UW Mails It In Against Penn State in Disappointing Loss

Huskies fall below .500 for the first time this season in 63-60 defeat to last-place Big Ten team

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The University of Washington basketball team put forth a lackluster effort in a 63-60 loss to Penn State, falling to 12-13 overall and 4-10 in conference play. Head coach Danny Sprinkle had previously expressed optimism that his players hadn't given up on the season, but against the struggling Nittany Lions, the Huskies looked disjointed and disinterested, leading to a disappointing defeat in front of a dwindling home crowd.

Why it matters

This loss is a major setback for the Huskies, who are now in danger of losing fan support and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With six regular-season games left, including three at home, Washington needs to find a way to re-engage its players and recapture a positive vibe to avoid a complete collapse.

The details

From the opening tip, the Huskies looked out of sync, with players making careless turnovers and failing to involve standout freshman Hannes Steinbach. The team's poor shooting and lack of cohesion allowed Penn State, a last-place Big Ten squad, to pull off the upset victory at Alaska Airlines Arena.

  • The game took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The Huskies now have six regular-season games remaining, including three at home.

The players

Danny Sprinkle

The head coach of the University of Washington basketball team, who expressed concern about his players' effort and engagement prior to the Penn State game.

Hannes Steinbach

A standout freshman for the Huskies who was not utilized effectively in the loss to Penn State.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of teams playing the schedule we did and playing on the road and dealing with some of the factors we've had to deal with, they'd shut it down. You've seen teams around the country and a lot of them are already disbanded, they're selfish, they're not playing for each other, they're not connected and they'll go this way.”

— Danny Sprinkle, Head Coach, University of Washington (si.com)

What’s next

With six regular-season games left, including three at home, the Huskies need to find a way to re-engage their players and recapture a positive vibe to avoid a complete collapse and loss of fan support.

The takeaway

This disappointing loss to Penn State highlights the Huskies' struggles this season and the need for head coach Danny Sprinkle to find a way to motivate his team and regain the trust of the fanbase in the final stretch of the season.