The University of Washington men’s basketball team has had a tumultuous few years under head coach Mike Hopkins. Since taking over the program in 2017, Hopkins has yet to lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament, and the team has seen mixed results in the Pac-12. As a result, many fans are questioning whether or not Hopkins is the right man for the job. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Hopkins’ tenure and analyze his continued struggles as UW’s head coach.
When Hopkins took over the program, he inherited a team that had just gone 9-22 in the 2016-17 season. Despite his best efforts, the Huskies have yet to make it back to the NCAA Tournament. In his first three seasons, Hopkins led the team to a combined record of 54-50, with a 27-33 mark in Pac-12 play. This year, the Huskies are off to a slow start, with an 8-10 overall record and a 2-7 mark in conference play.
One of the biggest issues for Hopkins has been his inability to recruit top talent. Despite being located in one of the most talent-rich states in the country, the Huskies have struggled to bring in top-tier recruits. This has led to a lack of depth and experience on the roster, which has been a major factor in the team’s struggles.
Another issue has been Hopkins’ inability to develop his players. Despite having some talented players on the roster, many have failed to reach their full potential under Hopkins’ guidance. This has been especially true for the team’s guards, who have often looked lost and confused on the court.
Finally, Hopkins’ coaching style has been called into question by many fans. His teams have often looked disorganized and unprepared on the court, and his rotations have been criticized for being too conservative. This has led to some stagnant offensive performances, and it’s clear that Hopkins needs to make some changes if he wants to turn things around.
Overall, Mike Hopkins’ tenure as UW’s head coach has been far from successful. He’s yet to lead the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance, and his teams have often looked disorganized and unprepared on the court. If he wants to turn things around, he’ll need to make some changes to his coaching style and recruiting approach. Only then will he be able to get the Huskies back on track and competing for championships.
