Washington and Xavier will meet Friday in Las Vegas for a semifinal-round matchup of the Continental Tire Main Event, both looking to rebound from losses. Washington (2-1) is coming off an 83-76 defeat at home last Sunday against Nevada. The Huskies dug an 11-point hole at halftime versus the Wolf Pack, which proved insurmountable. Washington coach Mike Hopkins said in his weekly press conference on Monday he was "more optimistic after watching the game" on film, however. Keion Brooks Jr. recorded a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double in the loss and Sahvir Wheeler finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. The meeting with Nevada was Washington's second in a row to open the season against an opponent that appeared in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Huskies beat Northern Kentucky on Nov. 9, 75-67. Xavier (2-1) marks Washington's third NCAA Tournament-qualifying opponent in a row, and the Huskies will see another in either Saint Mary's or 2023 national runner-up San Diego in Sunday's final day of the Main Event. We like Washington to do well here as this is another great public fade, and we think they show up and give Xavier all they can handle.