UW Huskies’ win over Kansas looks even better after review of nonconference payouts

The only thing better than a 74-65 nonconference win over then-No. 2 Kansas is cashing a $90,000 check from the Jayhawks, which essentially paid for the Washington men’s basketball team’s trip to Kansas City, Mo. on Dec. 6.

A review of the Huskies’ nonconference payouts reveals UW spent $773,000 for 10 opponents, including an exhibition game against Saint Martin’s University.

Turns out, it was money well spent as UW won every game.

Washington (10-3) paid between $100,000 and $80,000 to seven teams, which played at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Huskies also paid $150,000 to 2K Sports Classic, which provided two nonconference home opponents (Belmont and Seattle University).

Washington lost to Providence and Virginia Tech, which also sent $150,000 to 2K Sports Classic, in tournament games at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The Huskies also suffered a lopsided defeat to in-state rival Gonzaga, which was the second game in a four-year series with the Bulldogs.

Collecting home wins over outclassed mid-majors is generally expected in college basketball where top programs stuff the November and December schedule with tuneups in preparation for conference play.

It’s not often UW receives a payout from a school for a road game that’s not tied to a tournament and doesn’t included a rematch at Alaska Airlines Arena at a later date.

The Huskies’ win over KU was arguably the biggest nonconference victory in school history considering they were 22-point underdogs who hadn’t beaten a top-5 team on the road since 1951.

In 2016-17, Washington paid eight teams (including an exhibition game) $627,000. In 2015-16, the Huskies spent $525,000 for six nonconference home games.

Here’s a look at UW’s 2017-18 nonconference payouts.

Opponent                                Payout       Received      Result

Saint Martin’s (exhibition)      $8,000         —                     W, 91-87
Belmont                                       ***                 —                     W, 86-82
Eastern Washington                 $95,000       —                     W, 79-69
vs. Providence                            —                  —                     L, 70-77
vs. Virginia Tech                        —                  —                     L, 79-103
Seattle University                     ***                  —                     W, 89-84
UC Davis                                    $85,000        —                     W, 77-70
Kennesaw State                        $80,000        —                     W, 85-71
Nebraska-Omaha                     $85,000        —                     W, 86-73
at Kansas                                    —                   $90,000          W, 74-65
Gonzaga                                     —                    —                     L, 70-97
Loyola Marymount                 $85,000         —                     W, 80-78
Bethune-Cookman                  $100,000      —                     W, 106-55
Montana                                    $85,000        —                     W, 66-63
Total                                       $773,000    $90,000

*UW paid 2K Sports $150,000 and organizers set up those games.