For the first time in years, expectations around Washington women’s basketball aren’t centered on rebuilding, developing, or simply reaching the postseason.
They’re centered on winning big.
After finishing 22-11 overall, posting a 10-8 mark in their inaugural Big Ten campaign, earning a top-eight conference finish, defeating USC in the Big Ten Tournament, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies enter the 2026-27 season with something they have not enjoyed in a long time: legitimate momentum.
Now entering her sixth season in Seattle, head coach Tina Langley has steadily transformed Washington from a rebuilding program into a consistent NCAA Tournament team. The next challenge is obvious. Can the Huskies make the leap from tournament participant to conference contender?
The talent on this roster suggests the answer may be yes.
The Foundation: Sellers and Howell
Every great team starts with star power, and Washington enters the season with one of the Big Ten’s most explosive backcourts.
Senior guard Sayvia Sellers returns as the engine of the Huskies’ offense after averaging 18.0 points and 3.9 assists per game while earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors last season. Sellers has developed into one of the conference’s premier shot creators, capable of taking over games with her scoring while also facilitating for teammates.
Alongside her is junior wing Avery Howell, whose emergence as one of the nation’s most versatile players helped elevate Washington’s ceiling a year ago. Howell averaged 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while establishing herself as one of the conference’s most dangerous perimeter shooters and toughest rebounders.
Together, Sellers and Howell accounted for more than 32 points per game last season and carried the Huskies through numerous close contests. More importantly, they provide Washington with something every contender needs: proven leadership.
“This is a team that values relationships and trust,” Sellers said during preseason availability. That chemistry could become one of Washington’s greatest strengths as it navigates a demanding Big Ten schedule.
Brynn McGaughy’s Next Leap
Lost somewhat behind the star power of Sellers and Howell is the development of sophomore forward Brynn McGaughy.
McGaughy earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team recognition after averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, often flashing the versatility that made her one of the nation’s most coveted recruits.
Her combination of length, athleticism, and scoring ability gives Washington another potential difference-maker.
The question entering this season isn’t whether McGaughy can contribute.
It’s whether she can become an All-Big Ten caliber player.
If the answer is yes, Washington’s ceiling changes significantly.
The Transfer Who Changes Everything
Washington’s biggest offseason addition arrived from NC State.
At 6-foot-6, junior forward Tilda Trygger fills perhaps the most important need on the roster.
The Swedish forward averaged 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while helping the Wolfpack reach the NCAA Tournament. Her size immediately transforms Washington’s frontcourt and gives the Huskies a true interior presence capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor.
For years, Langley’s teams have thrived through defensive discipline and guard play. Now they have a legitimate post player who can anchor the paint, protect the rim, and create matchup problems against smaller opponents.
Trygger may ultimately be the addition that determines whether Washington remains a good team or becomes a great one.
More Than Just One Transfer
Trygger headlines the newcomers, but she is hardly the only player expected to make an impact.
Colorado State transfer Brooke Carlson arrives after averaging nearly 12 points and over three assists per game. Carlson provides something Washington lacked at times last season: another guard who can consistently create offense off the dribble.
Her breakout performance in last year’s NCAA Tournament, when she scored 26 points against Michigan State, demonstrated her ability to produce on the biggest stage.
Carlson’s aggressive downhill style should complement Sellers and Howell, giving opposing defenses another dynamic scorer to account for.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State transfer Macey Huard brings a different dimension. The 6-foot-2 senior guard missed last season with a foot injury but enters Seattle as a proven perimeter shooter whose spacing could unlock additional driving lanes for the Huskies’ star guards.
Hungarian 6’2″ guard Petra Toman adds another intriguing piece to the backcourt. While she enters without college statistics in the United States, coaches and teammates have praised her skill set and basketball IQ throughout preseason workouts.
The talent is evident.
The challenge will be integrating all of these newcomers into a team that already possessed a strong returning core.
The Fifth Starter Question
Washington appears to have four positions firmly settled entering opening night.
Sayvia Sellers.
Avery Howell.
Brynn McGaughy.
Tilda Trygger.
The final starting spot remains one of the season’s most fascinating storylines.
Brooke Carlson offers NCAA experience, scoring punch, and another ball-handler.
Sophomore Kaelyn “KK” Carroll may possess the highest potential upside. The former Kentucky transfer brings tremendous length at 6-foot-3, defensive versatility, and the type of two-way potential that could make Washington’s lineup significantly more difficult to match up against.
Then there is Nina Cain, whose limited playing time last season shouldn’t overshadow the tools she brings. The 6-foot-2 sophomore combines advanced footwork, positional flexibility, and a high basketball IQ that fits perfectly within Washington’s system.
Regardless of who wins the job, the competition itself is a positive sign. For perhaps the first time under Langley, Washington has multiple legitimate starting-caliber options fighting for major minutes.
That’s a luxury most programs never have.
Depth Could Become a Major Strength
Beyond the projected starters, Washington’s bench appears deeper and more versatile than at any point during the Langley era.
Junior guard Devin Coppinger provides reliable two-way play and strong decision-making.
Freshman Amayah Garciaarrives as one of the most highly regarded recruits in the program. Ranked among ESPN’s top prospects in her class, Garcia possesses the versatility to play multiple perimeter positions while contributing as both a scorer and defender.
The coaching staff won’t need Garcia to carry a major burden immediately.
However, her talent suggests she may become impossible to keep off the floor as the season progresses.
Defense Remains the Standard
For all the excitement surrounding Washington’s offensive potential, the program’s identity remains rooted in defense.
Last season, the Huskies held opponents to approximately 62 points per game and consistently frustrated teams with their discipline, communication, and effort.
Replacing veterans Elle Ladine and Hannah Stines won’t be easy. Both were important contributors who understood Washington’s defensive system and culture.
Yet the personnel on this roster suggests the Huskies have the tools to maintain that standard.
Trygger adds rim protection.
Howell remains one of the team’s best rebounders.
Sellers has evolved into a complete two-way guard.
McGaughy’s athleticism allows her to guard multiple positions.
If Washington can sustain its defensive identity while integrating new offensive weapons, the Huskies could become one of the conference’s most balanced teams.
What Success Looks Like
The Big Ten remains one of the nation’s toughest conferences, filled with national contenders and NCAA Tournament-caliber teams.
Washington does not need to win the conference to have a successful season.
But this roster was not assembled merely to repeat last year’s accomplishments.
The Huskies have enough star power, enough experience, and enough depth to aim higher.
A finish in the top half of the Big Ten should be the expectation.
A top-four finish is within reach.
And if the chemistry develops as quickly as players and coaches believe it can, Washington could find itself in the conversation for a conference championship and a deep NCAA Tournament run.
The pieces are in place.
The stars are returning.
The transfers have arrived.
Now comes the difficult part: proving the hype is justified.
For a Washington program that has spent years climbing back toward national relevance, the 2026-27 season feels different. It feels like opportunity.
And perhaps, just perhaps, it feels like the season the Huskies finally break through as a formidable contender for a Big Ten conference championship and a Sweet 16 NCAA berth.
