Washington Basketball: Breaking down 2023-24 non-conference schedule

Washington Basketball’s non-conference schedule will pull them away from the Pac-12, at least a year before the Huskies permanently get pulled from the crumbling conference. Their schedule doesn’t include any sneak previews for the Big Ten a year from now, though.

Amid an insane amount of upheaval across the college athletics landscape in recent days, Washington released its non-conference basketball schedule for the 2023-24 season. The Huskies will tip off their final season in the Pac-12 with a homestand, beginning Nov. 6.

How will the Washington Huskies perform during their 2023-24 non-conference schedule, potentially their last as a member of the Pac-12?

Mike Hopkins’ squad went .500 last season and is facing a critical year in his tenure. As the team transitions to a new conference, it might provide a perfect framework to transition to a new coach, too, if things don’t go well this year.

There’s a high volume of departures to cope with, but none that are particularly devastating. The biggest loss was probably that of Cole Bajema – the guard transferred to another Pac-12 school, Utah.

After a Second Team All-Pac 12 appearance, Keion Brooks Jr. decided to return to Washington as a graduate student, a big decision for the Huskies. They also reeled in Sahvir Wheeler and Paul Mulcahy in the transfer portal, creating an intriguing backcourt.

Washington’s non-conference schedule will likely do them some favors in the win department, but not in the strength of schedule department. There aren’t a lot of tricky contests and there are zero guaranteed games against other major conference opponents (though Gonzaga looms).

Let’s take a closer look at the Huskies’ non-conference schedule.