination of offensive rebounds and turnovers that put us in a hole. "
Washington, who led 35-27 at halftime, put the game aside with a 18-8 push to start the second half.
During the race, Thybulle took center stage with a performance that should cement his bid for a second consecutive Pac-12 Defensive Player title.
At one point, the 6-foot-5 guard outstripped McKinley Wright IV of Colorado for a loose ball and a fast dunk that gave UW a 44-29 lead.
A few minutes later, Thybulle forced another turn-over that ended with his lay-up and a 53-35 lead in Washington.
In the past, Hopkins compared Thybulle to Deion Sanders and Spiderman.
This time, the NFL Hall of Fame and Super Hero character was not enough metaphors for the UW coach.
"He attacked Carl Lewis against us today with that loose ball when he came ahead of it," Hopkins said with a smile. And a little David Copperfield. I do not know where he is. He becomes invisible and then he is behind you. You simply do not know where he is. He is incredible. He has a gift. It does something better than anyone else in the country.
Thybulle, despite problems that limited him to only 25 minutes and 48 seconds, finished with 17 points, six flights and five blocks before escaping.
"He had 11 takeaways in 25 minutes," Hopkins said. "It's not even funny. You watch it and the game changes. It's amazing. "
Jaylen Nowell added 12 points and five rebounds, while David Crisp scored 10 points.
Washington led for over 34 minutes, but the Buffalos did not leave quietly and reduced UW's lead to 59-50 with 7:09 to go.
However, the Huskies did not allow them to get closer and both teams scored five points at the end of the course.
Tyler Bey led Colorado (16-11, 7-8) with 20 points.
With four regular-season games to play, Washington has a four-game lead in the Pac-12 race and could claim the title on Thursday in California.
"I've always had the vision that we could definitely do that," Hopkins said. "But I just did not have a schedule."
Note:
– Sophomore striker Hameir Wright traveled to Albany, New York to return home due to a family emergency and missed Saturday's game against Colorado. Senior guard Dominic Green replaced Wright in training and made his fifth start of the season.
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