B1G Game Preview: UW WBB Huskies vs Nebraska – Sun. Feb. 22nd @ 12noon

It will be high-stakes at Hec Ed on as Selection Sunday pressure has arrived early in Seattle.

On February 22, 2026, the Washington Huskies (19–8 overall; 9–7 Big Ten) welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers (16–11 overall; 5–11 Big Ten) to historic Hec Ed for a Big Ten showdown that feels every bit like a play‑in game to the NCAA Tournament.

Both the Huskies and Cornhuskers know this matchup will echo loudly in the NCAA NET rankings and March Madness committee rooms — and the margins for a March Madness invite are thin.

Washington sits just ahead of Nebraska in NET rankings, and the teams’ resumes mirror each other: solid wins, a few missed chances, and not much separation from the rest of the bubble teams.

Consequently, Sunday’s contest will not be about style points but more like “survive and advance.”

For UW, defending their home court might be the difference between a secure NCAA bid and a nervous March.

Washington’s Defensive Identity: Control the Game Pace
Washington has crafted an identity that travels: defense, rebounding, and just enough star shot‑making to tilt the outcome in tight games.

The Huskies allow only 61.2 points per game and hold opponents to 39.9% shooting, ranking near the top of the Big Ten in team defense. Their perimeter pressure and defensive discipline in the half court can force opponents into late-clock, low‑percentage looks.

At the same time, the Dawgs own a robust plus‑7.7 rebounding margin for the season, including plus‑3.6 in Big Ten play. The Huskies can turn misses into fast breaks and secure defensive boards that shut off second‑chance opportunities.

However, the one crack in Washington’s armor is ball security. Their minus‑1.0 turnover margin overall (and minus‑3.0 in league play) leaves the door open for high‑tempo teams like Nebraska to manufacture easy points off UW mistakes.

Sayvia Sellers and a Husky Balanced Core
Everything for Washington starts with junior dynamo Sayvia Sellers: the 5’7″ point guard is averaging 19.1 points on a blistering 49.2% shooting and 37.1% from deep; while adding 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.

Sellers is the Dawgs’ engine, a three‑level scorer who thrives in late‑clock situations and has the ability to break any defense. When possessions naturally bog down in March‑like games, Sellers’ ability to create opportunity from nothing becomes priceless.

Yet UW’s offense is far from one-dimensional.

Avery Howell, a 6’0″ sophomore wing‑guard, is an elite two-way player. Howell scores 13.6 points per game while hitting on 42.1% of her threes and anchoring Washington’s rebounding effort with 8.3 rebounds.

Another UW wing-guard, 5’11” senior Elle Ladine adds 9.7 points per game, hits 35% from beyond the arc, and finishes an elite 65.7% at the rim. Although her play has been inconsistent recently, Ladine remains Washington’s ultimate wild card—capable of swinging a quarter, or even an entire game, with one scoring burst.

Inside, 6’3″ freshman forward Brynn McGaughy has already become a pillar of UW’s frontcourt. McGaughy contributes 8.8 points per game on 50% shooting on two‑pointers and converts a remarkable 70.3% at the rim.
More importantly, McGaughy grabs 4.3 rebounds and swats 1.2 shots per game, giving the Huskies a legitimate interior deterrent against dribble-drives and post‑ups. Against a Nebraska team that thrives when it finishes at the rim early in the shot clock, McGaughy’s presence will be critical.

On the perimeter, 5’11” guard Hannah Stines provides balance and composure, as well as 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. While her numbers may not always leap off the page, Stines stabilizes UW’s offense as a secondary creator and steady decision‑maker.

Stines will likely be matched up against Nebraska’s disruptive guards, where her job will be simple but vital: apply defensive pressure, avoid forced turnovers, and help the Dawgs dictate the tempo.

Nebraska’s Offensive Firepower
If Washington is about controlling pace, Nebraska is about breaking it with uptempo offense.

The Huskers average 79.8 points per game and shoot 48.0% from the field—an eye‑popping 8.1 percentage points higher than the typical opponent field‑goal percentage Washington allows.

When the Cornhuskers get downhill and find shooters in transition, their offense can snowball in a hurry.

Britt Prince is an elite three-level scorer that headlines Nebraska’s attack: the 5’11” sophomore guard averages 17.3 points on 55.3% shooting overall, including a stunning 46.6% from three-point range.

Alongside her, 6’2″ forward Amiah Hargrove is another three-level scorer averaging 12.5 points on 57.1% shooting on all two-point shots, including 73.2% efficiency at the rim; and 41.2% from three. Hargrove also cleans the glass at a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per game.

In addition, 6’2″ forward Jessica Petrie averages 11.4 points on 52.1% shooting on all two-point attempts; and grabs 4.6 rebounds.

Logan Nissley is the Huskers three-point sharpshooter at 43.8% she rivals Avery Howell in efficiency from deep range.

Nebraska’s challenge will be translating that offensive firepower into clean looks against Washington’s layered, patient defense.

Key Player Matchups
First, the marquee duel: Sayvia Sellers vs. Britt Prince. Sellers wants to slow the game, operate in pick‑and‑roll, and exploit mismatches in the half court. Prince, by contrast, thrives when she can score in transition, race off ball screens and attack early. If Washington keeps Prince in front and forces her into contested jumpers, the Dawgs gain the advantage. If Nebraska turns this into a track meet behind Prince’s tempo, the Huskies’ defensive structure could be stretched to its limits.

Simultaneously, Howell vs. Hargrove pits UW’s rebounding backbone against Nebraska’s best interior presence. If Howell controls the glass, Washington can keep the game in the 60s. If Hargrove and Petrie generate second‑chance points, the Huskers can drag this contest toward the 80s, where they are most comfortable.

5 Keys to Victory for UW WBB Huskies over Nebraska

1. Slow the Pace

Washington must keep Nebraska’s transition attack from turning the night into a track meet. The Huskies thrive when possessions slow and defensive stops flow into controlled offense with Sayvia Sellers orchestrating. By contrast, the Huskers and Britt Prince feast on open‑floor chaos, so UW defenders must first delay and deny every Cornhusker transition offense attempt.

2. Dominate the Glass and Deny Second Chances

The Dawgs need to extend their plus‑7.7 rebounding edge by owning the defensive boards and denying Amiah Hargrove and Jessica Petrie put‑backs that can push the score into the high 70s and 80s.

With Avery Howell anchoring the glass and Brynn McGaughy patrolling the paint, Washington can keep Nebraska one‑and‑done, limit transition threes, and keep the game firmly in the 60s—right where UW wants it.

3. Value the Ball, Secure the Ball

Washington must flip its season‑long turnover problem by playing clean, simple basketball that gives the Huskers as few forced turnover giveaways—and easy run‑outs—as possible.

If Hannah Stines and Sellers stay poised against Nebraska’s disruptive guards, the Dawgs can force the Cornhuskers to score against a set, layered defense rather than in the open court.

4. Let Sayvia Sellers Control Every Big Possession

The Huskies need to empower Sellers to dictate late‑clock possessions as a three‑level scorer and primary playmaker, punishing every defensive lapse the Huskers show. Her efficiency (19.1 points on 49.2% shooting) and composure in tight moments can turn empty Nebraska runs into Washington’s efficient offense, especially when she bends the defense and finds Howell, Elle Ladine, or McGaughy for high‑value shots.

5. Turn Defense into Offense Opportunities

UW must translate its 61.2‑points‑allowed, 39.9%‑defense identity into run‑out layups, rhythm threes, and controlled early‑offense looks that keep pressure on the Huskers without losing structure.

If the Dawgs convert key stops into efficient scoring bursts—and particularly if Ladine or Howell catches fire hitting trailing threes in transition.

UW WBB Win Probability: 63%

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us