Top stars return to the court has been a bright spot for Washington as they look to turn their season around. After playing just one half of a conference game over the past two seasons due to injuries, the 6-foot-11 center finally saw meaningful action last week against UCLA. His presence made an impact, and he’s expected to suit up again on Saturday when the Huskies (10-10, 1-8 Big Ten) face Minnesota (11-10, 3-7) in hopes of snapping a six-game losing streak.
He transferred from Oregon in 2022, has faced a tough stretch with injuries. He was sidelined in the Pac-12 opener against Oregon State in 2023 and suffered another setback last season before conference play even began. Now healthy, he could provide a much-needed boost in the paint for a Washington team struggling in conference play. His size, defensive presence, and ability to rebound could be key factors as the Huskies aim to reverse their fortunes against the Golden Gophers.
His return to form has been a bright spot for Washington amid a challenging Big Ten season. In 21 minutes against UCLA, the 6-foot-11 center contributed seven points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots, showcasing his trademark intensity. “It’s like he’s fresh and renewed,” Huskies coach Danny Sprinkle said. “He knows one speed, which is what makes him a special player. I thought he looked terrific out there.”
Persistent knee injuries have plagued Kepnang, limiting him to just three games this season. However, his resilience and hard work have paid off. “It was a blessing,” Kepnang said. “It’s been a long way coming. A lot of hard work and hours put in to be ready to play with my teammates. It was definitely a good thing and a joy to be out there and compete.”
Washington (10-10, 1-8 Big Ten) hopes Kepnang’s presence can help snap a six-game losing streak when they face Minnesota (11-10, 3-7) in Minneapolis. The Huskies have struggled against tough competition, with five of their six consecutive losses coming against ranked teams before their 65-60 defeat to UCLA.
Great Osobor, a preseason All-Big Ten selection, leads the Huskies in scoring (15.5 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg), assists (3.2 apg), and steals (2.1 spg). His all-around performance has been vital, but the team will need more contributions to turn things around.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 73-51 loss to No. 7 Michigan State, which snapped their three-game winning streak. Dawson Garcia continues to shine for the Golden Gophers, scoring 21 points—his sixth straight game with 20 or more. Garcia leads Minnesota with 19.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Turnovers plagued the Gophers in their loss to the Spartans, committing 11 in the first half alone. “It was a little bit of a jolt to our guys,” Minnesota coach Ben Johnson said. “It kind of snowballed. There was no rhythm offensively. I didn’t feel like anybody really established themselves or got comfortable.”
Saturday’s matchup will be pivotal for both teams as they seek to regain momentum in Big Ten play.
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