Seattle University and the University of Washington are two of the most storied basketball programs in the Pacific Northwest. The two schools have met on the court 122 times since 1920, with Washington holding a 76-46 advantage.
The rivalry between the two schools is one of the most heated in college basketball. The games are always close, and the atmosphere is electric. Fans of both teams pack the stands to cheer on their team.
The Early Years
The first game between Seattle U and Washington was played on January 10, 1920. Washington won the game 27-21. The two schools played again the following year, with Washington winning again, this time by a score of 33-26.
In the early years of the rivalry, Washington was the dominant team. The Huskies won the first seven games between the two schools. Seattle U finally broke through in 1927, winning 26-25.
The 1950s and 1960s
The 1950s and 1960s were a golden era for Seattle U basketball. The Chieftains won the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1958, and they reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 1959.
During this time, Seattle U also had a number of great players, including Elgin Baylor, Tom Meschery, and Bob Rule. Baylor was one of the greatest players in college basketball history, and he was a key member of the Seattle U team that won the NIT.
The 1970s and 1980s
The 1970s and 1980s were a down period for Seattle U basketball. The Chieftains did not reach the NCAA Tournament during this time, and they had only one winning season.
Washington, on the other hand, had a number of successful seasons during this time. The Huskies reached the NCAA Tournament eight times, and they won the Pac-10 Conference championship in 1985.
The 1990s and 2000s
The 1990s and 2000s were a resurgence for Seattle U basketball. The Chieftains reached the NCAA Tournament four times, and they won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 2009.
Washington also had a number of successful seasons during this time. The Huskies reached the NCAA Tournament six times, and they won the Pac-12 Conference championship in 2009.
The 2010s
The 2010s were a decade of change for both Seattle U and Washington basketball. Seattle U joined the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, and Washington joined the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.
Both schools have had some success in their new conferences. Seattle U has reached the NCAA Tournament twice, and Washington has reached the NCAA Tournament four times.
The Future
The future of the Seattle U vs. Washington basketball rivalry is bright. Both schools are committed to winning, and they have a number of talented players on their rosters. The next time these two schools meet on the court, it is sure to be another classic.
Key Players
Some of the key players in the Seattle U vs. Washington basketball rivalry include:
- Elgin Baylor (Seattle U)
- Tom Meschery (Seattle U)
- Bob Rule (Seattle U)
- Brandon Roy (Washington)
- Isaiah Thomas (Washington)
- Markelle Fultz (Washington)
Notable Games
Some of the most notable games in the Seattle U vs. Washington basketball rivalry include:
- 1958 NIT championship game: Seattle U defeated Dayton 84-73 to win the NIT championship.
- 1959 NCAA Tournament Final Four: Seattle U lost to Cincinnati 90-64 in the Final Four.
- 1985 Pac-10 Conference championship game: Washington defeated Arizona 84-78 to win the Pac-10 championship.
- 2009 WAC championship game: Seattle U defeated Utah Valley 63-54 to win the WAC championship.
- 2009 Pac-12 Conference championship game: Washington defeated UCLA 73-63 to win the Pac-12 championship.
Statistics
Here are some of the key statistics in the Seattle U vs. Washington basketball rivalry:
- Washington leads the series 76-46.
- Seattle U has won the last two games in the series.
- The average score in the series is 75.4 to 70.1 in favor of Washington.
- The largest margin of victory in the series is 35 points, which Washington achieved in a 100-65 win in 1974.
- The smallest margin of victory in the series is 1 point, which Seattle U achieved in a 72-71 win in 1990.
Conclusion
The Seattle U vs. Washington basketball rivalry is one of the most heated and storied in college basketball. The two schools have met on the court 122 times, and the games are always close and exciting. The next time these two teams meet, it is sure to be another classic.
